Florida task force makes recommendations on condo safety

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida legislators should overhaul the state's condominium laws in the wake of the Surfside building collapse that killed 98 to address inspections, ensuring proper reserves are in place to make major safety repairs and other issues, according to a task force...

How a Texas ban on most abortions unfolded, and what's next

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Since early September, Texas has banned most abortions under a new law that has created the biggest curb to abortion in the U.S. in nearly 50 years. Texas clinics and the Biden administration have spent weeks asking courts to halt the the law, known...

UN refugee agency concerned by Polish law allowing pushbacks

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The United Nations refugee agency on Friday expressed deep concern about legislation Poland adopted this week allowing the arbitrary rejection of migrants' asylum applications. The new legislation, approved by parliament on Thursday, came in...

Teachers told to offer books with 'opposing' Holocaust views

SOUTHLAKE, Texas (AP) — A Texas school district administrator told teachers that if they have books about the Holocaust in their classrooms, they should also have books that offer “opposing” or “other” viewpoints on the subject. Gina Peddy, the executive...

Tennessee sports betting panel picks executive director

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A panel that regulates sports betting in Tennessee has selected an executive director. On Thursday, the Sports Wagering Advisory Council voted to select Mary Beth Thomas for the position. Thomas currently serves as the...

US appeals court lets Texas continue ban on most abortions, denying Justice Department request to immediately halt law

Judge temporarily blocks law to prevent power plant closure

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Montana law that sought to prevent the closure of a coal-fired power plant by requiring its outgoing owners to pay for long-term maintenance and operating costs. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters said...

GOP lawmakers lead lawsuits against Connecticut COVID rules

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, a pair of politically conservative lawyers has become the go-to team for groups seeking to sue Connecticut over the school mask mandate, restrictions on bars and restaurants, and other aspects of the governor's emergency executive...

From condiments to condoms: new California laws bring change

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom spent the summer campaigning to keep his job and, with a landslide victory in hand, he's continued pushing progressive California further left. In the four weeks after beating back a recall attempt, the Democrat...

Wage theft hits immigrants — hard

Audelia Molina, a Mexican immigrant, was earning 10 cents for every garment she trimmed at a factory in Los Angeles, America’s clothing-assembly capital. Her wage was so meager that she started putting in 11-hour days to drive up production. When she asked for a raise, a supervisor denied...