Associated Press stories, Page 1962
Twisted Sister to anti-maskers: Don’t use our protest song
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider took to social media to condemn anti-maskers who went into a Florida Target store blaring the group’s hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It” while ripping off their masks. In a tweet Wednesday, Snider called the stunt “moronic” and shared a video...
Petalo, not Charmin: Pandemic brings Mexican toilet paper to U.S.
NEW YORK — Toilet paper is back on store shelves. But you may not recognize some of the brands. Demand for toilet paper has been so high during the pandemic that in order to keep their shelves stocked, retailers are buying up foreign toilet paper brands, mostly from Mexico. Major...
Nun runs treadmill marathon, raises money for Chicago’s poor
When the Chicago Marathon was canceled because of the coronavirus, Sister Stephanie Baliga decided to put on her sneakers and run the standard 26.2 miles — in her convent’s basement. It started as a promise. Baliga had told her running team that in the event of a cancellation, she’d run...
Wall Street slumps as Big Tech once again leads decliners
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are lower Thursday as Wall Street continues to swirl after the Federal Reserve said it will keep interest rates at nearly zero for years to help nurse the wheezing economy. The S&P 500 was 1% lower in morning trading, after trimming an earlier loss that...
Covid-19 danger continues to drive joblessness in U.S.
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to 860,000, a historically high figure that reflects economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak. Before the pandemic hit the economy, the number signing up for jobless aid had never exceeded 700,000 in a week, even during the...
300 and counting: Push by feds to arrest in U.S. protests
WASHINGTON — In a private call with federal prosecutors across the country, Attorney General William Barr’s message was clear: aggressively go after demonstrators who cause violence. Barr pushed his U.S. attorneys to bring federal charges whenever they could, keeping a grip on cases even if a defendant could be tried...
Japan’s new prime minister begins 1st full day, vows to push reforms
TOKYO — Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga started his first full day in office Thursday with a resolve to push forward popular reforms. “I’m determined to work hard for the people and get results so we can live up to their expectations,” Suga told reporters as he walked into...
Ohio teen admits pushing log, striking and killing woman
LOGAN, Ohio — A teenager has admitted helping to push a log off a cliff that struck and killed a married mother of four who was taking photographs at an Ohio state park. Jaden Churchheus, 17, pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of 44-year-old Victoria Schafer. Under...
New box set has trove of rare, unreleased Elton John songs
Elton John is opening up his vault and releasing an expansive collection of rarely heard and unreleased tracks. John announced Thursday that the eight-CD collection, “Elton: Jewel Box,” will be released on Nov. 13. The collection includes “Sing Me No Sad Songs,” an unreleased studio demo from 1969. The “Jewel...
Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett tie for top prize at ACMsVideo
In surprise twist that fit an unexpected year of firsts, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett tied for entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, the first time the top prize has been split between two artists. Underwood and Rhett seemed equally taken aback after host Keith...
Police: Kentucky man traveled to Illinois with dismembered body in suitcases after homicideVideo
MARKHAM, Ill. — A man visiting relatives in suburban Chicago from Kentucky has been arrested when a woman’s remains were found in several bags of luggage. Police said Melvin Martin Jr., 30, was being charged as a fugitive fleeing prosecution and faces an extradition hearing back to Kentucky, WLS-TV reported....
U.S. charges 5 Chinese citizens in global hacking campaign
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has charged five Chinese citizens with hacks targeting more than 100 companies and institutions in the United States and abroad, including social media and video game companies as well as universities and telecommunications providers, officials said Wednesday. The five defendants remain fugitives, but prosecutors say...
NCAA sets Nov. 25 start date for men’s, women’s basketballVideo
The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball season will begin Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. The Division I Council voted Wednesday to push the start date back from the originally scheduled Nov. 10 as one of several precautions against the spread of coronavirus. The later start date coincides with the...
U.S. Open gets back to basics with tough test at Winged FootVideo
MAMARONECK, N.Y. — Waiting for the green to clear ahead, Sergio Garcia looked behind him at the five holes he played Wednesday at Winged Foot and recited a list of clubs that rarely come out of his bag. A 6-iron into the opening par 4. A 5-iron on the next...
Downed power lines sparked 13 Oregon firesVideo
SALEM, Ore. — A fire incident report says downed power lines sparked at least 13 fires during a period of strong wind last week between two Oregon communities that were devastated by flames. The report from the Northwest Interagency Fire Coordination Center that was written last Thursday says the fires...
Federal Reserve sees rates near zero at least through 2023Video
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve expects to keep its benchmark interest rate pegged near zero at least through 2023 as it strives to accelerate economic growth and drive down the unemployment rate. The central bank also said Wednesday that it will seek to push inflation above 2% annually. The Fed...
Pac-12 football plans remain on holdVideo
Any plans for the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten in returning to football are on hold because of health policies in two states within the conference. The Big Ten changed course Wednesday and said it will begin an eight-game football schedule Oct. 23. The Pac-12 also has reconsidered starting...
This date in sports history: Sept. 17Video
1920 — The forerunner of the NFL, the American Professional Football Association, is founded in an automobile showroom in Canton, Ohio. Twelve teams pay a $100 fee to obtain a franchise. 1938 — Don Budge completes the grand slam of tennis with a four-set victory over Gene Mako in the...
Steelers TE Heath Miller, Peyton Manning among 2021 Hall of Fame candidates
Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Joining the two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback and the star cornerback/safety on the ballot are former Steelers tight end Heath Miller, receivers Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker and Roddy White; running back Steven...
Retail sales rise for 4th straight month as growth slowsVideo
NEW YORK — Americans kept spending in August, but the pace of that growth is slowing as millions of people who lost jobs have now lost a $600 a week boost in their unemployment checks. Retail sales rose 0.6% last month, the fourth consecutive month of growth, the U.S. Commerce...
Vermont governor vetoes global warming solutions act
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Republican Gov. Phil Scott has vetoed a bill that would have required Vermont to meet certain greenhouse gas emissions targets in the coming years and allowed the state to be sued if it didn’t. Scott said in his veto letter on Tuesday evening that he “shares the...
U.S. introduces broad vaccine plan — but no quick rolloutVideo
WASHINGTON — The government outlined a sweeping plan Wednesday to make vaccines for covid-19 available for free to all Americans when proven safe and effective, though a top public health official made clear that widespread vaccination of millions of Americans couldn’t come until well into next year. In a report...
Country’s night to party sobers up amid pandemic
In a pre-pandemic world, the Academy of Country Music Awards advertised itself as country music’s night to party with gambling, after-parties and a Las Vegas-style attitude. This year the red carpet, crowds and gambling are all replaced with covid-19 tests, temperature checks and face masks. The awards show was delayed...
Trump denies downplaying virus, casts doubt on mask usageVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Fielding compelling questions about voters’ real-world problems, President Donald Trump denied during a televised town hall that he had played down the threat of the coronavirus earlier this year, although there is an audio recording of him stating he did just that. Trump, in what could well be...
Report finds global economic outlook not as bad as expectedVideo
PARIS — The global economy is not doing as bad as previously expected, especially in the United States and China, but has still stuffered an unprecedented drop because of the coronavirus pandemic, an international watchdog said Wednesday. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said in a report that the...
