Associated Press stories, Page 2650
Homeland Security chief defends Trump’s misstatement on border apprehensions
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen sparred with newly empowered House Democrats over President Trump’s immigration policies Wednesday, defending his recent misstatement that border apprehensions were at an all-time high. Nielsen called on Congress to address what she described as a growing emergency along the southern border even as...
Bend, Oregon, now has last Blockbuster store in world
BEND, Ore. — The Blockbuster store in Bend, Ore., became the last one in the United States last year. And now it’s the only one in the world. The Bulletin reports that a Blockbuster store in Perth, Australia, is closing later this month, leaving the Bend franchise alone on the...
Mexico says at most only 22 vaquita porpoises remain
MEXICO CITY — Experts said Wednesday that, at most, only 22 vaquitas remain in the Gulf of California, where a grim, increasingly violent battle is playing out between emboldened fishermen and the last line of defense for the smallest and most endangered porpoise in the world. Jorge Urban, a biology...
Las Vegas bets on Elon Musk for tunnel transit system
LAS VEGAS — Entrepreneur Elon Musk’s dream of an express tunnel transit system could finally become a reality in Las Vegas after major setbacks in other cities. Las Vegas’ tourism agency announced Wednesday it is recommending that an enterprise backed by the divisive billionaire receive a contract to build and...
Arizona prosecutor says Uber not criminally liable in crash
PRESCOTT, Ariz. — An Arizona prosecutor has determined that Uber is not criminally liable in a crash last year in which one of its self-driving SUVs fatally struck a pedestrian in suburban Phoenix. But it’s not known whether prosecutors are considering charges against the driver in the March 18 crash...
Man’s dying wish fulfilled with call from President Trump
WEST HAVEN, Conn. — A terminally ill Connecticut man who’s a big supporter of President Donald Trump is getting a bucket list wish fulfilled, with help from his Democratic sister. Jay Barrett, of West Haven, who has cystic fibrosis, left the hospital to begin palliative care at his sister’s home...
Official: Santa Anita cancels racing after 21 horse deaths
ARCADIA, Calif. — Santa Anita has canceled racing indefinitely to re-examine its dirt surface after the deaths of 21 horses in the last two months. Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that racing won’t be held this...
Jessica Mendoza hired as Mets adviser but keeps ESPN job
NEW YORK — Jessica Mendoza was hired as a baseball operations adviser for the New York Mets on Tuesday while remaining a broadcaster for ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball,” part of an increasing number of TV commentators who also work for teams. She will be involved in player evaluation, roster construction,...
5 defensive players and kicker get franchise tags
NEW YORK — Five defensive players, all premier pass rushers, and 49ers kicker Robbie Gould, were given franchise tags by their teams before Tuesday’s NFL deadline. Ends DeMarcus Lawrence of Dallas and Frank Clark of Seattle, linebackers Dee Ford of Kansas City and Jadeveon Clowney of Houston, and DT Grady...
Pitt loses 13th straight, assured of being alone in last place in ACC
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — After the best game of his career, Miami Hurricanes senior Anthony Lawrence said the moment he will remember most occurred during pregame introductions. “Walking out with my parents, I’m not that emotional, and I wasn’t about to cry but I felt it,” he said. Instead of...
Duquesne looks to sweep St. Louis
Duquesne (19-10, 10-6) vs. Saint Louis (18-11, 9-7) Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Duquesne goes for the season sweep over Saint Louis after winning the previous matchup in Pittsburgh. The teams last played each other on Jan. 23, when the Dukes created 23 Saint Louis...
Ohio teen Ethan Lindenberger tells Senate why he defied his mom to get vaccinatedVideo
WASHINGTON — An Ohio teen defied his mother’s anti-vaccine beliefs and started getting his shots when he turned 18 — and told Congress on Tuesday that it’s crucial to counter fraudulent claims on social media that scare parents. Ethan Lindenberger of Norwalk, Ohio, said his mother’s “love, affection and care...
FDA chief Scott Gottlieb steps down after nearly 2 years
WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is stepping down after nearly two years leading the agency’s response to a host of public health challenges, including the opioid epidemic, rising drug prices and underage vaping. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced in a statement Tuesday that...
Warrant: Hotel guests heard fight before Pa. jeweler found dead in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — A preliminary hearing has been set for a woman accused in the stabbing death of a Pennsylvania jeweler at a hotel in New Orleans’ main tourist district. Megan Hall will appear in court on March 14. The 25-year-old was arraigned on second-degree murder charges on Monday in...
Alabama’s tornado dead range from 6 to 89; one family lost 7
BEAUREGARD, Ala. — The youngest victim was 6, the oldest 89. One family lost seven members. The 23 people killed in the nation’s deadliest tornado in nearly six years came into focus Tuesday when the coroner finished identifying them and released their names. “Just keep those families in your prayers,”...
Jury awards nearly $17M to woman injured at Walmart
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — A jury in West Virginia has returned a nearly $17 million verdict against Walmart after a woman was injured when staffers tried to detain a shoplifter. Jurors in Wood County, W.Va., issued the verdict Monday. A lawyer for 53-year-old Diane Ankrom says employees tried to detain the...
SeaWorld removes foam bowls, plates from parks
ORLANDO, Fla. — SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is removing products made of polystyrene foam from its 12 parks. Officials at the Florida-based theme park company said Tuesday the removal of bowls, plates and trays made of the material will prevent an estimated 14 million pieces of polystyrene foam products from...
Partiers in New Orleans will face cold Mardi Gras
NEW ORLEANS — Layers. That seemed to be the key to surviving a cold Fat Tuesday in New Orleans. Temperatures in the New Orleans area were in the 30s and 40s Tuesday morning as thousands of people lined the streets to watch parades and catch beads and throws. People along...
Chelsea Manning continues to fight grand jury subpoena
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A judge rejected an effort from Chelsea Manning to quash a subpoena demanding her testimony in an apparent investigation of Wikileaks, the former Army intelligence analyst said Tuesday. But Manning said after the hearing in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, that she will continue her legal efforts...
Palace gala marks 50 years since Prince Charles’ investiture
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s senior royals have gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales. The gala event at Buckingham Palace was hosted Tuesday by Queen Elizabeth II. Charles was joined by his wife, Camilla, his two sons, Prince William and...
Tears, moment’s silence at Lagerfeld’s final Chanel show
PARIS (AP) — It was Karl Lagerfeld’s final curtain — even though he was missing. Celebrities, supermodels and the fashion industry gathered at Chanel’s catwalk show Tuesday to bid adieu to the iconic couturier, who died last month and did not want a public funeral. Many guests wept as his...
Papa John’s, founder reach settlement agreement
Papa John’s has reached a settlement agreement with founder John Schnatter that will see him step down from the pizza chain’s board once an independent director that is mutually acceptable replaces him. If a new director isn’t named prior to Papa John’s 2019 annual shareholders meeting, Schnatter’s term will expire...
Library of Congress names new documentary award for Ken Burns
WASHINGTON — The Library of Congress will begin presenting an award named for Ken Burns, who elevated the craft of historical documentaries. Officials announced on Tuesday the creation of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. The annual award will recognize a filmmaker whose documentary uses original research...
Man admits to sex with girl, 13, transported by his grandma, mom
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri man has been sentenced for sex crimes involving a 13-year-old Alabama girl who was brought to Missouri by the man’s mother and grandmother. Michael James Collins, 22, was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison without parole. Investigators say Collins met the girl on...
Crane falls off Italian gas platform, leaving worker missing
ROME — Italian energy company Eni says a crane fell off a methane gas extraction platform, plunging into the Adriatic Sea and leaving the crane’s operator missing. Eni says the crane also struck a supply vessel, injuring two crew members aboard. The Italian coast guard says the accident happened Tuesday...
