Associated Press stories, Page 2026
Garth Brooks doesn’t want to win CMA entertainer award againVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country superstar Garth Brooks says he is pulling himself out of nominations for the Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year award, saying it’s time for someone else to win the top prize. Brooks, who won the top prize in November, said during an online press conference...
U.S. expected to report record-breaking economic plunge
WASHINGTON — Having endured what was surely a record-shattering slump last quarter, the U.S. economy faces a dim outlook as a resurgent coronavirus intensifies doubts about any sustained recovery the rest of the year. A huge plunge in consumer spending as people stayed home and avoided shopping, traveling or gathering...
Oregon governor says U.S. agents will start leaving Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — Federal agents who have clashed with protesters in Portland, Oregon, will begin a “phased withdrawal” from Oregon’s largest city, Gov. Kate Brown said Wednesday. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement the plan negotiated with Brown over the last 24 hours includes a “robust...
U.S. to bring 6,400 troops home from Germany, move others elsewhere in Europe
WASHINGTON — Spurred on by President Donald Trump’s demand to pull troops out of Germany, the U.S. will bring about 6,400 forces home and shift about 5,600 to other countries in Europe, U.S. defense leaders said Wednesday, detailing a Pentagon plan that will cost billions of dollars and take years...
More Americans signed contracts to buy homes in June
SILVER SPRING, Md. — The number of Americans signing contracts to buy homes rose for the second straight month after a devastating spring freeze brought on by the coronavirus outbreak. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that its index of pending sales rose 16.6%, to 116.1 in June. That’s...
Passage of Turkey’s social media law raises censorship worries
ISTANBUL — Turkey’s parliament approved a law early Wednesday that gives authorities greater power to regulate social media despite concerns of growing censorship in a country where critical voices are already muted. The law requires social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to maintain representatives in Turkey to deal...
Georgia inmates hailed as heroes for saving injured deputy
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Georgia sheriff’s office is thanking a group of inmates credited with rescuing a deputy who collapsed and suffered a head injury while supervising a jail housing unit. The Gwinnett County deputy was patrolling the unit when the inmates noticed he did not appear to be feeling...
In wake of Houston’s sign-stealing scandal, benches clear as Dodgers beat Astros
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros are trying to put their sign-stealing scandal behind them. It seems as if the Los Angeles Dodgers have their own thoughts on the matter. Benches cleared Tuesday night during the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory over the Astros in the first game between the teams since it...
AP sources: Joey Bosa gets $135 million extension with Chargers
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Defensive end Joey Bosa has agreed to a contact extension that will make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Two people familiar with the deal said the five-year extension is worth $135 million, which includes $78 million guaranteed at signing and $102 million overall....
Game on: NBA finally set to see games that count again
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Games were canceled. Practice facilities were shuttered. A season ended unceremoniously for eight teams. The draft process was delayed, as was free agency. Some players tested positive for the coronavirus. Many more took to the streets and used their voices to demand justice and equality...
As crime surges on his watch, Trump warns of Biden’s America
President Donald Trump is painting a dystopian portrait of what Joe Biden’s America might look like, asserting crime and chaos would ravage communities should the former vice president win the White House in November. Left unsaid: A recent surge in violent crime in several American cities has happened on his...
Trump on his own again as he skips farewell to Lewis
WASHINGTON — One by one, they passed through the grand Capitol Rotunda to pay respects to the civil rights icon. It was a solemn display of unity as congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle offered praise for longtime Georgia Rep. John Lewis. There was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,...
U.S. officials: Russia behind spread of virus disinformation
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say Russian intelligence officers are spreading disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic through English-language websites, trying to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain before the presidential election in November. Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow’s military intelligence service known as the...
Coronavirus-related plant closings send GM into 2Q net loss
DETROIT — Even though General Motors was able to reopen its U.S. factories for the last half of the second quarter, the company still lost $806 million in the three months between April and June. The Detroit automaker had to close its plants from March 18 to May 18 because...
UK judge holds hearing in Meghan’s lawsuit against newspaper
LONDON — A judge in London is hearing the latest stage on Wednesday of the Duchess of Sussex’s privacy-infringement lawsuit against a British newspaper, as Meghan tries to keep the names of five of her friends out of the public eye. The former Meghan Markle is suing the publisher of...
Source: U.S., Oregon in talks about pulling agents in PortlandVideo
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Trump administration has started talks with the Oregon governor’s office and indicated that it would begin to draw down the presence of federal agents sent to quell two months of chaotic protests in Portland if the state stepped up its own enforcement, a senior White House...
California withholds coronavirus money from 2 defiant cities
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom is using new powers to withhold money from two cities in California’s Central Valley that are defying his health orders by allowing all businesses to open during the pandemic. Newsom blocked nearly $65,000 from Atwater in Merced County and more than $35,000 from Coalinga in...
Scientists get closer to blood test for Alzheimer’s disease
An experimental blood test was highly accurate at distinguishing people with Alzheimer’s disease from those without it in several studies, boosting hopes that there soon may be a simple way to help diagnose this most common form of dementia. Developing such a test has been a long-sought goal, and scientists...
Prosecutors: ‘Alarming’ that Ghislaine Maxwell may publicize victims
NEW YORK — Some witnesses in the criminal case against Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend may face harassment and intimidation and could be reluctant to cooperate with the government if defense attorneys are allowed to discuss them publicly, prosecutors said Tuesday. Prosecutors asked a Manhattan federal court judge to block lawyers...
PGA Tour revamps health guidelines again ahead of 8th week backVideo
The PGA Tour enters its eighth week of its return to golf with another modification to its guidelines for positive coronavirus tests and a gradual broadening of who gets to attend tournaments. The updates on the test protocols means the end of grouping players who have recovered from the coronavirus...
AP Source: ACC presidents to delay voting on new football scheduleVideo
A person involved in the situation said the ACC university presidents are expected to delay voting on a revised football schedule for the league when they meet Wednesday. Online sports network Stadium first reported the ACC’s change of plans. The person spoke to the Associated Press on Tuesday on condition...
Police: Hell’s Angel sparked Minneapolis riots over George FloydVideo
MINNEAPOLIS — Police say a man captured on surveillance video breaking windows at a south Minneapolis auto parts store in the days after George Floyd’s death is a Hell’s Angels member who was bent on stirring up social unrest. Dubbed “Umbrella Man” for an all-black getup that included hood, gas...
Shark that killed New York woman off Maine was great whiteVideo
PORTLAND, Maine — Authorities in Maine said Tuesday the shark that killed a woman in a rare attack off the state’s coast was a great white, the same type of shark that served as the inspiration for the movie “Jaws.” The shark bite killed Julie Dimperio Holowach, 63, of New...
U.S. officials: Russia spreading coronavirus disinformation
WASHINGTON — Russian intelligence operatives are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, seeking to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November, U.S. officials said Tuesday. Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow’s...
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes becoming part owner of Kansas City RoyalsVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is joining the ownership group of the Kansas City Royals. The Royals announced the addition of Mahomes, the star quarterback who led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl title last season, Tuesday. Mahomes is a former baseball prospect and...
