Associated Press stories, Page 621
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson hopes dropping a few pounds will make him even more agile this upcoming seasonVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A slimmer Lamar Jackson hopes to be even more agile in 2024. His actual weight at the moment? That’s something of a secret. Jackson acknowledges that he is lighter but isn’t offering many specifics. “I’m like two-something right now,” he said Wednesday. “I’ll say it was...
Shutdown of fintech middleman Synapse freezes thousands of Americans’ deposits
NEW YORK — The bank accounts of tens of thousands of U.S. businesses and consumers have been frozen in the aftermath of the abrupt shutdown and bankruptcy of financial technology company Synapse, which acts as a middleman between financial technology companies and banks. Synapse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection...
Second flag carried by Jan. 6 rioters displayed outside house owned by Justice Alito, report says
WASHINGTON — A second flag of a type carried by rioters during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was displayed outside a house owned by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, The New York Times reported Wednesday. An “Appeal to Heaven” flag was flown outside Alito’s beach...
Nashville rejects sign for Morgan Wallen’s new bar, decrying his behavior
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville councilmembers have rejected plans for a glowing sign to be erected at Morgan Wallen’s new bar along the city’s neon-lit strip of honky tonks, citing his use of a racial slur that caused controversy in 2021 and recent criminal charges accusing the country star of throwing...
UCLA police chief reassigned after handling of campus demonstrations prompted criticism
LOS ANGELES — The police chief at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been reassigned following criticism over his handling of recent campus demonstrations that included a mob attacking a pro-Palestinian encampment. Chief John Thomas was temporarily reassigned Tuesday “pending an examination of our security processes,” said Mary Osako,...
Rafael Nadal’s last French Open should be like Serena Williams’ last U.S. OpenVideo
If this is, as expected, Rafael Nadal’s final French Open, it will be one that everyone — the 37-year-old Spaniard included — surely will remember vividly. No matter how healthy the guy everyone calls “Rafa” might be. No matter how long his stay in the bracket lasts. No matter whether...
After ’embarrassing’ Indy 500, Rahal Letterman Lanigan searching
INDIANAPOLIS — The was a quiet sort of confidence among the four drivers at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing on the eve of Indianapolis 500 qualifying this year. The team had invested heavily over the previous 12 months, shoring up parts of its program that had fallen behind, and there was...
Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley says she will vote for Donald Trump
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nikki Haley said Wednesday that she will be voting for Donald Trump in the general election, a notable show of support given their intense and often personal rivalry during the Republican primary calendar. But Haley also made it clear that she feels Trump has work to do...
Michigan farmworker diagnosed with bird flu, becoming 2nd U.S. case tied to dairy cows
NEW YORK — A Michigan dairy worker has been diagnosed with bird flu — the second human case associated with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows. The patient had mild eye symptoms and has recovered, U.S. and Michigan health officials said in announcing the case Wednesday. The worker had been...
Prosecutor in Trump classified papers case calls claims of hostility toward co-defendant ‘garbage’
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A lawyer for Donald Trump’s personal valet accused federal prosecutors Wednesday of targeting the valet because he refused to cooperate against the former president in the classified documents case. A prosecutor called the claim “garbage.” Walt Nauta was charged alongside Trump last year in a federal...
Penn State baseball team tops No. 1 seed Illinois in Big Ten TournamentVideo
OMAHA, Neb. — Adam Cecere hit a home run and made a highlight catch, J.T. Marr added three hits and No. 8 seed Penn State beat top-seeded Illinois, 8-4, on Wednesday as the Illini suffered their eighth straight loss at the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State (27-23), which advances to...
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes: Harrison Butker entitled to his beliefs, even if he doesn’t agree
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Patrick Mahomes said Wednesday that while he doesn’t agree with all the beliefs espoused by kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address, the Chiefs quarterback nevertheless respects his teammate’s right to make them be known. Butker delivered what has become a polarizing speech May 11 at...
Hunter Biden’s tax trial set for September as judge agrees to delay, with gun trial still in June
LOS ANGELES — Hunter Biden is scheduled to stand trial on federal tax charges in September after a judge on Wednesday granted his request to delay the California trial that had been approaching next month. U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi agreed to delay the trial until Sept. 5, citing...
Judge signs off on $600 million Ohio train derailment settlement but residents still have questions
A federal judge has signed off on the $600 million class action settlement over last year’s disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio, but many people who live near East Palestine are still wondering how much they will end up with out of the deal. Preliminary approval for the settlement...
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner credits clubhouse technology for improved health, fast start
NEW YORK — Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner credits new clubhouse technology with helping New York get off to an AL-best 33-17 start, is pleased Juan Soto has bonded with teammates and fans, and is confident his club can return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. “Our injuries have been...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson doesn’t throw on Day 2 of practice as he recovers from shoulder surgery
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson did not make any throws on Wednesday with reporters in attendance as the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback continues to recover from right shoulder surgery. Watson played in just six games last season before breaking his throwing shoulder and needing surgery in November. He took part in...
Lauryn Hill’s classic ‘Miseducation’ album tops Apple Music’s list of best albums of all time
LOS ANGELES — Let the debate begin. Who has the best music albums ever? Apple Music certainly has an idea. The music streaming giant announced on Wednesday their 10 greatest albums of all time with Lauryn Hill’s 1998 iconic “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” claiming the top spot. Hill’s debut...
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of 2003 sexual assault in lawsuit
NEW YORK (AP) — A former model accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her at his New York City recording studio in 2003 in a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the latest in a series of allegations against the embattled hip-hop mogul. The woman said she was a successful 22-year-old model...
Graceland foreclosure sale halted as Presley estate’s lawsuit moves forward
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge on Wednesday said Elvis Presley’s estate could be successful in arguing that a company’s attempt to auction Graceland is fraudulent as he halted a foreclosure sale of the beloved Memphis tourist attraction. Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins issued a temporary injunction against the proposed auction...
Disgruntled worker fatally shoots 2, wounds 3 at linen company near Philadelphia
CHESTER — A disgruntled employee opened fire at a linen company near Philadelphia on Wednesday, killing two coworkers and injuring three others, authorities said. The shooting took place at the Delaware County Linen at about 8:30 a.m. in the city of Chester, about 18 miles south of Philadelphia. The shooter...
For some digital detox, look to the latest in craft kits
Digital diversions may have us tethered to tech, but screen fatigue is real. Even my digitally native, young-millennial kids prefer printed books these days. And a recent weekend together at home had us busting out some craft kits. There might have been Netflix in the background, but everybody’s hands were...
Use of Wegovy and other weight-loss drugs soars among kids and young adults
At 17, Israel McKenzie was so burdened by obesity that he stopped going to high school in person and was embarrassed to speak to people at his restaurant job. “I was in a really dark place,” says McKenzie, whose weight had climbed to 335 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame, despite...
Average U.S. vehicle age hits record 12.6 years as high prices force people to keep them longer
DETROIT — Cars, trucks and SUVs in the U.S. keep getting older, hitting a record average age of 12.6 years in 2024 as people hang on to their vehicles largely because new ones cost so much. S&P Global Mobility, which tracks state vehicle registration data nationwide, said Wednesday that the...
Lawsuits claim 66 people were abused as children in Pennsylvania’s juvenile facilities
HARRISBURG — Dozens of children who were sent to juvenile detention centers and similar facilities in Pennsylvania suffered physical and sexual abuse including violent rapes, according to four related lawsuits filed Wednesday. The lawsuits describe how 66 people, now adults, say they were victimized by guards, nurses, supervisors and others....
How is the violent unrest in New Caledonia impacting global nickel prices?
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Global nickel prices have soared since deadly violence erupted in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia last week. The overseas territory, which has been under French rule for over 170 years, is a major global producer of the critical material that is needed to make electric...

