Associated Press stories, Page 850
Federal judge strikes down Texas law requiring age verification to view porn sites
A federal judge has struck down a Texas law requiring age verification and health warnings to view pornographic websites and blocked the state attorney general’s office from enforcing it. In a ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Ezra agreed with claims that House Bill 1181, which was signed into law...
Ryan Preece cleared to race Darlington after scary Daytona crash last weekVideo
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Ryan Preece has been cleared to race in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway after his frightening crash at Daytona a week ago. “I’ll see you at Darlington,” Preece said in a social media video posted Friday by his Stewart-Haas Racing team. “I’m sitting right here, I’m...
U.S. will regulate nursing home staffing for 1st time, but proposal lower than many advocates hoped
NEW YORK — The federal government will, for the first time, dictate staffing levels at nursing homes, the Biden administration said Friday, responding to systemic problems bared by mass covid deaths. While such regulation has been sought for decades by allies of older adults and those with disabilities, the proposed...
From strikes to new union contracts, Labor Day’s organizing roots are especially visible this year
NEW YORK — Labor Day is right around the corner, along with the big sales and barbecues that come with it. But the activist roots of the holiday are especially visible this year as unions challenge how workers are treated — from Hollywood to the auto production lines of Detroit....
U.S. employers added 187,000 jobs in August in sign of a still-resilient labor market
WASHINGTON — The nation’s employers added 187,000 jobs in August, evidence of a slowing but still-resilient labor market despite the high interest rates the Federal Reserve has imposed. The job growth marked an increase from July’s revised gain of 157,000 but still pointed to a moderating pace of hiring compared...
ACC becomes latest power conference to expand cross-country by adding Stanford, Cal and SMU
The ACC voted Friday to add Stanford, California and SMU to the league next year, providing a landing spot for two more schools from the disintegrating Pac-12 and creating a fourth super conference in major college sports. The additions make the ACC the latest power conference to expand its membership...
Pa. to end state funding for anti-abortion counseling centers
HARRISBURG — For nearly 30 years, Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania have approved millions of taxpayer dollars for an anti-abortion program. Now the state’s new governor plans to end the contract as the organization that distributes those funds and other groups like it gain attention since the overturning of...
No. 7 Penn State ready to go against West Virginia with QB Drew Allar, decorated supporting castVideo
STATE COLLEGE — James Franklin has a pretty good idea of what he will see from quarterback Drew Allar on Saturday night. Penn State’s coach saw glimpses last season, and he has seen it all summer. The strong-armed sophomore is ready to take over what could be one of the...
Man convicted of killing girlfriend escapes Pa. prison
WEST CHESTER — A man recently convicted of murder in Pennsylvania for the fatal stabbing his ex-girlfriend remained at large Friday, a day after he escaped from a county jail. Danelo Cavalcante, 34, is also wanted in his native Brazil in a separate slaying and is considered an extremely dangerous...
Norwin grad Jack Salopek leads Western Michigan past St. Francis (Pa.)
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Jalen Buckley ran for 194 yards and a touchdown, and Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor got his first win at the helm with a 35-17 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) on Thursday night in a season opener. Buckley scored from 3 yards out with 5:40 left in...
Ronald Acuna becomes 1st player with 30 HRs and 60 stolen bases
LOS ANGELES — Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a long grand slam in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night, becoming the first player in major-league history with 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases in the same season. Acuna sent a 429-foot shot to deep...
ESPN networks go dark on Charter Spectrum cable systems on busy night for sports
ESPN is among a number of Disney Entertainment channels that have gone dark on Charter Spectrum cable systems. The channels went off the air Thursday night because of a carriage dispute between the nation’s second-largest cable TV provider — which is the major carrier in New York and Los Angeles,...
Aaron Rodgers’ football legacy could soar with Jets if he wins in Big AppleVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers was still a couple of months away from being wined and dined by the New York Jets when Joe Namath stepped up with an offer of his own. Wear my retired No. 12, Broadway Joe told him. If that helps get you to New...
Kevin Harvick ‘in heaven’ as he readies for final NASCAR playoff runVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kevin Harvick’s got little time for nostalgia, even as his stellar career winds down with his final NASCAR playoffs. “I mean, I don’t really go through it like that,” the 2014 Cup Series champion said Thursday. “I think for me, it’s all a last, right?” Harvick, 47,...
Titans’ Derrick Henry ready to remind everyone what running backs mean to NFL
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Derrick Henry, who has run for more yards than anyone else since the start of the 2016 NFL season, seems like a man on a mission. First, help the Tennessee Titans win in the final year of his current deal and make his case for a third...
Rams WR Cooper Kupp suffers setback with hamstring injury
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp did not practice Thursday because of a nagging hamstring injury. Coach Sean McVay said it was “a little muscle strain” but added it was a setback for the Super Bowl 56 MVP. Kupp suffered the injury during the first week...
John Isner’s U.S. Open, career end in a 5th-set tiebreak loss
NEW YORK — John Isner’s career fittingly ended with a final-set tiebreaker. Isner put a volley into the net to end the match at what he had announced would be his final singles tournament, falling in the U.S. Open second round to fellow American Michael Mmoh, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (3),...
Food ads are in the crosshairs as Burger King, others face lawsuits for false advertising
Food ads have long made their subjects look bigger, juicier and crispier than they are in real life. But some consumers say those mouthwatering ads can cross the line into deception, and that’s leading to a growing number of lawsuits. Burger King is the latest company in the crosshairs. In...
Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell can continue with his work schedule, congressional physician says
WASHINGTON — The attending physician to Congress said Thursday that he had cleared Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to continue with his planned schedule after evaluating an incident in which McConnell appeared to freeze up at an event in Kentucky. But the health episode — his second in public this...
Vikings agree to terms with Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson on contract extension
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a contract extension Thursday with tight end T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson was the eighth overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2019 draft out of Iowa. The two-time Pro Bowl pick was acquired in a deadline-day trade last year by...
ACC sets presidents meeting with expansion unresolved
ACC university leaders are set to meet Friday morning as the league tries to come to a decision on expanding west with Stanford, California and SMU, a person with direct knowledge of the meeting told the Associated Press. It was unclear if the presidents will take a decisive vote on...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson selected as 1 of 5 team captains
CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson is one of the Cleveland Browns’ captains. The quarterback, who was suspended 11 games last season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, was one of five players elected by their teammates. Watson was banned by the league after more than two dozen women accused him...
Gil Brandt, who helped build Cowboys into ‘America’s Team,’ dies at 91
DALLAS — Gil Brandt, overshadowed by coach Tom Landry and general manager Tex Schramm as part of the trio that built the Dallas Cowboys into “America’s Team” in the 1970s, has died. He was 91. The Pro Football Hall of Fame said Brandt died Thursday morning. No cause of death...
Elon Musk says X, formerly Twitter, will have voice and video calls, updates privacy policy
SAN FRANCISCO — Elon Musk said Thursday that his social network X, formerly known as Twitter, will give users the ability to make voice and video calls on the platform. Musk, who has a history of making proclamations about coming features and policies that have not always come to fruition,...
Squeezing in one last summer trip over Labor Day weekend? Expect crowded airports and full flights
DALLAS — By some measures, air travelers have enjoyed a less stressful summer than last year, but canceled flights remain elevated as airlines face their last big test of the prime vacation season: Labor Day weekend. The Federal Aviation Administration predicts that this will be the third busiest holiday weekend...
