national - Page 13 of 38 - The Rapid City Post

The Rev. John Bettin, rector of the National Shrine of The Little Flower Basilica, looks at a relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux inside the basilica Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Royal Oak, Mich. (AP Photo/Mike Householder)

St. Thérèse’s relics begin tour of US with stop at Michigan parish named for beloved French nun

October 1, 2025

The sacred bones of a much-loved French Carmelite nun began a tour of the U.S. at a suburban Detroit parish named in her honor. Many worshippers arrived hours in advance to catch a glimpse of the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. They will be display at the National Shrine of The Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, Michigan, through Oct. 8, before moving on to California and other states. St. Thérèse’s relics also came from France to the U.S. in 1999. Tens of thousands visited Royal Oak that year during a one-day stay. Now, a quarter-century later, they are back on The Little Flower’s feast day.

Walmart plans to remove artificial colors and other food additives from store brands by 2027

October 1, 2025

Walmart says it plans to remove synthetic dyes and 30 other food additives from its store brands sold in the United States by January 2027. The move announced by the the nation’s largest retailer on Wednesday amounts to an acknowledgment that American consumers and the U.S. government under President Donald Trump are paying attention to what goes into packaged foods. Walmart says its goal would affect about 1,000 products, including salty snacks, baked goods, power drinks, salad dressings and frosting. Several of the ingredients on Walmart’s removal list, however, already are banned, not widely used or have not been used in the U.S. food supply for decades.

A goat wearing a geofence collar walks on a ski slope at Jay Peak Resort, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 in Jay, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart)

Livestock landscaping: Vermont ski areas employ goats and sheep to clear the slopes

October 1, 2025

Domestic goats are reaching new heights on Vermont’s ski slopes. Magic Mountain in southern Vermont used goats to clear its slopes of vegetation last year, and Jay Peak, near the Canadian border, is using goats and sheep this fall. Over five weeks, they’re expected to clear 25 acres, a small part of the 300 acres that need mowing. Officials say the experiment aims to reduce reliance on gas-powered mowers. The animals wear special collars that connect to an invisible fence, sending data to their owner. Using livestock for landscaping isn’t new, but it’s gaining traction as a sustainable practice.

FILE - CNN CEO Tom Johnson talks about the network's retracted story about U.S. military use of nerve gas against Vietnam War defectors in his office at CNN's headquarters in Atlanta on July 6, 1998. Johnson said, "I regret that I let Ted (Turner) down. This is Ted's creation and I know he is disappointed." (AP Photo/Ric Feld, File)

After accomplishments in politics, media, former CNN chief Tom Johnson makes mental health his cause

October 1, 2025

After a career as a presidential aide, publisher of two newspapers and CNN president, Tom Johnson has plenty of stories to swap. But Johnson says his primary purpose in writing the memoir “Driven” is to make sure that people know that depression is a treatable illness. It’s something Johnson has been through himself, sinking so low in his final years as publisher of the Los Angeles Times he considered suicide, and made sure there were no guns in his house. In his professional life, Johnson has worked for two of the most influential and complex individuals in public life — President Lyndon Johnson and CNN founder Ted Turner.

Luis, 30, who fled Venezuela after being an opposition political activist while at university, poses for a picture in the apartment complex where he lives in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. An aspiring entrepreneur with a degree in mechanical engineering, Luis requested asylum in the U.S. and received a work permit which allows him to support himself as an Amazon delivery driver as he goes through the legal asylum process. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

PHOTO ESSAY: An influx of immigrants boosted Orlando’s economy but many now fear detention

October 1, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. By REBECCA BLACKWELL and GISELA SALOMONAssociated Press ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of immigrants came to

FILE - The Treasury Department building is seen, March 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Trump administration imposes sanctions on some Iranian people and firms after UN decision

October 1, 2025

The U.S. imposes new sanctions on firms and individuals linked to Iran’s missile and military aircraft production. This move supports the United Nations’ recently reimposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. On Wednesday, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control named 21 entities and 17 individuals involved in networks across Iran, Hong Kong, and China. The sanctions target those allegedly procuring technology for advanced missile systems and a U.S.-manufactured helicopter. The Trump administration collaborated with various agencies to gather intelligence for these actions. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, despite international concerns.

FILE - Journalist Hunter S. Thompson, left, and his wife, Anita Thompson, right, are shown at the Pitkin County Court House during their civil wedding ceremony April 23, 2003, in Aspen, Colo. (AP Photo/Louisa Davidson, File)

Investigators to review the 2005 shooting death of Hunter S. Thompson, which was ruled a suicide

October 1, 2025

Colorado investigators are reviewing the 2005 shooting death of journalist Hunter S. Thompson, which was ruled a suicide. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Tuesday that there’s no new evidence suggesting “foul play” in the death of the “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” writer, but that the sheriff’s office sought to review the case at the request of Thompson’s widow, Anita Thompson. Officials said they’re committed to answering “lingering questions” surrounding his death. Anita Thompson told The Associated Press days after her husband’s death that he had been talking about suicide in the months leading up to it. Neither she nor the agencies immediately responded to requests for further information.

FILE - Morgan Wallen, left, appears in court to plead guilty to reckless endangerment charges related to throwing a chair off a six-story balcony Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Morgan Wallen denied throwing chair off bar roof to police in 2024, footage shows

October 1, 2025

Police video obtained by The Associated Press shows country music star Morgan Wallen denied throwing a chair off a Nashville bar roof before and after his 2024 arrest. Two weeks later, he accepted responsibility on social media, and later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. The Metro Nashville Police Department released footage of Wallen’s arrest, which shows officers reacting to a broken chair near their cruiser. Witnesses claimed Wallen threw the chair, and police cited video evidence. The video shows Wallen on the phone with bar proprietor and fellow country star Eric Church. He also sings along to a Thomas Rhett song in a police cruiser.

Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is almost here. Here’s what to know

October 1, 2025

Lights, camera, action. Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” arrives Friday. Are you ready for it? Swift announced her latest era back in August, when she began teasing the release. It will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. There are also a number of variants, including vinyl, CD and cassette offerings. There is even an iTunes digital download featuring a new cover image and a nearly three-minute exclusive video from Taylor herself detailing inspirations behind the album.

FILE - Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a news conference at the Conference Center, Jan. 27, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, file)

Former judge is likely the next leader of the Mormon church and its 17 million members

October 1, 2025

Dallin H. Oaks, a former Utah Supreme Court justice, is expected to become the next president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The transition follows the recent death of President Russell M. Nelson. Oaks is currently the longest-tenured member of a top body of leaders called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, making him next in line. At 93, he will be among the oldest presidents. Experts doubt his presidency will bring major changes since he was Nelson’s close adviser. Oaks has been a prominent voice in the church, known for his traditionalist views on marriage and religious freedom, which have caused concern among LGBTQ+ members.

President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump administration blames Democrats for shutdown in official government warnings as deadline nears

September 30, 2025

The Trump administration is using government communications to blame Democrats for a potential U.S. government shutdown. On Tuesday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website displayed a message accusing “The Radical Left” of wanting a shutdown. It raised questions about possible Hatch Act violations, which limit partisan activities by federal employees. HUD officials pushed back on those claims, noting the banner did not refer to an election and did not mention any party or politician by name. Federal agencies have been urged to consider permanent staff reductions for programs not aligned with the president’s priorities. The approach is more aggressive than previous shutdowns, where non-essential workers were furloughed but returned once funding was restored.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House before signing an executive order regarding childhood cancer and the use of AI, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump pulls nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead Bureau of Labor Statistics, AP source says

September 30, 2025

The White House is withdrawing the nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an AP source says. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the White House action, which hasn’t been publicly announced. Antoni’s nomination was an attempt by Trump to gain greater control over the federal agency responsible for producing key economic data, including the monthly jobs report and consumer price index, which is used to measure inflation. The White House has maintained that it wants accurate figures after a series of downward revisions to the jobs report, but Trump has maintained that the numbers were rigged to undermine him politically.

This photo provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts on Feb. 26, 2025. (ICE via AP)

Iowa schools leader held by ICE steps down as he fights deportation

September 30, 2025

The public schools superintendent of Des Moines, Iowa, has resigned while challenging his deportation after being detained by immigration authorities. According to his lawyer, Ian Roberts believed his case was resolved. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained him last week, saying the Guyana native was living and working in the U.S. illegally. The school board had voted to put him on unpaid leave. Roberts said he submitted his resignation Tuesday to avoid causing a distraction for the school district. His lawyer cautioned that the “very complex case” will take time to investigate.

Journalist L. Vural Elibol receives medical assistance after being shoved by federal agents in immigration court on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

Federal agents grab and shove journalists outside NYC immigration court, sending one to hospital

September 30, 2025

Federal agents grabbed and shoved journalists in a hall outside a New York City immigration court, sending one to the hospital. The episode Tuesday at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan is the latest clash between authorities enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and members of the public seeking to observe their actions. According to video and witnesses, a photographer identified as L. Vural Elibol of the Turkish news agency Anadolu hit his head on the floor after agents pushed one journalist off an elevator and shoved another into Elibol, knocking him to the ground. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the agents’ actions, saying they were being “swarmed by agitators and members of the press, which obstructed operations.”

University of South Florida names sole finalist for president amid closed-door selection process

September 30, 2025

Another Florida university has announced a sole finalist in the search for its next president. The search committee for the University of South Florida in Tampa named longtime academic Moez Limayem as the only contender for the post on Tuesday. Unlike other candidates nominated to lead Florida’s public universities in recent months, Limayem has not served as a Republican elected official. He is currently the president of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Limayem previously served as the dean of USF’s college of business for a decade. It’s not publicly known who else applied, because the selection of university presidents largely happens behind closed doors in Florida.

Researchers turn human skin cells into eggs — but not yet usable ones

September 30, 2025

Oregon scientists used human skin cells to create fertilizable eggs, a step in the quest to develop lab-grown eggs or sperm to one day help people conceive. But the experiment resulted in abnormalities in chromosomes, prompting the Oregon Health & Science University team to caution it could take a decade of additional research before such a technique might be ready for trials in people. They are already working to improve the technique. The work was published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. It may offer lessons as scientists try to learn to create eggs and sperm for the infertile or to help same-sex couples have children genetically related to both partners.

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers are seen at a staging center for law enforcement on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

New Orleans police official says crime is down after governor requests National Guard troops

September 30, 2025

A top New Orleans police official is welcoming the idea of working with federal troops deployed to Louisiana’s largest city. But New Orleans Police Department Assistant Superintendent Hans Ganthier pushed back on the suggestion that the city’s crime rate is up and says it’s unclear how the military would be used. Ganthier responded Tuesday to Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who is urging federal authorities to deploy up to 1,000 troops to the state. Landry’s request for federal troops contrasts with reactions from leaders in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, who have pushed back against President Donald Trump’s plan to expand troop deployments into U.S. cities.

FILE - This March 16, 2015 photo shows a "now leasing" sign outside an apartment complex near Millville, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)

FTC sues Zillow and Redfin over deal it accuses of supressing competition in rental ads

September 30, 2025

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is suing Zillow and Redfin, accusing them of an illegal deal to suppress competition in online rental advertising. The FTC filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging the agreement began in February when Zillow paid Redfin $100 million. The deal allegedly required Redfin to end contracts with advertising partners and stop competing ads for multifamily properties. The FTC claims this violates federal antitrust laws and could lead to higher prices and fewer choices. Zillow and Redfin, meanwhile, both argue that their partnership benefits renters.

Panos Panay, senior vice president of devices and services at Amazon, speaks during an Amazon event in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Amazon unveils new generation of AI-powered Kindle and other devices

September 30, 2025

Online juggernaut Amazon Inc. unveiled its next generation of Kindle, Ring and Echo devices, among other gadgets, that are all powered by artificial intelligence and connected to Alexa+, its AI-infused personal assistant, which made its debut in February. The lineup, announced at a presentation and showcase in New York, includes new cameras for its Ring video monitoring device with a new AI facial recognition feature that allows users to register friends and family and notify them who is at the front door. Amazon’s effort to infuse more AI into its device line-up is part of technology’s latest craze as all the industry’s major players jockey to gain the upper hand.

This undated image provided by the Horry County Jail shows Brandon Council. (Horry County Jail via AP)

South Carolina prosecutor seeks death penalty in murder case after Biden reduced sentence to life

September 30, 2025

A local prosecutor in South Carolina plans to seek the death penalty against a man whose federal death sentence for killing two bank employees was commuted to life in prison by President Joe Biden. Brandon Council was not in court Tuesday when prosecutors announced they would ask a jury for the death penalty if he is convicted of murder in state court. Biden reduced death sentences for 37 federal inmates, including Council, in December. This led Solicitor Jimmy Richardson to pursue new indictments against Council in August, opening the door to a state death penalty trial. Families and law enforcement have expressed anger over Biden’s decision.

FILE - Actor Frances Fisher holds a sign that says "AI is not art" at a rally by striking writers and actors outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles on July 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

‘AI actor’ Tilly Norwood stirs outrage in Hollywood

September 30, 2025

Like thousands of actors, Tilly Norwood is looking for a Hollywood agent. But unlike most young performers aspiring to make it in the film industry, Tilly Norwood is an entirely artificial intelligence-made character. Norwood, dubbed Hollywood’s first “AI actor,” is the product of a company named Xicoia, which bills itself as the world’s first artificial intelligence talent studio. Since the Dutch producer and comedian Eline Van der Velden launched the digital character’s prospective career, Tilly Norwood has been all the talk in Hollywood. But not in a good way. Guilds, actors and filmmakers have met the Xicoia product with an immediate wave of backlash, protesting that AI should not have a starring role in the acting profession.

FILE - Dr. George Smoot, professor of Physics at the University of California Berkeley, gestures during a media conference Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Nobel laureate George Smoot, who researched the universe’s origins at UC Berkeley, dies at 80

September 30, 2025

Nobel laureate Dr. George Smoot, who conducted groundbreaking research into the origins of the universe, has died. He was 80. The University of California, Berkeley, says Smoot died Sept. 18 in Paris of a heart attack. Along with John Mather of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Smoot won the 2006 Nobel Prize for physics for finding the background radiation that finally pinned down the Big Bang theory of the universe’s beginning. Smoot joined the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory soon after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970. Lab director Mike Witherell says Smoot “spent a distinguished career uncovering the secrets of the universe.”

Shotsie Buck-Hayes sits beside defense attorney Edward Lavado in the General District Courtroom in during a preliminary hearing in Danville, Va., Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. He is charged with setting a city councilman on fire in July. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

Grand jury to hear case against man accused of setting Virginia city councilman on fire over affair

September 30, 2025

A judge finds that there is enough probable cause for a man charged with dousing a Virginia city councilman in gasoline and setting him on fire to have his case be sent to a grand jury. The 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding in the attack against Councilman Lee Vogler. Authorities in court said on Tuesday the motive for the July attack appeared to stem from a relationship between Vogler and Buck-Hayes’ wife. The wife filed for divorce from Buck-Hayes in the weeks leading up to the attack.

Equatorial Guinea Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

No. 2 US diplomat meets much-prosecuted West African leader after visa restrictions were eased

September 30, 2025

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has met with the heavily prosecuted vice president of Equatorial Guinea in Washington after the Trump administration approved a waiver of corruption sanctions. The State Department said Tuesday that Landau met with Teodoro “Teddy” Nguema Obiang a day earlier and “reaffirmed joint commitments to deepen commercial and economic ties, combat illegal immigration, and advance security cooperation.” Obiang is accused of pilfering his impoverished country’s resources to feed a lifestyle of luxury cars, mansions and superyachts. But he was given a temporary pass on U.S. corruption sanctions to travel to the U.N. General Assembly and a few U.S. cities.

Little remained of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel the day after a former Marine opened fire and set the building ablaze in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

Victims of Michigan church shooting include a grandfather who was a Navy veteran

September 30, 2025

One of four people killed in the attack on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Michigan is being remembered as a grandfather who adored his family. Friends say John Bond was among those who died Sunday when a former Marine smashed his truck into the church and began shooting. Friends said in a GoFundMe posting that Bond was a Navy veteran and well-known in the community. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or the eight people who were wounded and expected to survive. Federal investigators remained on the scene Tuesday in Michigan’s Grand Blanc Township as heavy machinery began moving debris from the church.

A Brown University police vehicle parks near campus, in Providence, R.I., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi)

Lawsuit against Brown University sparks debate on campus police secrecy at private colleges

September 30, 2025

A new lawsuit against Brown University has sparked debate over the secrecy of law enforcement at private colleges. Unlike public institutions, private universities often don’t have to disclose arrest records or incident reports. This lack of transparency has been criticized by watchdog groups. The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island is challenging this practice, arguing that Brown’s police should comply with public records laws. Brown has filed a motion to dismiss the suit. Currently, only a few states require private college police departments to follow public records laws. The ACLU is representing journalists denied access to Brown’s arrest reports.

Shoppers walk by a clothing store, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

US consumer confidence declines again as Americans fret over prices, job market

September 30, 2025

U.S. consumer confidence declined again in September as Americans’ pessimism over inflation and the weakening job market grew again. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell by 3.6 points to 94.2 in September, down from August’s 97.8. That’s a bigger drop than analysts were expecting and the lowest reading since April, when President Donald Trump rolled out his sweeping tariff policy. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market fell to 73.4, remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. Consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation dipped by 7 points to 125.4.

Scientists find ancient life-size animal rock carvings in the Saudi Arabian desert

September 30, 2025

Researchers have discovered life-size rock carvings of camels, gazelles and other animals in Saudi Arabia. The carvings date back around 12,000 years and many are over 6 feet tall. Scientists say they were created using a wedge-shaped rock to make sharp lines. Scientists weren’t sure if humans lived in the desert during this time period since conditions were dry and water was scarce. The art and tools show that people lived in the area about 2,000 years earlier than previously thought, though it’s not yet clear how they survived. The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

FILE - Guests ride on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, file)

Family’s attorney questions Universal’s response to roller coaster injuries after man’s death

September 30, 2025

Attorney Ben Crump has announced that multiple people have contacted the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man who died from blunt force injuries on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe on September 17, to share similar stories. Crump revealed that a woman reached out, claiming she lost consciousness and suffered neck and spine injuries shortly after the ride opened in May. Crump questioned Universal’s response to these reports. Universal stated that their internal findings showed the ride systems functioned normally. Crump is calling for greater government oversight of large corporations like Universal and Disney.

A hiring sign is displayed at a post office in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

US job openings barely budged in August at 7.2 million

September 30, 2025

U.S. jobs openings were essentially unchanged million last month amid economic uncertainty arising from President Donald Trump’s trade policies and an impending government shutdown. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that job openings blipped up to 7.23 million from 7.21 million in July. Economists had forecast a drop to 7.1 million. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that layoffs fell month. But so did the number of poeple quitting their jobs — which is a sign of confidence in their prospects of finding a better job. Job openings remain at healthy levels but have fallen steadily since peaking at a record 12.1 million in March 2022 as the U.S. economy roared back from COVID-19 lockdowns.

President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives at the White House, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Groups press for release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s classified documents case

September 30, 2025

A First Amendment group and watchdog organization is pressing a federal appeals court to compel the release of a Justice Department special counsel’s report on the criminal investigation into President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Even though the case against Trump was dismissed last year, the volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s final report detailing his findings has remained under wraps because of an order from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. The case accused Trump of hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate and thwarting government efforts to retrieve them but Cannon threw out the charges, concluding Smith’s appointment was illegal.

Bad Bunny performs during the final concert of his summer residency in his homeland at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)

Bad Bunny brings Puerto Rico to the world, from his landmark residency to the Super Bowl

September 30, 2025

Bad Bunny captivated audiences with his residency in Puerto Rico, inspiring patriotism and drawing half a million people to the island this summer. Bad Bunny’s performances highlighted Puerto Rico’s natural beauty and cultural history, featuring his hits and folkloric styles. Now, the artist known for his political activism is set to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl, marking a significant moment for Latino culture. His performance will be in Spanish, further proving that connecting with a U.S. and international audience does not require singing in English. Audiences should expect that Puerto Rican culture and pride will be on display during the show, which could range from 12-15 minutes.

Bathroom vanities are on display at a store Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Prices for home remodeling outpaced inflation in the second quarter due to labor costs

September 30, 2025

The cost of home repair and remodeling is rising faster than inflation, according to a new report. Data analytics company Verisk’s Repair and Remodeling Index shows a 3.4% increase in the April-June quarter compared to last year, outpacing the 2.7% rise in inflation. The index tracks over 10,000 home improvement products. Labor costs, especially for labor-intensive projects like tile flooring and bathroom remodeling, are driving the increase. Nearly all categories saw cost hikes. Homeowner spending on maintenance rose in the first half of this year but is expected to slow in 2026 amid slower new home construction.

FILE - Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

Democrats wary support may be sliding among typically loyal voters in New Jersey governor’s race

September 30, 2025

New Jersey’s contest for governor is seeing some groups that traditionally support Democrats, like union and Black leaders, raising concerns about prospects in November. New Jersey voters on Nov. 4 will decide an election that’s drawn intense interest from both major political parties and the White House. The New Jersey race and an election for Virginia governor will be seen as early signs of how voters feel about President Donald Trump and Republicans’ leadership. Trump hopes a victory in New Jersey from his Republican loyalist Jack Ciattarelli over Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill will send a resounding message to the nation that his GOP is as strong as ever.

Kentucky has kicked people off food benefits using data that doesn’t tell the full story

September 30, 2025

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has brought hundreds of fraud cases in the last five years that are heavily reliant on transactional data with the goal of revoking people’s federal food benefits. Judges, lawyers and legal experts said in interviews with Kentucky Public Radio and in court documents that such evidence proves little. Kentucky has the second-highest number of what are called administrative disqualifications per capita in the country behind Florida, according to 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture data. The state rapidly escalated disqualifying people from benefits in the last decade.

Prosecutors seek over 11 years in prison for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

September 29, 2025

Prosecutors are urging a New York federal judge to send music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to prison for over 11 years. They filed their sentencing recommendation early Tuesday, along with letters from some of his accusers describing how his violence and demands had impacted their lives. The 55-year-old Combs has remained jailed since his July conviction on prostitution-related charges for arranging male sex workers to travel to hotels or residences where he directed them to have sex with his girlfriends. The elaborate dayslong, drug-fueled sexual events were often filmed by Combs. Defense attorneys have asked that he be sentenced to no more than 14 months. Sentencing is set for Friday.

FILE - Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters outside "Camp 57," a facility to house immigration detainees at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Louisiana’s governor asks for National Guard deployment to New Orleans and other cities

September 29, 2025

Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has asked for National Guard deployments to New Orleans and other cities, saying his state needs help fighting crime and praising President Donald Trump’s decision to send troops to Washington and Memphis. In a letter sent to to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Landry asked for the troops through fiscal year 2026. Trump also sent troops in recent months to Los Angeles and his administration has announced plans for similar actions in other major cities, including Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Leaders in Democratic-controlled states have criticized the planned deployments. In Oregon, elected officials have said troops in Portland are not needed.

FILE - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a ceremony at the Pentagon to commemorate the 24rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Sept. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump and Hegseth set to meet with hundreds of military leaders as speculation grows

September 29, 2025

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are planning to address hundreds of U.S. military officials in person at a base in Virginia. Administration officials have released few details about the reasons for suddenly convening top commanders from around the world. The meeting Tuesday at the Marine Corps base in Quantico near Washington has fueled intense speculation about the value of summoning such a large number of generals and admirals. Many are stationed in more than a dozen countries that include conflict zones. Meetings between top military brass and with civilian leaders are nothing new. But experts say the scale of the gathering and the haste with which it was called are particularly unusual.

A DePaul University student carries a bag of contraceptive supplies at Oz Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Heidi Zeiger)

At Catholic colleges, student activists go underground to boost access to contraception

September 29, 2025

At DePaul University, a Catholic school in Chicago, students have created a covert contraceptive delivery network called “the womb service.” The group has continued after the university banned their Planned Parenthood Generation Action chapter. Many Catholic universities restrict contraceptive access, citing religious values. Student activists who have stepped in to provide contraception argue they fill gaps in reproductive health care. DePaul prohibits the distribution of any kind of birth control on its campus and says it reserves the right to restrict the distribution of health supplies it “deems to be inappropriate from the perspective of the institution’s mission and values.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., right, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., walk speak to members of the media outside the West Wing at the White House in Washington, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

US government on brink of first shutdown in almost seven years amid partisan standoff in Congress

September 29, 2025

A partisan standoff over heath care and spending is threatening to trigger the first U.S. government shutdown in almost seven years. Democrats and Republicans in Congress are unable to find agreement even as thousands of federal workers stand to be furloughed or permanently laid off. The government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday if the Senate does not pass a House measure that would extend federal funding for seven weeks. Senate Democrats say they won’t vote for it unless Republicans include an extension of expiring health care benefits, among other demands, while President Donald Trump and Republicans are refusing to negotiate at all.

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

Florida man convicted of fatally stabbing married couple in 1990 robbery is set to be executed

September 29, 2025

A man convicted of fatally stabbing a married couple during a 1990 robbery in South Florida is scheduled to be executed Tuesday evening. Victor Tony Jones is set to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke. It would be Florida’s 13th death sentence carried out in 2025, further extending the state record for total executions in a single year. Since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976, the highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Jones was convicted and sentenced to death in 1993 on two counts of first-degree murder.

China Premier Li Qiang addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

In UN speech, Beijing makes clear its intent to remold global norms, seizing on Trump’s retreat

September 29, 2025

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has made a strong case for China’s role in global governance at the United Nations General Assembly. He emphasized China’s commitment to global cooperation, climate change, and the authority of the UN, subtly critiquing recent U.S. actions. Li’s speech reflects China’s ambition to reshape the world norms to align with its interests and values. Experts note that China’s foreign policy under Xi Jinping is more confident and strategic. However, some analysts argue that China’s actions don’t always match its rhetoric.

Governor of California Gavin Newsom, right, speaks next to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, left, during the Clinton Global Initiative on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs landmark bill creating AI safety measures

September 29, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law legislation aiming to increase transparency and prevent AI models from being used to cause catastrophic harms. The law, signed Monday, requires AI companies to disclose safety protocols for their most advanced models and report safety incidents to the state within 15 days. Some tech companies opposed the legislation, arguing for federal regulation. Proponents said the guardrails are needed to prevent catastrophic harms from the technology that has had little oversight. Newsom said the law establishes regulations without hurting the state’s homegrown industry. The signing comes after Republicans in Congress unsuccessfully tried to temporarily ban states from regulating AI.

Charlie Javice, center, exits Manhattan federal court, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Charlie Javice sentenced to 7 years in prison for fraudulent $175M sale of financial aid startup

September 29, 2025

The 33-year-old founder of the startup student financial aid company Frank has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison. Charlie Javice was sentenced Monday in Manhattan federal court after her March conviction by a jury on fraud charges. Prosecutors say Javice duped JPMorgan Chase into buying her fledgling company for $175 million by submitting false records that made it seem that Frank had 4 million customers. It actually only served as few as 300,000 students. The jury rejected her defense that JPMorgan made up the fraud allegations because it had buyer’s remorse.

FILE - Recruits from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego sing the Marine's Hymn during a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies, Sept. 8, 2019, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Marines say they hit recruiting goals and point to ‘unapologetic’ standards

September 29, 2025

The Marine Corps is now touting that it hit its recruiting goals this year. It had stayed quiet this summer as the Army, Navy and Air Force announced they had met their targets, with encouragement from the Trump administration. The Marine general in charge of the effort has told The Associated Press that the politics of the moment have had no impact on Marine recruiting. Lt. Gen. William Bowers says the Marines appeals “to a certain type of young man or woman — that really doesn’t change with the economic winds.” He also says the Marines haven’t altered their entry requirements and are “unapologetic” about their standards.

Bad Bunny tapped for Super Bowl halftime, spotlighting Latin pride and his clashes with Trump

September 29, 2025

Bad Bunny has been chosen to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, marking a significant moment for Latin identity on a major stage. The Puerto Rican superstar’s selection highlights his global influence and the NFL’s effort to diversify its audience. The halftime show is a collaboration between the NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music. While artists don’t get paid, they gain massive exposure. The NFL has a history of managing performances tightly, but some artists have defied these constraints. Bad Bunny’s performance could carry deep cultural meaning, blending his music with social and political commentary.

Escalation of Chicago immigration operations lead to claims of discriminatory stops

September 29, 2025

The sight of armed, camouflaged and masked Border Patrol agents making arrests near famous downtown Chicago landmarks has amplified concerns about the Trump administration growing federal intervention across U.S. cities. As Memphis and Portland brace for a surge of federal law enforcement, residents in the nation’s third-largest city met a brazen weekend escalation of immigration enforcement tactics with anger, fear and fresh claims of discrimination. But Trump has called the expansion of federal immigration agents and National Guard troops into American cities necessary, blasting Democrats for crime and lax immigration policies.

FILE - Mifepristone tablets are seen in a Planned Parenthood clinic, July 18, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Louisiana issues a warrant to arrest California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills

September 29, 2025

Louisiana has issued a warrant to arrest a California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills. It’s the second known criminal case of its type from the state. A New York doctor has been indicted for providing pills to an out-of-state patient, but New York authorities are refusing to extradite her. The cases could present a test of the shield laws that California, New York and a half-dozen other states have adopted to protect those who prescribe abortion medications by telehealth to patients in states with abortion bans. Medication abortion has been available in the U.S. since 2000, when the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of mifepristone.

Mia Alderman testifies about the murder of her granddaughter Mary Santina Collins during at the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight hearing on violent crime in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

US House members hear pleas for tougher justice policies after stabbing death of refugee

September 29, 2025

U.S. House members have met in North Carolina’s largest city to hear from families of violent-crime victims. They called on Monday for tougher criminal justice policies after last month’s stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte train. The judiciary subcommittee meeting in Charlotte heard from speakers who criticized local court systems for failing to protect the public. The meeting was prompted by the death of Iryna Zarutska and the arrest of a suspect with a long criminal history. Public outrage intensified after the release of security video showing the attack.

FILE - The U.S. District Courthouse for the District of Minnesota is shown on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Nikolas Liepins, File)

Minnesota man pleads guilty to attempting to join Islamic State group

September 29, 2025

A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to attempting to join the Islamic State group. Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan changed his plea during a court appearance on Monday. Prosecutors say Hassan tried twice in December to travel from Minnesota to Somalia to join the group but failed both times. The FBI had been tipped off about his social media activity supporting the Islamic State group and the Somali militant group al-Shabab. Hassan remains in custody, with no sentencing date set. The statutory maximum penalty is 15 years, but a plea agreement usually results in a lower sentence. Hassan is the latest of several Minnesotans linked to the group.

FILE - People line up outside the Los Angeles Federal Building in Los Angeles, housing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)

Federal indictment charges 3 activists with alleged ‘doxing’ of ICE agent in Los Angeles

September 29, 2025

Federal prosecutors say three activists opposed to President Donald Trump’s immigration raids in Los Angeles have been indicted on charges of illegally “doxing” a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday that the women followed the agent home, livestreamed their pursuit and then posted the agent’s address online. The defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum watches as President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. after attending a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump administration opens more land for coal mining, offers $625M to boost coal-fired power plants

September 29, 2025

The Trump administration said it will open 13 million acres of federal lands for coal mining and provide $625 million to recommission or modernize coal-fired power plants. The moves come as President Donald Trump has vowed to reverse the year-long decline in the U.S. coal industry. Coal is a reliable but polluting energy source that’s long been shrinking amid environmental regulations and competition from cheaper natural gas. Under Trump’s orders, the Energy Department has required fossil-fueled power plants in Michigan and Pennsylvania to keep operating past their retirement dates to meet rising U.S. power demand amid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence and electric cars. The latest announcement on Monday would allow those efforts to expand.

Iowa revokes license of schools superintendent arrested by ICE, saying he is in US illegally

September 29, 2025

A state agency revoked the professional license of the leader of Iowa’s largest school district on Monday, days after he was detained on accusations that he was living and working in the country illegally. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners said in a letter to Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts that he was ineligible to hold a license because “you no longer possess legal presence in the United States.” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Roberts on Friday, saying he was subject to a removal order that a judge issued in May 2024. Roberts is a native of Guyana who entered the United States on a student visa in 1999. He’s being held at an Iowa jail.

Dolly Parton postpones Las Vegas residency, cites ‘health challenges’

September 29, 2025

Dolly Parton has postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years. In a statement shared to her social media accounts on Sunday night, Parton cited “health challenges” as the reason for the delay. She was scheduled to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas” between Dec. 4 and Dec. 13. That overlapped with the National Finals Rodeo. Her dates have been moved to next year, to Sept. 2026. Tickets are valid for the new dates and refunds will be available. Earlier this month, Parton was unable to attend the announcement of the new Night Flight Expedition ride at her Dollywood theme park following kidney stones.

Demon-hunting HUNTR/X to debut live performance on ‘The Tonight Show’ next week

September 29, 2025

The singing trio behind HUNTR/X from “KPop Demon Hunters” will appear live on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” next week. Their appearance Oct. 7 will be the first time Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami have performed together as themselves. The runaway summer hit film about demon-hunting K-pop stars is animated. NBC announced Monday that the performance will air on Oct. 7 and will stream on Peacock the next day. The Sony Pictures/Netflix film gave Netflix its first No. 1 box-office title in its 18-year history. The film’s soundtrack topped the charts. The trio will also join Fallon for interviews. Jennifer Lopez is also a guest.

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sept. 14, 2025, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Trump’s team keeps posting AI portraits of him. We keep clicking

September 29, 2025

President Donald Trump and his administration have embraced artificial intelligence-generated images, crafting a new official portrait of him. These images are shared on social media and depict the Republican in various larger-than-life roles, like a Star Wars Jedi, the pope or a king. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift as everyday people also use AI to reimagine themselves. Despite their obvious fiction, these posts resonate with supporters and critics alike, sparking reactions and engagement online. And the White House recognizes the appeal. In July, it posted to its X account: “Nowhere in the Constitution does it say we can’t post banger memes.”

FILE - House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, left, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, both of New York, tell reporters that they are united as the Sept. 30 funding deadline approaches, at the Capitol in Washington, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

A look at previous government shutdowns and how they ended

September 29, 2025

Party leaders in Congress have long criticized government shutdowns as toxic and destructive. Yet Congress often finds itself at the brink of one as the two major political parties’ differences grow more intractable each year. This time, Democrats are threatening to vote against keeping the government open Oct. 1. Democrats say they won’t budge unless Republicans extend health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year. Republicans say they don’t want to add complicated policy to their “clean” stopgap funding bill. In President Donald Trump’s first term, he led the country into its longest shutdown with demands Congress give him money for a border wall. The Republican president retreated after 35 days.

NYC mayor Eric Adams attends the ceremony to mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams abandons his reelection campaign

September 29, 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has abandoned his struggling campaign for reelection. Adams announced his exit from the race in a video released Sunday, signaling he was no longer a credible contender after a year of scandal and political turmoil. Adams spoke proudly of his tenure as mayor. But he said his now-dismissed federal corruption case left voters wary of him, and that constant media speculation about his future made it impossible to raise enough money to run a serious campaign. Remaining candidates include Democrats Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani beat Cuomo decisively in the Democratic primary.

Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones speaks at a rally kicking off his 2026 campaign for governor on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in Flovilla, Ga. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Georgia’s 2026 candidates still can’t escape fallout from Trump’s false 2020 election claims

September 28, 2025

Fallout from the 2020 presidential election feels like it may never end in Georgia. Decisions made following Democrat Joe Biden’s narrow win — and Donald Trump’s false claims of victory that year — still define politics in the Peach State as 2026 elections approach. Some Republicans fear showcasing those questions could turn off a wider electorate more worried about economic issues even if the Trump fervor still drives many GOP voters. Disputes over 2020 still rage in other states including Michigan and Arizona. But in Georgia, 2020’s fallout may define the Republican choice for governor in 2026 and influence other races, including Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s reelection bid.

In this image from video provided by Utah State Courts, Tyler James Robinson attends a virtual court hearing from prison in Utah, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Utah State Courts via AP)

Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination case faces court hearing

September 28, 2025

The 22-year-old man charged with killing Charlie Kirk will have a court hearing Monday where he and his newly appointed legal counsel will decide whether they want a preliminary hearing where the judge will determine if there is enough evidence against him to go forward with a trial. Prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek the death penalty. The hearing in Provo is open to the public, just a few miles from the Utah Valley University campus where many students are still processing trauma from the Sept. 10 shooting.

President Donald Trump walks to speak with reporters after greeting supporters before departing the White House, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Government shutdown draws closer as congressional leaders head to the White House

September 28, 2025

Democratic and Republican congressional leaders are heading to the White House in a late effort to avoid a government shutdown. But both sides have shown hardly any willingness to budge. If government funding legislation is not passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday night, many government offices will be temporarily shuttered and non-exempt federal employees will be furloughed. Republicans are daring Democrats to vote against legislation that would keep government funding mostly at current levels. But Democrats are holding firm and using one of their few points of leverage to demand action on extending health care benefits.

Department of Homeland Security officials walk to the gates of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility after inspecting an area outside on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Oregon leaders say Trump is deploying 200 National Guard troops within the state

September 28, 2025

Two hundred members of the Oregon National Guard are being placed under federal control and deployed to protect immigration enforcement officers and government facilities. The deployment was described in a Defense Department memo received by state leaders on Sunday and is being made over their objections. It’s similar to one last summer in Los Angeles, where protesters demonstrated against deportation operations, but is on a much smaller scale. President Donald Trump had announced on Saturday that he would send troops to Portland, but the state’s Democratic governor said she objected to the deployment. The state attorney general said he had filed a federal lawsuit, arguing the president was overstepping his authority.

FILE - Shoppers head into an Albertson's grocery store Nov. 23, 2024, in Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Albertsons recalls several deli items due to potential listeria contamination

September 28, 2025

Albertsons Companies has recalled several deli products due to potential listeria contamination. The recall follows federal warnings about similar contamination concerns with pasta meals sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s. On Saturday, Albertsons announced it was pulling five deli items containing a recalled bowtie pasta ingredient from Nate’s Fine Foods. The items include basil pesto pasta salad and pasta dishes with chicken and spinach. The recalled products were sold in various Albertsons-owned stores across more than a dozen states. Albertsons advises consumers to discard the products or return them for a refund. No illnesses have been reported related to these products, per the company.

This undated image released by the U.S. Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service shows "State Fair Corn Dogs". (U.S. Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service via AP)

58M pounds of corn dogs and sausage-on-a-stick products recalled because wood pieces may be inside

September 28, 2025

About 58 million pounds of corn dogs and other sausage-on-a-stick products are being recalled across the U.S. because wood pieces may be embedded in the batter. The Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall on Saturday. It covers certain “State Fair Corn Dogs on a Stick” and “Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick” products from Hillshire Brands, a Tyson Foods subsidiary. The issue was discovered after consumer complaints, with five injuries reported. The products were made between March 17 and last Friday. Consumers should either discard or return the products — and check online for further information.

FILE—Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, arrive to speak to members of the media outside the West Wing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, file)

Shutdown standoff deepens ahead of crucial meeting at the White House

September 28, 2025

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader John Thune are digging in ahead of this week’s deadline to keep the government open, showing little evidence of budging even as both sides have agreed to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Republicans say that Democrats need to help them pass a simple extension of government funding by Tuesday night to avoid a shutdown, and they will not agree to negotiate on it even as they will need a bipartisan vote to pass it. Democrats say they want immediate talks on health care and that they are willing to shut down the government if they don’t get concessions.

Trump will speak at a hastily-called meeting of top military leaders, AP source says

September 28, 2025

President Donald Trump will be speaking at a hastily-called meeting of top military leaders. That word comes from a person with knowledge of Trump’s plans. Hundreds of generals and admirals — senior commanders of the one-star rank or higher and their top advisers — have been summoned for the gathering Tuesday at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, with little notice by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The person was not authorized to discuss the president’s plans before a public announcement about his attendance and spoke on condition of anonymity.

President Donald Trump attends the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump’s shutdown blame game: Why he says Democrats are at fault

September 28, 2025

President Donald Trump is blaming Democrats for a potential government shutdown. He says they’re “crazed” and want to “shut it down.” Trump is focused on laying pressure on Democrats to either back down from their health care demands or be held responsible if a shutdown comes Wednesday. The Republican president has indicated he’s not willing to compromise with Democrats. But he’s agreed to a meeting Monday with congressional leaders from both parties. Republicans believe Democrats will be blamed if the government closes, while Democrats feel Republicans would be faulted by voters.

FILE - Church President Russell M. Nelson looks on during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' conference on April 6, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Russell M. Nelson, oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies

September 28, 2025

Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has died at the age of 101. Church officials announced his death late Saturday night. He was 101. Church spokesperson Candice Madsen says Nelson died Saturday night at his home in Salt Lake City. The former heart surgeon had a vibrant and transformative tenure, especially his first year in 2018 when he made a surprising announcement calling on people to stop using the shorthand names “Mormon” and “LDS” as substitutes for the full name of the religion, a sharp shift after previous church leaders spent millions to promote the moniker over decades.

4 dead after flooding in Arizona, including in historic mining town

September 27, 2025

Four people have died after heavy rain caused flooding in Arizona, including three in a rural 19th-century mining town where floodwaters forced people to seek safety on their rooftops and washed out a propane distributorship, scattering about 1,000 tanks downtown. About 2.5 inches of rain fell in the mining town of Globe on Friday. Another storm moved in Saturday afternoon, temporarily halting the search for people possibly missing in the flood. Another person was found dead Saturday morning near a vehicle caught in floodwaters in suburban Phoenix the night before.

Selena Gomez marries Benny Blanco: ‘My wife in real life’

September 27, 2025

Selena Gomez has married music producer and songwriter Benny Blanco. She announced the news in an Instagram post showing the couple kissing and embracing on a lawn. Blanco called her “My wife in real life” in a response to the post Saturday by the Grammy- and Emmy-nominated performer. Gomez wore a white halter bridal dress with floral flourishes. Blanco wore a tuxedo and bow tie. Both were custom-made by Ralph Lauren. Blanco and Gomez met about a decade ago and got engaged at the end of last year.

President Donald Trump, right, salutes Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing, before boarding Marine One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, after a day trip to the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez) (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Trump to meet Monday with top four congressional leaders as government shutdown risk looms

September 27, 2025

President Donald Trump plans to meet with the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Monday, one day before the deadline to fund the federal government or face a shutdown. The meeting involving House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune as well as House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was confirmed Saturday by a White House official and two other people familiar with the planning. They were granted anonymity to discuss a meeting that has not been announced. The meeting was first reported by Punchbowl News.

A newly-unveiled statue of singer Tina Turner stands at a park on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Brownsville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz).

Statue of rock n’ roll queen Tina Turner unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up

September 27, 2025

A 10-foot statue of rock n’ roll queen Tina Turner has been unveiled in the rural Tennessee community where she grew up, before she became a singer and electrifying stage performer and one the world’s most recognizable and popular entertainers. The statue was revealed during a Saturday ceremony in Brownsville, located about an hour drive east of Memphis. The city of about 9,000 people is near Nutbush, the community where Turner went to school as a child. Turner, 83, died May 24, 2023, after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich. Her Grammy-winning singing career included the hit songs “Nutbush City Limits,” “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer,” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference Aug. 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Florida sets execution date for man who killed neighbor in 1998

September 27, 2025

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has set an execution date for Norman Mearle Grim Jr., convicted of sexually battering and killing his neighbor in 1998. Grim is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Oct. 28. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sexual battery in 2000. Florida leads the nation in executions this year, with two more scheduled for this fall. The state carried out its 12th execution on Sept. 17. Appeals are expected in the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

The indictment of former FBI director James Comey is photographed Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

The sparse indictment of Comey by Trump’s Justice Department belies a complicated backstory

September 27, 2025

The indictment of former FBI Director James Comey is only two pages and alleges he falsely testified to Congress in 2020 about authorizing someone to be an anonymous source in news stories. There’s a backstory and it involves a long-running feud between Trump and Comey. Trump blames Comey for having started an investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 campaign that led to the appointment of a special counsel. Trump has spent years bashing Comey and saying he was worthy of being charged with treason. Comey has hardly backed down. In a 2018 memoir, Comey compared Trump to a mafia don and said he was unethical and “untethered to truth.”

FILE—Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, hold a news conference on the GOP reconciliation bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)

As Democrats prepare for a possible federal shutdown, their endgame is uncertain

September 27, 2025

Senate Democrats have struggled for months to counter President Donald Trump. Now, with a possible government shutdown looming, they’ve settled on a bold, one-step strategy if they don’t get significant concessions on health care before federal funding runs out Wednesday. That strategy is to vote to shut down. The plan is heartily endorsed by many of the party’s frustrated voters in the base and by activists. Less clear is what’s in the party playbook come that deadline. That’s when the administration could begin laying off hundreds or even thousands of federal workers, if it carries through with plans laid out by the White House this week.

President of Colombia Gustavo Petro Urrego addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

US revokes visa for Colombia’s president after he urges American soldiers to disobey Trump

September 27, 2025

Tensions between the United States and Colombia have escalated with the State Department saying it was revoking the visa of Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro’s visa. The decision comes after Petro participated in a New York protest Friday during the U.N. General Assembly. He urged American soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump’s orders. The State Department says his actions were “reckless and incendiary.” Petro returned to Colombia on Saturday and dismissed the punishment. He says he’s also a European citizen and doesn’t need a visa to travel to the U.S. There have been repeated clashes between Petro, a leftist and former rebel leader, and Trump’s Republican administration.

Why many young adults turn on TV or movie subtitles, according to a new poll

September 27, 2025

A new poll finds that younger adults are more likely to use subtitles while watching TV or movies than are older adults. About 4 in 10 adults under 45 use subtitles at least “often” when watching TV or movies, compared with about 3 in 10 adults over 45. That’s according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. U.S. adults 60 and older are especially likely to say they “never” or “rarely” use subtitles. The poll suggests many young adults use subtitles because they’re watching in noisy environments or are multitasking, while older adults choose them to better hear or understand what’s being said.

A Hoffman's two-toed sloth is seen eating inside its new habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Cody Jackson)

Golden lion tamarins and sloths become unlikely roommates at Palm Beach Zoo

September 26, 2025

Golden lion tamarins and Hoffman’s two-toed sloths have become roommates at the Palm Beach Zoo in Florida. The new habitat, which opened in late August, mimics their native South American forests with a thick canopy of trees. Tamarins frolic in the treetops, while sloths hang from branches. The space encourages exploration with vines, ropes and tunnels. Zoo officials hope the habitat inspires visitors to connect with wildlife and consider conservation efforts. In the 1970s, fewer than 200 golden tamarins existed in the wild, but now their numbers exceed 5,000 thanks to conservation efforts.

A sign advertising the cashing of Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, or PFD, checks hangs outside a business in Anchorage, Alaska, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Alaskans are receiving $1,000 checks. Here’s why

September 26, 2025

Alaska plans to start distributing to residents the annual dividend payment derived from the state’s $83 billion oil wealth fund. This year’s payout is $1,000 per person. It’s one of the smallest Alaska Permanent Fund dividends in the last 20 years. It comes as lawmakers must balance the check size against other programs and needs that also compete for state funding. Lawmakers within the last decade abandoned as unaffordable a longstanding dividend calculation in favor of negotiating a sum during the budget-writing process. Had the old formula tied to the fund’s market performance been followed, this year’s check would have been around $3,800 a person.

The Capitol is seen during rainy weather just days before federal money runs out which could trigger a government shutdown, in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Trump’s vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill as shutdown risk grows

September 26, 2025

As Congress confronts a possible government shutdown, it’s also weighing the Trump administration’s willingness to simply halt federal spending — even when it’s against the law. Billions upon billions of dollars have been stalled, scrapped or withheld by the Trump administration so far this year. It’s one of the most brazen affronts to the federal budgeting process in 50 years. And it’s creating an undercurrent of distrust on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers face a deadline next week to pass legislation to keep government funded past Sept. 30. The Trump administration is preparing to fire federal workers, rather than simply furlough them, if there is a funding lapse.

FILE - People leave the The BlackRock investment company in the Hudson Yards neighborhood of New York, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Private equity sees profits in power utilities as electric bills rise and Big Tech seeks more energy

September 26, 2025

Private investment firms that are helping finance America’s artificial intelligence race and the huge buildout of energy-hungry data centers are getting interested in the local utilities that deliver electricity to regular customers — and the servers that power AI. Billions of dollars from such firms are now flowing toward electric utilities in places including New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Greg Brown, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor, says that’s because there’s a lot of money to be made. Buyout proposals are coming at a time when electricity bills are rising fast across the U.S. Opponents worry buyouts will further drive up electric bills for regular people.

Brian Warpup inspects one of his soybean fields in Warren, Ind., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Trump’s trade battle with China puts US soybean farmers in peril

September 26, 2025

American soybean farmers are worried about where they’re going to sell their crops and whether they’ll lose money this year because China hasn’t bought any for months. Beijing traditionally has snapped up at least a quarter of all soybeans grown in the U.S. but it is in effect boycotting them. It’s in retaliation for the high tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed on Chinese goods and to strengthen its hand in negotiations over a new overall trade deal. Farmers like Caleb Ragland in Kentucky hope there will be a trade deal soon, but some significant aid might be needed to help them survive. Trump says he’s considering an aid package.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., meets with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, days before federal funding runs out that could trigger a government shutdown. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Trump is marching the country into a government shutdown

September 26, 2025

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are “marching the country” into a government shutdown. Jeffries told the Associated Press in an interview late Friday that he remained hopeful Congress could reach an agreement to prevent a federal funding lapse next week, ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline. But with Republicans having canceled next week’s House voting session and Trump canceling his meeting with the Democratic leaders this week, he said, “the onus is on Donald Trump to show some presidential leadership.” Democrats are fighting to save health care funding from cuts. Republicans have said the issue can be addressed before the end of the year, when certain health care subsidies expire.

Tributes lay on a memorial Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, for four teenage girls who were killed in a yogurt shop in 1991 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Paul J. Weber)

DNA evidence links a dead man to the 1991 killings of 4 girls at Texas yogurt shop

September 26, 2025

Austin police have identified a new suspect in the 1991 yogurt shop murders of four teenage girls. They announced Friday that DNA tests point to Robert Eugene Brashers, who died by suicide in 1999. The case remains open, and police plan to share more details at a news conference on Monday. Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas, and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison were killed at the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” store. The murders shocked the city and became one of its most notorious crimes. Two men were previously convicted, but their convictions were overturned on appeal.

FILE - Sara Jane Moore rides in the backseat of a car on her way to federal court in San Francisco, Dec. 17, 1975, where a federal judge accepted her plea of guilty to the attempted assassination of President Ford. (AP Photo/Jim Palmer, File)

Sara Jane Moore, who tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, dies at 95

September 26, 2025

Sara Jane Moore, who spent more than 30 years in prison for trying to shoot President Gerald Ford, has died. She was 95. A longtime acquaintance says Moore died Wednesday at a nursing home in Franklin, Tennessee. A bystander knocked Moore’s shot astray in the 1975 assassination attempt in San Francisco. Moore eventually voiced regret. She was paroled from prison in 2007, roughly a year after Ford’s death. Moore dabbled in leftist groups but was also a sometime FBI informant. Her confusing background baffled the public. Even her own attorney claimed he never understood why she fired at Ford.

79-year-old US citizen injured in Los Angeles immigration raid files $50 million claim

September 26, 2025

A 79-year-old man in Southern California has filed a $50 million claim against the federal government, alleging civil rights violations during an immigration raid. Rafie Ollah Shouhed, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Iran, claims federal agents tackled him at his Los Angeles car wash on Sept. 9, causing serious injuries. Video footage shows Shouhed being knocked down by an officer. The Department of Homeland Security states Shouhed impeded the operation and was arrested for assaulting an officer. Shouhed denies these accusations and says he was trying to show documents proving his employees’ eligibility to work.

FILE - Mike Lindell walks into federal district court for a defamation trial, June 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

Judge rules ‘MyPillow Guy’ Mike Lindell defamed Smartmatic with false claims on voting machines

September 26, 2025

A federal judge in Minnesota has ruled that MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic by falsely claiming its voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election. The judge identified 51 instances where Lindell made false claims. However, the question of whether Lindell acted with “actual malice” won’t be resolved until later. Smartmatic needs to prove that to collect damages. Lindell has faced similar legal issues with Dominion Voting Systems. He says he plans to continue his fight against voting machines. He also continues to express interest in a possible run for governor of Minnesota against incumbent Tim Walz.

Financier accused of abusing women in soundproofed ‘dungeon’ in NYC penthouse

September 26, 2025

A retired Wall Street financier has been arrested on charges that he lured dozens of women including former Playboy models to be sexually and physically assaulted during encounters in his Central Park penthouse. Authorities say Howard Rubin was arrested Friday at a residence in Fairfield, Connecticut. He pleaded not guilty later in the day at a federal court in Brooklyn, New York. His former personal assistant was arrested in Texas and also faces charges. Prosecutors say Rubin abused the women after recruiting them to fly to New York to engage in sex acts for money. Messages for comment were sent to multiple lawyers for both Rubin and Powers.

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his first oversight hearing, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, AP sources say

September 26, 2025

The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. That’s according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. The bureau had reassigned the agents last spring but has since fired them. The FBI declined to comment.

FILE - Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., speaks during the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting, Feb. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

At annual legislative conference, Black lawmakers confront Trump-era cuts and civil rights setbacks

September 26, 2025

The Congressional Black Caucus has gathered for its annual legislative conference in Washington this past week. Lawmakers moderated panels with business leaders, policy experts and activists on a wide range of issues. The future of American democracy and the impacts of the Trump administration’s agenda were top of mind for lawmakers. Several members of Congress delivered remarks urging attendees to organize in response to the administration and think creatively about what a path back to power may look like. Other members argued that the caucus’ agenda needed to be prepared for the realities of a changed country after the Trump presidency.

Man admits in TV interview to killing and burying his parents

September 26, 2025

A man admitted to killing and burying his parents eight years ago in the backyard of their upstate New York home during a television interview this week, then was arrested as he left the studio. The stunning confession from Lorenz Kraus came Thursday, a day after police say they recovered two bodies from a home in Albany as part of an investigation that found Kraus’ parents were still receiving Social Security payments despite not having been seen or heard from in years. Franz pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of murder and concealing a corpse. During the interview, Kraus described their deaths as mercy killings for two aging and ailing parents.

China’s No. 2 leader, in debut of sorts on world stage at UN, echoes his nation’s concern about US

September 26, 2025

China’s second-in-command sounded his nation’s recurring alarm against aggressive and unilateral action in global politics in an address to world leaders. Li Qiang’s speech to the U.N. General Assembly brimmed with references that echoed long-standing concerns about the United States and the Trump administration in particular. It also case Beijing as a defender of the world order in an age of encroaching chaos. Li made no major announcements and offered no specific policy revelations. But his comments, in sweep and assertive tone, revealed several things — including what might be seen as his official debut on the world stage since his promotion to premier 2½ years ago.

President Donald Trump, center, is escorted by Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, right, as he walks from Marine One to board Air Force One, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Supreme Court keeps in place Trump funding freeze that threatens billions of dollars in foreign aid

September 26, 2025

The Supreme Court is extending an order that allows President Donald Trump’s administration to keep frozen nearly $5 billion in foreign aid, handing him another victory in a dispute over presidential power. The court acted Friday on the Republican administration’s emergency appeal in a case involving billions of dollars in congressionally approved aid. Trump said last month he would not spend the money, invoking disputed authority that was last used by a president roughly 50 years ago. The Justice Department sought the high court’s intervention after U.S. District Judge Amir Ali in Washington ruled that Trump’s action was likely illegal and that Congress would have to approve the decision to withhold the funding.

Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, signs a note in a United Nations book during the U.N. General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

UN Security Council rejects Russia and China’s last-ditch effort to delay sanctions on Iran

September 26, 2025

Iran’s president is calling the expected reimposition of sanctions over its nuclear program “unfair, unjust and illegal” as the U.N. Security Council rejected a last-ditch effort to delay them. President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke at a meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, a day before the deadline for the so-called “snapback” of sanctions to kick in. But the president says that despite previous threats, Iran will not respond by withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, potentially following North Korea, which abandoned the treaty in 2003 and then built atomic weapons.

This photo provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows a loaded handgun found in the vehicle of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (ICE via AP)

Des Moines, Iowa, public school leader detained by immigration agents, school board says

September 26, 2025

Federal immigration agents have detained the head administrator of Iowa’s capital city public schools. The school board president says Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents Friday morning. A spokesperson for the district said they do not have additional information to share at this time. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement records show Ian Roberts in their custody at a county jail in western Iowa. But a Pottawattamie County jail employee said he is not currently at their jail.

A U.S. flag is carried across a street in front of a demonstration in response to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show outside of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

What to know about Jimmy Kimmel’s return to his late-night TV show

September 26, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Tuesday, just under a week after ABC pulled the host off the air indefinitely in the wake of criticism over his comments related the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month. Kimmel did not apologize for those remarks, but he was emotional during his opening monologue, nearly breaking down at least twice when he told his audience that he never intended to make light of the murder. Kimmel added that he also didn’t intend to “blame any specific group” for the actions of Kirk’s alleged killer.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing an executive order regarding TikTok in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Chair of a House committee on China demands urgent White House briefing on TikTok deal

September 26, 2025

Rep. John Moolenaar has requested an urgent briefing from the White House after Trump supported a deal giving Americans a majority stake in TikTok. Moolenaar, chair of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, says the ownership transition is a step forward but not the only requirement. The deal, reached nearly two weeks ago, involves selling stakes in TikTok to comply with the law and licensing TikTok’s all-important algorithm. However, Moolenaar wants more details. Critics argue the deal doesn’t fully comply with the law, as ByteDance might still have influence.

FILE - FBI Director James Comey pauses as he testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 3, 2017, before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing: "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation." (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

A conviction may be besides the point for the Justice Department as it pursues case against Comey

September 26, 2025

Now that it’s secured an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, the Justice Department faces the significantly tougher task of building a case it can prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Yet a conviction may be almost beside the point. As the administration pursues investigations into President Donald Trump’s political enemies, officials have signaled that making life uncomfortable for targets of the retribution — including through reputational harm, legal fees and lingering uncertainty — is a desired goal in its own right, separate and apart from the ability to secure a guilty verdict.

FILE - A cyclist rides along the Cardinal Greenway in Muncie, Indiana, March 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Isabella Volmert, File)

Trump’s transportation department pulls trail and bike grants it deems ‘hostile’ to cars

September 26, 2025

President Donald Trump’s transportation department has been reversing grants for recreational trails and bicycle lanes. The department has informed local officials in at least six states that their projects do not promote road capacity or are “hostile to motor vehicles.” The grants were initially awarded under the $1.1 trillion infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden in 2021. These reversals highlight a shift from the Biden administration’s focus on alternative transportation to Trump’s emphasis on expanding lanes for cars and trucks. Some projects targeted for reversal were relatively small but still affected by the changing priorities.

Powerhouse attorney Robert B. Barnett, known for representing the Obamas and Clintons, dies

September 26, 2025

The Washington attorney who brokered book deals for Barack Obama, George W. Bush and dozens of other government leaders has died at age 79. Robert B. Barnett was a fixture in the political and publishing worlds for decades and had a client list like no other. He represented everyone from Hillary Clinton and Edward M. Kennedy to Dick Cheney and Mitch McConnell. He embodied an era when it was possible to work freely with both Democrats and Republicans and embodied the maxim that politics stops at the edge of a good book deal.

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