national - Page 10 of 38 - The Rapid City Post

People stand outside of Willie's Bar and Grill in St Helena Island, S.C. after a shooting occurred early Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Lewis M. Levine)

A crowd of 700, but no witnesses? South Carolina investigation into mass shooting at bar stalls

October 15, 2025

A sheriff says his deputies continue their methodical investigation into a shooting at a South Carolina bar that killed four people and injured 16 others. Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner says authorities are testing DNA, analyzing weapons, and enhancing video footage. He says testing physical evidence is important because none of the 700 people at the party has identified any shooter likely because they fear retribution if they talk. No arrests have been made. The sheriff says investigators believe the shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island began as a dispute between two or three people.

FILE - Passers-by walk and ride along a path on the campus of Brown University, in Providence, R.I., Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Brown University rejects Trump’s offer for priority funding, citing concerns over academic freedom

October 15, 2025

Brown University is rejecting a Trump administration proposal that would provide favorable access to funding in exchange for a wide range of commitments. In a letter to White House officials, Brown President Christina Paxson said the deal would restrict academic freedom and undermine the university’s independence. Brown is the latest university to turn down the proposal. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology backed away from the proposal last week after its president raised similar concerns. Brown’s president said the university is aligned with some of the provisions in the offer, including commitments to affordability and equal opportunity in admissions, but can’t agree to others.

FILE - Copies of the Bible are displayed Aug. 12, 2024, at the Bixby High School library in Bixby, Okla. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson, File)

New Oklahoma schools superintendent rescinds mandate for Bible instruction in schools

October 15, 2025

Oklahoma’s new public schools superintendent is rescinding a mandate from his predecessor that forced schools to incorporate the Bible into lesson plans for students. Superintendent Lindel Fields said in a statement Wednesday he has “no plans to distribute Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in classrooms.” The directive last year from former Superintendent Ryan Walters drew immediate condemnation from civil rights groups and prompted a lawsuit from a group of parents, teachers and religious leaders. It would have applied to students in grades 5 to 12. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Fields to the post after Walters resigned to take a job in the private sector.

Faulty engineering led to implosion of Titan submersible headed to Titanic wreckage, NTSB finds

October 15, 2025

The National Transportation Safety Board says faulty engineering led to the implosion of an experimental submersible that killed five people on the way to the wreck of the Titanic. The NTSB made the statement Wednesday in its final report on the hull failure and implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023. Everyone on board the submersible died instantly in the North Atlantic when Titan suffered a catastrophic implosion as it descended to the wreck. The NTSB report says the faulty engineering of the Titan did not meet necessary strength and durability requirements.

Members of the media pack up their belongings in the press area of the Pentagon, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules

October 15, 2025

Journalists at the Pentagon turned in access badges and cleaned out their workspaces on Wednesday, the price for refusing to agree to new restrictions on their jobs being removal from being at the seat of U.S. military power. The refusal was near-unanimous, from trade publications, wire services, television networks and newspapers, and included outlets that appeal largely to conservatives like Fox News Channel and Newsmax. Many of the reporters chose to turn in their badges together at the 4 p.m. deadline set by the Defense Department to vacate the building. Reporters said their work will continue despite the loss of access.

FILE - Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., questions witnesses during a hearing of a special House committee dedicated to countering China, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon,File)

Rep. Moulton challenges Sen. Markey in Massachusetts, calls for new generation of Democratic leaders

October 15, 2025

The campaign of U.S. Sen. Edward Markey says he is focused on the government shutdown in response to the announcement that Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton would run for his seat next year. Moulton tells The Associated Press that Democrats across Massachusetts believe a lot of people aren’t fighting hard enough. Moulton released a video Wednesday saying it’s time for a new generation of leadership. Markey would be 80 before his third six-year term would begin if he’s reelected and says he feels “energized.” Moulton’s announcement puts the Massachusetts race among the most anticipated primary contests in the country, pitting two of the heavily Democratic state’s top politicians against each other. Rep. Ayanna Pressley has not ruled out launching a Democratic bid as well.

This photo provided by Ventura County Fire Department, VCFD and Oxnard Fire Department rescue a dog trapped in a flood channel in the Oxnard plains in Ventura County, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Ventura County Fire Department via AP)

Firefighters rescue stranded pup from rising floodwaters in Southern California

October 15, 2025

A firefighter has rescued a stranded pup from rising floodwaters in Southern California. Video captured the Ventura County firefighter climbing down a ladder to reach the dog during Tuesday’s rare October storm. The pup was stuck on reeds on the edge of a flood channel northwest of Los Angeles. Officials said the 19-pound female pug or French bulldog mix was cold but otherwise unharmed. She did not have a tag or microchip. According to the Ventura County Animal Services’ website, the dog is staying at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. She could be adopted as soon as Saturday if her owners are not identified.

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addresses a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pentagon chief’s plane diverted to UK due to cracked windshield on flight from Brussels back to US

October 15, 2025

The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plane made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom because a windshield cracked on a flight back to the U.S. from a NATO meeting and all aboard are safe. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a post on X that the plane landed “based on standard procedures.” After Hegseth left Brussels, open source flight trackers spotted his plane lose altitude and begin broadcasting an emergency signal. In February, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman was similarly forced to return to Washington after an issue with the cockpit windshield.

President Donald Trump greets Argentina's President Javier Milei, as he arrives at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

US is working on doubling aid to Argentina to $40 billion by tapping private funding sources

October 15, 2025

The Trump administration is looking to provide an additional $20 billion in financing for Argentina. This would be on top of a $20 billion credit swap line pledged earlier this month to support Argentina’s currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday the additional help involves private banks and sovereign funds. But President Donald Trump has said the American assistance could be pulled if Argentine President Javier Milei’s party doesn’t win upcoming elections. Trump’s comments caused the Argentine peso to weaken slightly. Meanwhile, opposition figures in Argentina criticized Trump’s move as political interference.

Students from Columbus, Ohio, wait outside a barrier as U.S. Capitol Police watch over the East Plaza where congressional leaders will have a news conferences on the government shutdown at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Judge says she’s inclined to block the Trump administration from firing workers during the shutdown

October 15, 2025

A federal judge says she’s inclined to block President Donald Trump’s administration for now from firing workers during the government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said at a hearing in San Francisco on Wednesday she believes the evidence would ultimately show the firings were illegal and in excess of authority. The hearing is continuing. The judge hasn’t issued a ruling. The White House budget office said Friday mass firings of federal workers had started. That announcement prompted labor unions for federal employees to ask the judge for a temporary restraining order blocking the Republican administration from issuing new layoff notices and implementing those already sent out.

FILE - This image provided by the New York State Attorney General office shows body camera footage of correction officers beating a handcuffed man, Robert Brooks, at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2024. (New York State Attorney General office via AP, File)

Defense: Ex-corrections guards in upstate New York are not guilty of murder in inmate’s beating

October 15, 2025

Closing arguments are underway in upstate New York in the murder trial of three former corrections officers accused in the fatal beating of an inmate. Defense lawyers argued Wednesday that the men didn’t intend to cause injuries and shouldn’t be judged for the actions of other guards. Closing arguments began in Utica for Mathew Galliher, Nicholas Kieffer, and David Kingsley. They face charges in the death of Robert Brooks, who was beaten by multiple guards at Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. Five officers have already pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Defense attorneys claim their clients weren’t among those who struck Brooks and acted in a chaotic situation.

In ‘Mr. Scorsese,’ fitting a filmmaking titan into the frame

October 15, 2025

Can one documentary encapsulate the life of Martin Scorsese? In the case of “Mr. Scorsese,” Rebecca Miller’s portrait of the filmmaker, no. What began as a two-hour film grew into a five-hour series for Apple TV+. Over the course of five years, Miller spent 20 hours interviewing Scorsese, while also speaking to his collaborators, friends and family to make the definitive documentary about one of the greatest living filmmakers. “Mr. Scorsese” debuts Friday on Apple TV+. It features Scorsese collaborators like editor Thelma Schoonmaker, Paul Schrader, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis. It also includes Scorsese’s children, his ex-wives and his old Little Italy pals.

The Capitol is seen under gray skies on the thirteenth day of the government shutdown, in Washington, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Democrats say they won’t be intimidated by Trump’s threats as the shutdown enters a third week

October 15, 2025

The government shutdown is entering a third week, and Democrats say they’re not intimidated by President Donald Trump’s efforts to fire thousands of federal workers or by his threats of more firings to come. In fact, Democrats appear emboldened. And they’re showing no signs of caving as they return to Washington from their home states. On Tuesday evening, Senate Democrats once again rejected a Republican bill to open the government. At the same time, Republicans are confident in their strategy not to negotiate on Democratic demands on health care until Democrats provide the votes to reopen the government,

FILE - A Broadway street sign appears in Times Square, in New York on Jan. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)

Broadway enters an anxious time as labor action threatens to roil theaters

October 15, 2025

Broadway is tense as two major labor unions have authorized strike action amid ongoing contract negotiations with producers. Actors’ Equity Association and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 have voted in favor of a strike authorization. Members of both unions are working under expired contracts. They want pay increases and higher contributions toward health care costs. Broadway’s financial health is strong, with the 2024-2025 season hitting a record $1.9 billion in box office revenue. Producers argue that increasing pay could lead to higher ticket prices. More than 30 members of Congress have urged all sides to bargain in good faith.

Harlan Coben appears at a photocall for the series "Missing You" in London on Nov. 6, 2024, left, and Reese Witherspoon appears at the 29th Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, left, and Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

A character wouldn’t leave Reese Witherspoon alone. It led to her first novel

October 15, 2025

Reese Witherspoon has co-authored her first adult novel, “Gone Before Goodbye,” with Harlan Coben. The story revolves around Maggie McCabe, an Army combat surgeon who takes on a suspicious plastic surgery job. This leads her into a world of murder and mystery. Witherspoon and Coben discussed their collaboration this week in Manhattan. Witherspoon, known for her acting and producing, has long admired Coben’s work. They met years ago and decided to collaborate on this project. Both authors emphasize that the book is meant to be enjoyed as a novel, with no immediate plans for a film adaptation.

FILE - Students line up to vote at a campus polling place at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Why a Supreme Court case from Louisiana will matter for the future of the Voting Rights Act

October 15, 2025

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is the primary way plaintiffs can challenge racially discriminatory election practices. The Supreme Court on Wednesday is hearing arguments in a Section 2 case out of Louisiana. It’s a rehearing of a lawsuit over Louisiana’s redrawn congressional map. At the heart of this case is whether the remedy for racially discriminatory voting and election practices violates the U.S. Constitution. A ruling against Section 2 would leave the 60-year-old law largely neutered, after the court overturned another of its core provisions 12 years ago. A ruling is due next year.

FILE - The Social Security Administration's main campus is seen in Woodlawn, Md., Jan. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Social Security cost-of-living increase announcement delayed by government shutdown

October 14, 2025

The ongoing government shutdown has delayed the announcement of the annual Social Security cost-of-living increase. This announcement, originally scheduled for Wednesday, is now set for Oct. 24. The delay affects millions of beneficiaries who rely on these adjustments to plan their finances. The Senior Citizens League and AARP are projecting a 2.7% increase. Many retirees worry this won’t cover rising costs. Some lawmakers propose using a different index to calculate these increases since they don’t factor in health care expenses. The agency plans to notify recipients of their new benefits in December. The program faces financial challenges, with a trust fund shortfall expected by 2034.

Members of the Texas National Guard stand outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in Broadview, Ill. on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Talia Sprague)

Trump’s approval on immigration drops among AAPI adults, new AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll finds

October 14, 2025

A new AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll finds that after months of aggressive immigration enforcement measures from the Trump administration, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults are more likely to disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of immigration than they were in March. The findings come as federal immigration agents expand a crackdown in the Chicago area, where more than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested since last month. A solid majority of AAPI adults also say the Republican president has overstepped on deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Most also oppose several specific tactics used by the administration, such as deploying the military or National Guard to carry out arrests or deportations.

FILE - Chicago Sky's Angel Reese, left, shoots against Washington Mystics' Kiki Iriafen during the second half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Angel Reese to be first pro athlete to walk in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Here’s how to watch

October 14, 2025

Angel Reese is taking her game from the court to the catwalk and making history along the way. The Chicago Sky forward is expected to become the first professional athlete ever to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday. She will join the brand’s high-profile “Wings Reveal” lineup in New York. Reese, 22, will don the signature angel wings that have defined the show for decades. She is a former LSU national champion and NCAA Tournament most outstanding player. Reese has become one of the most visible figures in women’s sports, bridging the gap between sports, fashion, and pop culture.

FILE - This Aug. 3, 2017, photo provided by the Mississippi Department of Corrections shows Mississippi death row inmate Charles Ray Crawford. (Mississippi Department of Corrections via AP, file)

Mississippi is set to execute a man convicted of raping and killing a college student

October 14, 2025

A Mississippi man convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a 20-year-old community college student is set to be executed Wednesday evening at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman. Charles Crawford has also been convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl and attacking her friend with a hammer. In both attacks, he claimed he blacked out and did not recall what happened. Crawford’s execution date comes after the 59-year-old spent more than 30 years on death row. It would mark the state’s second execution this year. Mississippi previously executed Gerald Jordan, the state’s longest-serving death-row inmate, in June. The number of executions has increased nationwide in 2025.

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen in the distance, framed through columns of the U.S. Senate at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Supreme Court takes up GOP-led challenge to Voting Rights Act that could affect control of Congress

October 14, 2025

The Supreme Court is taking up a major Republican-led challenge to the Voting Rights Act, the centerpiece legislation of the civil rights movement, that could gut a key provision of the law that prohibits racial discrimination in redistricting. The justices on Wednesday are hearing arguments for the second time in a case over Louisiana’s congressional map, which has two majority Black districts. A ruling for the state could open the door for legislatures to redraw congressional maps across the South, potentially boosting Republican electoral prospects in the closely divided House of Representatives by eliminating majority Black and Latino seats that tend to favor Democrats. The court’s conservative majority has been skeptical of considerations of race.

FILE - Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol salute the body of fellow officer Sgt. Carl ''Dewayne'' Graham Jr., after funeral services March 24, 2005, in Dexter, Mo. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce, File)

Missouri man executed for the fatal shooting of a state trooper in 2005

October 14, 2025

A Missouri man who long maintained his innocence has been executed for the fatal shooting of a state trooper more than 20 years ago. Lance Shockley was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. Tuesday after being given a lethal injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre. He was convicted of killing Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham Jr. in March 2005. Prosecutors said Shockley waited for hours near the Graham’s Van Buren home before shooting him with a rifle and shotgun after the trooper exited his patrol vehicle. Shockley’s attorneys said prosecutors presented no direct evidence connecting him to the killing.

D’Angelo’s career-spanning playlist: Hits and hidden gems

October 14, 2025

D’Angelo has blurred the lines between sacred and sensual, defining modern R&B with his unique voice and musicianship. This playlist reflects his career, from the smooth grooves of “Brown Sugar” to the urgency of “Black Messiah.” It highlights both his celebrated hits and lesser-known gems, capturing his evolution as an artist. Songs like “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” showcase his raw vocal power, while collaborations with artists like Lauryn Hill and Q-Tip reveal his versatility. D’Angelo’s music blends soul, hip-hop, and spirituality, making him a timeless figure in the music world.

In this aerial photo provided by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the city of Kotzebue, Alaska, experiences flooding, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities via AP)

Alaska residents displaced by remnants of Typhoon Halong have limited options as winter sets in

October 14, 2025

Officials in Alaska are rushing to find housing for people from tiny coastal villages devastated by the remnants of Typhoon Halong. But the remote location and severe damage are limiting their options as they race against other impending storms and the onset of winter. High winds and storm surge seawater battered low-lying, isolated Alaska Native communities in western Alaska over the weekend. The Coast Guard plucked two dozen people from their homes after the structures floated out to sea in high water, three people were missing or dead, and hundreds of people were staying in school shelters — including one with no working toilets, officials said. Across the region more than 1,300 people were displaced.

People hold posters of Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA rally at Utah State University, as a part of the organization's push to memorialize Kirk, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett)

US revokes visas for 6 foreigners over Charlie Kirk-related speech

October 14, 2025

The Trump administration has revoked the visas of six foreigners deemed by U.S. officials to have made derisive comments or made light of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last month. The State Department said it had determined they should lose their visas after reviewing their online social media posts and clips about Kirk. The administration and its supporters have targeted people for their comments about Kirk, leading to firings or other discipline of journalists, teachers and others, and raising free speech concerns. The announcement came Tuesday as Trump was posthumously awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Kaiser Permanente health care workers hold signs and chant slogans while on strike in front of the Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

31,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and other health care workers strike for better wages and staffing

October 14, 2025

An estimated 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers have gone on strike to demand better wages and staffing. The five-day strike began Tuesday and spans 500 medical centers in California, Hawaii, and Oregon. It is the largest in the history of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. Workers, including pharmacists and midwives, say wages haven’t kept pace with inflation. They are asking for a 25% wage increase over four years. Kaiser Permanente has countered with a 21.5% increase. The company says clinics will remain open during the strike with some adjustments.

FILE - A "Let's go Brandon" flag flies below the American flag, Feb. 18, 2022, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Appeals court backs Michigan school in banning ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ shirts

October 14, 2025

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a Michigan school district in a dispute over free speech and “Let’s Go Brandon” shirts. The clothing took a jab at then-President Joe Biden in 2022. Tri County Middle School in western Michigan told two brothers to take off the shirts, citing the dress code. Their mother sued, citing the First Amendment. But the appeals court says “vulgarity trumps politics … even when vulgarity is cloaked in innuendo.” In 2021, an obscenity directed at Biden was being chanted at a NASCAR race, though a TV reporter said it was “Let’s Go, Brandon.” The line became popular among Biden’s critics.

FILE - A photograph of Etan Patz hangs on an angel figurine, as part of a makeshift memorial in the SoHo neighborhood of New York, May 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Lawyers seek release date for man after conviction overturned in Etan Patz disappearance case

October 14, 2025

Lawyers for a man whose conviction in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz was recently overturned asked a judge on Tuesday to set a date for his release from prison if prosecutors don’t decide soon to hold a new trial. Pedro Hernandez’s conviction was overturned in July by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A federal judge expressed doubt that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the appeals court decision. A prosecutor, Matthew Colangelo, said prosecutors won’t know for three months whether they’ll seek a new trial and if the high court will hear an appeal.

FILE - The State Department seal is seen on the briefing room lectern at the State Department in Washington, Jan. 31, 2022. (Mandel Ngan, Pool via AP, File)

State Department adviser charged with illegally retaining classified records

October 14, 2025

A senior adviser at the State Department and expert on Indian and South Affairs is accused by the Justice Department of printing out classified documents and storing more than 1,000 pages of highly sensitive government records in filing cabinets and trash bags at home. Ashley Tellis, who has also worked as a contractor in the Defense Department’s Office of Net Assessment, was charged in federal court in Virginia with the unlawful retention of national defense information after FBI agents who searched his home over the weekend found what they said was a trove of records marked as classified at the secret and top secret levels. One of his lawyers says the defense team looks forward to a detention hearing at which they’ll be able to present evidence.

Friends and family of victims of a homecoming shooting embrace in downtown Leland, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Katie Adkins)

5th arrest made in connection with shooting that left 6 dead in Mississippi, FBI says

October 14, 2025

The FBI said a fifth person has been arrested in a weekend shooting in Mississippi that left six people dead and more than a dozen injured. Terrogernal S. Martin was arrested Tuesday and charged with capital murder. This follows the arrest a day earlier of four others, three of them charged with capital murder and one charged with attempted murder. The shooting occurred Friday night during homecoming celebrations in Leland, Mississippi. Authorities have not disclosed a motive but suggest the gunfire was sparked by a disagreement among individuals. The FBI says additional arrests are expected.

FILE - Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

House Republicans seek testimony from ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith

October 14, 2025

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are requesting that Jack Smith, the former Justice Department special counsel, appear for an interview. It’s part of an escalating effort among Republicans to pursue the perceived enemies of President Donald Trump. Rep. Jim Jordan, the committee chair, charges in a letter to Smith that his prosecutions of Trump were “partisan and politically motivated.” Smith has come under particular scrutiny on Capitol Hill, especially after the Senate Judiciary Committee said last week that his investigation had included an FBI analysis of phone records for more than half a dozen Republican lawmakers from the week of Jan. 6, 2021

FILE - Shoppers walk from the Walmart store, Aug. 14, 2025, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

OpenAI partners with Walmart to let users buy products in ChatGPT, furthering chatbot shopping push

October 14, 2025

OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to allow shoppers to make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company’s push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks to boost revenue. On Tuesday, Walmart announced that customers will soon be able to “chat and buy,” making products available through instant checkout in ChatGPT. This partnership marks OpenAI’s latest expansion into online commerce, following similar offerings for Shopify and Etsy sellers. OpenAI is working with Stripe on the technical standards for this system. Walmart has separately been integrating AI across its operations, including its AI shopping assistant, Sparky.

FILE - Trucks come and go from the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Collier County, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Florida officials didn’t disclose funding request for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility, lawsuit says

October 14, 2025

Florida officials have been accused of failing to disclose their application for federal reimbursement for an immigration detention center in the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” A public records lawsuit filed Monday by Friends of the Everglades says this led to a false impression before an appellate court panel, which put on hold a judge’s order to wind down operations at the facility. Florida applied for federal funding in August but didn’t inform either a federal district court or an appellate court panel. Federal officials confirmed that a $608 million reimbursement had been approved for the center earlier this month.

President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump honoring Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would be his 32nd birthday

October 14, 2025

President Trump is posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk. Kirk was a conservative activist who was fatally shot last month while speaking at Utah Valley University. Tuesday’s ceremony coincides with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. Trump praised Kirk at his funeral as a “great American hero” and a “martyr” for freedom. Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and played a significant role in conservative politics. In a sign of Kirk’s close ties to the administration, he will be the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Trump’s second term.

President Donald Trump listens during an event in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump and budget chief Vought are making this a government shutdown unlike any other

October 14, 2025

President Donald Trump is making this government shutdown unlike any the country has ever seen. The White House budget office headed by Russ Vought is deciding who gets paid or fired in an unprecedented restructuring across the federal workforce. As the shutdown enters its third week, the Office and Management and Budget said Tuesday it’s preparing to “batten down the hatches” with more reductions in force to come. The president calls budget chief Vought the “grim reaper” who’s seized on the opportunity to fund Trump’s priorities, paying the military while slashing employees in health, education, the sciences and other areas. The actions have been criticized as illegal and are facing court challenges.

A team of artisans brings Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ to life

October 14, 2025

In “Frankenstein,” metaphors are hard to resist. Moviemaking, itself, is a Frankenstein art. Each element of production — the costumes, the set design, the lighting, the music — is brought together like appendages stitched into one body. Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic novel, in particular, is a feast of filmmaking arts. Del Toro called on many of his most regular collaborators to turn his long-held vision of “Frankenstein” into a living, breathing reality. Netflix releases “Frankenstein” in theaters Friday, and on its streaming platform Nov. 7.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Slowdown in US hiring suggests economy still needs rate cuts, Fed’s Powell says

October 14, 2025

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says that a sharp slowdown in hiring poses a growing risk to the U.S. economy. Powell’s comments Tuesday suggest that the Fed will likely cut its key interest rate twice more this year. Powell said in written remarks that despite the federal government shutdown cutting off official economic data, “the outlook for employment and inflation does not appear to have changed much since our September meeting,” when the Fed reduced its key rate for the first time this year.

Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Foundations want to curb AI developers’ influence with $500 million aimed at centering human needs

October 14, 2025

Ten philanthropic foundations are committing $500 million across the next five years to place human interests at the forefront of artificial intelligence’s rapid integration into daily life. The coalition, which launched Tuesday, calls themselves Humanity AI. Its ranks include the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and Omidyar Network. Together they pledge to support AI developments that advance democracy, strengthen education, protect artists, enhance work and defend personal security. Citing fears such as AI-driven fake news and job replacement, the goal is to return agency to everyday people. MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey says the “stakes are too high to defer decisions to a handful of companies and leaders within them.”

FILE - The exterior of Oracle Corp. headquarters is pictured in Redwood City, Calif., June 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

Oracle and AMD expand a partnership with deals in the artificial intelligence sector booming

October 14, 2025

Oracle and Advanced Micro Devices are expanding their partnership with the deployment of 50,000 AMD graphic processing units next year, with further expansion to follow. The so-called AI “supercluster” is a massive, interconnected group of high-performance computers designed to work together as a single system. The companies said Tuesday that next-generation AI models are poised to outgrow the limits of current AI infrastructure. The AMD-Oracle announcement is the latest in a flurry of intertwined deals over recent months between top AI developers joining to flood resources and money into the booming AI sector, raising concerns about a potential bubble.

Wall Street sees major jump in profits, helped by soaring stock prices and deal making

October 14, 2025

Wall Street has experienced one of its most profitable quarters, according to earnings reports from major banks on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs have all seen significant profit increases, driven by strong deal making, rising stock prices, and a resilient global economy. Despite these gains, bank executives express caution about market conditions and potential overinflated asset prices. JPMorgan’s consumer banking division performed well, boosted by credit card spending. Investment banking revenues also surged, with Goldman Sachs seeing a 42% increase. However, concerns about tariffs, inflation, and geopolitical tensions remain.

FILE - Former President Barack Obama speaks at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum in Chicago, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)

Barack Obama joins fight for US House control, urges vote for California districts to counter Trump

October 14, 2025

Barack Obama is entering the fight for U.S. House control. The former Democratic president is appearing in a 30-second ad urging California voters to approve a ballot proposal that could add as many as five Democrat-held House seats in California. It’s aimed at offsetting President Donald Trump’s moves in Texas and elsewhere to boost Republican seats in the 2026 election. Obama says in the ad, “California, the whole nation is counting on you.” Voting is underway in California and concludes Nov. 4. The Democratic-backed proposal is intended to blunt Trump’s power in the second half of his term.

FILE - Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones takes the witness stand to testify at the Sandy Hook defamation damages trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Waterbury, Conn., Sept. 22, 2022. (Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool, File)

Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones’ appeal of $1.4 billion defamation judgment in Sandy Hook shooting

October 14, 2025

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and left in place the $1.4 billion judgment against him over his description of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as a hoax staged by crisis actors. The Infowars host argued a Connecticut judge was wrong to find him liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress without holding a trial over allegations lodged by victims’ relatives. The justices issued their order Tuesday without even asking the victims’ families to respond to Jones’ appeal. The Newtown, Connecticut, shooting killed 20 first graders and six educators. Jones is separately appealing a $49 million judgment in Texas.

From Grammy winner to children’s author: Laufey’s new book is ‘Mei Mei the Bunny’

October 14, 2025

Laufey, the Grammy-winning artist, is creating a children’s story inspired by her mascot-alias, Mei Mei The Bunny. Penguin Workshop announced Tuesday that Laufey’s picture book, “Mei Mei the Bunny,” will be published April 21. Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara, the book tells of Mei Mei’s determination to become a professional musician even as she encounters some initial struggles. Laufey, known for her blend of pop, classical, and jazz, expressed excitement about sharing Mei Mei’s story. She hopes it inspires readers of all ages. Laufey’s 2023 album, “Bewitched,” won a Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album.

Maple leaves turn to fall foliage colors at sunrise along a country road, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Auburn, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Leaf-peeping season hampered by drought: Fall foliage dropping sooner, showing less color

October 14, 2025

Leaf-peeping season has arrived in the Northeast and beyond, but weeks of drought have muted this year’s autumn colors, and sent leaves fluttering to the ground earlier than usual. Soaking in the fall foliage is an annual tradition in the New England states as well as areas such as the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Great Smoky Mountains of the mid-south and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, chlorophyll in leaves breaks down, and they turn to the autumn tones of yellow, orange and red. But dry weather in summer and fall can change all that because it causes leaves to brown and fall more quickly.

Oprah Winfrey picks Megha Majumdar’s ‘A Guardian and a Thief’ for book club

October 14, 2025

Megha Majumdar’s novel “A Guardian and a Thief” is now Oprah Winfrey’s book club pick. The book is already a finalist for the National Book Award and Kirkus Prize. Set in the near future, it explores themes of drought, flooding, crime and food shortages. The story contrasts a family trying to emigrate from India to the U.S. with a thief who has stolen their papers. This is Majumdar’s first novel since her acclaimed debut, “A Burning,” in 2020. Winfrey praised the book for its captivating storytelling. Her conversation with Majumdar is available on Winfrey’s YouTube channel.

FILE - Democratic Gov. Janet Mills delivers her State of the State address, Jan. 30, 2024, at the State House in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

Maine Gov. Mills plans to confront President Trump again with her campaign for the US Senate

October 14, 2025

The New England governor who told President Donald Trump to his face she’d see him in court now plans to challenge Maine’s Republican U.S. senator at the ballot box. Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills cites her White House confrontation with the Republican president in February as proof she should serve in the Senate, a bid she formally announced with a campaign launch video Tuesday. Democrats face an uphill challenge in their effort to retake the Senate majority in next year’s midterm elections. Democrats would need a net of four seats, while Trump carried most of the states holding Senate elections next year. Mills wants to oust five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Kitchen cabinet companies hope new US tariffs pay off in the long run

October 13, 2025

New tariffs on imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered furniture in the U.S. are expected to impact the home improvement industry. The tariffs took effect early Tuesday. The White House says the aim is to boost domestic production and to protect American companies. However, some small business owners worry about short-term challenges. They fear clients may hesitate to pay more for budget-priced cabinets, and potential customers might delay renovations. Despite high mortgage rates affecting home sales and rising production costs, a Harvard University forecast expects remodeling activity to remain slow but steady through the middle of next year.

Project connects Americans to the Dutch people who honor their relatives at World War II cemetery

October 13, 2025

A new initiative aims to increase the number of connections between the family members of those buried and remembered at a World War II cemetery in the Netherlands and the Dutch people who have adopted each one. The project was spurred on by “The Monuments Men” author Robert Edsel, whose newest book “Remember Us” tells the story of the cemetery’s adoption program. An official with the Dutch foundation that facilitates the adoptions said that only about 20% to 30% of the adopters and families are in contact currently.

Florida man convicted of killing 2 women whose bodies were found in a pond is set to be executed

October 13, 2025

A Florida man convicted of killing two women whose bodies were found in a rural pond in 1996 is scheduled to be executed. Seventy-two-year-old Samuel Lee Smithers is set to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke. Barring a legal reprieve, it would be Florida’s 14th execution in 2025, further extending the state record for total executions in a single year. The highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Smithers was was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in 1999. Two more executions are planned later this month and next in Florida.

China and the US have long collaborated in ‘open research.’ Some in Congress say that must change

October 13, 2025

U.S. lawmakers and national security officials are increasingly alarmed that long-standing research ties between the U.S. and China could give China an advantage when it comes to developing new military technology. Members of Congress say China has exploited American colleges and universities. They have proposed new rules to restrict federally funded research partnerships with universities in China that also work with the Chinese military. They’ve also expressed concerns that U.S. universities could be targeted by foreign spies eager to steal research secrets, highlighting the need for greater cybersecurity measures.

Donna Adelson listens to statements made on her behalf by family friends during her sentencing for her role in the murder of Dan Markel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP, Pool, File)

South Florida matriarch sentenced to life in prison for hired killing of her ex-son-in-law

October 13, 2025

The matriarch of a wealthy South Florida family who was convicted in the hired killing of her former son-in-law has been sentenced to life in prison. Last month, a jury convicted Donna Adelson for her role in the 2014 murder-for-hire of Daniel Markel. A prominent Florida State University law professor, Markel was locked in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, Adelson’s daughter. In an emotional statement to the court on Monday, Adelson maintained her innocence. She has pledged to appeal.

Plane crashes onto a Massachusetts highway, killing 2 on board and hurting 1 motorist

October 13, 2025

A small airplane has crashed onto a major Massachusetts highway, killing both people on board and scattering flaming debris across the interstate. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said it was a miracle that no motorists on Interstate 195 were seriously injured in the crash during the Monday morning rush hour. One woman on the ground was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash happened in Dartmouth, about 50 miles south of Boston. The Massachusetts State Police say the plane might have been trying to land at New Bedford Regional Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

President Donald Trump poses for a photo with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before he boards Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv, as Israel's President Isaac Herzog, left, watches. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump wants to push for Middle East peace. Netanyahu is still talking up Israel’s military might

October 13, 2025

President Donald Trump has declared Israel’s war with Hamas over and sees the ceasefire as a chance for lasting peace in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more cautious, calling the deal a proposal to free hostages and end the war. On Monday, both leaders praised each other effusively, but had different views on future peace prospects. Trump sees economic development as a bridge for peace, while Netanyahu was more focused on uniting against threats. Trump also mentioned Iran’s potential role in peace talks, a sentiment that received a muted response from Israeli lawmakers.

FILE - Visitors exit the Miami Seaquarium, March 7, 2024, in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, file)

The cherished and controversial Miami Seaquarium closes its doors

October 13, 2025

The Miami Seaquarium has finally closed its doors. The tourist attraction gained international attention as the filming location for the 1960s television series “Flipper,” and thrilled generations of tourists with trained dolphin and orca shows. Sunday marked the final chapter of the park that opened in 1955. The park had been plagued by persistent animal welfare complaints. Its closure was celebrated by animal rights activists who had lobbied for years to free the marine mammals inside. Efforts to redevelop the Seaquarium site are already in the works, with plans for a new “accredited aquarium” with no marine mammals.

A reporter works outside of Willie's Bar and Grill in St Helena Island, S.C. after a shooting occurred early Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Lewis M. Levine)

3 men, 1 woman identified as dead after weekend bar shooting in South Carolina

October 13, 2025

Authorities have identified four people who were killed during a weekend mass shooting at a bar on a South Carolina island. The Beaufort County coroner says the victims early Sunday were three men and a woman, ranging in age from 22 to 54. Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island was crowded with people, including many who had attended a high school in Beaufort and were at the bar for an alumni event. At least 20 people were wounded. The sheriff’s office had no new information to share Monday.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., praises President Donald Trump's peacemaking efforts leading to a ceasefire pausing two years of war in the Gaza Strip, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Government shutdown could be the longest ever, Speaker Johnson warns

October 13, 2025

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson predicts the federal government shutdown may become the longest in history. He says he “won’t negotiate” with Democrats until they hit pause on their health care demands and reopen the government. It’s the 13th day of the shutdown and the closures are taking a toll nationwide, halting routine government operations, shuttering the Smithsonian museums and other landmark cultural institutions and leaving airports scrambling with flight disruptions. It’s all injecting more uncertainty into an already precarious economy. The White House ensured military troops are paid this week. But the Trump administration is firing other federal workers.

FILE - Vernon Jones participates in Georgia's 10th Congressional District republican primary election runoff debates on June 6, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)

Trump ally Vernon Jones announces run for Georgia secretary of state

October 13, 2025

Vernon Jones, a former Democratic state representative who switched parties to support President Donald Trump, has announced his candidacy for Georgia’s secretary of state. Jones, who calls himself the “Black Donald Trump,” ran for Congress in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement. He plans to push for paper ballots, limit mail-in voting, and toughen voter ID laws. Jones aims to appeal to Trump supporters who question election security. Current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is running for governor in 2026. Other Republican candidates for the secretary position include Gabriel Sterling, Tim Fleming and Kelvin King. Little-known candidate Adrian Consonery Jr. and former Fulton County State Court Judge Penny Brown Reynolds are running as Democrats.

Taylor Swift announces new ‘Eras Tour’ docuseries and concert film for Disney+: How to watch

October 13, 2025

Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” has come to a close. But the show must go on. Swift is fresh off the release of “The Life of a Showgirl” and has more news to share. “Good Morning America” revealed Monday morning that she’ll have two new projects at Disney+. That’s a six-episode, behind-the-scenes docuseries about her landmark “Eras Tour” titled “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era.” The first two episodes of her docuseries will premiere Dec. 12. There is also “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show,” a new concert film featuring the inclusion of “The Tortured Poets Department” section. It was filmed in Vancouver.

OpenAI partners with Broadcom to design its own AI chips

October 13, 2025

OpenAI has announced a collaboration with chipmaker Broadcom to design its own AI computer chips. The companies plan to start deploying customized “AI accelerators” next year. The deal marks the latest between OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, and the companies building the chips and data centers required to power AI. Broadcom shares surged more than 9% on Monday after the morning announcement.

FBI seeks help to identify suspects in mass shooting that left 6 dead in the Mississippi Delta

October 13, 2025

FBI agents are asking for public help to identify four people seen near a mass shooting in Leland, Mississippi. The Friday night shooting left six people dead and more than a dozen injured. The FBI released photos of the suspects, described as one female and three males. Authorities have not disclosed a motive but said the gunfire was sparked by a disagreement. In a separate shooting on the state’s east side, two people were found dead on a high school campus in Heidelberg. One of the victims was pregnant. In that case, an 18-year-old man was charged with murder.

FILE - An Amazon same-day delivery fulfillment shipping center is in Woodland Park, New Jersey, on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs forces many retailers to be cautious on holiday hiring

October 13, 2025

Rising tariff costs and other economic factors are forcing retailers to pull back or even delay their plans to hire seasonal workers. These temp workers typically pack orders at distribution centers, serve shoppers at stores and build holiday displays during the most important selling season of the year. A job placement firm forecasts that hiring for the last three months of the year will likely fall to its lowest level since the 2009 recession, or fewer than 500,000 positions. That’s fewer than last year’s 543,000 temp jobs. The average seasonal gain since 2005 has been 653,363 workers.

Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts speaks during lecture to the Georgetown Law School graduating class of 2025, in Washington, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Supreme Court takes up Republican attack on Voting Rights Act in case over Black representation

October 13, 2025

A Republican attack on a core provision of the Voting Rights Act that’s designed to protect racial minorities comes to the Supreme Court this week, more than a decade after the justices knocked out another pillar of the 60-year-old law. In arguments Wednesday, lawyers for Louisiana and the Trump administration will try to persuade the justices to wipe away the state’s second majority Black congressional district and make it much harder, if not impossible, to take account of race in redistricting. The conservative-dominated court could be receptive. At the center of the fight is Chief Justice John Roberts, who has long had the landmark civil rights law in his sights.

Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation donating $50 million to historically Black Atlanta colleges

October 13, 2025

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is donating $50 million to Atlanta’s historically Black colleges and universities. The money will support nearly 10,000 students with “gap scholarships” if they are approaching graduation in good academic standing and have exhausted all other financing. The aim is to raise graduation rates at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College and Spelman College. The 10-year commitment announced Monday comes days after the Trump administration said it would redirect nearly $500 million toward HBCUs and tribal colleges as a one-time investment, covered primarily by cutting funding to colleges with large Hispanic enrollments.

Congregants stand outside Maple Valley Baptist Church in McEwen, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, about 3 miles from Accurate Energetic Systems, an explosives plant where a blast Friday killed 16 people. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)

Community near site of deadly Tennessee plant blast recalls the lives of the 16 killed

October 12, 2025

Churches near the site of a devasting blast at a rural Tennessee plant devoted Sunday services to the 16 victims and their families as surrounding communities mourn. Several congregants at nearby Maple Valley Baptist Church in Nunnelly worked at Accurate Energetic Systems. The company supplies and researches explosives for the military and is a well-known employer in the area. The cause of Friday’s blast remained under investigation. Crews were cautiously going through the incinerated property, searching for possible evidence. Authorities warned of smaller controlled explosions on Sunday as they dispose of hazardous materials.

FILE - Clouds hover over the entrance of the Florida State Prison in Starke, Fla., Aug. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Curt Anderson, file)

Florida sets execution date for man who raped and murdered 6-year-old girl in 1979

October 12, 2025

A man convicted of raping and killing a 6-year-old girl in central Florida is scheduled to be put to death in November. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Bryan Fredrick Jennings’ death warrant on Friday. The 66-year-old is scheduled to die by lethal injection Nov. 13 at Florida State Prison. Jennings would be the 16th person set for execution in Florida in 2025. DeSantis has overseen more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Jennings was convicted of murder, kidnapping and sexual battery and sentenced to death in 1986 after two previous convictions were overturned.

‘Tron: Ares’ tops box office but falls short of expectations with $33.5 million debut

October 12, 2025

“Tron: Ares” has powered up the box office grid, taking the top spot this weekend. Despite some favorable reviews, Disney’s sci-fi film fell short of expectations, earning $33.5 million. This big-budget project, starring Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges, arrived 15 years after “Tron: Legacy.” The film follows a battle between two technology firms facing an artificial intelligence barrier. “Tron: Ares” was packed with action and nostalgia, but it wasn’t enough to draw big numbers across more than 4,000 theaters. Another new release such as “Roofman” struggled to connect with audiences.

FILE - Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., center, is joined by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., far left, and Rep. Jesus Garcia, D-Ill., right, at a new conference opposing President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers to combat crime on the streets of Chicago, Baltimore, and other American cities, at the Capitol in Washington, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Trump’s intervention in Washington prompts calls for its 18-term House delegate to step down

October 12, 2025

Eleanor Holmes Norton has been an outspoken advocate for the District of Columbia during her 18 terms as the city’s delegate in Congress. But today, longtime allies of the 88-year-old Democrat say she hasn’t risen to the challenge of pushing back against the Trump administration’s intervention into her city. Norton has resisted calls to step aside and make way for a new generation of leaders, and she’s indicated she plans to run next year. The race to replace her has began in earnest, with two members of the D.C. Council, including a former Norton aide, announcing campaigns.

President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn after arriving on Marine One at the White House, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump sets off for the Mideast to mark a ceasefire deal and urge Arab leaders to seize the moment

October 12, 2025

President Donald Trump is setting off for Israel and Egypt to celebrate the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. He’s also expected to urge Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build a durable peace in the volatile region. Trump plans to first stop in Israel, where he’s been invited to address Israel’s parliament. The Republican president then will travel to Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will lead a summit with leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East.

California oil workers face an uncertain future in the state’s energy transition

October 12, 2025

California is grappling with how to support oil workers who are being displaced from their jobs amid the state’s energy transition. One employee at a refinery in Los Angeles slated to close this year says the state doesn’t have a clear plan for workers. Another refinery plans to shut down in the San Francisco Bay Area next year. The state has a pilot program to help displaced workers receive training and find new jobs. But it’s set to expire in 2027, and lawmakers wrapped for the year before deciding whether to extend it.

People shop for clothing at a Sam's Club, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Bentonville, Ark. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Trump says inflation is ‘defeated’ and the Fed has cut rates, yet prices remain too high for many

October 12, 2025

Inflation has risen in three of the last four months and is slightly higher than it was a year ago. Yet you wouldn’t know it from listening to President Donald Trump or even some of the inflation fighters at the Federal Reserve who have dismissed or even downplayed inflation. That could prove risky for both the White House and the Fed while inflation is still above the Fed’s target of 2%. Surveys show that many Americans still see high prices as a major burden on their finances. And the Fed’s inflation-fighting credibility could take a hit if prices keep going up.

FILE - New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks during the New York State Democratic Convention in New York, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Trump’s indictment of New York attorney general Letitia James stirs concerns for Black women leaders

October 11, 2025

The indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James on allegations of mortgage fraud has raised alarms among her allies and Black leaders, who condemned it as a politicization of the justice system for President Donald Trump’s personal grievances. James, who had previously prosecuted the Trump Organization for business fraud, has called the charge “baseless” and “a grave violation of our constitutional order.” The claims against her drew parallels with recent efforts by Trump to remove a Federal Reserve Board governor, Lisa Cook, from her post over similar allegations. Some Black leaders say the move carries symbolic weight to Black families, where property ownership has historically been restricted by the legal system through outright and implicit discrimination.

Illinois State Police stand guard as people including members of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) gather outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Court: National Guard troops sent to Illinois by Trump can stay but can’t be deployed for now

October 11, 2025

National Guard troops sent to Illinois by President Donald Trump can stay in the state and under federal control, but can’t be deployed to protect federal property or go on patrol for now, an appeals court ruled Saturday. The decision comes after federal Judge April Perry on Thursday ruled to temporarily block the National Guard deployment for at least two weeks, finding no substantial evidence that a “danger of rebellion” is brewing in Illinois during Trump’s immigration crackdown.

FILE - President Joe Biden walks out to speak at the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

Biden is receiving radiation and hormone therapy to treat his prostate cancer

October 11, 2025

Former President Joe Biden’s treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer has entered a new phase. A spokesperson says the 82-year-old Democrat is now undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment to manage the cancer. Biden’s office announced in May that he’d been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bone. The cancer was discovered after Biden reported urinary symptoms. Last month, Biden had surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead.

Marc Maron’s ‘WTF’ podcast ends soon. Here’s a look at 7 essential episodes

October 11, 2025

The final episode of comic and actor Marc Maron’s influential podcast drops Monday. It’ll be the last of more than 1,600 shows. Some key moments in his 16-year run include a long and emotional interview with Robin Williams in 2010 that gained more attention when Williams died four years later. The episode would enter the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. Then-President Barack Obama took the show to another level in 2015 when he came to Maron’s garage studio for an interview. Stand-up comic Todd Glass used the show to publicly come out as gay in 2012.

Michelle Obama’s Girls Opportunity Alliance pledges $2.5 million for grassroots education for girls

October 11, 2025

Former first lady Michelle Obama is putting new force behind efforts to ensure girls overcome educational barriers in some of the world’s most economically disadvantaged areas. The Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance has pledged to rally $2.5 million for dozens of grassroots groups who advance adolescent girls’ education. That support includes covering school-related costs, challenging patriarchal practices such as child marriage and counseling survivors of sexual abuse. The announcement, made on the International Day of the Girl, comes amid stark warnings from international aid groups that global education budget cuts will roll back recent progress.

FILE - Tennessee National Guard troops leap out of a truck at the Memphis Armory after being ordered into the city by Gov. Buford Ellington at the request of city officials, March 28, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. The guard was ordered after rioting and looting erupted midway through a march led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in support of striking garbage workers. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell, File)

As the National Guard enters Memphis, memories of MLK and 1968 unrest resurface

October 11, 2025

As the National Guard enters Memphis, some longtime residents are recalling the thousands sent there in 1968. Back then, troops were responding to protests by striking sanitation workers that drew the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., then turned chaotic. A week later, the Guard was back after King was assassinated and uprisings arose across the nation. President Donald Trump said last month he would deploy the Guard and use of a slew of other federal agencies to fight crime in Memphis. A spokesman for the Tennessee Military Department says some Guard members are already assisting with community safety patrols, security and traffic control to help reduce crime.

FILE - Tadodaho Sid Hill, takes a break from meetings to pose for a portrait outside of the Onondaga Nation's longhouse, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, on the Onondaga Nation territory in central New York. (AP Photo/Lauren Petracca, File)

A sacred lake, a Columbus statue, and an Indigenous people’s long struggle for land

October 11, 2025

Before white settlers came to Onondaga Lake and the city of Syracuse grew along its shore, it was a sacred place for the Onondaga Nation. Now, the Indigenous nation’s leaders are trying to reclaim a small piece of the lake’s shoreline in upstate New York. But after 14 years of talks, the effort is stalled amid issues related to taxes, the lake’s cleanup and most recently a nearby statue of Christopher Columbus. County lawmakers are open to the idea of giving a parcel of land to the Onondaga. But an aide to a county official involved in the discussions recently upset Onondaga leaders by suggesting they drop their opposition to a statue of Columbus that has stood atop a pillar in downtown Syracuse since 1934.

New Orleans resident Daniella Santoro points out the spot in her backyard where her family discovered a 1,900-year-old gravestone for a Roman sailor that had been missing for decades from an Italian museum, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Brook)

A long-lost ancient Roman artifact reappears in a New Orleans backyard

October 10, 2025

A family cleaning their backyard in New Orleans discovered an unusual marble tablet with some characters in Latin. Daniella Santoro turned to an archaeologist friend for help. It turns out to be a grave marker for a 42-year-old Roman sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus, who died 1,900 years ago. The tablet had been held at a museum in the seaside town of Civitavecchia that was destroyed during World War II. That’s where the grandfather of the home’s previous owner was stationed, and fell in love. The couple apparently brought the tablet from Italy after the war. Now the FBI is in talks with Italian authorities to repatriate the tablet.

Iris Wilthew holds a poster in support of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

A look at how Venezuelans in the US are reacting to Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Prize win

October 10, 2025

Venezuelans in the U.S. are welcoming the news that opposition leader leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Price. However, they acknowledge her win does little to help those facing deportation threats. Machado has aligned herself with President Donald Trump’s policy on Venezuela as she fights for democracy to the country. The Trump administration has ended programs that allowed over 700,000 Venezuelans to live and work legally in the U.S. The government has deported hundreds, citing security threats. Millions of Venezuelans have fled economic and political instability since 2014, with over a million settling in the U.S.

New Orleans is electing a new mayor and a wide field is pledging change after indictments

October 10, 2025

New Orleans voters head to the polls to elect a new slate of city leaders, including a mayor to replace term-limited incumbent LaToya Cantrell, who faces federal corruption charges tied to an alleged affair with her bodyguard. Of the city’s more than 10 mayoral candidates, Helena Moreno, a former television reporter turned city councilmember, has raised the most money. Across the ballot, any candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote wins outright, otherwise the top two candidates head to a run-off on Nov. 15. The city’s embattled sheriff is also seeking re-election despite a 10-inmate jailbreak occurring under her watch in May.

Taylor Moyer's two youngest boys Colton, 4, behind, and Bradley, 2, eat strawberries at home, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

WIC food program receives $300M to keep running during government shutdown

October 10, 2025

The Trump administration has provided a $300 million infusion to a food aid program for low-income mothers and children, easing concerns about funding during the government shutdown. The program for women, infants and children — known as WIC — supports over 6 million people. It was at risk of running out of money this month because of the shutdown. This week, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the government would use tariff revenues to keep the program running. By Thursday, some states, including Alaska and Washington, received funds to continue operations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs WIC.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Washington, as Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz watch. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AstraZeneca agrees to lower drug prices for Medicaid under Trump administration deal

October 10, 2025

AstraZeneca has agreed to lower prescription drug costs for Medicaid under a deal with the Trump administration. Announced Friday, the agreement involves AstraZeneca offering most-favored-nation pricing — matching the lowest prices in other developed nations. This follows a similar deal by Pfizer that Trump announced last month. Both agreements build on an executive order signed by Trump in May, urging drugmakers to lower prices or face government limits. AstraZeneca also announced a $4.5 billion investment in a new manufacturing plant in Virginia, part of a $50 billion U.S. investment plan by 2030.

Victoria Roath works on her creation in the Scrapple Sculpting Contest at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Scrapple sculpture contest winner prevailed in Eagles country by putting the pig into pigskin

October 10, 2025

In the contest for best scrapple sculpture in Philadelphia on Friday it was the “Mush Push” fashioned from the regionally popular pork breakfast meat that got Patrick Moser’s entry over the goal line. The Norristown tattoo artist’s tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles’ trademark short yardage play known as the “tush push” took the top honor Friday. He won a lighthearted art contest to kick off the Scrapple and Apple Festival. The contestants at Reading Terminal Market were allowed 90 minutes to fashion art from five pounds of the pork-based breakfast meat. Scrapple is sometimes the butt of jokes, but when made properly it’s a porcine delicacy.

A male Eastern Black Rhino calf born Sept. 13, 2025, approaches a pumpkin Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 as he makes his public debut at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Critically endangered baby black rhino makes its debut at Cleveland zoo

October 10, 2025

A baby eastern black rhino has made its debut at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, giving a boost to efforts to conserve the endangered species. The 120-pound rhino, which made its public debut Friday, was born earlier this month to 22-year-old mother Kibibbi and 25-year-old father Forrest. The rhino could be seen running around its enclosure in the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve. The zoo was also holding a contest to name the rhino. The zoo has a long history of caring for the species, which has fewer than 583 adults in the wild.

FILE - The interior of the U.S. Penitentiary execution room is seen March 22, 1995, in Terre Haute, Ind. (AP Photo/Chuck Robinson, File)

Man convicted of killing a 15-year-old girl in her home in 2001 is executed by injection in Indiana

October 10, 2025

Indiana officials have executed a man convicted in the 2001 rape and murder of a teenage girl. Roy Lee Ward was put to death early Friday by injection at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. The 53-year-old was convicted in the rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne and sentenced to death. She was killed in the family’s home in the small southern Indiana community of Dale. Attorneys said Ward had exhausted his legal options after more than two decades of court battles.

How Bill Pulte learned the art of the attack, from his own family to Letitia James

October 10, 2025

Bill Pulte has become a significant player in the Trump administration. Known for his aggressive online persona and bitter public fights with several family members, Pulte currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. He has used his position to target Trump’s political adversaries, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, who was recently indicted. His past includes a contentious relationship with his family’s company, PulteGroup, and a public feud with relatives. Pulte gained attention on social media by giving away money, but his actions have also drawn criticism.

First lady Melania Trump speaks in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Melania Trump says 8 children are reunited with families after ongoing talks with Putin

October 10, 2025

First lady Melania Trump says eight children displaced by the Russia-Ukraine war have been reunited with their families after ongoing talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Melania Trump in August wrote a letter to Putin and had her husband hand-deliver it during his meeting with the Russian president in Alaska. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Russia taking Ukrainian children out of their country so they can be raised as Russian. The first lady said Friday in a statement at the White House that Putin responded to her letter and after that, they had established an “open channel of communication” regarding the welfare of those children.

FILE - Students walk past the "Great Dome" atop Building 10 on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in Cambridge, Mass, April 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

MIT president says she ‘cannot support’ proposal to adopt Trump priorities for funding benefits

October 10, 2025

MIT’s president said she “cannot support” a White House proposal that asks MIT and eight other universities to adopt President Donald Trump’s political agenda in exchange for favorable access to federal funding. In a letter to federal officials, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said the proposal includes provisions MIT disagrees with, including some that would limit free speech and the university’s independence. MIT is among the first to express forceful views on the compact either in favor or against it. College leaders face immense pressure to reject the deal from faculty, students and free speech advocates.

No Doubt reunites for Sphere residency. Gwen Stefani will be first woman to headline the Vegas venue

October 10, 2025

Don’t speak. Scream, because No Doubt has announced their first run of shows in 14 years. After surprising fans with a brief reunion at the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the ska-punks have set their sights on Las Vegas. The band will embark on a six-show residency at the Sphere: May 6, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16 in 2026. The $2.3 billion arena has seen performances by Phish, the Backstreet Boys, Dead & Company, the Eagles and more. No Doubt is making history by joining them. Singer Gwen Stefani will become the first woman to headline the space. Presale begins Wednesday. Tickets will go on sale starting Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. Pacific.

Owner Courtland Hickey holds a Pokemon costume from 2024, left, and one from this year, right, at Chicago Costume, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

How a family-owned costume shop is keeping tariffs from making Halloween a nightmare

October 10, 2025

A family that runs two costume stores in Chicago is putting a creative twist on Halloween this year due to tariffs on Chinese imports. Chicago Costume owner Courtland Hickey says he ordered 40% fewer new costumes because of the increased costs. Instead, he and his mother, who founded the business, are repurposing unsold inventory. They’re transforming vintage pieces and surplus items into sets, and having employees sew fabric and foam scraps into headwear. Hickey says such resourcefulness is required for small independent stores to survive. He initially hoped the tariffs would make it easier to compete against chains stores like Walmart and Spirit Halloween but says the largest retailers dropped their costume prices.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at a press conference on 8th day of the government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Speaker Johnson keeps the House away as he fights to end the government shutdown

October 10, 2025

House members’ absence during the government shutdown is creating a political dilemma for Republican Speaker Mike Johnson and is testing his leadership. The Louisiana congressman sent members home three weeks ago, and they haven’t been back in working session since. In the intervening weeks, the government has shut down. President Donald Trump threatened a mass firing of federal workers. And Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a special congressional election in Arizona but has not been sworn in. Johnson says the House already did its job, passing a bill to fund the government. Johnson blames Democrats in the Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans. Democrats want health care funds for insurance subsidies that are set to expire.

President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump’s quest for Nobel Peace Prize falls short despite high-profile nominations

October 10, 2025

President Donald Trump has been passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize, despite efforts from Republicans and world leaders. Opposition activist María Corina Machado of Venezuela received the award for her work promoting democratic rights. Trump has long desired the prize, claiming credit for ending global conflicts. Although he received nominations, many came after the deadline. His supporters may see the decision as an affront, especially after his involvement in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The Nobel Peace Prize aims to encourage peace efforts, with past winners including three U.S. presidents. Critics argue that Trump’s nominations are more about manipulation than merit.

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with Finland's President Alexander Stubb in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump is headed to Walter Reed for a ‘semiannual physical’

October 9, 2025

President Donald Trump is undergoing a “semiannual physical” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The White House announced the visit earlier this week. Trump is preparing to travel to the Middle East shortly after his medical exam. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the visit earlier this week as a “routine yearly checkup,” although Trump had his annual physical in April. White House aides declined to explain why he was getting another checkup. Trump told reporters Thursday that he thinks he’s in great shape. He plans to return to the White House after the visit.

FILE - Kilmar Abrego Garcia attends a protest rally at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, to support Abrego Garcia. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

Federal judges in 2 states are considering challenges to the government’s treatment of Abrego Garcia

October 9, 2025

Federal judges in two states are considering challenges to the government’s treatment of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The Salvadoran national’s mistaken deportation to his home country galvanized opposition to President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration agenda. In a Maryland court, Abrego Garcia has challenged efforts to deport him to Eswatini. His attorneys claim the Republican administration is illegally using the immigration system to punish Abrego Garcia after the embarrassment of his mistaken deportation. Meanwhile, attorneys in Tennessee have made similar claims about human smuggling charges brought against Abrego Garcia. The Tennessee judge has concluded that the prosecution may be an illegal retaliation. Hearings are scheduled in both cases Friday.

FILE - Arizona Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva, right, smiles as she celebrates with her mother Ramona Grijalva after being declared the winner against Republican Daniel Butierez to fill the Congressional District 7 seat held by the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva in a special election Sept. 23, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Who is Adelita Grijalva and what is the controversy over her being sworn in to Congress?

October 9, 2025

Democrats are ramping up pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in the newest member of Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson says Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva can’t be sworn in because of the government shutdown. But Democrats disagree. They say the delay is intended to stall action on legislation related to the Jeffrey Epstein files. Grijalva told The Associated Press that she did not at first believe the delay was related to the Epstein files, but she now has her doubts. She won a special election last month to succeed her father, Rep. Raul Grijalva, who died in March.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ask families to join fight against predatory social media policies

October 9, 2025

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are urging parents to stand against wealthy social media companies that they said prey upon children with algorithms designed to exploit personal data. To build their movement of families fighting for online safety, the couple announced their foundation’s Parents Network would join forces with ParentsTogether. Their remarks came at the annual gala for Project Healthy Minds, a millennial- and Gen Z-driven tech nonprofit that runs a free online marketplace aiming to connect patients with the exact mental health care they seek. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are the organization’s Humanitarians of the Year.

The American flag flies over the Capitol in Washington, on the ninth day of the government shutdown, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

US Senate unanimously endorses repeal of 2002 Iraq war resolution

October 9, 2025

The Senate has voted to repeal the resolution that authorized the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, following a House vote last month that would return the basic war power to Congress more than two decades later. The amendment by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana was approved by voice vote to an annual defense authorization bill that passed the Senate late Thursday. Iraqi deaths were estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration falsely claimed that then-President Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.

FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press briefing, Feb. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

A history of President Trump’s legal battles with New York Attorney General Letitia James

October 9, 2025

New York Attorney General Letitia James and President Donald Trump have long found themselves as legal and political foes. James started investigating Trump almost as soon as she took office. The Democratic attorney general has launched cases against the Republican president during his first and second terms over his policies on immigration, the environment, education, social services and more. Trump’s Justice Department brought criminal charges against James on Thursday as part of a mortgage fraud investigation amid pressure from his administration to pursue cases against his adversaries. James denies wrongdoing.

This combo image shows Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, left, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, right. (AP Photo)

Candidates in Virginia governor’s debate clash over shutdown and violent rhetoric

October 9, 2025

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger have faced off on the debate stage in Virginia’s high-stakes governor’s race. It was a fiery affair in which Earle-Sears, seen by both sides as trailing in the race, went on the offensive from the very beginning, repeatedly interrupting Spanberger and asking her direct questions. Spanberger sought to cast a more bipartisan tone. The candidates sparred over violent rhetoric, the federal shutdown and transgender children. The economy was largely an afterthought. Virginia is one of just two states choosing governors this November. Trump’s cuts to the federal workforce and Congress’ current government shutdown have an outsize impact in a state filled with federal employees and military personnel.

Israeli tanks are positioned on the coastal road leading to Gaza City as displaced Palestinians gather near Wadi Gaza in the central Gaza Strip, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

US is sending about 200 troops to Israel to help support and monitor the Gaza ceasefire deal

October 9, 2025

The United States is sending about 200 troops to Israel to help support and monitor the ceasefire deal in Gaza as part of a team that includes partner nations, nongovernmental organizations and private-sector players. That’s according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that weren’t authorized for release. They said Thursday that U.S. Central Command is going to establish a “civil-military coordination center” in Israel that will help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid as well as logistical and security assistance into the territory wracked by two years of war. They are some of the first details on how the ceasefire deal would be monitored and that the U.S. military would have a role.

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