Associated Press stories, Page 2535
Judge continues $50M bail for Mexican megachurch leader
LOS ANGELES — A judge continued the extraordinary $50 million bail Friday for the leader of Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo but said prosecutors must offer more evidence of their child sex and human trafficking allegations at the next court hearing. Naasón Joaquín García, the church’s self-proclaimed apostle, poses...
A look at how immigration authorities make arrests
Immigrant advocates and sympathizers are warning about arrests around the country as early as Sunday. The anticipated sweep is expected to be similar to operations that authorities have regularly done since 2003. They often produce hundreds of arrests. This one is different because President Donald Trump announced Monday on Twitter...
Family of men shot by Phoenix police emboldened after video
PHOENIX — Relatives of Hector Lopez, who was fatally shot by Phoenix police in May, say passing officers have laughed and made obscene gestures — a charge the department vehemently denies — during past protests seeking information. But as the Lopez family returned to headquarters Friday for the sixth weekly...
Fellow SEALs say chief shot girl and old man in Iraq
SAN DIEGO — Two Navy SEALs testified Friday that their platoon chief gunned down a young girl and an old man in Iraq in 2017 from his sniper’s perch, though neither witnessed him pulling the trigger. The SEALs said shots came from the tower where Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher...
Jagger appears healthy as Rolling Stones rock Soldier Field
CHICAGO — Mick Jagger appeared healthy and energetic Friday night as the Rolling Stones launched their North American tour at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The 75-year-old frontman ran and skipped along a narrow stage that jutted out into the crowd. It was his first major concert performance since doctors told him...
Things going to dogs at ugly canine competition
Things are starting to get ugly in the picturesque California town of Petaluma. Indeed, the place will go to the dogs when the winner of what’s being billed as the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is announced Friday night. The affair is shaping up to be hideous. Nineteen contestants featuring droopy...
Devils select US center Jack Hughes with 1st pick in NHL Draft
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — American center Jack Hughes and Finland’s Kaapo Kakko being selected with the first two picks in the NHL Draft hardly was a surprise. The New Jersey Devils opened the draft Friday by making Hughes the eighth American chosen with the No. 1 pick. And the New...
Sonoma’s new turn: NASCAR takes a ride on ‘The Carousel’
SONOMA, Calif. — This twisty road course in Northern California wine country already provided one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ biggest challenges and best rides of the year. And now the drivers also are going for a ride on “The Carousel” this weekend. That’s the name for a section of...
The NBA Draft is over. Now on the clock: Free agencyVideo
Now on the clock: Chaos. The NBA offseason is about to kick into high gear. A draft that had good bits of intrigue — at least after New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, Memphis’ Ja Morant and New York’s R.J. Barrett were chosen first, second and third in moves that were widely...
World Cup’s top teams enter knockout stage on roll
While it may be tempting to look ahead to the quarterfinals and a possible clash with France, the defending champion U.S. has thrived at the Women’s World Cup by keeping its focus on the present. The Americans will face Spain in the round of 16 on Monday in Reims as...
Michigan State OKs independent probe of handling of Nassar
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State on Friday authorized what officials said would be an independent investigation into the handling of sexual assault complaints against now-imprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar, the school’s latest attempt to rebuild trust with his victims and the campus community. The board of trustees voted...
Man arrested after trying to pull over detectiveVideo
UPLAND, Calif. — Police say they arrested a man on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after he tried to pull over a real police detective in Southern California. KABC-TV reported Friday that a Jeep Wrangler with red and blue flashing lights tried to stop a Rancho Cucamonga detective who...
Bills aim to end Pennsylvania’s straight-party voting option
HARRISBURG — Legislation advancing in Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Legislature would eliminate the ballot option for voters to simply select a straight-party ticket in elections, although House Democrats are objecting to it. Bills to eliminate it emerged from committee in both chambers this week. The Senate bill is sponsored by Democratic Sen....
Controversial telescope to be built on sacred Hawaiian peak
After years of protests and legal battles, officials have announced that a massive telescope which will allow scientists to peer into the most distant reaches of our early universe will be built on a Hawaiian volcano that some consider sacred. The state announced a “notice to proceed” for the Thirty...
Chinese crackdown on foreign names draws protest
BEIJING — The Manhattan neighborhood, Venice Garden, the Vienna hotel chain — to the ears of the Chinese government, the names are too foreign-sounding and must go. Provinces and cities across China have been issuing notices pressuring both private and public officials to rename businesses, bridges and neighborhoods, reflecting renewed...
Man strips completely at checkpoint in Detroit Metro airport
ROMULUS, Mich. — Authorities say a man took off more than his belt and shoes at a Detroit Metropolitan Airport security checkpoint, and that he got completely naked before trying to pass through a metal detector. The Wayne County Airport Authority said in a statement that the man walked up...
Nik Wallenda worries for his sister ahead of latest stunt
As Nik Wallenda prepares to walk a wire 25 stories above New York’s Times Square, he admits he’s a little uneasy. And for good reason: His sister, Lijana, will join him for the first time since a near-fatal accident. “Of course, I’m nervous. How would you not be? You know...
Pa. woman wins cemetery property rights Supreme Court case
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is siding with a Pennsylvania woman in a case that gives citizens another way to pursue claims when they believe states and local governments have harmed their property rights. The high court ruled Friday in the case of Rose Mary Knick. She tried to bring...
Scientists seek beaches where dead whales can rot in peace
PORTLAND, Ore. — So many gray whales are dying off the U.S. West Coast that scientists and volunteers dealing with the putrid carcasses have an urgent request for coastal residents: Lend us your private beaches so these ocean giants can rot in peace. The number of dead whales washing ashore...
Court tosses black man’s murder conviction over racial bias
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is throwing out the murder conviction and death sentence for a black man in Mississippi because of a prosecutor’s efforts to keep African Americans off the jury. The defendant already has been tried six times and now could face a seventh trial. The court’s 7-2...
Pa. couple convicted in beating death of 4-year-old who spilled his cereal
WILLOW GROVE — A suburban Philadelphia couple has been convicted of murder in the death of a 4-year-old who was beaten for spilling his breakfast cereal. A jury returned the verdict Thursday night against the boy’s mother, Lisa Smith, and her boyfriend, Keiff King. The Abington couple also was convicted...
New York lawmakers OK pot decriminalization
ALBANY, N.Y. — Lawmakers in New York state have voted to eliminate criminal penalties for public possession and use of marijuana after efforts to legalize pot stalled. The measure would reduce low-level criminal charges for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation, which comes with a fine similar to a...
No injuries in explosions, fire at Philadelphia oil refinery
PHILADELPHIA — A fire at a 150-year-old refinery complex in Philadelphia turned the early morning sky a bright orange and yellow and awakened startled residents with explosions that shook homes Friday. The fire broke out at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex around 4 a.m., spokeswoman Cherice Corley said. “Refinery...
U.S. prepped for strikes on Iran before approval was withdrawn
WASHINGTON — A U.S. official said the military made preparations Thursday night for limited strikes on Iran in retaliation for the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, but approval was abruptly withdrawn before the attacks were launched. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the operation publicly and spoke...
Zion Williamson to Pelicans with No. 1 pick of NBA Draft
NEW YORK — Zion Williamson plays with force and ferocity, a Hulk in hightops who looks like he’d never show a soft side. Draft night proved otherwise. Williamson was the No. 1 pick of the New Orleans Pelicans — a surprise to nobody who watched basketball this past season. But...
