State governor says the death toll in the Magdeburg Christmas market attack has risen to 5

Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South

LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Twisted equipment and snapped tree limbs still litter Chris Hopkins’ Georgia farm more than two months after Hurricane Helene made its deadly march across the South. An irrigation sprinkler system about 300 feet (92 meters) long lay overturned in a field, its...

Government funding bill clears Congress and heads to President Biden, averting a shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a government shutdown deadline, the Senate rushed through final passage early Saturday of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, dropping President-elect Donald Trump's demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. ...

Government funding difficulties create gloom for federal workers before Christmas

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Johnny Zuagar says he’s tried to hide his worries about a potential government shutdown from his three boys as he weighs how much to spend on Christmas presents. “I’ve got to keep a poker face,” Zuagar, a statistician at the U.S. Census Bureau, said...

The Latest: Schumer says Senate on course to pass bill before funding lapses at midnight

With hours to go before a midnight government shutdown, the House approved a new plan from House Speaker Mike Johnson that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but dropped President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. The...

Western New Mexico University president resigns after audit citing improper use of public funds

SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) — Western New Mexico University's president, who has faced scrutiny over his spending on overseas trips and his wife's use of a university credit card, resigned Friday as part of a deal that guarantees him a new job and $1.9 million. Joseph Shepard's...

Crowds in Mayotte vent frustration with cyclone response as Macron tours devastation

MIRERENI, Mayotte (AP) — Crowds in Mayotte vented their frustration at French President Emmanuel Macron, with some booing, as he toured destruction wrought by the strongest cyclone to hit the French territory in nearly a century. Particularly tense scenes on Thursday underscored...

Big Lots conducts going-out-of-business sales after sale of company falls through

NEW YORK (AP) — Discount chain Big Lots is conducting going-out-of-business sales at its remaining locations after a sale of the company didn't materialize. The Columbus, Ohio-based retailer, which sells furniture, home decor and other items, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy...

NTSB trying to determine why tractor-trailer stopped on train tracks before deadly West Texas crash

PECOS, Texas (AP) — Federal officials investigating the deadly West Texas collision between at Union Pacific train and a tractor-trailer hauling a wind turbine base said Friday they were trying to determine why the tractor-trailer was stopped on the tracks, leading to the crash that derailed the...

Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it

Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. The strikes that started Thursday and...