Associated Press stories, Page 2514
Champion Capitals face fresh-faced Hurricanes in 1st round of playoffs
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...
Charles Van Doren, figure in game show scandals, dies at 93
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...
Ohio lawmakers pass one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans
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...
Analysis: Israel’s election exposes deep political divisions
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...
Chip and Joanna Gaines to debut new network next yearVideo
NEW YORK — The lifestyle team of Chip and Joanna Gaines will launch their own Discovery-affiliated television network in the summer of 2020. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced the Gaines’ channel Wednesday prior to a sales presentation to advertisers. There’s no name yet. It will replace the current DIY network,...
U.S. budget deficit running 15% higher than a year ago
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 posted from Colorado to Minnesota
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...
RJ Barrett to enter NBA draft after 1 season at Duke
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...
Fight over sexual abuse victims’ lawsuits returns to Pa. Senate
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...
AG William Barr: ‘I think spying did occur’ on Trump campaign
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,...
Jurors hear 911 calls woman made before officer killed her
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...
U.S. to start warning travelers about kidnapping risk abroad
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...
Police: 1 dead, 15 injured in North Carolina gas explosion
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...
Trump says only 1 person is in charge of immigration: Him
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 —...
Trump says he won’t deliver tax returns to Congress
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...
Scientists reveal first image ever made of black hole
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...
Netflix launches comedy channel on SiriusXM
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...
Twitter removes Trump video for use of ‘Dark Knight’ score
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...
Pa. lawmakers to honor victims of Tree of Life synagogue massacre
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...
Man charged with shining laser at Patriots QB Tom Brady
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...
Charges dropped against man accused of abandoning pet fish
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...
Trump order would make it harder to block pipelines
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will announce an executive order during a trip to Texas on Wednesday that could make it harder for states to scuttle pipelines and other energy projects based on concerns about their impact on water quality. Trump has made it a priority to expand energy development,...
Barr to testify before Senate as Mueller report looms
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr is returning to Capitol Hill for a second time this week as lawmakers, the White House and the American public anxiously await his release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia report. Barr will speak to a Senate appropriations subcommittee Wednesday, the second of two...
Eying Supreme Court, abortion foes promote tough state bans
Emboldened by the new conservative majority on the Supreme Court, anti-abortion lawmakers and activists in numerous states are pushing near-total bans on the procedure in a deliberate frontal attack on Roe v. Wade. Mississippi and Kentucky have passed laws that would ban most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected...
Netanyahu appears to edge toward re-election in Israeli vote
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to be headed toward re-election early Wednesday, as exit polls and partial results showed him edging ahead of his main competitor in a tight race that was seen as a referendum on the long-serving leader. Both Netanyahu and former military chief Benny...

