Associated Press stories, Page 2459

CROSBY, Texas — President Trump’s support for shifting more power to states on Wednesday faded next to his affinity for oil and gas production, as he aimed to make it harder for states to block pipelines and other energy projects due to environmental concerns. At the urging of business groups,...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. The Los Angeles Lakers already had plenty of problems to fix during the summer after their sixth straight losing season. Replacing the person in charge of fixing those problems is suddenly at the top of the list. Magic Johnson’s shocking resignation as the 16-time NBA champions’ president...

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods is a winner again, making him even more appealing at the Masters. “I’ve worked my way back into one of the players that can win events,” he said. Rory McIlroy is the betting favorite — perhaps even the sentimental favorite. Facing a fifth chance at...

WASHINGTON — When the Carolina Hurricanes take the ice for Game 1 of their first-round series against the Capitals on Thursday, their blue line will have less playoff experience than top Washington defenseman John Carlson. Of their 342 games of NHL postseason experience, captain Justin Williams and second-line center Jordan...

HARTFORD, Conn. — Charles Van Doren, the dashing young academic whose meteoric rise and fall as a corrupt game show contestant in the 1950s inspired the movie “Quiz Show” and served as a cautionary tale about the staged competitions of early television, has died. He was 93. He died of...

COLUMBUS — No topic seemed off limits, including tales of back alleys and coat hangers, as abortion-rights supporters in Ohio fought perhaps the last battle over a twice-vetoed heartbeat abortion ban, which Gov. Mike DeWine has said he will sign. After nearly 10 years of fighting, Democrats let loose during...

By JOSEF FEDERMAN JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apparent election victory has deepened the fractures in a divided country. Bolstered by his base of religious and working-class voters, Netanyahu can be expected to press ahead with a hard-line agenda that will likely eliminate the last hopes of a two-state...

WASHINGTON — The federal government reported a $146.9 billion deficit in March, causing annual debt to rise 15% for the first half of the budget year compared to the same period in 2018. The Treasury Department said Wednesday in its monthly report that the fiscal year deficit has so far...

Blizzard warnings were posted from Colorado to Minnesota on Wednesday and wildfires were a concern in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma as a storm developed that could rival last month’s devastating bomb cyclone. Up to 2½ feet of snow was expected to fall in parts of eastern South Dakota and...

DURHAM, N.C. — RJ Barrett is leaving Duke after one season to enter the NBA draft. Barrett announced his decision Wednesday in a video posted on social media . He said playing at Duke is a dream but added that “it’s also a dream of mine to play in the...

HARRISBURG — Democratic lawmakers are attempting anew to give now-adult victims of child sexual abuse a reprieve from time limits in Pennsylvania law that prohibit them from suing perpetrators and institutions that may have covered it up. Senate Democrats said Wednesday they’re introducing legislation that’s been propelled by child sexual...

WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr declared Wednesday he believes “spying did occur” on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, suggesting the origins of the Russia investigation may have been mishandled and aligning himself with the president at a time when Barr’s independence is under scrutiny. Barr, appearing before a Senate panel,...

MINNEAPOLIS — Jurors in on Wednesday heard the 911 calls a woman made to report a possible sexual assault before she was shot by Minneapolis officer now on trial for murder in her death. The recordings of Justine Ruszczyk Damond’s voice drew an emotional response from her family members in...

WASHINGTON — The risk of being kidnapped or taken hostage is being added to the travel advisories issued by the State Department. State Department advisories have until now included warnings about such things as crime, civil unrest or the potential for terrorism. The new “K” indicator for the potential to...

DURHAM, N.C. — A gas explosion that partially collapsed a North Carolina building and set it ablaze Wednesday morning killed one person and injured 15 others, police said. Police cars blocked the streets near the explosion and a thick acrid smoked hung over a shopping district near downtown Durham and...

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says there’s only one person in charge of his immigration policy: Him. Asked by reporters Wednesday whether he had considered tapping his influential aide, Stephen Miller, to lead the Department of Homeland Security given Miller’s focus on the issue, Trump was ready with praise —...

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is facing an imminent congressional deadline for his administration to provide his tax returns but he says he “won’t do it” while he’s under audit by the IRS. Trump told reporters on the White House lawn Wednesday that “I would love to give them, but...

WASHINGTON — Scientists on Wednesday revealed the first image ever made of a black hole, depicting its hot, shadowy edges where light bends around itself in a cosmic funhouse effect. Assembling data gathered by eight radio telescopes around the world, astronomers created the picture showing the violent neighborhood around a...

NEW YORK — Netflix is launching its first audio venture that will feature the video streaming service’s comedy programming on SiriusXM. The companies on Wednesday announced “Netflix Is A Joke Radio” will feature highlights from such comedians as Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Ricky Gervais, Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld and Wanda...

WASHINGTON — Twitter removed a campaign video posted by President Donald Trump after Warner’s Bros. Pictures complained about the use of the score from its 2012 movie “The Dark Knight Rises.” Trump on Tuesday tweeted the video, which featured images of Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton juxtaposed with images...

HARRISBURG — Victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue attack that killed 11 people last year will be remembered during a memorial service in the Pennsylvania Capitol. The unusual joint session Wednesday will bring together the House and the Senate for prayers and speeches about the Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A citation has been issued against a Missouri man accused of flashing a laser at New England quarterback Tom Brady during the Patriots’ AFC championship game victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Prosecutors said Tuesday that 64-year-old Dwyan Morgan, of Lee’s Summit, faces a single count...

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Charges have been dropped against a North Carolina man accused of leaving his pet fish behind without food when he was evicted. New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David told news outlets Tuesday that 53-year-old Michael Hinson is no longer charged with animal cruelty and abandonment. He...