Associated Press stories, Page 2424
Fire destroys Jim Beam warehouse filled with 45,000 bourbon barrelsVideo
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A fire destroyed a massive Jim Beam warehouse filled with about 45,000 barrels of bourbon, sending flames shooting into the night sky and generating so much heat that firetruck lights melted, authorities said Wednesday. Firefighters from four counties responded to the blaze that erupted late Tuesday. Lightning...
No prosecution for Marshae Jones, the Alabama woman who was shot, lost fetusVideo
BESSEMER, Ala. — An Alabama district attorney said Wednesday she is dropping the manslaughter charge against a woman who lost her fetus when she was shot during a fight. Marshae Jones was arrested last week after a grand jury concluded she intentionally caused the death of her fetus by initiating...
‘Laugh-in’ comedic actor Arte Johnson dies at 90
LOS ANGELES — Actor Arte Johnson, who won an Emmy for comedy sketch work on the television show “Laugh-In,” has died early Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 90. Johnson died of heart failure following a three-year battle with bladder and prostate cancer, family representative Harlan Boll said. No services...
Woman’s $5,000 tip on $55 check was revenge on boyfriend, cops say
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Police say a $5,000 tip a woman left on a $55 cafe bill wasn’t a case of generosity or charity. The woman is accused of using her boyfriend’s credit card to leave the tip as revenge, and she’s charged with theft in the incident. Clearwater police say...
Boeing to pay $100 million to crash families, communities
Boeing said Wednesday that it will provide an “initial investment” of $100 million over several years to help families and communities affected by two crashes of its 737 Max plane that killed 346 people. The Chicago-based company said some of the money will go toward living expenses and to cover...
U.S. judge rejects bankrupt coal operator’s new financing plan
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A federal judge has rejected a proposed new financing agreement for a West Virginia coal operator that filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this week. News outlets report a bankruptcy judge in Charleston said in a ruling released Wednesday that Blackjewel LLC must explore more alternatives in its...
Reptile invasion: Florida agency encourages killing iguanas
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Non-native iguanas are multiplying so rapidly in South Florida that a state wildlife agency is now encouraging people to kill them. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission news release says people should exterminate the large green lizards on their properties as well as on 22...
Pet owners have some tools to fight veterinary sticker shock
That cuddly new puppy can be pretty intimidating if pet owners consider the veterinary bills it might produce. A pet’s torn knee ligaments or a broken leg that needs surgery could cost a few thousand dollars. Even stitches to close a bite wound after a scrap with another dog can...
Trump insists he’s not dropping citizenship question effort
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is insisting that he is not dropping efforts to include a citizenship question on the upcoming 2020 census, even as the U.S. Census Bureau has started the process of printing the questionnaire without the controversial query. Trump says in a tweet Wednesday that, “News Reports...
Show of hands on immigrant health care belies a thorny issue
WASHINGTON — In one unanimous show of hands, Democratic presidential candidates moved the idea of full health insurance for people who are not legally in the United States into the political mainstream. That debate night moment last week symbolized the party’s move to the left heading a primary in which...
Airstrike hits Libyan detention center, killing 44 migrants
BENGHAZI, Libya — An airstrike hit a detention center for migrants near the Libyan capital early Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and wounding more than 130, the U.N. mission to the war-torn country said. The airstrike raises further concerns about the European Union’s policy of partnering with Libyan militias...
Trump touts July 4 military ‘salute’; critics see politics
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is marshaling tanks, bombers and other machinery of war for a Fourth of July celebration that traditionally is light on military might, while critics accused him of using America’s military as a political prop. Under White House direction, the Pentagon was scrambling to arrange for...
Man sentenced for importing scorpions, giant millipedes
TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey man who illegally imported scorpions, giant millipedes and other invertebrates, some of which escaped inside a postal delivery truck, has been spared a prison term. Wlodzimie Lapkiewicz instead was ordered Tuesday to serve six months of home confinement and four years of probation. The...
Hip-hop star Nicki Minaj to perform in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia said Wednesday that hip-hop star Nicki Minaj will perform in the ultraconservative kingdom as it sheds decades of restrictions on entertainment. The female rapper is known for her outlandish, provocative style and hits like “Anaconda,” where she raps about her “big fat” backside. Her lyrics are often laced...
Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill to clarify armed school security options
HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is signing legislation that his office says clarifies the options for who school districts and private schools can hire as armed security guards, although Wolf’s administration says it bars districts from allowing teachers to be armed. The bill Wolf signed Tuesday also expands training requirements...
Angels try to get handle on raw emotion after Tyler Skaggs death
ARLINGTON, Texas — Mike Trout led a parade of Los Angeles Angels into the interview room of the Texas Rangers for the first interaction with reporters since teammate Tyler Skaggs died. The two-time AL MVP tried to smile when it was his turn to talk, only to find himself fighting...
Ezekiel Elliott vows to avoid trouble after meeting with Roger Goodell
NEW YORK — Ezekiel Elliott is vowing to avoid incidents similar to a recent one in Las Vegas that forced the star running back of the Dallas Cowboys to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell. Elliott tweeted Tuesday after meeting with Goodell in New York that he had “worked hard to...
Blackjewel CEO confident bankrupt coal operator will rebound
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The CEO of one of the nation’s largest coal producers says he’s confident the company will bounce back despite the shutdown of several mines after it filed for federal bankruptcy protection. Milton-based Blackjewel LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for southern...
XFL’s plans for upcoming season starting to take shape
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Oliver Luck’s first year as the XFL’s commissioner mostly has been confined to the office and getting the league’s framework set up. The next couple months are what Luck refers to as the fun part of preparing for next year’s return. “We’re still a long way...
Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher acquitted of murder in killing of captive in Iraq
SAN DIEGO — A decorated Navy SEAL was acquitted Tuesday of murder in the killing of a wounded Islamic State captive under his care in Iraq in 2017. The verdict was met with an outpouring of emotion as the military jury also cleared Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher of attempted...
Judge blocks Trump policy keeping asylum-seekers locked up
SEATTLE — A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday blocked a Trump administration policy that would keep thousands of asylum-seekers locked up while they pursue their cases, saying the Constitution demands that such migrants have a chance to be released from custody. U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman ruled Tuesday that...
First-round opponent relishes loss to Serena Williams at Wimbledon
WIMBLEDON, England — Used to be players would dread the prospect of facing Serena Williams, especially at Wimbledon. Nowadays, they seem to be eager to go up against her — not because they think they can beat Williams, mind you, but because, well, she’s Serena Williams, and what better way...
Peters Township native Alison Riske makes Wimbledon history
WIMBLEDON, England — In her ninth appearance at the All England Club, Alison Riske finally has a piece of Wimbledon history. The unseeded American became the first player to win a match under the new roof on No. 1 Court after rallying to beat Donna Vekic 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in...
Alex Morgan scores and Alyssa Naeher saves to send U.S. to World Cup title matchVideo
LYON, France — Alex Morgan celebrated her go-ahead goal with a cheeky tea-sipping motion and Alyssa Naeher stopped a late penalty kick to send the United States into the final at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory over England on Tuesday night. The top-ranked United States will face...
Hickenlooper urged to swap White House bid for Senate run
DENVER — John Hickenlooper has refused to yield to pressure from his team to scrap his presidential campaign and instead run for a Senate seat in Colorado. The former two-term Colorado governor is struggling to break through a crowded field of Democratic presidential candidates. He’s in the bottom tier of...
