national - The Rapid City Post

This photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections shows Kendrick Simpson, 45, on Aug. 11, 2025, who is scheduled to be executed, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in Oklahoma, for the 2006 drive-by shooting deaths of two men. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP)

Oklahoma set to execute man convicted of double killing in 2006 drive-by shooting

February 12, 2026

Oklahoma is set to execute a man convicted of killing two men in a drive-by shooting in 2006. Forty-five-year-old Kendrick Simpson is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Thursday in Oklahoma’s first execution this year. Simpson admitted at a clemency hearing last month that he shot and killed 19-year-old Anthony Jones and 20-year-old Glen Palmer and apologized to their families. Oklahoma’s five-member board narrowly voted to deny Simpson clemency. Simpson’s attorneys had argued he suffered from chronic trauma growing up in a New Orleans housing project. He moved to Oklahoma City after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, looks on ahead of a group photo at the Heads of states dinner, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, Pool)

Europe warily awaits Rubio at Munich Security Conference as Trump roils transatlantic ties

February 11, 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading a large U.S. delegation to the Munich Security Conference this week. Increasingly nervous European leaders are hoping for at least a brief reprieve from President Donald Trump’s often inconsistent policies and threats that have roiled transatlantic relations and the post-World War II international order. A year after Vice President JD Vance stunned assembled dignitaries at the same venue with a verbal assault on many of America’s closest allies in Europe, Rubio plans to take a less contentious but philosophically similar approach when he addresses the annual conference on Saturday. That’s according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James, center, flanked by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, left, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, speaks with members of the media during a news conference near the scene of a shooting at a supermarket, in Buffalo, N.Y., May 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Gun accessory company to pay $1.75 million to Buffalo supermarket shooting victims

February 11, 2026

The maker of a gun accessory tied to a racist shooting that killed 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo will pay $1.75 million to survivors and victims’ families and will stop selling the device in New York. State Attorney General Letitia James made the announcement about with Georgia-based Mean Arms on Wednesday. She said the company’s lock is meant to block high-capacity magazines and the gunman removed it quickly and used illegal magazines. She also said the packaging includes removal instructions. Lawyers say families also settled separate cases with the shooter’s parents and a gun seller. The shooter is serving life in prison.

Striking nurses walk a picket line outside NewYork Presbyterian Hospital, in New York, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Mount Sinai nurses approve new contract ending strike at its NYC hospitals

February 11, 2026

Mount Sinai nurses have approved a new contract, ending a monthlong walkout at its hospitals in New York City. The hospital system said Wednesday that an overwhelming majority of its unionized nurses voted to ratify new three-year pacts. Mount Sinai’s CEO nurses will begin reporting back to work Saturday. The union didn’t immediately comment but has said the deal calls for pay raises of more than 12% over three years, among other priorities sought by nurses.

Blake Lively leaves a courthouse in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, who came to the courthouse to see if her lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the set of the 2024 romantic drama “It Ends With Us” could be settled before a May trial. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni go to New York in required effort to avoid trial

February 11, 2026

Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni came to a New York courthouse to see if her lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the set of the 2024 romantic drama “It Ends With Us” could be settled before a May trial. They left the courthouse after seven hours Wednesday without speaking publicly. Their acrimonious yearlong litigation has cast a wide net across the entertainment world. Lively sued Baldoni and his hired crisis communications expert alleging harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation after she complained about his treatment of her on the movie set. Baldoni countersued, but that lawsuit was thrown out.

FILE - U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino walks through a Target store Jan. 11, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Adam Gray, File)

Protesters in multiple states press Target to oppose the immigration crackdown in Minnesota

February 11, 2026

Activists have planned protests at more than two dozen Target stores around the United States to pressure the discount retailer into taking a public stand against the 5-week-old immigration crackdown in its home state of Minnesota. A coalition of community groups, religious leaders, labor unions and other critics of the federal operation, called for coordinated demonstrations to start on Wednesday and to continue for a full week. Target’s headquarters are located in Minneapolis, where federal officers last month killed two residents who had participated in anti-ICE protests, and its name adorns the city’s major league baseball stadium and an arena where its basketball teams plays.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference at Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

House faces showdown vote over Trump’s tariffs on Canada

February 11, 2026

The House is preparing to potentially slap back President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada. It would be a sharp rebuke of the White House agenda though it wouldn’t actually undo the tariffs without support from Trump himself, which is highly unlikely. Trump believes in the power of tariffs to force U.S. trade partners to the negotiating table. But lawmakers are facing unrest back home from businesses caught in the trade wars and constituents navigating high prices. House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to prevent a vote, but his strategy collapsed. A few Republicans joined with Democrats in pushing the resolution forward.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks during a press conference of the Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights leaders on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights leaders unite to counter Trump administration’s agenda

February 11, 2026

The Congressional Black Caucus is building a new coalition with major civil rights groups to push back on President Trump’s domestic agenda. On Tuesday, leaders met and spoke publicly about what they call rollbacks in voting access, civil rights enforcement, and social programs. Rep. Yvette Clarke, chair of the caucus, said they plan to legislate, organize, and mobilize communities. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries says organizers keep many tools on the table. They include protests, boycotts, and lawsuits. The coalition focuses on protecting voters ahead of the midterms. It also responds to Trump’s aggressive anti-DEI actions and funding threats.

Marimar Martinez, a woman who was shot by a Border Patrol agent last year, sits with her attorneys during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Lawyers of Chicago woman shot by federal agents say documents show how DHS lies about investigations

February 11, 2026

Attorneys for a woman shot multiple times by a Border Patrol agent last year in Chicago say newly-released videos, texts and emails show how the Trump administration mishandles investigations and spreads misinformation. Marimar Martinez was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in October. The teaching assistant who’s a U.S. citizen was charged with a felony after Homeland Security officials accused her of trying to ram agents with her vehicle. But the case was dismissed. Her attorneys wanted evidence in her now-dissolved criminal case public, especially after a federal agent fatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Good under similar circumstances.

Pima County, Ariz., Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks with The Associated Press, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Arizona sheriff finds himself under a microscope with the Nancy Guthrie case in its 2nd week

February 11, 2026

Chris Nanos has had a long career in law enforcement, but he admits he isn’t used to the amount of scrutiny that has come with leading the investigation into the disappearance of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother. At news conferences since 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie’s apparent abduction from her Tucson-area home, the soft-spoken sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, has tried to walk the line between keeping the public informed while withholding investigation details that only the person who took her would know. He’s acknowledged the approach sometimes falls short. But one retired Republican law enforcement officer says he wouldn’t criticize the Democratic sheriff, saying such cases can get complicated.

FILE- Voting booths are set up at a polling place in Newtown, Pa, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

House GOP pushes strict proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters ahead of midterm elections

February 11, 2026

House Republicans are rushing ahead with legislation that would impose strict new voter ID requirements ahead of the midterm elections. The bill, coming to a vote on Wednesday, is a Trump administration priority aimed at scrutinizing ballot access. But it faces blowback in the Senate. Called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, the legislation requires Americans to present proof of citizenship when they register to vote and to show a valid photo identification before they cast ballots. Republicans say it’s needed to prevent voter fraud. Democrats warn it will make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. Experts say voter fraud is extremely rare.

FILE - This undated image made available by the National Human Genome Research Institute shows the output from a DNA sequencer. (NHGRI via AP, File)

Studies test whether gene-editing can fix high cholesterol. For now, take your medicine

February 11, 2026

Scientists are testing an entirely new way to fight heart disease: whether gene editing might offer a one-time fix for high cholesterol. It’s very early-stage research that has been tried in only a few dozen people so far. But gene-editing approaches being developed by two companies show hints that switching off certain genes could dramatically reduce artery-clogging cholesterol. It will take far longer and larger studies to prove. Still, researchers say it raises hope of one day being able to prevent heart attacks without having to take pills.

Gabbard ends intelligence reform task force after less than a year of work

February 11, 2026

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is ending the work of a task force she set up less than a year ago to look for ways to improve the nation’s intelligence agencies. Gabbard created the Director’s Initiatives Group to rid America’s spy agencies of what she called the politicization of intelligence gathering. In announcing the end of the group Wednesday, Gabbard said it was always intended to be a temporary effort. The group became a lightning rod for criticism of Gabbard, with Democrats and some intelligence insiders questioning whether it would be used to weaken spy agencies and bring them under the control of President Donald Trump.

FILE - People work at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Homeland Security officials voice concerns about looming shutdown

February 11, 2026

Homeland Security officials are highlighting the potential impact of a shutdown. Among the concerns are delayed reimbursements to states for disaster relief costs and missed paychecks for the agents that screen passengers and bags at the nation’s airports. Congress has provided full-year funding for the vast majority of the federal government, but it only passed a short-term funding patch for the Department of Homeland Security that extends through Friday. Democrats have insisted that any funding bill for the department come with changes to immigration enforcement operations. But Republicans are emphasizing that a Homeland Security shutdown would not curtail the work of the agencies Democrats are most concerned about.

Bad Bunny streams skyrocketed after the Super Bowl, up 175% in the U.S.

February 11, 2026

The legacy of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show continues. Streams of his catalog jumped 175% in the U.S. on Monday when compared to the previous Monday, Feb. 2. That’s according to industry data and analytics company Luminate. Bad Bunny received nearly 100 million streams on Monday in the U.S. compared to 36.2 million streams the previous Monday. That’s 99.6 million. That’s noteworthy because Monday, Feb. 2 was the day after the 2026 Grammys when Bad Bunny won album of the year. It marked the first time an all-Spanish language album took home the top prize. As a result, he was already seeing a significant jump in streams

Michael Douglas announces ‘raw’ memoir for October release

February 11, 2026

Oscar-winner Michael Douglas has announced a memoir set for release on Oct. 6. He describes it as a “raw, sweeping” account of his personal and professional life. Douglas, 81, aims to share his story on his own terms, focusing on his journey from his father Kirk Douglas’ shadow to his own stardom. The book, written with Michael Fleming, will cover his experiences with cancer and substance abuse, as well as his enduring marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones. Douglas is known for roles in “Fatal Attraction” and “Wall Street.” He is also a philanthropist and U.N. Messenger of Peace.

The sun sets behind the U.S. Capitol on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

CBO: Federal deficits and debt to worsen over next decade

February 11, 2026

The Congressional Budget Office projects worsening federal deficits and rising debt over the next decade, driven by increased spending on Social Security, Medicare, and debt service payments. The report factors in major developments in the past year, including the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” higher tariffs, and immigration crackdowns. These changes increase the projected 2026 deficit by about $100 billion. Debt held by the public is expected to rise from 101% of GDP to 120%. The CBO notes that higher tariffs partially offset some increases by raising federal revenue by $3 trillion.

Six months after explosion, Pennsylvania mill town sees hope but a history of disappointment

February 11, 2026

Six months ago, an explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works killed two people. It also heightened the stakes in the life of a western Pennsylvania mill town even as a new mayor tries to raise hopes. But many who live and work in Clairton are wondering if they can hope for a sustained departure from decades of disinvestment and persistent pollution. Blocked by one American president, approved by the next, Japan’s Nippon Steel bought the American industrial icon for $15 billion last June. It pledged $11 billion in upgrades to domestic steelmaking. Nippon said $2.4 billion of that might reinvigorate Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley, where a half century of deindustrialization has left long strands of scarred riverside steel towns.

FILE - A Federal Aviation Administration sign hangs in the tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, March 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights

February 11, 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport. A notice posted on the FAA’s website said the temporary flight restrictions were for “special security reasons,” but the notice did not provide additional details. The closure does not include Mexican airspace. The airport said in an Instagram post that all flights to and from the airport would be grounded from late Tuesday through late on Feb. 20, including commercial, cargo and general aviation flights. It suggests travelers contact their airlines to get up-to-date flight information.

An envelope from a Black soldier stationed in Alabama written to his wife in Nashville in 1942 shows a stamp that says "Idle Gossip Sinks Ships" Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Kristin M. Hall)

Letters from a WWII soldier to his sweetheart offer an intimate picture of love during wartime

February 10, 2026

A trove of more than 200 letters from World War II that were found in a Tennessee home offers an intimate picture of love during wartime. Ray Whittaker attended school at the historically Black Meharry Medical College in Nashville. There he met and dated another student, Jane Dean. They lost contact for a time, but he wrote to her in 1942, stating that he was in the Army. Soon he was professing his love. A short four months later, they were married. The letters from their courtship and early marriage were donated to the Metro Nashville archive. Several are now on display digitally through the Nashville Public Library.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the end of a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Netanyahu to urge expanded Iran talks during White House meeting as Trump says Tehran wants a deal

February 10, 2026

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to discuss new nuclear talks with Iran. The longtime Israeli leader is visiting the White House on Wednesday. It comes as both Tehran and Washington are projecting cautious optimism after holding indirect talks in Oman on Friday about how once again to approach negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. It remains unclear how much influence Netanyahu will have over Trump’s approach toward Iran. Trump said Tuesday that he wants “no nuclear weapons, no missiles.” Netanyahu’s office has said he wants Iran talks to include limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for militant groups like the Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Teachers, students and supporters picket outside of Mission High School in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Francisco parents scramble as teachers strike leaves 50,000 students out of school

February 10, 2026

Connor Haught is juggling work and child care as San Francisco faces a teachers strike with no end in sight. The strike has left nearly 50,000 students out of school. On Tuesday, the San Francisco Unified School District’s 120 schools remained closed for a second day. About 6,000 teachers are striking over wages, health benefits, and resources for special needs students. Parents like Haught are scrambling to plan activities for their children. Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year, with teachers demanding better pay and health care. Talks continued Tuesday, but no agreement has been reached.

FILE - U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., waves at supporters at an election party, March 5, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Crowded Democratic field in California governor’s race might provide a rare opening for the GOP

February 10, 2026

How many Democrats are too many? In the race for California governor, so many Democratic candidates have crowded into the contest that party insiders have become fearful of a historic calamity in the making. It’s become mathematically possible that Democrats divide their vote so much that only two Republicans advance from the June primary to a November runoff. Democratic candidate and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter’s campaign is warning “there’s a very real chance there could be only Republicans on November’s ballot.” A twin victory for GOP primary candidates remains a longshot. A Republican candidate hasn’t won a statewide election in California in two decades.

Ralph Lauren’s fall 2026 collection a mix of romantic adventure with metallic flair

February 10, 2026

Ralph Lauren evoked fresh takes on timeless designs during his Fall 2026 runway show. The 86-year-old designer revealed his latest collection at the Clock Tower building in Manhattan on Tuesday with guests including Anne Hathaway, singer Lana Del Rey and actor Lili Reinhart in attendance. He took his guests on an adventure into the English countryside with his fall collection. It was filled with earth toned looks accessorized with shimmery metallic detailing from silver belt chains to dazzling brooches. Lauren said in his show notes that he loves the adventure of fashion, describing his muse as a modernist with a nod to history.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.,speaks to reporters outside of federal court in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Grand jury refuses to indict Democratic lawmakers in connection with illegal military orders video

February 10, 2026

A grand jury in Washington has refused to indict Democratic lawmakers in connection with a video in which they urged U.S. military members to resist “illegal orders,” according to a person familiar with the matter. The Justice Department opened an investigation into the video featuring Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin and four other Democratic lawmakers urging U.S. service members to follow established military protocols and reject orders they believe to be unlawful. All the lawmakers previously served in the military or at intelligence agencies.

Cardi B’s cameo in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show leads to dispute on prediction markets

February 10, 2026

Cardi B was part of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show. What she did exactly, well, that turned into a perplexing question for two major prediction markets. At least one Kalshi trader filed a complaint with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over how the prediction market handled Sunday’s appearance by the Grammy-winning rapper. The result of a similar event contract on Polymarket also drew the ire of some users on that platform. There was some ambiguity surrounding whether Cardi B’s halftime appearance constituted a performance, leading to the dispute.

A U.S. Capitol Police officer patrols on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Potential conflicts over celebrating America’s 250th anniversary spill out in congressional hearing

February 10, 2026

Congressional Democrats are accusing the Trump administration of trying to hijack plans to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and using the nonprofit National Park Foundation to solicit money from private donors for some of the president’s pet projects. During a hearing Tuesday on the 250th anniversary commemoration, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman of California said President Donald Trump and his allies are trying to “hijack the country’s 250th anniversary and sell access, hide his donors and rewrite history.” The commission formed by Congress to oversee the celebration has so far received just a quarter of the $100 million it was expecting. A White House spokesman said Trump wants to ensure that the country gets “the spectacular birthday it deserves.”

FILE - Pedestrians walk near a poster asking for the freedom of Colombian businessman and Venezuelan special envoy Alex Saab, in Caracas, Venezuela, Sept. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

Close Maduro ally pardoned by Biden once again a target of US criminal investigation

February 10, 2026

The U.S. Justice Department is targeting Alex Saab, a businessman linked to Nicolás Maduro, in an investigation that could impact the U.S. prosecution of the deposed Venezuelan leader. That’s according to two former U.S. officials and another person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. Saab was pardoned by President Biden in 2023 but is under scrutiny again for his involvement in Venezuela’s CLAP program, which provided food staples to the poor. His whereabouts are currently unknown. Saab’s attorney insists he committed no crimes and should be shielded by the pardon.

FILE - A sign marks an entrance to a Moderna building in Cambridge, Mass., May 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

Moderna says FDA refuses its application for new mRNA flu vaccine

February 10, 2026

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is refusing to consider Moderna’s application for a new flu vaccine made with mRNA technology. The company announced the news on Tuesday. The FDA’s decision reflects heightened scrutiny under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has criticized mRNA technology. Moderna received a “refusal-to-file” letter, objecting to its clinical trial methods. The FDA said the trial didn’t compare the new shot to the best available standard of care. Moderna has requested an urgent meeting with the FDA and noted it has applied for approval in Europe, Canada and Australia.

Todd Lyons, acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) testifies during a House Committee on Homeland Security oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security: ICE CBP and USCIS, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

How the head of ICE responded to questions in Congress over Trump’s immigration policies

February 10, 2026

The heads of three Trump administration agencies have appeared before Congress to discuss immigration policies. The hearing follows the shooting deaths of two Americans in Minneapolis, which sparked outrage over the president’s agenda. Todd Lyons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement faced sharp questioning about officers wearing masks during arrests. Democrats criticized the practice, while Lyons defended it for officer safety. The hearing Tuesday also addressed the looming shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats threatening to block funding unless changes are made.

FILE - La Catedral Arena horse race track in Wilder, Idaho is seen in Oct. 22, 2025, three days after the FBI and other law enforcement agencies raided the property as part of a gambling investigation. (AP Photo/Rebecca Boone, File)

U.S. citizens and legal residents sue over aggressive immigration raid at Idaho horse racing track

February 10, 2026

Three Idaho families are suing over an immigration raid at a horse racing track last year. They claim state and federal law enforcement used unconstitutional tactics, detaining people because they appeared to be Latino and keeping them in zip ties for hours. The raid involved 200 officers and targeted a family-friendly event popular with the Latino community. The October raid came as part of an FBI-led investigation into allegations of illegal gambling, but only five people at the event were arrested in connection with the gambling investigation. More than 100 others were arrested on suspicion of immigration violations. The families, all U.S. citizens or lawful residents, are seeking class-action status and damages.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., points to a copy of his Verizon phone bill during a Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law hearing to examine Arctic Frost accountability, focusing on oversight of telecommunications carriers on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Republican lawmakers grill telecom officials over phone records access in Trump investigation

February 10, 2026

Republican lawmakers are decrying what they said are invasive tactics in the investigation of President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Republican senators pressed representatives from leading telecommunications companies Tuesday on their role in providing prosecutors with phone records of sitting members of Congress. Representatives for the companies defended their actions, stressing that they had followed the law even as they affirmed their commitment to lawmakers’ privacy. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team obtained the records of Republican lawmakers whom Trump was imploring on Jan. 6, 2021 to halt the congressional certification of his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

FILE - The Saginaw passes construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting on the Detroit River connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

U.S.-Canada bridge brouhaha deepens as White House says Trump could amend a permit for the project

February 10, 2026

The White House says President Donald Trump has the right to amend a permit for a new bridge between Canada and Michigan. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Ontario and Michigan, is set to open in 2026. But Trump has threatened to block it, demanding unspecified concessions as the two countries prepare to renegotiate a trade pact. The White House says all international infrastructure permits require a presidential permit, and that Trump would be within his right to change its parameters. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed confidence the issue will be resolved. The bridge, under construction since 2018, is a joint project between Canada and Michigan.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledges meetings with Epstein that contradict previous claims

February 10, 2026

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has acknowledged that he had met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child. It’s a reversal of Lutnick’s previous claim that he had cut ties with the late financier after 2005. He was questioned by Democrats during a Tuesday subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee. But Lutnick is facing calls from several lawmakers for his resignation after the release of case files on Epstein contradicted Lutnick’s claims on a podcast last year that he had decided to “never be in the room” with Epstein again after a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

FILE - A Netflix sign is displayed atop a building in Los Angeles, on Dec. 18, 2025, with the Hollywood sign in the distance. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Paramount sweetens offer for Warner Bros. shareholders in hostile takeover fight

February 10, 2026

Paramount is intensifying its efforts to take over Warner Bros. Discovery. On Tuesday, the company offered Warner shareholders an added “ticking fee” if the deal doesn’t close by year-end. Paramount also pledged to fund Warner’s proposed $2.8 billion breakup payout to Netflix under their merger agreement. Paramount’s offer otherwise remains at the same price of $30 per share in cash. Paramount aims to buy Warner for $77.9 billion but needs more shareholder support — and is again extending the deadline for its tender offer, which is now March 2. Meanwhile, Warner’s leadership has continued to back its $72 billion studio and streaming deal with Netflix. Both deals face tremendous antitrust scrutiny.

Coffee is for sale at a grocery store Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Retail sales unchanged in December from November, closing out year on a lackluster tone

February 10, 2026

Shoppers pulled back the pace of their spending in December from November, closing out the holiday shopping season and the year on a lackluster tone. The report, issued by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, raised questions about shoppers’ ability to spend this year as they worry about a slowing job market and uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s tariffs and their impact on prices. Retail sales were flat in December from November, when business was up 0.6%. Economists were expecting a 0.4% increase for December.

This image provided by Gainesville Police Department shows a small plane that made an emergency landing on a street in Gainesville, Ga., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (Gainesville, Ga., Police Department via AP)

Small plane makes emergency landing on a busy Georgia road and strikes 3 vehicles

February 10, 2026

Authorities say a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on a busy road in a Georgia, striking three vehicles and leaving two people with minor injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration and Gainesville police say the Hawker Beechcraft BE-36 landed Monday in Gainesville, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta, due to reported engine issues. Gainesville police say the plane struck three cars, dislodging a fuel tank into one of them, and two people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Pilot Thomas Rogers told WAGA-TV that they lost their engine while taking off. He says they tried to glide back, but realized they wouldn’t make it.

A United States Border Patrol agent gestures to a car while conducting immigration enforcement operations, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

Trump’s immigration chiefs are set to testify in Congress following protester deaths

February 10, 2026

The heads of agencies enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda are set to testify before Congress. This comes amid scrutiny over the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by Homeland Security officers. Todd Lyons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Rodney Scott of Customs and Border Protection, and Joseph Edlow of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will appear before the House Committee on Homeland Security. Critics argue ICE and CBP officers use excessive force and violate rights. Lyons, who has led ICE since March, defends his officers’ tactics. The administration’s mass deportation strategy faces growing criticism and declining public support.

Ryan O'Neil, left, and Kate Weaver of West Bloomfield, Mich., look at a photo that they took of the Bill of Rights during their visit to the National Archives Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

‘We hold these truths’: Viewing the Declaration of Independence, visitors reflect on America at 250

February 10, 2026

America’s 250th anniversary arrives at a time of deep political divisions and, in some quarters, heightened anxiety over whether representative government in the world’s oldest democracy can be sustained. Cultural institutions, sporting events, even entire communities are polarized. If there is any place the bitter partisanship is set aside, even temporarily, it is in the rotunda of the National Archives. This is home to the nation’s founding documents, including the one that will be commemorated this year, the Declaration of Independence. Its significance was not lost on those who visited on a recent day. Even as the crowd grew, the room was filled with a sense that people knew they were in the presence of something momentous.

FILE - The White House is seen from the Washington Monument Feb. 4, 2026,, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)

How Americans’ optimism about their future has changed, according to new polling

February 10, 2026

A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans’ optimism about their future is at a low. Only 59% of U.S. adults rate their future life satisfaction highly, which is the lowest measure since Gallup began asking the question almost 20 years ago. The dip highlights the growing gloom in the country in recent years. Democrats and Hispanic Americans, in particular, are in a darker mood. But even with President Donald Trump back in the White House and his party in control of both houses of Congress, Republicans aren’t feeling as good about the present or the future as they were at the end of Trump’s first term.

Buddhist monks head to DC to finish a ‘Walk for Peace’ that captivated millions

February 9, 2026

A group of Buddhist monks is set to finally reach Washington, D.C., on foot, completing a trek from Texas that captivated the country. The monks say their aim is to promote mindfulness and finding inner peace. Their simple message has resonated in the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political divisions. Thousands have gathered across the South to watch the monks. Millions more have followed them online. The monks plan to mark the last days of their ‘Walk for Peace’ with outdoor appearances at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.

Man convicted of killing a traveling salesman scheduled for 1st Florida execution of 2026

February 9, 2026

A man convicted of killing a traveling salesman during a 1989 robbery is set to become the first person executed in Florida this year. Sixty-four-year-old Ronald Palmer Heath is scheduled to receive a three-drug injection starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke. Heath was convicted in 1990 of first-degree murder in the killing of salesman Michael Sheridan. Last year, Florida carried out a record 19 executions, surpassing the previous record of eight set in 2014. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in a single year in 2025 than any other Florida governor since the death penalty’s reinstatement in 1976.

Trump is threatening to block a new bridge between Detroit and Canada from opening

February 9, 2026

President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a new Canadian-built bridge across the Detroit River. Trump demanded on social media Monday that Canada turn over at least half of the bridge’s ownership. He also made other unspecified demands. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, expected to open in early 2026, was funded by Canada to ease congestion. Work began in 2018. Trump claims the U.S. would gain nothing from the bridge. The White House and the Canadian Embassy have not commented. Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been rising, with ongoing trade disputes adding to the strain.

FILE - Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities a day earlier, in Paramount, Calif., June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)

Judge blocks California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks but requires badges be clearly seen

February 9, 2026

A federal judge has blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces but they will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number. Judge Christina Snyder issued the initial ruling Monday. The Trump administration filed a lawsuit in November challenging the laws, arguing that they would threaten the safety of officers. California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings under a bill that was signed in September. Snyder wrote in her ruling the law discriminated against the federal government.

FILE - U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Daryl Caudle, talks to selected journalists during his visit in Tokyo, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Mari Yamaguchi, File)

Navy leader wants to move faster and leaner instead of turning to aircraft carriers in crisis

February 9, 2026

The U.S. Navy’s top uniformed officer has introduced his vision for the Navy’s future, focusing on using smaller and newer assets instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers. Adm. Daryl Caudle’s strategy aims to create more flexible and tailored groups of ships and equipment. It comes as the Trump administration has moved aircraft carriers to crisis regions, often disrupting deployment plans and putting increasing strain on vessels and equipment that are already facing mounting maintenance issues. Caudle tells The Associated Press that the Navy’s presence in regions like the Caribbean can be leaner and better tailored to actual threats, using smaller combat ships, helicopters and drones instead of destroyers and aircraft carriers.

US judges dismiss lawsuits accusing fantasy author Neil Gaiman of sexual assault in New Zealand

February 9, 2026

Federal judges have dismissed three lawsuits accusing British author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his children’s nanny in New Zealand. Scarlett Pavlovich filed lawsuits against Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer, in February 2025. She accused Gaiman of multiple assaults while she worked as their nanny in 2022. Judges in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York dismissed the cases, stating Pavlovich needed to pursue them in New Zealand. Gaiman denied the allegations, calling them meritless. His attorneys argued the claims were part of a plan to smear him. Pavlovich alleged violations of federal human trafficking laws.

Gabbard’s office warns attorney against sharing classified complaint with Congress

February 9, 2026

The general counsel for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is warning the attorney for an anonymous government employee not to share a top-secret complaint about Gabbard directly with members of Congress. In a letter Monday, Gabbard’s legal office warned that the complaint contains many classified details and that sharing it improperly with lawmakers or their staffers could violate the law. An anonymous employee has alleged that Gabbard withheld classified material for political purposes, an accusation two inspectors general found didn’t appear to be credible. Democrats question why it took eight months to refer the report to select members of Congress as required. Gabbard has denied wrongdoing and said she did all she could to ensure the report reached Congress.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, center, watches as fly pupae are dyed and separated following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of a Domestic New World Screwworm Sterile Fly Production Facility to combat the northward spread of NWS and protect American livestock, in Edinburg, Texas, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The US has a new center in Texas to disperse sterile screwworm flies to block a parasite it spawns

February 9, 2026

The U.S. has opened its first center for dispersing sterile screwworm flies from U.S. soil in decades in southern Texas. The opening announced Monday is part of a larger effort to keep a flesh-eating parasite that the New World screwworm fly spawns from coming to the U.S. from Mexico and harming American cattle. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled the new facility about 15 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. It will allow the U.S. to disperse millions of sterile male flies on both sides of the border. The sterile males would mate with wild females and their eggs would not hatch into flesh-eating maggots.

Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show celebrated America – all of it – with a message of unity

February 9, 2026

Bad Bunny concluded his historic Super Bowl halftime performance with a few English-language words. He said “God Bless America” and then proceeded to list countries in the Americas including the United States and Canada. It seemed as though he was reminding his global audience that “America” makes up a number of countries in the Western Hemisphere. It was a poignant gesture for an artist whose performance was politicized the moment it was announced and labeled un-American by his detractors despite the fact that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. Experts say Bad Bunny’s performance was for all Americans all over the Americas. They say joy, resilience and community was at the forefront.

People wait outside Thomas S. Wootton High School for students in Rockville Md., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, after a person was shot inside the school. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Person is shot in a high school in Maryland and a suspect is in custody, police say

February 9, 2026

A person has been shot inside a high school in Maryland. Police have one person in custody related to the shooting. Police say there is no further threat to the public. Officers were dispatched Monday afternoon after reports of shots fired at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville. The campus remains on lockdown. An administrator at the school says police are on site and students are in classrooms. Rockville is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and the seat of Montgomery County, Maryland’s most populous.

Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Jimmy Lai’s children look to Trump and other leaders to push China to free their father

February 9, 2026

The children of China critic Jimmy Lai say President Donald Trump’s possible visit to Beijing in April could be crucial for their father’s release. Sebastien Lai on Monday emphasized the urgency, due to his 78-year-old father’s deteriorating health. A Hong Kong court sentenced the pro-democracy former media mogul to 20 years in prison under a China-imposed national security law. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the sentence “unjust and tragic.” The case adds tension to U.S.-China relations as Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet this year. Lai’s son urges world leaders to pressure China for his father’s release.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show sparks global streaming surge, Apple Music data shows

February 9, 2026

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance has led to a massive surge in global listening. Apple Music reports that his show playlist became the most-played set list on the platform shortly after Sunday’s performance. On Monday, Bad Bunny dominated the Apple Music Daily Top 100 Global chart with 23 songs, including nine in the Top 25. His track “DtMF” reached No. 1. Six of the tracks returned to the Top 100 for the first time since at least February 2025. His album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” appeared on album charts in 155 countries, reaching No. 1 in 46. Shazam also saw a 400% increase in recognitions during and after the show.

FILE - A security officer works inside of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) building headquarters, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Trump administration’s changes to the CFPB cost Americans $19B, a new report says

February 9, 2026

The Trump administration has significantly reduced the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s activities over the past year. Consumer advocates and Democrats now estimate this has cost Americans $19 billion in lost financial relief. The administration argues the bureau had become too large. Since the administration took control in February, few new investigations have been opened, and several enforcement actions have been dropped. The White House’s attempt to cut staff was blocked by courts, but Congress has already halved the bureau’s budget. Critics say the bureau is now on “life support,” with key consumer protections abandoned.

Harper Anderson performs for Junior Classical Competition Women Age 13 during the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Semi-Finals at Dominican University Performing Arts Center in River Forest, Ill., Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Photos of future dance stars competing at the Youth America Grand Prix

February 9, 2026

RIVER FOREST, Ill. By NAM Y. HUHAssociated Press RIVER FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Up-and-coming dancers performed traditional and contemporary styles

Lit candles next to a sign from neighbors supporting the Guthrie family outside of Nancy Guthrie’s house in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Purported Nancy Guthrie ransom note deadline approaches as search enters a second week

February 9, 2026

Authorities investigating the apparent kidnapping of the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie have returned to the 84-year-old’s Arizona neighborhood several times over the weekend. There’s still no word on whether Nancy Guthrie is alive, and authorities say they have no suspects connected to the case. Her purported abductors sent ransom notes with a Monday deadline demanding money for her return. Savannah Guthrie says the family is prepared to pay. Investigators say they believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will on Jan. 31, and there are growing concerns about her health because she needs daily medication.

Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer questions from a House committee, citing 5th Amendment rights

February 9, 2026

Lawmakers tried to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, but the former girlfriend and confidante of Jeffrey Epstein invoked her 5th Amendment rights to avoid answering questions that would be incriminating. Maxwell was questioned Monday during a video call to the federal prison camp in Texas where she’s serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. She’s come under new scrutiny as lawmakers try to investigate how Epstein, a well-connected financier, was able to sexually abuse underage girls for years. Maxwell has been seeking to have her conviction overturned, arguing that she was wrongfully convicted.

FILE - The Pentagon, the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense, is seen from the air, Sept. 20, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, FIle)

US military boards sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after pursuit from the Caribbean

February 9, 2026

The U.S. military says it has boarded a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon said Monday that American forces tracked the vessel from the Caribbean Sea. The Pentagon didn’t say whether the ship was connected to Venezuela, which faces oil sanctions and relies on a shadow fleet to smuggle crude. A co-founder of TankerTrackers.com says the ship departed the Venezuelan coast last month after U.S. forces captured then-President Nicolás Maduro. According to data transmitted from the ship Monday, the ship isn’t currently carrying oil. The Panamanian-flagged tanker is under U.S. sanctions related to the shipment of illicit Russian oil.

As head of the actors guild, Sean Astin brings a little Rudy, a little Samwise, and a lot of fight

February 9, 2026

Sean Astin says he is happy to be at the head of the actors union at a vital moment. The 54-year-old actor from “The Lord of the Rings” films is the new president of the The actors union SAG-AFTRA. He’ll be leading the group as it begins contract talks with studios that last time led to a long strike. Astin says the union’s negotiators can’t give up any of the ground they earned during the 2023 strike, including higher wages and artificial intelligence protections. Astin says he intends to represent every member, from the biggest movie star to the most anonymous puppeteer.

Sean Astin’s takes on the threat of AI, Fran Drescher and a ‘Goonies’ sequel

February 9, 2026

Quotes from SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin in an interview with The Associated Press. Astin, the newly elected head of the actors’ union, will be part of forthcoming negotiations with studios and streamers less than three years after the last strike. He says the thread of artificial intelligence has only become graver. He commends his predecessor Fran Drescher on her conflict resolution skills and says the rebranding of what was once the SAG Awards to the Actor Awards makes the point of the show more obvious. As for a “Goonies” sequel? Steven Spielberg is the decider.

FILE - In this June 17, 2009, file photo, shoppers are reflected in the window as they walk past an Eddie Bauer store, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Eddie Bauer _ the 106-year-old label that pioneered outdoor sportswear _ files Chapter 11

February 9, 2026

The operator of roughly 180 Eddie Bauer stores across the U.S. and Canada has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Eddie Bauer LLC said Monday it had entered into a restructuring pact with its secured lenders as it made the filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The bankruptcy filing marks the third time in a matter of a little over two decades for the storied-but-now-tired brand that began as a Seattle fishing shop, later outfitted the first American to climb Mount Everest and made thousands of newfangled down jackets and sleeping bags for the military during World War I.

FILE - A pedestrian walks past a San Francisco Unified School District office building in San Francisco, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, file)

San Francisco public schoolteachers strike over wages and health benefits

February 9, 2026

Thousands of public schoolteachers in San Francisco have gone on strike for the first time in nearly 50 years. They are demanding higher wages, better health benefits and more resources for special needs students. The San Francisco Unified School District closed all 120 schools Monday and offered independent study to some of the district’s 50,000 students. The union is asking for a 9% raise over two years. The district is facing a $100 million deficit and countered with a 6% increase over three years. Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year without reaching a new contract.

FILE - Photos of Brown University shooting victims MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, left, and Ella Cook, lay on a makeshift memorial outside the Engineering Research Center, Dec. 16, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

New video footage released from day of the fatal Brown University shooting

February 9, 2026

City officials have released new video footage from the day of the Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine others. News outlets across the country had been requesting body camera footage, audio clips and other public records shortly after the shooting took place in mid-December. The records were largely managed by the city of Providence, Rhode Island, which announced it would release files Monday. The city said it would redact graphic violence from any video or audio footage.

FILE - Federal agents conduct immigration enforcement operations Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy, File)

Masks emerge as symbol of Trump’s ICE crackdown and a flashpoint in Congress

February 9, 2026

The images of masked federal officers has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. Not in recent U.S. memory has an American policing operation so consistently masked its officers from the public. Whether to allow — or ban — the masks has emerged as a central question as Congress debates over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats want to ban masks as one of several proposals to rein in immigration operations. But many Republicans support the masks. The Department of Homeland Security believes the masks are important to safeguard employees from online harassment. Lawmakers face a Friday midnight funding deadline to avoid a partial agency shutdown.

FILE - A woman uses a walker as she exits an assisted living building at the Toby and Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences, July 4, 2025, in Boca Raton, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

How to protect a loved one when choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility

February 8, 2026

The need to move a loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility often comes suddenly — after a fall, a medical crisis or the loss of a caregiver. Experts say knowing what to look for can make a critical difference. Federal data and star ratings can help rule out the worst nursing homes, but they shouldn’t be the only guide. Experts on long-term care say staffing levels are the most important factor. They say visiting facilities at night or on weekends is key to getting a complete picture. They recommend looking beyond a nice lobby to see if there are odors, call bells ringing nonstop or employees speaking disrepecfully to residents.

Trial against Meta in New Mexico focuses on dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media

February 8, 2026

A trial focused on whether Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms when it comes to the dangers of child sexual exploitation is set to start in New Mexico. Opening statements are scheduled for Monday. It’s the first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits against major social media companies over harms to children. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Meta in 2023. He alleges Meta platforms enabled predators who target children for sexual exploitation. Meta denies the allegations and says prosecutors are taking a “sensationalist” approach. The trial is likely to highlight explicit online content and its effects.

FILE - Colin Gray, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, arrives to the courtroom at the Barrow County courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Winder,Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Trial to begin in Georgia for the father of the Apalachee High School shooting suspect

February 8, 2026

Jury selection is set to begin in the trial of Colin Gray, whose teenage son is accused of killing two students and two teachers at a Georgia high school in September 2024. Gray faces 29 counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say he gave his son access to a gun despite warning signs. The trial will be held in Winder, but jury selection beginning Monday will take place in Gainesville. Gray has remained in custody since his arrest. His son, Colt, has pleaded not guilty to 55 counts, including murder and aggravated assault.

A couple dressed as a bride and groom participate in the Bad Bunny performance during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Yes, there was a real wedding during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show

February 8, 2026

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show featured a real wedding. About five minutes into the performance at Levi’s Stadium, a couple was married on stage. The officiant declared them husband and wife, and they shared a kiss surrounded by dancers and musicians. Lady Gaga and Los Sobrinos, a Puerto Rican salsa band, performed as part of the celebration. Bad Bunny later joined them for a song. His representative confirmed the couple was truly married during the show. The couple had invited Bad Bunny to their wedding, but he suggested they be part of his halftime show instead.

A movie theater puts up a poster for the screening of a documentary about Melania Trump, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

‘Melania’ falls steeply and ‘Send Help’ holds steady at No. 1 on a quiet weekend in theaters

February 8, 2026

Hollywood is largely ceding attention to football this weekend. The survival thriller “Send Help” repeated as the weekend’s No. 1 film at the box office and the Melania Trump documentary “Melania” fell sharply in its second weekend. Super Bowl weekend is typically one of the year’s lowest for movie attendance. The Sam Raimi-directed survivalist thriller “Send Help” lead the weekend box office with $10 million in ticket sales. Amazon MGM’s “Melania” added 300 theaters in its second weekend of release, but dropped 67% to just $2.4 million in sales. The rapid downturn means the Brett Ratner-directed documentary is likely heading toward flop territory given its high price tag.

Paul Thomas Anderson wins at 78th Directors Guild Awards for ‘One Battle After Another’

February 8, 2026

Paul Thomas Anderson won the top prize at the 78th Directors Guild Awards, putting the “One Battle After Another” filmmaker on course to potentially win his first Oscar. The DGA Awards, held Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, is among the most reliable Academy Awards precursors. In the last 10 years, nine DGA winners have gone on to win best director at the Oscars. In the guild’s nearly eight-decade history, only eight times has the guild not predicted the Oscar winner. The award adds to a virtual awards-season sweep for “One Battle After Another,” the best-picture front-runner.

FILE - Construction equipment is seen near new homes on July 11, 2025, in Happy Valley, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Voters are worried about the cost of housing. But Trump wants home prices to keep climbing

February 8, 2026

The White House is trying to show it’s lowering the cost of living, but President Donald Trump has said he doesn’t want to see the price of homes come down. He wants to keep values high. That’s something in the interest of existing homeowners and they’re a key part of his political base. And older voters tend to show up to vote more than do younger people, so Trump’s position on housing could be a factor in the November elections. But Trump’s aversion to policies that would expand housing supply and lower prices risks alienating younger voters and could hurt the chances for his Republican Party to expand its voting base.

Cardi B praises Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime moment, opens up about tour and new music

February 7, 2026

Bad Bunny is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show and Cardi B says she is proud of his cultural impact and activism. She has praised him for standing against ICE and highlighted their collaboration on the hit “I Like It.” Bad Bunny will perform at the Super Bowl on Sunday, one week after winning album of the year at the 2026 Grammys. Cardi B is preparing for her first headlining tour in six years following the release of her album “Am I the Drama.” She expresses excitement about the possibility of joining him on stage.

Brad Arnold, lead singer of Grammy-nominated rock band 3 Doors Down, dies at 47

February 7, 2026

Brad Arnold, the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated rock band 3 Doors Down, has died. He was 47. Arnold’s death comes months after he announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer. The band says in a statement that Arnold died Saturday “surrounded by loved ones, in his sleep.” 3 Doors Down formed in Mississippi in 1995 and four years later received a Grammy nomination for the breakout hit “Kryptonite.” The band says Arnold wrote the song in math class when he was 15 years old. The group’s debut album, “The Better Life,” sold over 6 million copies.

FILE - Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is seen before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert, File)

Republicans rarely criticize Trump in his second term. A racist post briefly changed that

February 7, 2026

President Donald Trump is facing rare criticism from his Republican Party over a racist video. Trump’s White House removed a video that contained a racist image of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama after a bipartisan blowback from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The condemnation from congressional Republicans marked a rare moment of pushback from GOP lawmakers, who otherwise rarely criticize Trump in public. Trump said that he did not support the racist parts of the video and declined to apologize. Democrats and supporters of the Obamas rallied to the former first couple’s defense

Rapper E-40 performs during the NFL Honors award show, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

E-40 and Too $hort’s NFL Honors show underscores Bay Area’s music presence during Super Bowl week

February 7, 2026

E-40 and Too $hort brought Bay Area hip-hop to the NFL Honors, highlighting the region’s unique sound and culture. Their performances, featuring hits like “Choices” and “Blow the Whistle,” energized the event. This celebration of Bay Area music extended throughout Super Bowl week, with artists like Kehlani and LaRussell showcasing their talents. The Bay Area’s independent music scene, known for its DIY ethos, was also spotlighted by Empire, a major independent label. E-40 emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation, while Too $hort hoped visitors would appreciate the Bay Area’s rich musical legacy.

Trump praises Nexstar-Tegna broadcast television deal he once opposed

February 7, 2026

President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna, an apparent reversal from earlier criticism of the deal. In November, Trump had criticized the purchase. The companies operate independently of the large broadcast networks such as ABC and NBC. In September, Nexstar, along with the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group, suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC late-night talk show for about a week after Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

FILE - U.S, Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York speaks at a news conference in Washington, Nov. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Congressional Black Caucus chair says Trump’s post on the Obamas shows a ‘bigoted and racist regime’

February 7, 2026

The chair of the Congressional Black Caucus says the Trump administration has a chance to change after President Donald Trump posted a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as primates in the jungle. But Yvette Clarke is unsparing in her criticism of Trump, his staff and the Republicans who have supported him. The Democratic congresswoman from New York says in an Associated Press interview that she doesn’t buy the White House explanation that a staffer posted the racist meme. Clarke says, “It’s very clear that there was an intent to harm people, to hurt people, with this video.”

What is atrial fibrillation and how is it treated?

February 7, 2026

Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, is becoming more common, but doctors say treatments are improving. The condition is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure. Experts say more than 10 million Americans have it, mostly older adults. Symptoms include a pounding heartbeat and shortness of breath. Smartwatches and other devices are helping with diagnosis. Causes include genetics, high blood pressure and stress. Treatments range from medications to procedures like ablation. Experts recommend a healthy lifestyle to lower the risk.

The home of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, is seen from above, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Caitlin O'Hara)

What to know about Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping and the race to find her

February 6, 2026

It’s been a week since “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappeared from her home in Arizona in what authorities say was a kidnapping. Investigators have been examining ransom notes and looking for evidence but have not named a suspect. On Friday, officers returned to 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie’s home near Tucson and to the surrounding neighborhood to continue their search. Family members told officials they last saw Nancy Guthrie at 9:48 p.m. on Jan. 31 when they dropped her off at home after they ate dinner and played games together. The next day, family learned she didn’t attend church. They reported her missing after they checked on her.

FILE - A person holds an American flag and a Mexico flag at a news conference, in Chicago, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Explainer: Why are many Hispanic surnames formed from 2 names and how does that work in the US?

February 6, 2026

The latest census estimates show more than 68 million people in the U.S. identify as ethnically Hispanic. And many of them follow the tradition of using two surnames. The first surname comes from the father and the second from the mother. In the U.S., Hispanic residents with two surnames often use just their father’s name. But because that name comes first, people sometimes assume it is a middle name. To avoid that problem, some people continue to use both surnames. Still others hyphenate the two names. Occasionally people even squish the two names together.

Alberto Castañeda Mondragón poses for a portrait at an apartment Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

Takeaways from AP report on immigrant who says ICE officers beat him during Minnesota arrest

February 6, 2026

A Mexican immigrant who suffered a broken skull last month in Minnesota says he was beaten by immigration officers in an unprovoked attack. Alberto Castañeda Mondragón says the federal agents began hitting him right after they pulled him from a vehicle. He was hospitalized with eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages. Officers claimed he ran into a wall, but medical staff immediately doubted that account. His case has sparked calls for accountability and transparency, but it’s not clear whether any authorities are investigating. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to repeated requests for comment on the case.

FILE - A podium is prepared before Democrats hold news conference on the health care funding fight on the steps of the House before votes to end the government shutdown on Capitol Hill, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

Health costs are fueling voter stress — and Democratic campaigns

February 6, 2026

Democrats are focusing on health care in the midterm elections, highlighting it as a key issue. Republicans have cut Medicaid through new work requirements and declined to extend COVID-era subsidies, leading to increased costs for Affordable Care Act plans. Democrats are using campaign ads and personal stories to emphasize the impact on Americans. On Saturday, Sen. Jon Ossoff plans to address health care challenges in Georgia. Republicans have struggled to pass legislation to offset health costs, making it a weak point for them. Democrats see this as an opportunity to gain political leverage in upcoming campaigns.

FILE - Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a vigil, June 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)

Los Angeles mayor’s race kicks off amid homelessness, raids and fallout from deadly 2025 wildfire

February 6, 2026

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is heading into a challenging reelection bid as she continues to suffer fallout from last year’s devastating wildfire. She’s also fending off criticism of City Hall on issues from street paving to homelessness. Saturday is the deadline for candidates to enter the contest ahead of the June 2 primary. Bass is a first-term Democrat and the first Black woman to hold the post. She faces challenges from tech entrepreneur and nonprofit founder Adam Miller; reality television personality Spencer Pratt, who lost his home in the deadly Palisades Fire; and community organizer Rae Huang.

FILE - A tunnel is under construction in Manhattan that will connect New York and New Jersey Oct. 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Judge orders Trump administration to restore funding for rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey

February 6, 2026

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore funding for a new rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey. The decision comes as construction was about to stop due to a funding freeze. The Trump administration had halted $16 billion for the project, citing concerns about unconstitutional spending. U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on Friday approved a temporary restraining order to keep the funds flowing while the case plays out in court. The project aims to ease strain on an over 110-year-old tunnel connecting the two states, crucial for Amtrak and commuter trains. Trump administration officials did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

A document with an email chain from Jeffrey Epstein illustrates the amount of redactions of personally identifiable information that the U.S. Department of Justice was required to do before release of Epstein documents, is photographed Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Justice Department will allow lawmakers to see unredacted versions of released Epstein files

February 6, 2026

The Department of Justice will allow members of Congress to review unredacted files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That’s according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press says that lawmakers starting Monday will be able to review unredacted versions of the more than 3 million files that the Justice Department has released. To access the files, lawmakers will need to give the Justice Department 24 hours advance notice. They will be able to review the files on computers at the Department of Justice. Only lawmakers and not their staff will have access to the files.

Body believed to be Lil Jon’s son is found dead in pond near Atlanta

February 6, 2026

Police have found a body believed to be Nathan Smith, the son of rapper Lil Jon, in a pond north of Atlanta. Smith, known as D.J. Young Slade, left his home in Milton under unusual circumstances early Tuesday. Lil Jon says in a statement that he and Smith’s mother are devastated by the loss of their kind and caring son. Police say he ran out of his house without a phone and may have been disoriented. After an extensive search, divers located the body on Friday. Authorities say there is no indication of foul play, but the investigation remains open.

FILE - This undated file image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration made during the Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition 2013, shows corals on Mytilus Seamount off the coast of New England in the North Atlantic Ocean. (NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research via AP, File)

Trump ends Obama-era restrictions on commercial fishing in protected area off New England

February 6, 2026

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reopening a huge swath of the Atlantic to commercial fishing. Trump says the order would reestablish fishing in Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the New England coast, a nearly 5,000-square-mile preserve east of Cape Cod that was created by former President Barack Obama. Trump rolled back protections in the area in 2020 and President Joe Biden later restored them. Trump’s executive order is his latest move to try to strengthen U.S. fishing while rolling back existing conservation measures. He signed a broader order earlier this year that calls on the federal government to reduce the regulatory burden on fishermen.

Boxes of Valentine's Day flowers arrive from Colombia at Miami International Airport, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Fischer)

Valentine flower imports increase at Miami airport, despite tariffs and higher costs, officials say

February 6, 2026

The magic behind millions of romantic Valentines Day bouquets happens in a cargo warehouse at a South Florida airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says agricultural agricultural specialists at Miami International Airport will process about 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before Feb. 14. Around 90% of the fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine’s Day in the United States come through Miami, while the other 10% pass through Los Angeles. Roses, carnations, pompons, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums and gypsophila arrive on hundreds of flights, mostly from Colombia and Ecuador, into Miami on their journey to florists and supermarkets across the U.S. and Canada.

United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump and other oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Energy chief Wright says orders empowering coal plants helped keep lights on during winter storm

February 6, 2026

The Trump administration says its emergency orders keeping coal-fired plants running helped prevent blackouts during the recent cold snap. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday that natural gas and coal provided most of the power. Critics argue that wind and solar also played a crucial role and that keeping coal plants open could cost billions. Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly contrasts this approach with past storms, calling it a “new way of doing business.” Some officials and clean energy advocates argue that renewables saved consumers money and helped maintain power, especially in regions with significant investments in wind and solar.

FILE - White House border czar Tom Homan holds a news conference at the Bishop Whipple Federal building on Wednesday, February. 4, 2026 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy, File)

Leadership changes in Minnesota follow tensions among agencies over immigration enforcement tactics

February 6, 2026

The Trump administration’s immigration operation in Minnesota is now being unified under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That announcement this week from White House border czar Tom Homan came after months of internal grumbling and infighting among agencies about how to carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. ICE was established more than two decades ago and has conducted street arrests through “targeted enforcement.” Homan has used that phrase to describe narrowly tailored operations with specific, individual targets. It’s a sharp contrast to the broad sweeps that had become common in Los Angeles, Chicago, Minnesota and elsewhere.

FILE - Actor Timothy Busfield smiles before an NFL football game in Detroit, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Actor Timothy Busfield indicted on 4 counts of sexual contact with a child

February 6, 2026

A New Mexico grand jury has indicted Timothy Busfield has been indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. A county district attorney announced the indictment Friday in a social media post. Authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Busfield over allegations of misconduct from when he was working as a director on the set of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady.” Busfield has denied the allegations. He turned himself in to authorities and later was released from jail.

FILE - Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Criminal Court for an evidence hearing, Thursday , Dec. 18, 2025, in New York. (Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Luigi Mangione speaks out in protest as judge sets state murder trial for June 8

February 6, 2026

Luigi Mangione spoke out in court against the prospect of back-to-back trials in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 27-year-old Mangione on Friday told the judge presiding of the New York case against him: “It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition.” He made the remarks as court officers were escorting him out of the courtroom after the judge scheduled his state murder trial for June 8, three months before jury selection in his federal case.

US births dropped last year, suggesting the 2024 uptick was short-lived

February 6, 2026

U.S. births slightly decreased in 2025. That’s according to new provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It reports just over 3.6 million births, about 24,000 fewer than in 2024. This decline aligns with expert predictions that the 2024 increase wouldn’t start an upward trend. The CDC updated its data last week, covering nearly all of the babies born in 2025. Final numbers may add only a few thousand more. Despite efforts to encourage births, like expanding in vitro fertilization access, the fertility rate has been declining. Economic conditions and uncertainty continue to impact childbearing decisions.

The blocked road to a neighborhood in Flagstaff, Arizona, where police say a man opened fire at officers is seen Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey)

Arizona authorities to release more details on police helicopter that crashed during shootout

February 6, 2026

Authorities say they will release more information Friday about an Arizona law enforcement helicopter crash that killed the pilot and a trooper on board. The crash happened at the end of a police shootout with a domestic violence suspect Wednesday night in Flagstaff. The suspect’s identity has not been released. Police say the almost two-hour gunbattle began when the suspect shot at officers, then fired on them from multiple rooftops. The suspect was taken into custody soon after the crash and to a hospital with nonfatal gunshot wounds. What caused the helicopter to crash remains unclear but authorities are calling it an “accident.”

Keke Palmer is a fish out of water in horror-comedy series based on cult movie ‘The ’Burbs’

February 6, 2026

The new Peacock series “The ‘Burbs” brings humor and suspense to suburbia. It is inspired by the 1989 Tom Hanks movie and follows a new mom, played by Keke Palmer, navigating life in a quirky neighborhood while investigating a murder. Creator Celeste Hughey says the show blends comedy, drama, mystery, and horror. It also tackles issues like microaggressions and racial profiling with humor. The cast includes Jack Whitehall and a group of eccentric neighbors. The series pays homage to the original film with nods and cameos, while the music features tracks from Bill Withers to Big Pun. All eight episodes drop Friday.

FILE - Libyan military guards check one of the U.S. Consulate's burnt-out buildings, Sept. 14, 2012, during a visit by Libyan President Mohammed el-Megarif, not pictured, to the U.S. Consulate to express sympathy for the death of American ambassador Chris Stevens and his colleagues after the deadly attack on the Consulate on Sept. 11, in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon, File)

Key participant in 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attack that killed 4 Americans is in custody, Bondi says

February 6, 2026

Attorney General Pam Bondi says a key participant in the 2012 attack on a U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans is in custody. Bondi says the man landed Friday morning at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The attack killed Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens and immediately emerged as a divisive political issue. Republicans challenged President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on security at the facility, the military response to the violence and the Democratic administration’s changing narrative about who was responsible. A Libyan militant suspected of being a mastermind of the attacks was convicted in the U.S. and is serving a prison sentence.

FILE - Former President Barack Obama talks with then President-elect Donald Trump as Melania Trump reads the funeral program before the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Trump shares a racist video that depicts the Obamas as primates

February 6, 2026

President Donald Trump has used his social media account to share a video about election conspiracy theories that includes a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle. The Republican president’s Thursday night post also amplified his false claims his 2020 election defeat was fraudulent. Trump’s post has drawn backlash for its treatment of the nation’s first Black president and first lady, who are Democrats. The White House is pushing back against criticism of the post. An Obama spokesperson hasn’t responded to a Friday request for comment.

President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter as he speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump’s aggressive tactics force a reckoning between local leaders and Washington

February 6, 2026

Local leaders across the U.S. describe an increasingly hostile relationship with Washington, driven by President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Federal officers remain in Minneapolis despite local opposition, highlighting the growing divide. Local leaders feel pressured by federal priorities, affecting trust and stability. The tensions have upended longtime Republican arguments that the federal government should leave local governance to the states under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Now a Republican president is articulating a muscular federal approach over the protest of Democrats. Trump has expressed frustration at reflexive resistance from Democratic mayors and governors.

Don Crisman, one of only three remaining members of the "Never Miss a Super Bowl Club" to attend every championship game since 1967, models a souvenir hat from the first game, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Kennebunk, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

3 fans. 60 Super Bowls. This might be their last time going to the big game

February 6, 2026

Three fans who have attended every Super Bowl since 1967 are going again this year. But two of them say it might be their last time. Don Crisman of Maine, Gregory Eaton of Michigan and Tom Henschel of Florida are the last remaining members of the exclusive club of people who have never missed the big game. But this year’s Super Bowl is a little bittersweet: Crisman and Henschel say advancing age and mobility issues mean this is probably their final trip. Eaton, however, plans to keep going as long as he can.

Colorado funeral home owner faces sentencing for abusing 189 bodies

February 6, 2026

A Colorado funeral home owner who stashed 189 decomposing bodies and gave families fake ashes is set to be sentenced. Jon Hallford, who owned Return to Nature Funeral Home with his then-wife Carie, pleaded guilty to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse. Investigators discovered the bodies in 2023 after reports of a stench. Families of the deceased were devastated to learn the ashes they received were not their loved ones. Jon Hallford faces between 30 and 50 years in prison on Friday. In a related case, the Hallfords admitted to defrauding the federal government of nearly $900,000 in pandemic aid.

Dr. Bryan Fate, left, family nurse practitioner and CEO of Inspire Change Clinic Munira Maalimisaq, middle left, and panelist Mirad Farah, middle, lead a community discussion on vaccine education at Inspire Change Clinic, Nov. 22, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Fear among Minnesota’s Somali community compounds a public health woe: Low measles vaccination rates

February 6, 2026

Public health officials say a measles crisis has long been brewing in Minnesota. For years, the state’s large Somali community has been fertile ground for the myth that the measles vaccine causes autism. Data show autism rates in Somali 4-year-olds are high. Researchers don’t know why. Many here blame the measles, mumps and rubella shot. It’s one injection proven to safely protect against the three viruses. The first dose is recommended at 12 to 15 months old. Many Somali parents wait until age 5, though there’s no scientific evidence backing that approach. Before federal immigration authorities launched a crackdown in Minneapolis, immunization advocates noted small victories. But they say now, with many families afraid, progress has been lost.

national.