Associated Press stories, Page 650
Flurry of veteran salary dumps floods NFL free agency with a surplus of safetiesVideo
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Justin Simmons’ release isn’t just collateral damage from the Russell Wilson debacle in Denver but the latest sign of a shifting of priorities in the NFL that has resulted in a surplus of safeties flooding the free agent market. Like inside linebackers and running backs before them,...
Third-party movement No Labels says it will field a 2024 presidential ticket
DES MOINES, Iowa — The third-party presidential movement No Labels decided Friday to field a presidential candidate in the 2024 election after months of weighing the launch of a so-called “unity ticket” and discussions with several prospects. Delegates voted in favor of moving forward during an online convention of 800...
Much of America asks: Where did winter go? Spring starts early as U.S. winter was warmest on record
Across much of America and especially in the normally chilly north, the country went through the winter months without, well, winter. In parka strongholds Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine, the thermometer never plunged below zero. The state of Minnesota called the last three months “the lost winter,” warmer than its...
Trump attorneys post $92M bond to support jury award to E. Jean Carroll in defamation suit
NEW YORK — Donald Trump has secured a $91.6 million bond sufficient to cover the money he owes to writer E. Jean Carroll in a defamation lawsuit while he appeals the jury’s verdict, the former president’s lawyer told a court on Friday. Attorney Alina Habba filed papers with the New...
Alabama clinic resumes IVF treatments under new law shielding providers from liability
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — At least one clinic in Alabama has resumed in vitro fertilization treatments after the governor signed a bill into law shielding providers from potential legal liability raised by a court ruling that equated frozen embryos to children. Alabama Fertility Specialists performed several embryo transfers Thursday, news outlets...
Protesters hurl firebombs as Greek lawmakers prepare to vote for private universities
ATHENS, Greece — Protesters hurled gasoline bombs and firecrackers at police outside Greece’s parliament Friday after thousands attended a demonstration against government plans to introduce privately run universities. Police charged the violent demonstrators and fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Several people were hurt and received first aid from...
U.S. employers add a surprisingly strong 275,000 jobs in sign of continued economic strength
WASHINGTON — America’s employers delivered another healthy month of hiring in February, adding a surprising 275,000 jobs and again showcasing the U.S. economy’s resilience in the face of high interest rates. Last month’s job growth marked an increase from a revised gain of 229,000 jobs in January. At the same...
Katie Britt calls Biden a ‘diminished leader’ in GOP response to the State of the Union
WASHINGTON — Sitting at her kitchen table in Alabama, Sen. Katie Britt called President Joe Biden a “dithering and diminished leader” and warned of a bleak American future under his presidency in the Republican rebuttal to his State of the Union address Thursday evening. The first-term Alabama Republican, the youngest...
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos, expelled from Congress, says he is running again
WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December and faces federal charges of defrauding donors to his 2022 campaign, has announced he is running for the House again. Santos, a Republican who is just the sixth member to be ousted by fellow House members,...
Former British leader Theresa May says she’ll quit Parliament before an election this year
LONDON — Former British Prime Minister Theresa May announced Friday that she will quit as a lawmaker when an election is called this year, ending a 27-year parliamentary career that included three years as the nation’s leader during a period roiled by Brexit. May told her local newspaper, the Maidenhead...
How do animals react during a total solar eclipse? Scientists plan to find out in April
WASHINGTON — When a total solar eclipse transforms day into night, will tortoises start acting romantic? Will giraffes gallop? Will apes sing odd notes? Researchers will be standing by to observe how animals’ routines at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas are disrupted when skies dim on April 8. They...
How springing forward to daylight saving time could affect your health — and how to prepare
WASHINGTON — Most of America “springs forward” Sunday for daylight saving time and losing that hour of sleep can do more than leave you tired and cranky the next day. It also could harm your health. Darker mornings and more evening light together knock your body clock out of whack...
Transcript of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address
WASHINGTON — A transcript of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on March 7, 2024, as prepared for delivery and provided by the White House: Good evening. Mr. Speaker. Madam Vice President. Members of Congress. My Fellow Americans. In January 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt came to this chamber...
Senate passes bill to compensate Americans exposed to radiation by the government
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed legislation Thursday that would compensate Americans exposed to radiation by the government by renewing a law initially passed more than three decades ago. The bill by Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., would expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include more...
The new pro women’s hockey league allows more hitting. Players say they like showing those skills
LOWELL, Mass. — With an early-season PWHL game between Montreal and Boston winding down, the speakers blared the 1980s hit that had Olivia Newton-John singing “Let’s get physical.” And that’s just what the players did. In a break from previous top professional women’s hockey leagues, the PWHL has written into...
Shane Lowry shows good form is valuable at Bay Hill
ORLANDO, Fla. — Shane Lowry knew he was playing good golf because he gave himself a chance to win last week. He also knew his record at Bay Hill was as bad as any course he has played. Good form won out Thursday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Lowry made...
Bears, Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson agree to 4-year, $76M contract extension
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson agreed Thursday to a four-year, $76 million contract that guarantees him $54.4 million. Two people familiar with the situation confirmed the financial terms of the deal, which was first reported by the NFL Network. “We’re extremely excited to be...
Steve Lawrence, singer, entertainer and half of popular stage duo Steve & Eydie, dies at 88
NEW YORK — Steve Lawrence, a singer and top stage act who as a solo performer and in tandem with his wife Eydie Gorme kept Tin Pan Alley alive during the rock era, died Thursday. He was 88. Lawrence, whose hits included “Go Away Little Girl,” died from complications due...
Donald Trump will get juror names at New York criminal trial but they’ll be anonymous to the public
NEW YORK — Donald Trump will be allowed to know the names of jurors at his upcoming New York hush-money criminal trial. The public will not. Manhattan Judge Juan Manuel Merchan ruled Thursday to keep the yet-to-be-picked jury anonymous, with limited exceptions for the former president, his defense lawyers, prosecutors,...
United Airlines plane makes a safe emergency landing in LA after losing a tire during takeoff
LOS ANGELES — A United Airlines jetliner bound for Japan made a safe landing in Los Angeles on Thursday after losing a tire while taking off from San Francisco. Fire engines stood by at Los Angeles International Airport but weren’t needed, as the Boeing 777 made an uneventful landing and...
Broncos releasing star safety Justin Simmons in cost-saving move
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos are releasing safety Justin Simmons in the fallout from the Russell Wilson separation, according to multiple reports. Simmons immediately becomes one of the best veterans available when free agency begins next week. A second-team All-Pro in four of his last five seasons, Simmons intercepted...
Maple Leafs join NHL trade deadline party; Oilers, Avalanche make more moves
With one sleep left before the NHL trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs joined the party Thursday by bulking up on defense, while two Western Conference Stanley Cup contenders made more moves to improve in crucial areas. Colorado acquired a pair of versatile forwards from Central Division rivals, Brandon Duhaime...
Mitch Trubisky signs 2-year contract with Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Quarterback Mitch Trubisky is returning to Buffalo to reprise his role as Josh Allen’s backup after signing a two-year contract with the Bills on Thursday. The player selected No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft rejoins the Bills after failing to re-establish himself as a starter...
Britain says it will provide 10,000 drones to Ukraine in its fight against Russia
LONDON — Britain said Thursday that it would provide 10,000 drones to arm Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The announcement by Defense Secretary Grant Shapps during a visit in Kyiv with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy includes an investment of 125 million pounds ($160 million) on top of 200 million...
State of the Union guests spotlight divide on abortion and immigration but offer some rare unity
The invitation list for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday speaks volumes about what Democrats and Republicans want to focus on as the 2024 election season heats up. Biden and Democratic lawmakers have invited several healthcare providers and women whose lives have been impacted by stricter...
