national - Page 9 of 38 - The Rapid City Post

FILE - The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, on Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Trump administration pledges to speed some student loan forgiveness after lawsuit

October 21, 2025

The Trump administration has agreed to resume student loan forgiveness for an estimated 2.5 million borrowers who are enrolled in certain in certain federal repayment plans following a lawsuit from the American Federation of Teachers. Under the agreement reached Friday between the teachers union and the administration, the Education Department will provide loan forgiveness for those eligible in certain repayment plans that offer lower monthly payments based on a borrower’s earnings. The government had stopped providing forgiveness under those plans based on its interpretation of a different court decision.

Ex-Amazon driver sues civil rights agency for dropping her case following Trump’s executive order

October 21, 2025

An executive order from President Donald Trump led a federal agency to drop an investigation into Amazon for allegedly discriminating against female drivers by failing to provide adequate bathroom breaks, according to a new lawsuit. The former Amazon delivery driver filed a lawsuit arguing that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is unlawfully abandoning her case and others like it following Trump’s order directing federal agencies to deprioritize the use of a key tool for enforcing U.S. civil rights law.

In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, A Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft flies alongside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Oct. 15, 2025. (U.S. Air Force via AP)

A look at the US military’s unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea

October 21, 2025

The U.S. military has built up an unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea. The Navy has eight warships in the region. Three are destroyers, and three are amphibious assault ships. There also are a cruiser and a smaller combat ship designed for coastal waters. A squadron of F-35 jets have been sent to an airstrip in Puerto Rico. The three amphibious assault ships are carrying Marine helicopters, Osprey tilt rotor aircraft and Harrier jets. They can transport Marines or strike targets on land and sea. There are more than 6,000 sailors and Marines in the region based on the ships that have been deployed.

FILE - Paul Ingrassia, arrives before Trump speaks during a summer soiree on the South Lawn of the White House, June 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Trump’s nominee to lead a watchdog agency hits trouble over MLK and ‘Nazi streak’ text messages

October 21, 2025

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead an office charged with protecting whistleblowers appears to be in jeopardy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he hopes the White House withdraws Paul Ingrassia’s nomination. The growing opposition to Ingrassia comes after a Politico report of a text chat that showed him saying the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.” Ingrassia described himself in the chat as sometimes having “a Nazi streak.” Ingrassia’s lawyer says the text messages might have been manipulated. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson said Tuesday he’s opposed to Ingrassia’s nomination for the Office of Special Counsel job. Democrats say Trump should pull Ingrassia’s nomination.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters on day 17 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Man pardoned after storming Capitol is charged with threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries

October 21, 2025

A man whose convictions for storming the U.S. Capitol were erased by President Donald Trump’s mass pardons has been arrested on a charge he threatened to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Police say Christopher Moynihan sent text messages Friday conveying death threats against Jeffries, a New York Democrat. Moynihan is charged with a felony count of making a terroristic threat. It’s unclear if Moynihan has an attorney representing him in the New York case. Jeffries says investigators apprehended “a dangerous individual who made a credible death threat” against him. Moynihan was among hundreds of convicted Capitol rioters who received pardons from Trump on the Republican president’s first day back in the White House.

Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie speaks to a crowd gathered in Shelbyville, Ky., on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner)

Trump-endorsed candidate enters race to challenge Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky

October 21, 2025

President Donald Trump’s choice to challenge maverick Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has announced his candidacy. Ed Gallrein on Tuesday pledged to support Trump’s agenda and described the incumbent as an obstructionist. Gallrein is a retired Navy SEAL officer and enters the 4th District campaign after gaining Trump’s endorsement. A super PAC launched by Trump aides already has run ads attacking Massie. But Gallrein will confront an entrenched incumbent in Massie who has steamrolled past challengers, even after he incurred Trump’s wrath. The primary election next May will be a test of Trump’s hold over Republican politics. The 4th District stretches across northern Kentucky.

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil meets with supporters outside Federal Court on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 in Philadelphia (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Mahmoud Khalil appears in appeals court as Trump administration continues efforts to deport him

October 21, 2025

Mahmoud Khalil appeared in a federal appeals court in Philadelphia as he battles a deportation case linked to his pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia University. The Tuesday hearing before the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals comes as the government seeks to overturn a lower court order granting Khalil’s release from a Louisiana immigration court in June. Khalil’s attorneys have asked the three-judge panel to affirm the district court’s ruling, preventing federal authorities from detaining him again. An attorney for the government argues the case should be left to the immigration judge in Louisiana. Khalil has vowed to continue speaking out for Palestinian rights.

President Donald Trump is greeted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth before speaking to a gathering of top U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A timeline of US attacks in the Caribbean and what Congress has had to say

October 21, 2025

In less than two months, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth say the U.S. military has killed 32 people in strikes against drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea. There have been seven attacks since early September. Trump has justified the use of military force as necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. But as the number of strikes has grown, a debate in Congress has escalated over the limits of the president’s power. The attacks have occurred without any legal investigation or a traditional declaration of war from Congress.

Loggins demands removal of Trump’s AI-generated video using ‘Danger Zone’

October 21, 2025

Kenny Loggins is objecting to the use of his music in a social media post featuring an artificial intelligence-generated video of President Donald Trump. The video was posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform and shows the Republican president dumping excrement from a fighter jet on the “No Kings” protests. The video uses Loggins’ song “Danger Zone” from the 1986 Tom Cruise movie “Top Gun.” Loggins says he was not asked for permission and wants the video removed. As of Tuesday morning, the video remained on Truth Social. The White House has responded to a request for comment with a still from “Top Gun” with the caption “I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED,” paraphrasing a line from the movie.

Warner Bros. Discovery confirms it has received buyout offers and is considering its options

October 21, 2025

Just months after announcing plans to split into two companies, Warner Bros. Discovery has signaled that it may be open to a sale of its business. In an announcement Tuesday, the entertainment giant said it had initiated a review of “strategic alternatives” in light of “unsolicited interest” it had received from multiple parties for both the entire company and Warner Bros specifically. Warner Bros. Discovery did not specify where that interest was coming from — but the review arrives after growing reports of a potential bidding war. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery, headquarted in New York, jumped more than 9% Tuesday morning.

FILE - Supporters hold a sign before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak during a campaign event, Sept.12, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Progressive groups launch $1.4 million campaign to win back Latino voters from Trump

October 21, 2025

Progressive groups are launching an effort to reconnect with Latino voters to regain support in places where President Donald Trump has made inroads. It’s part of a $1.4 million digital ad and field campaign to emphasize economic hardship and highlight the Republican president’s mass deportation agenda. The effort is led by a Democratic donor fund backed by a progressive network called Way to Win. It’s tailored to connect with voters in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. Trump has promised to remove millions of people from the United States in the largest deportation program in American history.

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

Obama to campaign with Spanberger and Sherill in high stakes governor’s races

October 21, 2025

Former President Barack Obama will campaign alongside Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in the final stretch of their statewide campaigns for governor in Virginia and New Jersey. Spanberger and Sherill’s campaigns said in Tuesday news releases that Obama will campaign with both candidates at Nov. 1 rallies. Obama’s appearance in the final stretch of Virginia and New Jersey’s gubernatorial races comes on the heels of his endorsement of both candidates last week. Spanberger is facing Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the race for Virginia governor. Sherill is up against GOP nominee Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey.

Robert Vaughn, Chief Innovation Officer of NPower, poses for a portrait at an alumni event at World Wide Technology, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Citi Foundation is putting $25M toward tackling young adults’ unemployment and AI labor disruptions

October 21, 2025

Citi Foundation is donating a half million dollars to each of 50 groups that provide digital literacy skills, technical training and career guidance for low-income youth around the world. The effort is a response to high unemployment among young adults and concerns that artificial intelligence will replace entry-level roles. Ed Skyler, Citi’s Head of Enterprise Services and Public Affairs, says “what we want to do is make sure young people are as prepared as possible to find employment in a world that’s moving really quickly.” But Brookings Institution senior fellow Martha Ross says the scale of technology’s labor market disruption is “too big for philanthropy” to fix alone.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, accompanied by his wife Lori Shapiro, speaks during a news conference after Cody Balmer plead guilty to attempted murder and other charges, on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s memoir is coming out in January

October 21, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s memoir is coming out in January. It touches on his political rise and the trauma of his home being set on fire. HarperCollins announced Tuesday that “Where We Keep the Light: Stories From a Life of Service” will be released Jan. 27. Shapiro was elected governor in 2022 and has become a prominent national Democrat. He was on Kamala Harris’ shortlist as a running mate in last year’s presidential election. A man set fire to his official residence in April. The family was safely evacuated, and the man pleaded guilty and was sentenced last week.

FILE - This image provided by NOAA shows a North Atlantic right whale in the waters off New England on May 25, 2024. (NOAA via AP, File)

One of the world’s rarest whales that makes the Atlantic its home grows in population

October 21, 2025

Scientists have reported an encouraging trend in the population growth of the North Atlantic right whale. A report released Tuesday by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium says the population now stands at an estimated 384, up eight from the previous year. This marks four years of slow growth following a 25% decline from 2010 to 2020. Conservation measures, especially in Canada, have been crucial. Despite ongoing threats to the giant animals, there are signs of recovery, with 11 calves born this year. Experts remain cautiously optimistic about the whale’s future, highlighting the importance of sustained conservation efforts.

House Republicans preparing report on Biden’s use of autopen after months of investigation

October 20, 2025

House Republicans are preparing to release a report about President Joe Biden’s mental state and the alleged misuse of the presidential autopen during his term. Republicans on the House Oversight Committee sought interviews with more than a dozen former senior Biden staffers to investigate what they have alleged was a “cover-up” of his mental state. Democrats have dismissed the probe as a distraction from the Trump administration’s actions. While Republicans have so far produced no evidence that the autopen was misused, the report may be used to present legal challenges to Biden-era policies that Republicans oppose.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., pauses in his office doorway to speak to reporters on day 20 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Republicans head to White House amid stalemate on shutdown

October 20, 2025

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Senate Republicans are headed to the White House — not for urgent talks on how to end it, but for a display of unity with President Donald Trump as they refuse to negotiate on any Democratic demands. However, Senate Democrats too are expressing confidence in their strategy to keep voting against a House-passed bill that would reopen the government until Republicans, including Trump, engage them on extending health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year. With both sides showing no signs of movement, it’s unclear how long the stalemate will last.

FILE - Sexual assault suspect Ian Cleary departs from the Adams County Court House in Gettysburg, Pa., May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)

Man who sent ‘So I raped you’ message is sentenced to 2 to 4 years for 2013 campus assault

October 20, 2025

A man who sent a Facebook message that said, “So I raped you,” to a woman he admits sexually assaulting in college has been sentenced to two to four years in prison. Ian Cleary faced up to 10 years for the 2013 attack at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. The judge took into account his guilty plea, his remorse and his history of mental illness in giving a sentence below state guidelines. Shannon Keeler shared her experience in an Associated Press investigation into the reluctance of authorities to prosecute campus sex crimes. She told the court on Monday the delays came at a cost.

President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an event to welcome the 2025 LSU and LSU-Shreveport national champion baseball teams in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump is going to Asia — what happens next is anyone’s guess

October 20, 2025

President Donald Trump is preparing for a significant trip to Asia, aiming to address international trade tensions. The journey includes a potential meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which could impact the global economy. Trump’s strategy has been unpredictable, with mixed results in various global conflicts. The White House has not disclosed his full schedule, but he plans to visit Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The meeting with Xi remains unconfirmed, and trade tensions are high. Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal with China, but uncertainties persist about his approach and the outcomes of his meetings.

FILE - The logos for streaming services Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and Sling TV are pictured on a remote control on Aug. 13, 2020, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Disney+ and Hulu cancellations rose after ABC briefly pulled ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

October 20, 2025

Disney+ and Hulu subscription cancellations rose during the month that ABC briefly cancelled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” according to data from subscription analytics company Antenna. ABC pulled the show off the air for less than a week in September in the wake of criticism over his comments related the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Antenna estimates total cancellations in September were 4.1 million for Hulu and 3 million for Disney+. The “churn rate,” or the percentage of customers that cancel their subscriptions in a specific month, jumped from 5% in August to 10% in September for Hulu. That figure jumped 4% in August to 8% in September for Disney+.

North Carolina state Sen. Warren Daniel, R-Burke (left and standing), presides over the Senate Committee on Elections while it considers legislation to redraw the state's U.S. House district map at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh N.C., Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)

North Carolina GOP advances congressional map to secure another House seat for Trump

October 20, 2025

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature has formally begun redrawing the state’s congressional district map. The effort aims to help the GOP gain another U.S. House seat, supporting Donald Trump’s push to retain party control at midterms. The state Senate voted Monday along party lines for new boundaries for two eastern districts. This move aims to thwart the reelection of Democratic Rep. Don Davis, one of the state’s three Black members of Congress. The proposed map should move to the House on Tuesday. Litigation challenging the map is almost certain, with allegations of harming Black voting power likely.

FILE - A sign marks the entrance to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, Aug. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Government shutdown means many CDC experts are skipping a pivotal meeting on infectious disease

October 20, 2025

An annual conference about infectious diseases is seeing a dramatic attendance decline, in part because Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts can’t participate. IDWeek is being held in Atlanta. Experts are discussing the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of threats including bird flu, superbugs, measles, HIV and worrisome germs that most people have never heard about. The CDC typically sends scores of researchers and outbreak investigators. But nearly all had to miss the conference because of the government shutdown. Federal scientists aren’t being paid and conference appearances are postponed unless they are funded outside of annual government budgets.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright comments on the National Nuclear Security Administration furloughing 1,400 federal workers as part of the shutdown which began Oct. 1, during a news conference at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) in Las Vegas on Monday Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Nuclear security agency begins furloughing workers as part of shutdown, energy secretary says

October 20, 2025

Furloughs have begun at the federal agency tasked with overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says in a social media post the National Nuclear Security Administration is furloughing federal employees as part of the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1. Wright is set to visit the Nevada National Security Site on Monday and pledges to ask Nevada’s leaders to help “end this shutdown.” The National Nuclear Security Administration has said it could furlough up to 1,400 workers as a result of a funding lapse from the shutdown. Nearly 400 federal workers would remain on the job, along with National Nuclear Security Administration contractors.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., as he returns from a trip to Florida. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump vows to reach a ‘fantastic deal’ with China after future meeting with Xi

October 20, 2025

President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in reaching a “fantastic deal” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He made the remarks Monday while hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House. Beijing has expanded export controls on rare earth products used in smartphones, fighter jets and much more. While Trump touted his good relationship with Xi and suggested a fair trade agreement is possible, he also mentioned tariffs as a negotiating tool. Meanwhile, Beijing has removed a top trade negotiator from the post as China’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organization.

A Hulu mobile app shows it is not available during the Amazon Web Services outage, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

One Tech Tip: How to prepare for outages that impact our online lives, from banking to chatting apps

October 20, 2025

An Amazon Web Services outage on Monday disrupted many online platforms, affecting banking services, chat apps, and more. These outages can be short-lived but stressful, especially for those moving money or working online. AWS is a major cloud provider, and experts stress the importance of diversifying online services and having backup plans. Keeping money in multiple accounts and having cash on hand can help during financial service disruptions. For communication, maintaining updated SMS contacts is wise. Storing work across multiple platforms can reduce headaches. Monitoring service updates and checking outage trackers can also be useful.

Former New York state prison guard found guilty in beating death of inmate, 2 others acquitted

October 20, 2025

A former New York state prison guard was found guilty of murder in the death of an inmate who was beaten while handcuffed, while two other guards were acquitted for their roles in the beating that was caught on body-camera footage. A jury delivered the verdicts in a courtroom just miles from the Marcy Correctional Facility, where Robert Brooks was pummeled by correctional officers upon his arrival on the night of Dec. 9. Five guards indicted in February had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Brooks’ death.

Law enforcement officers watch as the gates close at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility as people protest outside on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

US appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon troops though deployment blocked for now

October 20, 2025

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops, but he’s still barred from actually deploying those troops — at least for now. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Another order prohibits Trump from sending any Guard troops to Oregon at all. The administration says it will now ask for that order to be dissolved. Oregon’s attorney general said he would ask a broader appeals court panel to reconsider the ruling.

FILE - Former FBI Director James Comey speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill Washington, Dec. 17, 2018. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Comey’s lawyers say case against him is driven by Trump’s ‘personal animus’ and must be thrown out

October 20, 2025

Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey are urging a judge to dismiss the case against him. In court papers Monday, they called it a vindictive prosecution motivated by “personal animus” and orchestrated by a White House determined to seek retribution against a perceived foe of President Donald Trump. The lawyers separately called for the indictment’s dismissal because of what they said was the illegitimate appointment of the U.S. attorney who filed the case days after being hastily named to the job by Trump. The double-barrel attack on the indictment, which accuses Comey of lying to Congress five years ago, represents the opening salvo in what is expected to be a protracted court fight ahead of a trial currently set for Jan. 5.

Gary Kristensen, dressed up as the character Buddy from the holiday movie "Elf," celebrates after winning a race during the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Tualatin, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Giant, floating pumpkin races draw large crowds to annual event in Oregon

October 20, 2025

Giant, floating pumpkin races have drawn large crowds to the Oregon city of Tualatin. The Portland suburb has hosted the event since 2004. In Sunday’s event, giant pumpkins that originally weighed roughly 1,000 pounds were carved out, allowing them to float. People dressed in costumes then sat in the hollowed-out pumpkins and used kayak paddles to race around a small human-made lake. Gary Kristensen won the first race of the day in a 936-pound pumpkin that he grew in his backyard. Earlier this year, Kristensen earned a Guinness World Record for longest journey by pumpkin boat after paddling over 58 miles on the Columbia River.

The American flag flies atop the Capitol Building, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Maine Democrat running to unseat Susan Collins to stay in race after discovery of Reddit postings

October 20, 2025

The chair of the Democratic Party says online comments made by a Senate candidate in Maine in which the candidate appeared to endorse political violence, dismiss rape in the military and criticize both police officers and rural America were wrong, but not disqualifying from office. Graham Platner is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine that has been held by Republican Susan Collins since 1997. Platner has apologized and expressed his regret for old Reddit comments, which came to light last week. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said during a Sunday appearance on CNN that he does not think the posts were disqualifying but did say they were offensive.

FILE - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gestures during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

United States and Australia sign critical-minerals agreement as a way to counter China

October 20, 2025

President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have signed a critical-minerals deal at the White House. The United States is eyeing Australia’s rare-earth resources as China imposes stricter export rules on its critical minerals. Monday’s White House meeting comes after Beijing announced this month foreign companies must get approval to export magnets with rare-earth materials from China. Trump administration officials say this gives China control over the tech supply chain. The director of the White House’s National Economic Council says Australia can help reduce global economic risks. Discussions are expected on the AUKUS security pact. Trump hasn’t said anything about whether he would keep AUKUS, which was signed under the Biden administration.

This undated photo provided by the Philadelphia Police Department shows Kada Scott, 23, who has been missing since she stepped outside during her night shift at a nursing home on Oct. 4. (Philadelphia Police Department via AP)

Authorities say remains found in Philadelphia are of missing woman Kada Scott

October 20, 2025

Prosecutors in Philadelphia say remains found buried in a wooded area behind an abandoned school are those of Kada Scott, a 23-year-old woman who’d been missing for about two weeks. Police have said an anonymous tip led police back to the area they’d previously searched and they found the remains in a shallow grave. A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, stalking and other charges in Scott’s disappearance. Prosecutors say more charges against that suspect are being added.

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

Broadway actors and producers reach tentative labor deal, but musicians still threaten a strike

October 20, 2025

The union representing Broadway actors has reached a tentative labor agreement with commercial producers. The Actors’ Equity Association, which represents over 51,000 members, announced the three-year deal covering health care, scheduling, and physical therapy. The agreement now goes to members for ratification. The musicians’ union, representing 1,200 musicians, is still negotiating and has voted for a strike authorization. Both unions have been working under expired contracts. The actors’ breakthrough is a relief, as a strike could have crippled Broadway. The focus now shifts to the musicians as they continue bargaining.

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger spar over abortion in Virginia

October 20, 2025

Virginia is the last Southern state that has not passed new abortion restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a national constitutional right to the procedure. Abortion could shape Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial election and legislative control in Richmond. Democrat Abigail Spanberger backs abortion rights. Republican Winsome Earle-Sears opposes abortion rights. Each candidate is trying to cast the other as the extremist on abortion. Virginia lawmakers are considering a proposed state constitutional amendment that would protect broad abortion access as it stands. Abortion rights supporters have just a one-seat majority in the state House of Delegates. Both parties nationally are watching the campaign ahead of the 2026 midterms.

FILE - In this image made from pool video footage, Nicholas Rossi, accused of faking his death and fleeing to Europe to avoid rape charges, appears at a jury trial in Salt Lake City, Aug. 11, 2025. (Firecrest Films via AP, Pool, File)

Man who appeared to fake his death and flee to the UK faces sentencing for Utah rape

October 19, 2025

A U.S. man who authorities say faked his death and fled to the United Kingdom to avoid rape charges is scheduled to be sentenced in Utah on Monday. It is the first sentence in two recent rape convictions for Nicholas Rossi. Rossi has gone by several aliases. His legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian. Authorities doubted an online obituary that claimed Rossi died in 2020. They arrested him in Scotland in 2021 for a 2008 rape in the Salt Lake City area. Rossi was convicted in August. Rossi also awaits sentencing on a September conviction for a raping a different woman in Utah around the same time in 2008.

FILE - Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025. (Pool File via AP, file)

Trump administration to defend Alina Habba’s tenure as top New Jersey prosecutor

October 19, 2025

A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments over whether President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, has been unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey since earlier this year. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled a hearing in Philadelphia over Habba’s appointment, which a lower court judge said in August was done with a “novel series of legal and personnel moves” and that she was not lawfully serving in the as U.S attorney for New Jersey. The judge’s order said that her actions could be declared void but put his order on hold pending appeal.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer attends the ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (AP Photo)

To hit back at the United States in their trade war, China borrows from the US playbook

October 19, 2025

China has expanded its export rules on rare earths, requiring foreign firms to get approval for exporting products containing even small amounts of China-originated materials. This move mirrors the U.S.’s foreign direct product rule, which restricts China’s access to certain U.S. technologies. Experts say China is adopting U.S. strategies in trade disputes. Since 2018, China has developed laws and policies to retaliate in trade conflicts, similar to U.S. practices. These include the Unreliable Entity List and the Anti-Foreign Sanction Law. While these tools help China counter U.S. actions, they also risk escalating tensions.

Philadelphia police find human remains in search for missing woman

October 19, 2025

Philadelphia police have found human remains near where investigators were searching for a 23-year-old woman who disappeared from her nursing home job about two weeks ago. Police held a news conference Saturday to give an update on the investigation into Kada Scott’s disappearance. They also released a statement saying investigators found remains “believed to be” hers. But police stopped short of confirming that the remains found in a wooded area behind an abandoned school were hers. A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, stalking and other charges in Scott’s disappearance.

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

Planned 5-day strike at Kaiser Permanente health care facilities ends, with plans for further talks

October 19, 2025

A planned five-day strike by thousands of registered nurses and other Kaiser Permanente health care workers in California, Hawaii and Oregon has ended. Union leaders and the health care system announced the strike ended on Sunday. Plans had call for a resumption in bargaining, with wages a point of contention. California-based Kaiser Permanente said it welcomed back about 30,000 employees who participated in the strike, which began Tuesday. It said nearly 6,000 contracted nurses, clinicians and others helped the health care system during the strike. Unions also raised staffing concerns during the walkout.

FILE - Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., talks to reporters as House Republicans hold a caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, file)

George Santos says he’s humbled but dismisses ‘pearl clutching’ critics

October 19, 2025

Freed from the prison where he had been serving time for ripping off his campaign donors, former U.S. Rep. George Santos says he’s humbled by his experience behind bars. But he says he’s also unconcerned about the “pearl clutching” of critics upset that President Donald Trump granted him clemency. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Santos said Sunday that if Trump “had pardoned Jesus Christ off the cross, he would have had critics.” Santos won office after inventing a bogus persona as a Wall Street dealmaker. He was serving a 7-year prison sentence for fraud and identity theft when Trump ordered him released him Friday.

President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

How Americans are feeling about their chances on the job market, according to an AP-NORC poll

October 19, 2025

Americans are increasingly worried about their ability to find a good job under President Donald Trump. That finding from an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll is a potential warning sign for the Republican president and his party as a promised economic boom is giving way to hiring freezes and higher prices. About half of U.S. adults are “not very confident” or are “not at all confident” they could find a good job if they wanted to. That’s up from 37% when the same question was asked two years ago. People also worried about high prices for groceries, housing and gasoline, and rising electricity bills.

FILE - Runners stop to to have photos taken by official photographers at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign during the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

The next major film studios could be in Nevada if some unions have their way

October 19, 2025

Trade unions in Nevada want the state to offer tax incentives to major film studios to bring more movie making to the Vegas area. They are pushing for lawmakers to pass a $95 million tax credit proposal as part of a planned special session. Major studios like Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. say they will build a production studio in the Vegas suburbs if the incentives are available. Nevada unions say it would bring badly needed jobs and attract more tourists to the state. Still, Nevada would have to compete with California and cities like Atlanta that already offer robust financial perks to movie studios.

Met Museum’s first Egypt show in over a decade brings ancient gods and goddesses to life

October 18, 2025

It’s been more than a decade since the last big ancient Egypt show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Now comes “Divine Egypt.” The lavish show explores how ancient Egyptians depicted their gods. The show opened on Oct. 12. It features over 200 works, including statues and figurines, from the Met’s collection and beyond. Curator Diana Craig Patch explains that the exhibition covers all periods of ancient Egyptian civilization, focusing on 25 main deities. Highlights include sculptures of Amun-Re, Horus, and Hathor, and galleries exploring creation myths and the afterlife. Patch hopes visitors will gain new insights into how Egyptians related to their deities.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli speaks during the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race with Democrat Mikie Sherrill, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Republican nominee for New Jersey governor puts some distance from Trump on immigration

October 18, 2025

Jack Ciattarelli has been endorsed by Donald Trump in next month’s New Jersey governor’s election and is a strong supporter of the Republican president and his agenda. But the former business owner and state legislator is also diverging Trump on the key issue of immigration. Ciattarelli says he’d back a “pathway to recognition” for some people who are living in New Jersey illegally. Ciattarelli is hoping to make inroads with Latino voters. It’s an important group of voters in the November election against Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman.

Jason Momoa worked with a coach to speak Hawaiian authentically in ‘Chief of War’

October 18, 2025

Jason Momoa prepared for his role in “Chief of War” with a personal language coach who lived with him for nearly a year. The Apple TV+ series premiered in August. It’s the first major TV production showcasing Hawaiian language and culture. Momoa is Native Hawaiian but didn’t grow up speaking Hawaiian. He and other actors worked with coaches to master their lines. Experts say the series is a successful contribution to the language’s revival. While the first episodes are mostly in Hawaiian, the language is spoken less as the series progresses. Fans are eagerly awaiting news of a second season.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris greets people before she speaks, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

In AP interview, Harris says Democrats ‘are standing up for working people’ in government shutdown

October 17, 2025

Kamala Harris sounds like a party elder and a future candidate at the same time. In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, the former vice president says she’s staying in touch with Democrats on Capitol Hill and urging them to stand strong during the government shutdown. But she’s also offering plenty of ideas about the future of the Democratic Party — and making clear she is part of it in some capacity. She has not ruled out running again in 2028. But she says that Democrats have a deep bench of leaders and potential presidential candidates. She cautioned against Democrats pining after “the one” party savior and called on them to let many voices be heard.

Voting rights activists gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington, early Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, as the justices prepare to take up a major Republican-led challenge to the Voting Rights Act, the centerpiece legislation of the Civil Rights Movement. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

After Voting Rights Act case arguments, concerns over diminished minority representation rise

October 17, 2025

Black lawmakers and voting rights advocates are expressing concern about a potential decline in minority political representation following oral arguments in a Supreme Court case. The justices may be set to rule a key part of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which bans a range of discriminatory voting practices by state and local governments and individuals, communities of color have turned longtime movements into direct political representation—and power. Lawmakers elected as a direct result of Voting Rights Act-enabled legislative districts — many in the Congressional Black Caucus — have often served as voices in state legislatures and Congress for once-overlooked interests.

FILE - Demonstrators take part in the "No Kings" protest, June 14, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

‘No Kings’ protests against Trump planned nationwide, in what the GOP calls ‘hate America’ rallies

October 17, 2025

Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people will gather Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. They’re holding “No Kings” demonstrations, or what the president’s Republican Party is calling “Hate America” rallies. This is the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House and it’s expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as organizers warn of a slide toward American authoritarianism. Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

First Republican enters race for governor of New Mexico in 2026 as Democrat terms out of office

October 17, 2025

New Mexico has its first Republican contender for governor ahead of the 2026 elections, as the three-term city mayor of fast-growing Rio Rancho launched his campaign. Gregg Hull on Friday outlined priorities, including greater state investments in the health care workforce and roadways, in pursuing the Republican nomination ahead of an open race for governor. He also described a “zero-tolerance” approach to crime that would revisit the state’s bail reforms. New Mexico has alternated between Democratic and Republican governors since the early 1980s. Trump lost the presidential vote three times in New Mexico, but he gained ground in 2024.

Alley Mills wins second Daytime Emmy for ‘General Hospital’ role

October 17, 2025

Alley Mills has won her second Daytime Emmy award as a guest performer in a daytime drama. Mills was honored for her role as Heather Webber on ABC’s “General Hospital.” The 74-year-old actress is best known for playing the mom on “The Wonder Years.” “General Hospital” also won for its writing team. First-time nominee Susan Walters of “The Young and the Restless” won supporting actress honors. “The Young and the Restless” came in with a leading 19 nominations at the 52nd annual show.

Marine One with President Donald Trump on board departs from the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

White House joins Bluesky and immediately trolls Trump opponents

October 17, 2025

The White House has joined Bluesky, the social media platform of choice of many in the left-leaning online world. In its inaugural post, the White House account offered a sizzle reel of the administration’s memes, trolls and messages from President Donald Trump’s nine months since returning to office. Disgruntled X users began flocking to Bluesky after billionaire Elon Musk took over Twitter (now known as X) in 2022, and the platform reported a surge in new users late last year. It remains small compared to more established online spaces such as X, but it has emerged as an alternative for those looking for a different mood.

Michelle Dixon, of Laingsburg, holds her dog Abu, who is dressed as singer Elvis Presley, during an event for dog trick-or-treating, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Dozens of costumed canines get their chance to trick-or-treating at Howloween event in Michigan

October 17, 2025

Dogs dressed up as everything from Elvis Presley to Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine went trick-or-treating in Michigan. It was part of the annual Howloween event organized by a local pet store. The costumed canines made a loop through Lansing’s Old Town arts district, stopping outside restaurants, gift shops and jewelry stores, where owners were waiting to provide treats and a scratch behind the ears. The event is organized each year by Preuss Pets, an Old Town fixture. The number of dogs is capped at 200, and they have to pre-register. It is part of an effort to keep the numbers down for safety’s sake.

President Donald Trump waves as he walks to board Marine One before departing from the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump offers US automakers additional relief from his tariffs

October 17, 2025

President Donald Trump is giving domestic automakers some relief from his tariffs. He’s extending a special rebate on auto parts until 2030. Tariffs on those parts had threatened to raise costs for automakers. The exemption was originally supposed to be a short-term bridge to give automakers time to move production lines back to the U.S. Trump also officially signed a proclamation that imposes 25% import taxes on medium and heavy duty trucks.

Military personnel in uniform, with the Texas National Guard patch on, are seen at the U.S. Army Reserve Center, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Elwood, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow deployment of National Guard in Chicago area

October 17, 2025

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to allow the deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area, escalating President Donald Trump’s conflict with Democratic governors over using the military on U.S. soil. The emergency appeal to the high court Friday came after a judge prevented, for at least two weeks, the deployment of Guard members from Illinois and Texas to assist immigration officers. A federal appeals court refused to put the judge’s order on hold. The conservative-dominated court has handed Trump repeated victories in emergency appeals since he took office in January. Trump has already pushed traditional boundaries by using the National Guard domestically.

FILE - Former U.S. Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

October 17, 2025

President Donald Trump says he has commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign. He reported to Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey, on July 25 and is being housed in a minimum security prison camp with fwere than 50 other inmates. “I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted on his social media platform.

FILE - Jonathan Wright, 39, holds up the T-shirt he was given when he first went to MacLaren Children's Center in El Monte as an 8-year-old during a news conference in Los Angeles, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Christopher Weber, File)

LA county reaches tentative $828M agreement to settle 400 more claims of sexual abuse

October 17, 2025

Los Angeles County has reached a tentative $828 million agreement to settle more than 400 additional sexual abuse claims against county employees that were not included in an earlier settlement that was the largest sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history. Officials said Friday the agreement still needs approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. It comes as a Los Angeles Times investigation earlier this month revealed allegations of fraud and misconduct in the $4-billion settlement approved in April for thousands of claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities since 1959. Officials say they will review every claim to ensure the money goes to the victims.

Philadelphia officials seek tips about Kada Scott, who disappeared 2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

Authorities in Philadelphia say they are no closer to locating a missing 23-year-old woman who disappeared from her nursing home job nearly two weeks ago. On Friday, they urged anyone with information to come forward. Twenty-one-year-old Keon King has been charged with kidnapping, stalking and other charges in the Oct. 4 disappearance of Kada Scott. He is jailed on $2.5 million bail. District Attorney Larry Krasner said a lower bail allowed King to go free after he was charged in a similar case earlier this year. The situation likely deterred his accuser from testifying, which led to charges being dropped, he said.

This photo provided by the Alaska Division of Geological Geophysical Surveys shows the village of Kipnuk, Alaska, as seen from a drone on June 21, 2022, before floods in 2024 and 2025 destroyed many buildings. (Keith C. Horen/Alaska Division of Geological Geophysical Surveys via AP)

The other Alaska airlift: Volunteers save dogs from a flooded Alaska village, 1 tiny plane at a time

October 17, 2025

A nonprofit in rural Alaska is working to rescue dogs from Kipnuk, a village hit hard by Typhoon Halong. The closest pet shelters are 90 miles away in Bethel, which is serving as a flood relief hub. Organizers with Bethel Friends of Canines began chartering flights when they learned that up to 100 dogs might be left behind as people were evacuated. Many pet owners want their dogs back but need time to prepare temporary lodgings. The rescue effort is ongoing, with more dogs expected to be reunited with their families.

Ty Dolla $ign returns with ‘Tycoon,’ his first solo album in five years

October 17, 2025

The inventive R&B artist Ty Dolla $ign released his fifth studio album on Friday. It is his first full-length solo release in five years. He chose ‘Tycoon’ for its title because the word encompasses his current state of mind. “It’s like the top of your game,” he told The Associated Press. The album is a collection of ceaselessly catchy and NSFW R&B anthems about lust and love. It is also stacked with A-list collaborations including Kodak Black, YG and more. In addition to the new album, Ty Dolla $ign believes R&B is making a comeback with his new label, EZMNY. He also had a documentary about his brother premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Regional banks’ bad loans spark concerns on Wall Street

October 17, 2025

Wall Street is concerned about the health of the nation’s regional banks, after a few of them wrote off bad loans to commercial customers in the last two weeks. Zions Bank, Western Alliance Bank, and Jefferies disclosed bad investments, causing their stocks to fall sharply this week. On Tuesday, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned that more problems might arise. The KBW Bank Index, which tracks banks, is down 7% this month. Data from the Federal Reserve shows banks have tapped into overnight facilities for cash, a move not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

FILE - This undated photo released by the South Carolina Department of Corrections shows the room where inmates are executed in Columbus, S.C. (South Carolina Department of Corrections via AP)

South Carolina schedules execution for man who taunted police with message in victim’s blood

October 17, 2025

A South Carolina inmate who killed a man, burned his eyes with cigarettes and then painted “catch me if u can” on the wall with the victim’s blood more than 20 years ago has been scheduled to be executed. The state Supreme Court ordered the state to execute 44-year-old Stephen Bryant on Nov. 14. Prosecutors say Bryant also killed two other men in Sumter County in October 2004, shooting them in the back as they relieved themselves on the side of the road. Bryant must decide by Oct. 31 if he wants to die by lethal injection, firing squad or in the electric chair.

Jake Haro, the father of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, speaks with his attorney's Allison Lowe and Paulette Garthwaite as he pleads guilty Thursday morning, Oct 16, 2025, to all charges, including second-degree murder, at the Riverside Hall of Justice. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register via AP, Pool)

Father pleads guilty to murder of missing 7-month-old son in Southern California

October 17, 2025

The father of a missing 7-month-old boy in Southern California has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Jake Haro admitted to assaulting his son, Emmanuel Haro, and filing a false report. Authorities say the boy’s remains have not been found. Jake and his wife, Rebecca Haro, reported their son kidnapped in August, claiming he was taken outside a store. However, inconsistencies in Rebecca’s story led to their arrest. Prosecutors believe the boy died from abuse. Jake Haro had previously pleaded guilty to abusing another child in 2018. Both parents remain in custody on $1 million bail.

Jafar Panahi doesn’t want to be called a hero. He just wants to make films

October 17, 2025

The Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been imprisoned, banned from traveling, put under house arrest and ordered to stop making films for 20 years. And, yet, Panahi has continually made films. Many of them rank among the greatest of the century. His latest, “It Was Just an Accident,” was made clandestinely in Iran following a seven-month stint in prison that only ended in 2023 once Panahi went on a hunger strike. He made it inspired by the stories his fellow prisoners told. It opens in theaters in the U.S. this week.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill participates in the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race with Republican Jack Ciattarelli, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger

October 17, 2025

Barack Obama has endorsed Democratic candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger for governor in New Jersey and Virginia. Obama appears in digital ads supporting both candidates ahead of high-stakes elections next month. These races are seen as indicators of voter sentiment toward President Donald Trump and Republicans before the 2026 midterms. Sherrill faces Republican Jack Ciattarelli, endorsed by Trump, while Spanberger is up against Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Obama highlights the importance of these elections, criticizing Republicans on tax cuts and abortion rights. Democrats are eager for victories after Trump’s victory last year.

FILE - Sam Nguyen shows a gold bar at her shop in the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in the Jewelry District of Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Gold prices topped $4,300 this week. What’s driving the surge?

October 17, 2025

As economic uncertainty deepens, the rush for gold continues — with prices for the precious metal topping $4,300 for the first time this week. The going price for New York spot closed at a record $4,326 per troy ounce on Thursday. Futures also traded as high at more than $4,344 per troy ounce Thursday, before falling below the $4,300 mark Friday morning. Still, gold is up 6.7% over the last week, marking one of its best weeks to date. Gold sales can rise sharply when anxious investors seek a “safe haven” for their money. For the U.S., the latest gains arrive amid the now weekslong government shutdown and ongoing trade wars abroad.

FILE - Former Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron speaks at the annual Fancy Farm picnic, Aug. 2, 2025, in Fancy Farm, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Daniel Cameron banking on his name ID to overcome lackluster fundraising in Kentucky Senate race

October 17, 2025

Kentucky Senate candidate Daniel Cameron is banking on his familiarity with voters to overcome lackluster fundraising. But recent campaign finance reports show that Cameron lags behind U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and business owner Nate Morris in raising campaign cash for the 2026 race. They’re vying to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is retiring when his current term ends. Cameron is widely seen as the current front-runner, based on his near-universal name recognition statewide. But the question is whether he can raise enough money to remain competitive and go up on TV enough to amplify his conservative message.

Alicia Keys may pop up when the national tour of her musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ comes to your town

October 17, 2025

Alicia Keys’ Broadway musical, “Hell’s Kitchen,” is hitting the road for a national tour. The semi-autobiographical show, featuring Keys’ music, will visit 28 cities across the South, Midwest and West through 2026. Keys is excited about the tour, saying not everyone can make it to Broadway. She might even make surprise appearances as a “fairy godmother” at some stops. The story follows a 17-year-old piano prodigy in New York, drawing from Keys’ own experiences. The tour coincides with a new book about the show’s evolution and will feature a diverse cast, including 18-year-old Maya Drake.

FILE - Kevin Federline appears on MTV's "Total Request Live" in New York on Nov. 2, 2006. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, File)

Kevin Federline says his sons with Britney Spears are the reason for his new memoir

October 17, 2025

Britney Spears’ ex-husband Kevin Federline is telling his side of their time together in a new memoir being released Tuesday. Federline says in an interview with The Associated Press that he remained silent because of their two sons, but now that they’re adults he feels an obligation to tell the whole story. In the book he describes the media frenzy that came with their two-year marriage. He writes that Spears called her ex Justin Timberlake the night before their wedding. He writes that she frightened their sons with erratic behavior that sometimes tipped into abuse. Spears says Federline’s book is full of “white lies” aimed at making money.

American Express profits surge 16% in Q3, driven by wealthy card members

October 17, 2025

American Express reports a 16% increase in third-quarter profits, driven by higher card spending, especially among its wealthiest members. On Friday, the company announced earnings of $2.9 billion, up from $2.51 billion a year ago. Earnings per share rose to $4.14, beating analysts’ expectations. AmEx recently refreshed its Platinum Card, adding perks and raising the annual fee to $895. Despite increased competition, customer demand remains strong, with 500,000 requests for the new card finish in three weeks. Average spending per card rose 5% to $6,387. AmEx now expects full-year earnings per share between $15.20 and $15.50.

President Donald Trump waits to greet leaders during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (Suzanne Plunkett/Pool via AP)

How Trump’s approval shifted after the ceasefire in Gaza, according to a new AP-NORC poll

October 17, 2025

A new AP-NORC poll finds that more U.S. adults support President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict in Israel after he brokered a ceasefire deal in Gaza, but his approval ratings on domestic issues remain weak. The survey reveals that Trump’s apparent success on the world stage has not improved his overall standing at home. Even some of those who voted for him believe he needs to do more to address issues such as the economy, health care and immigration. The poll was conducted Oct. 9-13, after the ceasefire deal was announced. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve of the way Trump is handling his job overall, unchanged from September.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speak to reporters outside the Senate chamber as they charge President Donald Trump and the Republicans with the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks. He’s shown little interest in doing so

October 16, 2025

Democrats are calling on President Donald Trump to get more involved with negotiations to end the government shutdown. Trump is showing no interest in interjecting in the fight that has stretched through three weeks with little movement. Republican leadership in Congress is hoping it stays that way, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterating Thursday that negotiations are possible “once the government opens up.” But some in Trump’s party are expressing frustration with the lack of movement. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she thinks some in the Trump administration are happy that the role of Congress is being diminished.

FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Ahead of Zelenskyy meeting, Trump shows signs he might not be ready to send Kyiv Tomahawk missiles

October 16, 2025

President Donald Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks at the White House on Friday. The U.S. leader is signaling he’s not ready to agree to sell Kyiv a long-range missile system that the Ukrainians say they desperately need. The meeting comes a day after Trump had a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In recent days, Trump had shown openness to selling Ukraine long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, even as Putin warned against it. Following Thursday’s call with Putin, Trump appeared to downplay the prospects of Ukraine getting the missiles.

FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro points at a map of the Americas during a new conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Sept 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jesus Vargas), File

A war on drugs or a war on terror? Trump’s military pressure on Venezuela blurs the lines

October 16, 2025

Legal experts say U.S. strikes against alleged members of Latin American drug cartels are pushing the bounds of international law. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. military has struck several boats, killing 27 people, after authorities received information suggesting they were carrying drugs. Trump’s administration is justifying this use of force by relying on a legal framework created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. That framework allowed authorities to use lethal force against al-Qaida combatants responsible for the attacks on the U.S. The gangs now being targeted in Latin America, however, are a different foe, fueled not by anti-U.S. ideology but by the drug trade.

FILE - This photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, shows death row prisoner Richard Kenneth Djerf. (Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry via AP, File)

Arizona set to execute a man who killed 4 members of a Phoenix family in 1993

October 16, 2025

An Arizona man is scheduled to be executed for the killings of four members of a Phoenix family over 30 years ago. Fifty-five-year-old Richard Kenneth Djerf is set to die by pentobarbital injection Friday at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence. Djerf pleaded guilty to killing couple Albert Luna Sr. and Patricia Luna, their 18-year-old daughter Rochelle Luna and 5-year-old son Damien Luna. The Lunas were killed at their home on Sept. 14, 1993. Djerf chose not to seek clemency. It will be the second execution this year in Arizona, the fourth in the country this week and the 39th of the year.

FILE - The entrance to Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton is seen on Sept. 22, 2015, in Oceanside, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Homeland Security says Marine’s father who was deported had faced domestic violence, assault charges

October 16, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security says the father of a Marine arrested by immigration authorities when visiting his pregnant daughter at Camp Pendleton has a criminal record that includes charges of domestic violence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The department said Thursday that Esteban Rios was first deported to Mexico in 1999. He was ordered deported by an immigration judge in 2020 after entering the country illegally a third time. It was the first detailed account that Homeland Security provided on Rios since his son was interviewed by a San Diego TV station last week. and talked about his parents being detained.

Democrat Jay Jones, left, and Republican incumbent Jason Miyares shake hands at the start of the Virginia attorney general debate in Richmond, Va., Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP, Pool)

Virginia AG candidates Jay Jones and Jason Miyares clash over violent rhetoric in feisty debate

October 16, 2025

Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares and former Democratic Del. Jay Jones have faced off on the debate stage in Virginia’s attorney general’s race. Jones’ text messages suggesting political violence against a prominent Republican back in 2022 took center stage. Miyares described the incident as disqualifying. Jones apologized and sought to change the narrative, saying other politicians have used extreme rhetoric. Virginia is one of just two states electing candidates for statewide office this November. The White House’s recent actions also have an outsize impact in a state filled with federal employees and military personnel.

2 arrested in Texas immigration detention center shooting now face terrorism-related charges

October 16, 2025

Two people arrested in a July shooting outside an immigration detention center in Texas are facing new charges that follow President Donald Trump’s order last month to designate a decentralized movement known as antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. Autumn Hill and Zachary Evetts were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth on charges that include providing material support to terrorists. The indictment accuses them of being members of an antifa cell that planned the shooting that injured one police officer.

FILE - Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, right, guitarist Ace Frehley, center, and bassist Gene Simmons play during the band's farewell concert in the Detroit area, Thursday, May 25, 2000, at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich.. (AP Photo/Paul Warner, File)

Ace Frehley, Kiss’ original lead guitarist and founding member, dies at 74

October 16, 2025

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss who captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar, has died. He was 74. Frehley’s agent says he died peacefully Thursday surrounded by family in Morristown following a recent fall. Family members say in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.

President Nicolas Maduro flashes victory signs during Indigenous Day in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Oct 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela floated a plan for Maduro to slowly give up power, but was rejected by US, AP source says

October 16, 2025

Venezuelan government officials floated a plan in which President Nicolás Maduro would eventually leave office, a bid aimed at easing mounting U.S. pressure on the government in Caracas. That’s according to a former Trump administration official who requested anonymity about the sensitive matter. The proposal called for Maduro to step down from power in three years and hand over authority to his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, who would complete his current six-year term that runs until January 2031. But the Trump administration rejected Maduro’s proposal as unsatisfactory as it continues to question the legitimacy of his rule.

FILE - Paraguay's President Santiago Peña awards the Order of Merit "Gral Div Bernardino Caballero" in the grade of "Gran Cross", to Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of US Southern Command, at Government Palace in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File)

US commander overseeing fatal strikes against alleged drug boats off Venezuela will retire

October 16, 2025

The commander of U.S. military operations in the region where forces have been attacking alleged drug boats says he will retire in December. Adm. Alvin Holsey became the leader of U.S. Southern Command only in November, overseeing an area that encompasses the Caribbean Sea and waters off South America. These types of postings typically last between three and four years. The news of Holsey’s upcoming retirement comes two days after the U.S. military struck another boat that was allegedly carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela. The deadly strikes have drawn criticism from some lawmakers in Washington who question the legality of such attacks.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces CalRx-branded insulin glargine pens available next Jan. 1, 2026, at a suggested retail price of no more than $55 per five-pack, or $11 per pen, during a news conference at Cedar-Sinai's Mark Goodson pharmacy in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

California to begin selling affordable state-branded insulin beginning next year

October 16, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom says California will begin selling affordable insulin under its own label on Jan. 1, nearly three years after he first announced a partnership to sell state-branded generic drugs at lower prices. But California won’t be the only state making lower-cost insulin available. The nonprofit Civica says Thursday it will also distribute its economical diabetes medication to pharmacies nationwide. Starting in the new year, insulin pens will be available in California under the CalRx label for $11 per pen, or a maximum of $55 for a five-pack.

FILE - Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Agriculture to rollout the USDA'S National Farm Security Action Plan in Washington, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

States are redistricting to help one party but sometimes the move can backfire

October 16, 2025

An unprecedented number of states are considering redrawing their congressional district lines mid-decade. Some warn this could lead to “dummymandering,” where efforts to stretch partisan advantage might backfire. Nebraska is among the states where mid-decade redistricting has been floated. The focus is on the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, which is considered vulnerable for Republicans. Some Republicans in states considering mid-decade redistricting are hesitant, fearing it could make other districts more susceptible to loss. Concerns about overreaching haven’t stopped the push for redistricting, but Nebraska faces challenges, including a lack of legislative support.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump announces a deal with a manufacturer to make a common fertility drug cheaper for IVF patients

October 16, 2025

Drugmaker EMD Serono has agreed to lower the cost of a common fertility medication through a deal with the Trump administration. President Donald Trump announced this on Thursday, along with new federal guidance encouraging employers to offer fertility coverage. The guidance allows companies to provide fertility benefits separately from major medical insurance. The discounted drug will be available on TrumpRx, with costs varying based on income. The administration’s move aims to make in vitro fertilization more affordable, although full coverage isn’t mandated. But the move falls far short of his promise as a candidate to make IVF treatment free.

FILE - Illinois Governor JB Pritzker walks to River Point Park for a news conference, Aug. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Billionaire Illinois Gov. Pritzker wins blackjack pot of $1.4M in Las Vegas

October 16, 2025

Billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker had some extra income in 2024 — from a lucky blackjack hand in a Las Vegas casino. The Illinois Democrat and his wife, first lady MK Pritzker, reported gambling winnings of $1.4 million on their 2024 federal tax return. Pritzker told reporters in Chicago Thursday that he “was incredibly lucky.” The windfall came on a vacation trip with his wife and friends. Pritzker is seeking a third term and has been mentioned as a candidate for president in 2028. His profile has risen this fall as he condemns President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement in Chicago. The Pritzkers reported income of $10.7 million. They paid $1.6 million in federal income taxes.

In ‘The Mastermind’ and more, Josh O’Connor is stealing the show

October 16, 2025

Josh O’Connor stars in four films this fall, including the New England romance “The History of Sound,” with Paul Mescal; “Rebuilding,” in which he plays a Colorado rancher whose home is taken by wildfires; Rian Johnson’s whodunit “Wake Up Deadman: A Knives Out Mystery”; and Kelly Reichardt’s “The Mastermind,” a 1970-set heist movie. It’s a convergence of movies that cover a wide range of terrain, showcasing O’Connor’s rangy talent and innate, scruffy soulfulness. If “La Chimera” or “Challengers” didn’t already convince you, this season should be a veritable onslaught of O’Connor’s loose leading-man magnetism.

Toronto Blue Jays fans hold signs during the eighth inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Canadians set aside contempt for tariffs and Trump rhetoric for the love of the Toronto Blue Jays

October 16, 2025

Many Canadians have been boycotting the U.S. since the Trump administration started threating Canada’s economy and sovereignty with tariffs and heated political rhetoric. But the current American League Championship Series appears to have led to a geopolitical thaw, made possible by Canada’s fervent Toronto Blue Jays fans as they root for their country’s only MLB team to compete against the Seattle Mariners, as well as the deep Pacific Northwest ties that bind British Columbia and Washington state. There’s been a precipitous drop in visits and tourism for the U.S. from the world’s longest international border all year long, but some Canadians are making an exception for the playoffs.

Iowa Democrat Jackie Norris ends US Senate campaign, citing Des Moines superintendent’s ICE arrest

October 16, 2025

Democrat Jackie Norris has ended her campaign for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. She plans to focus on her role as chair of the Des Moines public school board. This decision follows the arrest of Superintendent Ian Roberts by immigration authorities on Sept. 26. Norris says the situation demands her attention and has led to intense scrutiny. She will continue to lead the board during this transition and work on securing voter approval for a $265 million bond in November. Her departure leaves several male candidates in the Democratic primary field, with Republicans favored to retain the seat. Republican Sen. Joni Ernst is stepping down after serving two terms.

FILE - Erika Hardwick, left, a paid canvasser with the New Georgia Project Action Fund, shares literature with Patricia Lee and urges her to vote, Oct. 5, 2022, in Dawson, Ga. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy, File)

Georgia voter turnout groups are closing, raising questions about Democratic strength

October 16, 2025

Two Georgia voter turnout groups credited with boosting Democratic efforts in the state have announced their closure. Founded by Stacey Abrams in 2013, the New Georgia Project and its Action Fund aimed to register nonwhite and young voters. Their shutdown raises questions about sustaining Democratic organizing in Georgia, where Republicans still hold overall control. The groups registered thousands of voters, contributing to Democratic wins in recent elections. However, leadership issues, spending concerns, and a $300,000 ethics fine affected their operations. Despite their success, funding challenges ultimately led to their closure, impacting future Democratic efforts in the state.

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

Energy Department offers $1.6 billion loan guarantee to upgrade transmission lines across Midwest

October 16, 2025

The Department of Energy says it has finalized a $1.6 billion loan guarantee to a subsidiary of one of the nation’s largest power companies to upgrade nearly 5,000 miles of transmission lines across five states, mostly in the Midwest, for largely fossil fuel-run energy. The project by AEP Transmission, a subsidiary of Ohio-based American Electric Power, will help meet surging electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. The project will upgrade power lines in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia. Thursday’s announcement deepens the Trump administration’s commitment to traditional, polluting energy sources even as it works to discourage the U.S. from clean energy use.

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

Officers ask for public’s help rounding up suspects in Mississippi mass shooting

October 16, 2025

Law enforcement officers and community leaders are asking for the public’s help in identifying people wanted for questioning about a mass shooting in Leland, Mississippi, that left six people dead. A news conference is planned for Thursday afternoon at Leland City Hall. Local police and officials from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and other agencies are expected to provide updates on the hunt for suspects. Several suspects have been charged with capital murder in the shooting last Friday night. The FBI’s Jackson Field Office has been posting pictures of suspects wanted for questioning.

Microsoft: Russia, China increasingly using AI to escalate cyberattacks on the US

October 16, 2025

Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are using artificial intelligence to improve their cyberattacks on U.S. companies, governments and individuals, according to new research from Microsoft. The tech giant published its annual digital threats report on Thursday, highlighting the latest tactics and techniques used by foreign adversaries like Russia as well as criminal cyber gangs. Microsoft’s researchers found that hackers are increasingly targeting critical public systems like hospitals, and using AI to automate some of the work. They are also using AI to create lifelike video and audio that can be used to create digital human clones that can be used to deceive people, apply for remote jobs or gain illegal access to sensitive networks.

Career experts say asking for a raise isn’t off the table in a tough job market

October 16, 2025

The U.S. is experiencing a significant hiring slowdown. And job postings are attracting hundreds of applicants. It’s a daunting time to be looking for a job in the U.S. And the current economic challenges may make it seem like a bad time to ask for a raise. But there are workers out there getting pay increases. And career experts say that it’s not wrong, even in a shaky economy, to ask to be paid what you’re worth.

2 green comets shine bright. How to spot them in the night sky

October 16, 2025

Two bright green comets are streaming through the skies and are visible to skygazers in the Northern Hemisphere. Both hail from the outer edges of our solar system. Comet Lemmon will have its closest brush with Earth on or around Tuesday. To spot the pair, go outside just after sunset and look north for Comet Lemmon close to the horizon. Comet SWAN is traveling away from the sun and will also be near the horizon, but to the southwest. The comets appear green because of gases streaming off their surfaces. From Earth, they’ll look like gray, fuzzy patches.

FILE - Mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks to supporters during a Democratic primary watch party, June 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

Cuomo and Sliwa aim to blunt Mamdani’s momentum in first NYC mayoral debate

October 16, 2025

New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa are slated to face off in a debate. The candidates will meet Thursday as voters prepare to choose who will be the next to lead America’s biggest city. Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, defeated Cuomo in the city’s Democratic primary this summer. But Cuomo has relaunched his campaign to run on an independent ballot line in the general election, hoping that the city’s moderate and conservative voters will help him defeat the progressive Mamdani in their rematch.

With the government shutdown now in its third week, a sign turns away tourists at the entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center, in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, ready to reject government funding bill for 10th time

October 15, 2025

Senate Democrats are poised for the 10th time to reject a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government. They are insisting they won’t back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits. The repetition of votes on the funding bill has become a daily drumbeat in Congress. It underscores how intractable the situation has become as the vote has at times been the only item on the agenda for the Senate floor. House Republicans have left Washington altogether. The impasse has lasted over two weeks, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed, even more without a guaranteed payday and Congress essentially paralyzed.

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks before posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk in the Rose Garden of the White House, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

‘Law and order’ push shows a Trump no longer encumbered by naysaying aides or government guardrails

October 15, 2025

President Donald Trump is embracing tough-on-crime policies in his second term. He’s deployed National Guard troops to cities led by Democratic officials, and has plans to do more. In some ways, taking a hard line against accused criminals has long been part of his brand. In his first term, he was reined in by some of his advisers. But those aides are long gone, and Trump sees political advantages in his crackdown heading into next year’s midterm elections. Critics say his approach stokes racial divisions. But the White House says he’s making good on a campaign promise to try and make cities safer.

President Donald Trump addresses a dinner for donors who have contributed to build the new ballroom at the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Trump hosts glitzy dinner for wealthy donors to new White House ballroom

October 15, 2025

President Donald Trump has welcomed nearly 130 donors, allies and representatives of major companies for a dinner at the White House to reward them for their contributions to a new $250 million ballroom project. Trump says the East Wing ballroom will feature bulletproof glass and hold up to 999 people. Trump expressed enthusiasm for the renovation, highlighting the importance of maintaining the White House. Representatives from major companies like Amazon and Google attended the dinner Wednesday. Trump also unveiled plans for an arch at one end of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. The ballroom project still needs approvals from federal commissions, but Trump claims he can proceed without them.

Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus speak outside the U.S. Capitol after arguments were heard on the Voting Rights Act at the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Brown)

Supreme Court case could lead to loss of Black representation in Congress, but the scope is unknown

October 15, 2025

The Supreme Court has indicated a willingness to limit race-based districts under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. During 2 1/2 hours of arguments on Wednesday, the court’s six conservative justices seemed inclined to effectively strike down a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana because it relied too heavily on race. The landmark civil rights law has created majority-Black and Latino districts that vote reliably Democratic in some of the nation’s most conservative states. If the high court limits or strikes down Section 2, it would likely benefit Republicans and could open up more than a dozen Democratic-controlled seats for Republicans to target. However, it wouldn’t fully start until the 2028 elections and yield may few GOP gains.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Trump confirms the CIA is conducting covert operations inside Venezuela

October 15, 2025

President Donald Trump has confirmed that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela. The president on Wednesday also said he’s considering land operations following recent U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats from Venezuela. Trump told reporters at an Oval Office event that he had authorized the move because Venezuela is allowing criminals and drugs to flow into the U.S. Since early September, U.S. forces have conducted at least five strikes in the Caribbean, resulting in 27 deaths. The New York Times was first to report that Trump had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations.

This image, provided by the Nassau County District Attorney, in Mineola, N.Y., Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025, shows a cup with straw used by Richard Bilodeau. (Nassau County District Attorney via AP)

A discarded straw leads to murder charges in 1984 killing of New York teen

October 15, 2025

Prosecutors say DNA obtained from a discarded straw has led to the indictment of a man accused of sexually assaulting and killing a New York teenager more than 40 years ago. Sixty-three-year-old Richard Bilodeau pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two counts of murder in the death of 16-year-old Theresa Fusco. She disappeared after leaving her part-time job at a Long Island roller-skating rink in November 1984. Three men convicted of the killing served several years in prison before being exonerated by DNA evidence. Investigators now say that DNA taken from Fusco’s body in 1984 matches a sample extracted from a straw that Bilodeau used and discarded last year.

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