Associated Press stories, Page 222
Jaguars to play starters, including Travis Hunter, vs. Steelers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter will make his professional debut playing both sides of the ball. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen said Thursday that Hunter and most of the team’s other starters will play in their preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. “Everybody’s going...
Woman killed by neighbor before responding state troopers were ambushed by gunfire, police say
THOMPSON — A 61-year-old man fatally shot a neighbor Thursday in rural Pennsylvania and then ambushed responding state troopers, wounding two while firing dozens of rounds from a semiautomatic weapon, police said. Lori Wasko’s boyfriend called 911 after 11 a.m. from their home near Thompson to report shots fired, state...
Average rate on 30-year mortgage drops to lowest level since April
The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage has fallen to its lowest level in four months, welcome news for prospective homebuyers who have been held back by stubbornly high home financing costs. The long-term rate fell to 6.63% from 6.72% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A...
Here’s what you need to know about ESPN’s new steaming service and its deals with the NFL and WWE
ESPN’s much-discussed streaming service finally has its launch date. The network announced Wednesday that its direct-to-consumer service and enhanced app will debut Aug. 21. The announcement coincided with Disney’s quarterly earning report. This week’s expanded deals with the NFL and a new partnership with WWE provides ESPN with more inventory...
Israel announces plan to retake Gaza City in another escalation of the war
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel said early Friday that it plans to take over Gaza City in another escalation of its 22-month war with Hamas. The decision, taken after a late-night meeting of top officials, came despite mounting international calls to end the war and protests by many in Israel...
Haiti prepares for new leadership as gunfire erupts and gangs threaten to overthrow government
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A wealthy businessman was slated to become president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council on Thursday, marking the first time that the private sector is in control of the country’s two executive branches. The change in command further threatened to destabilize the country as a powerful gang federation...
Harvard scientists say research could be set back years after funding freeze
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University professor Alberto Ascherio’s research is literally frozen. Collected from millions of U.S. soldiers over two decades using millions of dollars from taxpayers, the epidemiology and nutrition scientist has blood samples stored in liquid nitrogen freezers within the university’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The...
Czech zoo welcomes 4 rare Barbary lion cubs whose population is extinct in the wild
DVUR KRALOVE, Czech Republic — Four Barbary lion cubs were born recently in a Czech zoo, a vital contribution for a small surviving population of the rare lion that is extinct in the wild. The three females and one male were seen playing in their outdoor enclosure at Dvůr Králové...
Trump to meet Putin soon, the Kremlin says as White House deadline looms on Ukraine
A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump has been agreed upon, a Kremlin official said Thursday, the eve of a White House deadline for Moscow to show progress toward ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said a summit could...
Trump’s broad tariffs go into effect, just as economic pain is surfacing
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump began levying higher import taxes on dozens of countries Thursday, just as the economic fallout of his monthslong tariff threats has begun to create visible damage for the U.S. economy. Just after midnight, goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union became subject...
Trump’s redistricting fight mushrooms with Vance in Indiana and Florida joining the fray
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — As President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Republican-run states to redraw congressional boundaries, he has dispatched Vice President JD Vance to Indiana and called for a new federal census — moves reflecting his intent to maximize the GOP’s partisan advantages in coming elections. Separately, a top...
Former Pirate David Bednar goes longer than expected for 1st Yankees saveVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — Mars graduate David Bednar got his first save for the New York Yankees after going a little longer than expected, and they ended their five-game losing streak before going home. Bednar got the final five outs, all on strikeouts, in their 3-2 win at Texas on Wednesday....
United Airlines flights grounded nationwide because of technology problem
United Airlines flights on major routes were grounded Wednesday because of a technology issue, and additional flight delays were expected into the evening, the airline said. An alert on the Federal Aviation Administration website said all United flights destined for Chicago were halted at their departing airports. The agency said...
Victims feeling exhausted and anxious about wrangling over Epstein files
LOS ANGELES — Women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein are feeling skeptical and anxious about the Justice Department’s handling of records related to the convicted sex offender, with some backing more public disclosures as an overdue measure of transparency, and others expressing concerns about their privacy and...
Rookie Dylan Fairchild making strides on OL as Bengals set for preseason openerVideo
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Dylan Fairchild in April with the expectation he would be their starting left guard when the season opens Sept. 7 in Cleveland. During the first two weeks of training camp, Fairchild has looked every bit like a starter. Fairchild and the rest of Cincinnati’s...
Eddie Palmieri, pioneering Latin jazz musician and Grammy winner, dies at 88
Eddie Palmieri, the avant-garde musician who was one of the most innovative artists of rumba and Latin jazz, has died. He was 88. Fania Records announced Palmieri’s death Wednesday evening. Palmieri’s daughter Gabriela told The New York Times that her father died earlier that day at his home in New...
RB James Cook’s contract standoff with Bills reaches 3rd practiceVideo
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills and James Cook are in agreement on at least one aspect of the running back’s contract standoff, which had the starter skipping his third consecutive training camp practice Wednesday. Neither side will hazard guessing on how much longer Cook will continue declining to practice...
Trump moves to shut down NASA missions that measure carbon dioxide and plant health
The Trump administration is moving to shut down two NASA missions that monitor a potent greenhouse gas and plant health, potentially shutting off an important source of data for scientists, policymakers and farmers. President Donald Trump’s budget request for fiscal year 2026 includes no money for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories,...
Red Sox sign rookie phenom Roman Anthony to an 8-year, $130 million contact
BOSTON — The Red Sox signed rookie phenom Roman Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million contract Wednesday, spending some of the cash they saved by trading Rafael Devers away on a player they hope will be the centerpiece of the next generation of Boston stars. The 21-year-old outfielder, who had...
Scottie Scheffler will take being rested and ready over practice for FedEx Cup playoffs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Scottie Scheffler returned home from his British Open victory, made a few brief appearances in New York and used the claret jug to get 15-month-old son Bennett into the men’s grill at Royal Oaks in Dallas. He is rested. The key for Scheffler, regardless of the tournament,...
Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits to boost hiring for Trump deportations
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that it is removing age limits for new hires at the agency responsible for immigration enforcement, as it aims to expand hiring after a massive infusion of cash from Congress. The department said in a news release that it would waive...
Trump could meet in person with Putin as soon as next week, White House official says
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official said Wednesday. The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location...
Trump says he plans to put a 100% tariff on computer chips, likely pushing up cost of electronics
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will impose a 100% tariff on computer chips, likely raising the cost of electronics, autos, household appliances and other goods deemed essential for the digital age. “We’ll be putting a tariff on of approximately 100% on chips and semiconductors,” Trump said...
Ohio State’s QB competition between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz remains too close to call
COLUMBUS, Ohio — After the first quarter of Ohio State’s preseason practices, the competition between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz for the starting quarterback spot remains too close to call. “The competition continues,” coach Ryan Day said. “They both have had good moments and moments where they’re growing. I will...
Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are among the NFL rookies to watch this season
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — “Impressive” and “fantastic” are a couple of the words that have been used to describe Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1-overall pick in April’s draft takes over as the starter for a franchise that won just three games last season. Yes, the preseason means many...

