Top General News
Biden launches 2020 bid warning 'soul' of America at stake
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden formally joined the crowded Democratic presidential contest on Thursday, declaring the "soul of this nation" at stake if President Donald Trump wins re-election. In a video posted on Twitter , Biden focused on the 2017 deadly clash between white...
One horrifying day in Virginia led to Biden's big 'yes'
Joe Biden spent a hot August day at his lakefront Delaware home watching hatred on display in Charlottesville, Virginia, where, days earlier, torch-wielding white supremacists had marched through town. A counter-protester advocating racial equality was killed when a white supremacist drove his car into a crowd....
US says to avoid Sri Lanka places of worship, fearing attack
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka warned Thursday that places of worship could be targeted for militant attacks over the coming weekend, as police searched for more suspects in the Islamic State-claimed Easter suicide bombings that killed over 350 people. The stark warning came as Sri...
Putin: NKorea's Kim ready to denuclearize _ with conditions
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed during their first summit Thursday that he is willing to give up his nuclear weapons — but only if he gets an ironclad security guarantee first. The Russian president stressed that Moscow and...
FBI, IRS agents search Baltimore mayor's homes, City Hall
BALTIMORE (AP) — Federal agents raided the homes and offices of Baltimore's embattled mayor on Thursday amid widening probes to determine whether she used sales of her children's books to disguise government kickbacks. The searches pushed the latest political scandal for Maryland's largest city to a...
Ammonia leak sends 37 to hospitals in Chicago suburb
BEACH PARK, Ill. (AP) — Plumes of a toxic gas that leaked in a northern Chicago suburb Thursday morning sent at least 37 people to hospitals and prompted an order for residents to stay locked inside their homes with windows shut tight, officials said. Three law enforcement officers who responded to the...
Some California towns at risk of fire have few escape routes
PARADISE, California (AP) — Californians got a deadly wakeup call when more than 27,000 Paradise residents trying to escape the Camp Fire got caught in a nightmare traffic jam. The 2018 catastrophe illuminated the grim reality that road systems throughout the state are not designed to handle a sudden...
AP-NORC Poll: Many blame drug firms for opioid crisis
NEW YORK (AP) — About two-thirds of Americans believe drug companies are to blame for the opioid crisis, although nearly as many hold drug users themselves responsible, a new poll finds. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showed many people also fault doctors who prescribed...
Walmart experiments with AI to monitor stores in real time
LEVITTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Who's minding the store? In the not-too-distant future it could be cameras and sensors that can tell almost instantly when bruised bananas need to be swapped for fresh ones and more cash registers need to open before lines get too long. Walmart, which faces fierce competition from...
Moms-to-be teach each other in monthly group prenatal visits
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — In a big room full of moms-to-be, pregnant women check each other's blood pressure and weight, a nurse-midwife measures their growing bellies, and they all join a seated circle for two hours of candid talk about what to expect when you're expecting. A young woman's revelation about...
Latest General News
Texas border mayor charged with trying to rig own election
EDINBURG, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors say a Texas mayor on the U.S.-Mexico border has been arrested on charges of trying to rig his own 2017 election victory. Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina appeared in court Thursday facing felony charges that include illegal voting. His wife, Dalia Molina, was arrested on...
Prominent Venezuelan critic to run for European Parliament
MADRID (AP) — Spain's Popular Party says that the father of prominent Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López will run in the conservative party's ballot for a seat in the European Parliament at the end of May. The senior Leopoldo López has Spanish nationality. He has campaigned from Madrid...
Sheltering in place during a wildfire a dicey strategy
REDDING, California (AP) — For Californians who might have to escape wildfire again this year, the options are perilous. Many live in?communities that don't have well-thought-out?public evacuation plans and?lack the road?capacity that's needed to get everyone out fast. Does this mean people should just...
AP Analysis: Justice Dept. reversal could cost states $220M
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A recent opinion by the U.S. Justice Department has put a handful of states in danger of losing at least $220 million annually in lottery profits. The states are anxiously waiting on a clarification from the Justice Department about its opinion that could outlaw lottery tickets sold online...
SC may use firing squad as death penalty workaround
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would add firing squads to the state's existing execution methods. The House Criminal Laws subcommittee on Thursday approved a Senate proposal that also changes South Carolina's default execution method to the electric chair....
Energy company worker hurt in North Carolina explosion dies
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — An energy company employee who was critically injured in a natural gas explosion in North Carolina has died. UNC Medical Center spokesman Tom Hughes confirmed Thursday that 51-year-old Jay Rambeaut of Creedmoor died. Hughes didn't say when Rambeaut died, citing hospital policy....
The Latest: Macron eyes election changes in protest reply
PARIS (AP) — The Latest on French President Emmanuel Macron's solutions to quell the economic anger of yellow vest protests(all times local): 6:35 p.m. French President Emmanuel wants to reduce the number of lawmakers in parliament and to change the national legislature's voting system so it better...
Symphony, union accept Emanuel offer to help end strike
CHICAGO (AP) — Both striking musicians and management of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra have welcomed an offer by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to help end a nearly two-month work stoppage over pensions and wages. Representatives for the two sides issued statements accepting Emanuel's Wednesday evening proposal that...
UPS falls short of forecasts on bad weather, costs
DALLAS (AP) — United Parcel Service Inc. reported Thursday that first-quarter profit fell 17% as revenue was flat from a year ago and the package-delivery company ran into higher spending to cope with a series of winter storms. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations, and the shares tumbled in...
French President Emmanuel Macron pledges to cut taxes for middle-class workers.
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron pledges to cut taxes for middle-class workers.LOADING MORE STORIES
