national.

FILE - Launch Director Kat Brennan signals for a pilot to go ahead and take off Oct. 7, 2023, during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales, File)

By the numbers: International hot air balloon fiesta to lift off in Albuquerque

Hundreds of thousands of spectators gather over nine days to watch as pilots from around the world take to the skies in colorful hot air balloons. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicks off Saturday with a mass ascension that features waves of hot air balloons soaring from a launch field. The annual event has become quite a production over the last five decades. Fiesta attendees can walk among the inflating balloons and talk to pilots, all while scarfing down breakfast burritos and sipping piñon coffee. The roaring propane burners are not enough to drown out the cheers and whistles as the balloons drift upward.

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The American flag over the Capitol is illuminated by the early morning light on the first day of a government shutdown, in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The federal shutdown will cut off vital economic data, including Friday’s jobs report

The government shutdown will deprive policymakers and investors of economic data vital to their decision-making at a time of unusual uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. The absence will be felt almost immediately, as the government’s monthly jobs report scheduled for release Friday will likely be delayed. If the shutdown is short-lived, it won’t be very disruptive. But if the release of economic data is delayed for several weeks or longer, it could pose challenges, particularly for the Federal Reserve. The Fed is grappling with where to set a key interest rate at a time of conflicting signals, and the Fed may have little new data to analyze before its next meeting later this month.

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Damien Browne, vice president of research and development for PepsiCo's beverages, is interviewed at the company's R&D Campus, in Valhalla, NY, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

PepsiCo’s new challenge: Making its chips and sodas colorful without artificial dyes

Pepsi has a new challenge: Keeping products like Gatorade and Cheetos vivid and colorful without the artificial dyes that U.S. consumers are increasingly rejecting. PepsiCo announced in April that it would accelerate a planned shift to natural colors in its foods and beverages. Right now, around 40% of the company’s products contain synthetic dyes. Some products like Tostitos and Lay’s chips will stop using synthetic dyes later this year. But the company says it can take two or three years to identify natural sources, test them and bring them to market. PepsiCo hasn’t committed to meeting the Trump administration’s goal of phasing out synthetic dyes by the end of 2026.

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FILE - A man waits for a Delta Airlines flight at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on Jan. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Delta jets have ‘low-speed collision’ on the ground at New York’s LaGuardia, injuring 1

Officials say two Delta Air Lines regional jets collided on the taxiway at LaGuardia Airport in New York, injuring at least one person. The collision Wednesday night involved the wing of an aircraft getting ready to take off to Roanoke, Virginia, hitting the fuselage of an aircraft arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina. A statement from Delta described it as a “low-speed collision.” The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says a flight attendant had non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital.

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President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Everybody in Washington hates a shutdown. Until you’re pushing for one

If you’ve been in Washington long enough, you’ve most likely argued both sides of a government shutdown. Donald Trump said in 2013 that “you have to get people in a room” and make deals to avoid a shutdown. He’s now not negotiating. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized people who “amazingly” believe a shutdown is good if it gets them what they want. Schumer is now doing just that. Both parties have used the threat of shutdowns to force a policy outcome, and both sides have decried the other for doing the same. Nobody likes a shutdown, but each side insists that the American people are on their side.

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President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and political punishment

President Donald Trump has seized on the government shutdown as an opportunity to reshape the federal workforce and punish detractors. The administration is threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting “irreversible” cuts to programs and services important to Democrats. The aggressive approach coming from the Trump administration is on par with what certain lawmakers and budget observers feared if Congress failed to do its work and relinquished control to the White House. Thursday is day two of the shutdown, and Congress is at a standstill. Democrats are demanding any bill to reopen government save health care funds. Republicans say they’re willing to have talks about health care, but not now.

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The corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins is photographed Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Dixon, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Giant Northern California corn maze lets visitors enjoy getting lost

The owners of a giant Northern California corn maze once crowned the world’s largest want visitors to remember that there is fun in getting lost. Visitors to Cool Patch Pumpkins wander through 40 acres of corn stalks in a maze that takes them over five bridges. The pumpkin patch and corn maze along Interstate 80 between Sacramento and San Francisco are open once again for the fall season through Halloween. In 2007 and again in 2014, Cool Patch Pumpkins earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest corn maze.

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FILE - People rally outside the Supreme Court in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), in Washington, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Federal government could resume taking DACA applications for permits to live and work in U.S.

Expected changes to a six-year-old lawsuit in Texas against DACA could mean the federal government will resume taking new applications for the program that offers people without legal immigration status two-year, renewable permits to live and work in the U.S. legally. The proposal was filed in a Houston federal court by the federal government working to comply with a previous order from a higher appellate court. U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen could issue an order based on the proposal or make other changes. His decision is expected in several weeks; meanwhile, immigrant advocates encourage applicants to prepare cautiously.

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Democratic state House Speaker Javier Martínez, center back, of Albuquerque, N.M., takes his seat at the opening of a special legislative session about proposals to shore up safety net spending in response to President Donald Trump's recent cuts, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

New Mexico legislators rush to shore up safety net programs after federal cuts

New Mexico legislators are pushing to shore up safety-net spending in response to President Donald Trump’s spending and tax cuts, in a state with one of the highest enrollment rates for Medicaid and federal food assistance. In a special legislative session Wednesday, legislators sought out new state spending on food assistance, while Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling for a quick response to federal Medicaid cuts. Leading Democratic legislators also want to backfill federal spending cuts to public broadcasting. New Mexico could also become the latest state to break with the federal government on vaccine policy and recommendations.

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FILE - A statement is made after the Bryan Kohberger sentencing July 23, 2025, outside of the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Drew Nash, File)

Idaho judge bars the release of graphic photos from crime scene where Bryan Kohberger killed 4

A judge in Idaho is blocking the release of graphic photos taken by investigators after Bryan Kohberger killed four University of Idaho students in 2022. Second District Judge Megan Marshall made the decision on Wednesday. She said that allowing the images to spread across the internet would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy that would cause the victims’ families to experience extreme emotional distress. The city of Moscow has been ordered to redact any portions of the images that show the victims’ bodies or nearby blood. Other investigation records, including videos, can be released. Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life without parole in July for the murders. The case drew worldwide attention, leading to numerous requests for public records.

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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 district hired superintendent despite false Morgan State doctorate claim on his resume

The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, who was detained last week by immigration agents, falsely claimed a doctoral degree when applying for the job two years ago but was hired even after the school board learned about the misrepresentation. Ian Roberts, who immigration authorities say was living and working in the U.S. illegally and who resigned this week as Des Moines’ superintendent of schools, claimed in his 2023 application that he received a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University in 2007, according to documents The Associated Press obtained through a public records request. Although Roberts was enrolled in that doctorate program from 2002 to 2007, the school confirmed that he didn’t receive that degree.

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Bear walked into southern Arizona grocery store and ran around for a few minutes

A bear surprised shoppers at a southern Arizona grocery store when it walked through the front door and ran around inside for a few minutes before exiting the building. Right before entering the store on Monday, the animal bumped up against the automatic doors and managed to eventually walk in. A video showed a man looking for the bear inside the store. After peering down at his phone, the man looked up to find the bear within several feet of him. The bear ran away from the man. Authorities lost track of the bear after it left the store.

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Arizona Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva listens to her children speak at the stage podium after being declared the winner against Republican Daniel Butierez, to fill the Congressional District 7 seat held by the late U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva in a special election Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Newly elected Arizona lawmaker has yet to be sworn into office, as House Democrats welcome her

A week after her decisive win in an Arizona special election for the U.S. House, Democrat Adelita Grijalva has yet to take office. With the House out of session, her swearing in has been delayed. That has left her without an office, a desk, staff — something of an unofficial new member of Congress. “It’s very frustrating,” she told The Associated Press. The delay plays out as Republicans work to carry out President Donald Trump’s agenda in Congress, where they hold narrow majorities in both the House and Senate. Grijalva is lending her support to a petition to release the Justice Department files on the late Jeffrey Epstein. Her support could force a vote.

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FILE - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo attends a ceremony at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Aug. 3, 2020 at the World Trade Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Former New York Gov. Cuomo apologizes to Jewish community for his COVID-19 response

Andrew Cuomo is apologizing to New York City’s Jewish community for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic when he was governor. In a video that circulated online Wednesday, the mayoral candidate says he was acting to “protect health and save lives” but did not “always fully consider the sensitivities and traditions that are so deeply important.” The apology is a rare retreat from Cuomo on his response to the coronavirus, which included closing schools and limiting attendance at houses of worship and other gatherings. He has otherwise heralded his pandemic leadership as a prime example of his managerial competence.

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A man hugs a police officer in front of the American Fish Company following a fatal shooting that occurred the night before, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Southport, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Authorities identify those killed in weekend North Carolina bar shooting

The three people killed in a mass shooting at a waterfront bar last weekend in Southport, North Carolina, have been identified. Police named Joy Rogers of Southport, Solomon Banjo of Virginia and Michael Durbin of Ohio. Five others were injured in the attack Saturday night. Authorities have arrested a former Marine and charged him with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder and assault. Police allege the suspect used a boat to approach the bar and opened fire on patrons. The investigation is ongoing, and the defendant has not entered a plea.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of N.Y., walks to a press conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Democrats voted for a shutdown. Now they have to find a way out

Senate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn’t extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force a government shutdown. Now they have to figure out how to get out of it. Just hours after the shutdown began, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that if the Republicans work with them, “the shutdown could go away very quickly.” But that won’t be easy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump have said that they won’t negotiate or be “held hostage” by Democrats demanding concessions to reopen the government.

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FILE - Vanessa Shields-Haas, a nurse practitioner, walks from the lobby toward the examination rooms at the Maine Family Planning healthcare facility, July 15, 2025, in Thomaston, Maine. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, file)

Maine clinics also hit by cuts that targeted Planned Parenthood plan to halt primary care

A network of medical clinics that serves low-income residents in Maine says it is shutting down its primary care operations because of Trump administration cuts to abortion providers. President Donald Trump’s policy and tax bill blocked Medicaid money from Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. The parameters in the bill also stopped funding from reaching Maine Family Planning, a much smaller provider that also provides other services in the mostly rural state. Maine Family Planning said Wednesday it has informed its nearly 1,000 primary care patients that it will no longer be providing that service starting Oct. 31.

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This undated photo released by the Tennessee Department of Correction shows Christa Pike. (Tennessee Department of Correction via AP)

Tennessee court sets execution date for the state’s only woman on death row and 3 male inmates

The Tennessee Supreme Court has set execution dates for four people, including the only woman in the state on death row. Christa Pike received the death sentence at age 18 for the 1995 torture slaying of Colleen Slemmer, who was a fellow Job Corps student. Pike’s attorneys previously asked the state’s high court to commute her sentence based on her youth and “severe mental illness at the time of her crime.” The court also set execution dates for Tony Carruthers, Gary Sutton and Anthony Hines. Tennessee began a new round of executions in May after a three-year pause following the discovery that the state was not properly testing its lethal injection drugs.

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FILE - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gives a policy speech at an event, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer casts doubt on a 2028 presidential bid

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has hinted that she may not be interested in running for president in 2028. Whitmer was asked during a moderated discussion Wednesday if she is thinking about the Democratic nomination for president in 2028. While she sees herself helping, “I don’t know if I’m going to be the person,” she said. Whitmer is in her final two years as governor and cannot run again because of term limits. She has long been seen as a potential presidential candidate. Whitmer has several challenges in front of her. Michigan lawmakers just passed a one-week continuing budget to keep the state government operational after months of bitter disagreement. Additionally, U.S. tariffs on Canada are hurting auto manufacturing.

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A pharmacist gives a patient a flu shot in Miami on Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Daniel Kozin)

It’s time get a flu vaccination. Here’s who needs one and why

It’s flu vaccine time again. After last winter, when the U.S. saw the highest number of flu-related child deaths in 15 years, pediatricians are urging the public to get them. October is the ideal month, as flu typically begins climbing in November. The U.S. recommends a yearly flu vaccination for just about everyone age 6 months and older. And a first this year, certain people can vaccinate themselves at home, if they qualify for a shipment of the nasal spray vaccine FluMist. Flu is particularly dangerous for older people, pregnant women and young children — plus anyone with a chronic health problem such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.

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FILE - Rapper Sheff G, also known as Michael Williams, right, joins then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in the Bronx borough of New York on May. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

New York rapper who joined Trump at campaign rally sentenced to 5 years for attempted murder

A New York City rapper who joined President Donald Trump during a campaign rally last year has been sentenced to five years behind bars after pleading guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy charges. Sheff G, whose legal name is Michael Williams, had agreed on the sentence with the judge when the rapper pleaded guilty earlier this year. He was sentenced Wednesday. Prosecutors say Sheff G used his music earnings to fuel gang violence in Brooklyn. They say Sheff G also acted as a getaway driver in one shooting and lavished money, jewelry and other rewards on gang members.

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After seeing his first college football game action, Lycoming College nose tackle Tom Cillo (40) and teammates celebrate a 23-16 win over King's College in an NCAA Division III junior varsity college football game in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

At 58, Tom Cillo is tackling his dream of playing college football

Tom Cillo, a 58-year-old freshman at Lycoming College, has become a college football player. He recently made his debut as a nose tackle during a junior varsity game against King’s College. Cillo, who had never played football before, decided to pursue his dream last spring after saying he was tired of living with regret. Despite the physical and financial risks, Cillo is determined to succeed. He balances school, football, and caring for his mother. Cillo hopes his story inspires others to pursue their dreams, no matter their age.

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FILE - A collection of gold coins is displayed at a shop in the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in the Jewelry District of Los Angeles, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)

Gold prices soar to new records amid US government shutdown

As uncertainty deepens amid the U.S. government’s first shutdown in almost seven years, the gold frenzy continues to climb to new heights. The going price for New York spot gold hit a record $3,858.45 per troy ounce  — the standard for measuring precious metals — as of market close Tuesday, ahead of the shutdown beginning overnight. And futures continued to climb on Wednesday, dancing with the $3,900 mark as of midday trading. Gold sales can rise sharply when anxious investors seek “safe havens” for parking their money. Before Wednesday, the asset — and other metals, like silver — have seen wider gains over the last year, particularly with President Donald Trump’s barrage of tariffs plunging much of the world into economic uncertainty.

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Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, PEN report says

A new report on book bans in U.S. schools finds Stephen King as the author most likely to be censored. PEN America’s “Banned in the USA,” released Wednesday, tracks over 6,800 instances of books being pulled for the 2024-2025 school year. This number is down from over 10,000 in 2023-24. Around 80% of these bans originated in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. Meanwhile, states like Maryland and New Jersey have laws limiting book removals. According to PEN, King’s books were censored 206 times, with “Carrie” and “The Stand” among the affected works. Reasons for bans often include LGBTQ+ themes and depictions of race.

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After seeing his first college football game action, Lycoming College nose tackle Tom Cillo (40) and teammates celebrate a 23-16 win over King's College in an NCAA Division III junior varsity college football game in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

At 58, Tom Cillo is tackling his dream of playing college football

Tom Cillo, a 58-year-old freshman at Lycoming College, has become a college football player. He recently made his debut as a nose tackle during a junior varsity game against King’s College. Cillo, who had never played football before, decided to pursue his dream last spring after saying he was tired of living with regret. Despite the physical and financial risks, Cillo is determined to succeed. He balances school, football, and caring for his mother. Cillo hopes his story inspires others to pursue their dreams, no matter their age.

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House Democrats prepare to speak on the steps of the Capitol to insist that Republicans include an extension of expiring health care benefits as part of a government funding compromise, in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Looming health insurance spikes for millions are at the heart of the government shutdown

The federal government’s shut down centers around Democrats insisting that any deal addressing their health care demands and Republicans saying those negotiations can wait until the government is funded. At issue are tax credits that have made health insurance through the Affordable Care Act more attainable for millions of people but are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats also want to reverse Medicaid cuts passed this summer that would result in millions losing the federal health insurance coverage. Democrats have insisted the ACA subsidies be extended immediately as health insurance enrollees begin to get notices of higher costs next year. Republicans have offered to negotiate on the matter, but only after the government is funded.

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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

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.

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A customer reaches for a loaf of Marketside brand bread at a Walmart Neighborhood Market, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Bentonville, Ark. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.”

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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.”

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.”

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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

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.

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Escalation of Chicago immigration operations lead to claims of discriminatory stops

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.”

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.”

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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

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.

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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

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.”

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