Judge: GOP can't block liberal group's Twitter comments

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Top Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature violated the First Amendment when they blocked a liberal advocacy group from seeing their Twitter feeds, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. District Judge William Conley's decision marks liberal group One Wisconsin Now's second legal victory...

The Latest: UN: 34 killed in Congo since vote results issued

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The Latest on Congo's disputed presidential election (all times local): 2:40 p.m. The U.N. human rights office says at least 34 people have been killed in Congo since disputed provisional election results were announced on Jan. 10. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani tells reporters in...

Former Afghan national security adviser announces candidacy

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A former national security adviser has registered as a candidate for president of Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to engage in peace negotiations to end the country's 17-year war. Mohammad Hanif Atmar, of the Peace and Moderation party, announced his candidacy Friday in an...

Federal judge in Wisconsin strikes early-voting restrictions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday struck down early-voting restrictions Wisconsin Republicans adopted in a December lame-duck legislative session, saying the limits mirror restrictions he blocked two years ago. Republicans voted in December to limit in-person early voting to no more than two...

McAuliffe uses state PAC to help Iowa, NH Democrats

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has dusted off his old state political action committee to accept big donations and cut checks to Democratic parties in early-voting states as he weighs a presidential run, campaign finance records show. McAuliffe's PAC raised more than $300,000 in...

North Carolina: Let ballot probe proceed despite GOP lawsuit

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge should let a ballot fraud investigation play out in the nation's last undecided congressional race despite a Republican candidate's lawsuit demanding immediate victory, especially since Congress may ultimately decide the winner, attorneys representing North Carolina's elections...

Decision ending court order in GOP voting rights case upheld

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal appeals court has refused to re-impose restrictions on Republican National Committee voter activities set in motion decades ago by a New Jersey gubernatorial race. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision by U.S. District Judge John Vazquez ending a...

Inslee pitches to Nevada outside 2020 spotlight on DC

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — The Democratic presidential sweepstakes might seem like a tale of Joe Biden and the Seven Senators, but there are plenty of governors and mayors looking for a chance to steal the spotlight from the former vice president and other headliners. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee pitched...

The Latest: Congo runner-up asks court to order vote recount

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The Latest on Congo's presidential election (all times local): 3:10 p.m. Congo presidential runner-up Martin Fayulu confirms that he has filed a court challenge to the election results asking for a recount. The constitutional court has seven days to consider it. Fayulu has alleged a...

Congo presidential runner-up Martin Fayulu arrives at constitutional court to challenge election results, alleging fraud

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo presidential runner-up Martin Fayulu arrives at constitutional court to challenge election results, alleging fraud.