With no action by Washington, states race to offer virus aid

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Faulting inaction in Washington, governors and state lawmakers are racing to get pandemic relief to small-business owners, the unemployed, renters and others whose livelihoods have been upended by the widening coronavirus outbreak. In some cases, elected officials are spending the...

Iowa GOP congressional candidate holds lead after recount

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — A Republican candidate is hanging onto a single-digit lead in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District after a recount in a race that will help determine the size of Democrats’ majority in the House of Representatives. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks had just six more votes...

The Latest: Researchers urge Arizona shutdown, mask mandate

PHOENIX — University of Arizona researchers say the current surge in the coronavirus outbreak will present the state with a hospital crisis that could become a disaster unless the state takes steps such as ordering a three-week stay-home shutdown and implementing a statewide mask mandate. Members of the...

High court takes up census case, as other count issues loom

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's attempt to exclude people living in the country illegally from the population count used to divvy up congressional seats is headed for a post-Thanksgiving Supreme Court showdown. The administration's top lawyers are hoping the justices on a court that includes...

One pandemic, two different worlds in Georgia runoff races

BUENA VISTA, Ga. (AP) — Across the grounds of a south Georgia courthouse, scores of masked and socially distanced voters bowed their heads in prayer for the 260,000-plus Americans who have died from the coronavirus. Then Democratic Senate hopeful Raphael Warnock took the microphone, promising to push for...

Florida congressman-elect tests positive for virus

MIAMI (AP) — South Florida Congressman-elect Carlos Gimenez has tested positive for coronavirus, his campaign announced Friday. The former Miami-Dade County mayor and his wife, Lourdes, tested positive Thursday for COVID-19 after having mild symptoms, according to a statement. They said they're...

The Latest: Illinois surpasses 12,000 deaths from COVID-19

MIAMI (AP) — SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois has risen above 12,000 deaths from COVID-19, while also surpassing the 700,000 mark for confirmed coronavirus infections. The latest 1,000 deaths were recorded in just nine days — matching the state’s deadliest period previously in the...

Senate control brings new urgency to Georgia turnout drive

MILTON, Ga. (AP) — In a black face mask and cap, activist Garrett Bess walked up driveway after driveway of million-dollar homes in suburban Atlanta on a recent afternoon, placing a flyer in each door, ringing the bell and stepping away to make a socially distanced pitch to vote for the conservative...

Former House Republican flips central California seat

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Republicans have picked up their 11th seat overall in the U.S. House and the third seat in California, as Republican David Valadao reclaimed the seat he lost in the farm belt two years ago. The former congressman defeated Democratic Rep. TJ Cox, who ousted Valadao in the 21st...

Republican David Valadao wins election to U.S. House in California's 21st Congressional District, beating incumbent Rep. TJ Cox

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican David Valadao wins election to U.S. House in California's 21st Congressional District, beating incumbent Rep. TJ Cox.