Democrats confront limits of their minority power after bruising shutdown vote
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats were grim Friday as they left Washington after a brutal 10-week stretch that consistently showed the limits of their power in the minority — and culminated with a deeply personal rupture over how to best counter President Donald Trump. “Everyone made hard decisions, right? Really hard...
Voters flood town halls with fears of Social Security cuts, putting heat on GOP over Musk and DOGE
HOLLAND, Mich. — One after another, callers on a telephone town hall with U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga pressed the Michigan Republican about possible cuts to Social Security. Among them was a retired teacher and coach from West Michigan who said he and his wife, both with disabilities, have struggled to...
California man wins $50 million in lawsuit over burns from Starbucks tea
LOS ANGELES — A delivery driver has won $50 million in a lawsuit after being seriously burned when a Starbucks drink spilled in his lap at a California drive-through, court records show. A Los Angeles County jury found Friday for Michael Garcia, who underwent skin grafts and other procedures on...
Monster storm across the U.S. sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17
The threat of violent tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as well as destructive as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, with at least 17 people killed and scores of homes decimated. The most fatalities as of Saturday morning were in...
Republican legislation seeks to ban Chinese nationals from studying in the U.S.
WASHINGTON — A group of House Republicans on Friday put forward legislation seeking to prevent Chinese students from studying in American schools as some U.S. lawmakers are targeting China over national security concerns. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., introduced the bill that could bar Chinese nationals from receiving visas that allow...
Appeals court lifts blocks on Trump’s orders restricting diversity, equity and inclusion programs
WASHINGTON — An appeals court Friday lifted a block on executive orders seeking to end government support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, handing the Trump administration a win after a string of setbacks defending President Donald Trump’s agenda against dozens of lawsuits. The decision from a three-judge panel allows...
SpaceX launches a new crew to the space station to replace NASA’s stuck astronauts
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The replacements for NASA’s two stuck astronauts launched to the International Space Station on Friday night, paving the way for the pair’s return after nine long months. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams need SpaceX to get this relief team to the space station before they can...
Senate passes six-month funding bill hours before shutdown deadline
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a six-month spending bill Friday hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law. The vote was 54-46. Democrats voiced frustration that Republicans went ahead with a measure they said...
Measles cases reach nearly 300 in Texas and New Mexico. Here’s what you should know
Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico are now up to nearly 300 cases, and two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines...
Democratic Party fractures in government shutdown fight, with anger running high
WASHINGTON — The Democratic Party fractured Friday as a torrent of frustration and anger was unleashed at Senate Democrats, who faced what they saw as an awful choice: shut down the government or consent to a Republican funding bill that allows President Donald Trump to continue slashing the federal government....
Oz pledges to fight health care fraud but makes no commitments on Medicaid funding cuts
WASHINGTON — Dr. Mehmet Oz promised senators on Friday to fight health care fraud and push to make Americans healthier if he becomes the next leader of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. But the former heart surgeon and TV personality dodged several opportunities to say broadly whether he...
Man charged with intoxication manslaughter in Texas crash involving 17 vehicles that killed 5 people
A man was charged Friday with intoxication manslaughter after five people were killed and several injured in a late-night wreck in Austin, Texas, that involved over a dozen vehicles on Interstate 35, authorities said. Authorities said that the five people killed in the crash that involved 17 vehicles Thursday just...
Voice of America ending contracts with Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France Presse
The government agency that runs the Voice of America has moved to terminate contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse, and told its journalists Friday to stop using material from the wire services. Kari Lake, the former broadcaster turned Republican politician who was selected by President Donald Trump...
What’s Pi Day all about? Math, science, pies and more
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Math enthusiasts around the world, from college students to rocket scientists, celebrate Pi Day, which is March 14 or 3/14 — the first three digits of an infinite number with many practical uses. Many people will mark the day with a slice of pie —...
Alabama to execute inmate who dropped appeals and asked for death
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama has set an April execution date for a man who dropped his appeals and asked to be put to death for the 2010 rape and murder of a woman. James Osgood, 55, will be executed by lethal injection on April 24, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced....
Mark Carney is sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister as country deals with Trump’s trade war
TORONTO — Former central banker Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister Friday, and will now try to steer his country through a trade war brought by U.S. President Donald Trump, a threat of annexation and an expected federal election. Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,...
Head of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been killed, Iraqi prime minister says
BAGHDAD — The head of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been killed in Iraq in an operation by members of the Iraqi national intelligence service along with U.S.-led coalition forces, the Iraqi prime minister announced Friday. “The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness...
Gallery: Photos from March 14, 2025
Embark on a visual journey around the Western Pennsylvania region with TribLive’s latest collection of captivating images for Friday, March 14, 2025....
Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, who bridged partisan gaps with his quick wit, dies at age 93
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, a political legend whose quick wit bridged partisan gaps in the years before today’s political acrimony, has died. He was 93. Simpson died early Friday after struggling to recover from a broken hip in December, according to a statement from his family...
Hundreds of federal offices could begin closing this summer at DOGE’s behest, AP reveals
Federal agencies will begin to vacate hundreds of offices across the country this summer under a frenetic and error-riddled push by Elon Musk’s budget-cutting advisers to terminate leases that they say waste money. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency maintains a list of canceled real estate leases on its website, but...
Millions of people celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors
NEW DELHI — Millions of people in South Asia celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, on Friday by smearing each other with brightly colored powder, dancing to festive music and feasting on traditional sweets prepared for the occasion. The raucous spring festival sees Hindus take part in a kaleidoscopic...
Trump will visit the Justice Department, months after his criminal prosecutions were dismissed
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is set to visit the Justice Department on Friday to rally support for his administration’s tough-on-crime agenda, an appearance expected to double as a victory lap after he emerged legally and politically unscathed from two federal prosecutions that were dismissed after his election win last...
Serbia’s capital Belgrade on edge ahead of a major rally testing the ruling populists
BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia’s capital Belgrade was on edge on Friday ahead of a major anti-government rally this weekend with populist authorities of President Aleksandar Vucic ramping up efforts to dissuade people from attending. The protest on Saturday is seen as a culmination of months of anti-graft demonstrations in the...
American Airlines Boeing 737 catches fire at Denver airport
DENVER — Twelve people were taken to hospitals after an American Airlines plane landed at Denver International Airport on Thursday and caught fire, prompting slides to be deployed so passengers could evacuate quickly. All of the people transported to hospitals had minor injuries, according to a post on the social...
What to know about tariffs: Experts warn of harm, but some want ‘pound of flesh’
The trade war launched by President Donald Trump against Canada, China and Mexico and what could end up involving countries around the world is unprecedented, national economic and legal experts say. “Businesses no longer have any idea how to plan,” said Timothy Meyer, an international business law professor at Duke...
