Associated Press stories, Page 1978
Biden’s DIY transition proceeds without Trump assistance
WILMINGTON, Del. — President Donald Trump’s refusal to cooperate with his successor is forcing President-elect Joe Biden to seek unusual workarounds to prepare for the exploding public health threat and evolving national security challenges he will inherit in just nine weeks. Blocked from the official intelligence briefing traditionally afforded to...
Mississippi road signs mark Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash site
GILLSBURG, Miss. — Lynyrd Skynyrd, the rock band famous for “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird,” now has highway signs pointing to the site of the Mississippi plane crash that claimed the lives of some of its members. Fans gathered Sunday as the Mississippi Department of Transportation unveiled exit signs...
Sorry, Grinch. Virus won’t stop NORAD from tracking Santa
WASHINGTON — Children of the world can rest easy. The global pandemic won’t stop them from tracking Santa Claus’ progress as he delivers gifts around the globe on Christmas Eve. The North American Aerospace Defense Command has announced that NORAD will track Santa on Dec. 24, just as it has...
FAA clears Boeing 737 Max to fly again
After nearly two years and a pair of deadly crashes, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is clearing Boeing’s 737 Max for flight. The nation’s air safety agency announced the move early Wednesday, saying it was done after a comprehensive and methodical 20-month review process. Regulators around the world grounded the Max...
Pfizer says covid-19 shot 95% effective, seeking clearance soon
Pfizer said Wednesday that new test results show its coronavirus vaccine is 95% effective, is safe and also protects older people most at risk of dying — the last data needed to seek emergency use of limited shot supplies as the catastrophic outbreak worsens across the globe. The announcement from...
This Date in Sports History: Nov. 18
1962 — Bill Wade of the Chicago Bears passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns to edge the Dallas Cowboys, 34-33. 1970 — Joe Frazier knocks out Bob Foster in the second round to retain the world heavyweight title in Detroit. 1974 — Charley Johnson of the Denver Broncos passes...
FDA allows 1st rapid coronavirus test that gives results at home
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be performed and developed entirely at home. The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for covid-19 beyond health care facilities and...
Campaign attorney: Trump won Nevada, despite Biden results
LAS VEGAS — A Donald Trump campaign attorney declared the Republican president won in Nevada, not Joe Biden, despite results showing the Democratic former vice president drew 33,596 more votes in the battleground state. “Donald Trump won … after you account for the fraud and irregularities that occurred,” campaign attorney...
Detroit-area county certifies vote after initially blocking itVideo
DETROIT — Michigan’s largest county reversed course and unanimously certified its presidential election results Tuesday night after Republicans first blocked the move in a party-line vote that threatened to temporarily stall official approval of Democrat Joe Biden’s win in the state. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers acted after the...
Rice & shine: Son of Jerry Rice carving own path at Colorado
BOULDER, Colo. — Like any other college freshman, Brenden Rice is determined to carve his own path and make a name for himself. What makes his quest so different is he’s the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. No matter how many catches he makes, the Colorado receiver realizes...
‘Ball of energy’ Luke McCaffrey out to rev up Nebraska offenseVideo
LINCOLN, Neb. — Upon meeting Luke McCaffrey for the first time, Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson probably hoped his new roommate would cut back on the caffeine. “That man,” Robinson said, “is a ball of energy.” Robinson lived with McCaffrey when they arrived at Nebraska last year, and he quickly...
Trump fires Chris Krebs, head of DHS election security agency
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired the director of the federal agency that vouched for the reliability of the 2020 election. Trump fired Christopher Krebs in a tweet, saying his recent statement defending the security of the election was “highly inaccurate.” The firing of Krebs, a Trump appointee...
GOP seeks to postpone Maricopa County election certification
PHOENIX — The Arizona Republican Party has asked a judge to bar Maricopa County from certifying its Nov. 3 election results, including Democrat Joe Biden’s win over President Donald Trump, until the court issues a decision about the party’s lawsuit seeking a new hand-count of a sampling of ballots. The...
Virtual Pro Bowl: Game will play out on Madden NFL 21
NEW YORK — The Pro Bowl will play out on the EA Sports Madden NFL 21 video game after the real-life version of football’s all-star game was canceled. The NFL opened monthlong fan voting Tuesday for the first virtual Pro Bowl, which could feature players whose team makes the Super...
Second Georgia county finds previously uncounted votesVideo
ATLANTA — A second Georgia county has uncovered a trove of votes not previously included in election results, but the additional votes won’t change the overall outcome of the presidential race, the secretary of state’s office said Tuesday. A memory card that hadn’t been uploaded in Fayette County, just south...
Sports game simulator says press pause on Jets going 0-16
NEW YORK — First, the good news for some frustrated New York Jets fans: They might not have to endure the embarrassment of a winless season. Now, the not-so-good news: No 0-16 finish could mean they miss out on being No. 1 in the NFL Draft next April. With Adam...
No. 10 Wisconsin has no margin for error in Big Ten raceVideo
No. 10 Wisconsin is walking a fine line on its path to a potential second straight appearance in the Big Ten championship game. After a flurry of covid-19 cases caused the Badgers to scrap games with Nebraska and Purdue, Wisconsin likely can’t afford any more cancellations to remain eligible for...
Raids, arrests as German police investigate Dresden jewelry theft
BERLIN — More than 1,500 police carried out a series of searches in Berlin and arrested three people in a massive operation connected to the spectacular theft of 18th-century jewels from a unique collection in Dresden last November, authorities said Tuesday. The operation was coordinated by police and prosecutors in...
Trevor Lawrence to return as No. 4 Clemson resumes title chaseVideo
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is fit, confident, and most importantly for the Tigers, virus-free. The junior said Tuesday he is ready for the fourth-ranked Tigers championship run down the stretch. Lawrence missed past last two games for Clemson (7-1, 6-1 ACC) after testing positive for covid-19, then spent last week...
Amazon opens online pharmacy, shaking up another industry
NEW YORK — Now at Amazon.com: insulin and inhalers. The retail colossus opened an online pharmacy Tuesday that allows customers to order medication or prescription refills and have them delivered to their front door in a couple of days. The potential impact of Amazon’s arrival in the pharmaceutical space rippled...
Doug Ferguson: Majors summed up by young, bold, bestVideo
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Lowest score in Masters history. Fewest bogeys for the tournament. First player to reach 20-under par. Dustin Johnson can add one more distinction to his historic week at Augusta National, even if this one won’t show up in the record book. He only gets to keep the...
Delayed NBA Draft finally arrivesVideo
There was no dancing on the court after a March Madness victory. No bounding onto the stage in a spiffy suit to meet the commissioner in June. The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the traditional end of a college career and the usual start of a pro one. Players such as...
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, 87, says he tested positive for coronavirus
WASHINGTON — Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the longest-serving Republican senator and third in the line of presidential succession, said Tuesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Grassley announced earlier Tuesday that he was quarantining after being exposed to the virus and was waiting for the results of a...
Controversial Fed nominee Judy Shelton fails in Senate test vote
WASHINGTON — The nomination of Judy Shelton, President Donald Trump’s controversial pick for the Federal Reserve, is stalled in the Senate after Vice President-elect Kamala Harris returned to the chamber to cast a key vote in a tally Tuesday. Two key Republicans were absent because of covid-related concerns. The 47-50...
Hundreds of nurses strike at Philadelphia-area hospitalVideo
LANGHORNE — Hundreds of nurses have gone on strike at a suburban Philadelphia hospital, citing low staffing levels amid rising coronavirus cases. The walkout that began at 7 a.m. Tuesday involves the 700-plus registered nurses at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne and their allies in the Pennsylvania Association of...

