NBC’s Chuck Todd lays into his network for hiring former RNC chief Ronna McDaniel as an analystVideo
NEW YORK — Former NBC News “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd criticized his network Sunday for hiring former Republican National Committee head Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor, saying on the air that many NBC journalists are uncomfortable with the decision. Todd spoke on “Meet the Press” after his...
Trump’s NYC hush money, fraud cases could reach boiling point
Donald Trump’s New York legal troubles are expected to reach a boiling point Monday in Manhattan, where he’s poised to make a last-ditch attempt to dodge legal jeopardy in the Stormy Daniels hush money saga — and faces the end of a grace period in his separate civil fraud case...
Worm moon to include extra special feature early Monday morning
It might be a little later in the evening for some folks, but the full worm moon will be putting on a show early Monday morning. March’s full moon, referred to as the worm moon by the Farmers’ Almanac because of its proximity to the spring equinox, will be at...
Geomagnetic storm from a solar flare could disrupt radio communications and create a striking aurora
BOULDER, Colo. — Space weather forecasters have issued a geomagnetic storm watch through Monday, saying an ouburst of plasma from a solar flare could interfere with radio transmissions on Earth. It could also make for great aurora viewing. There’s no reason for the public to be concerned, according to the...
New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy suspends her Senate campaign to replace indicted Sen. Menendez
WASHINGTON — New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy has suspended her U.S. Senate campaign to replace Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez as he faces federal corruption charges. Murphy announced her decision in a video posted to her social media on Sunday. “New Jersey’s next senator must focus on the issues of...
Concert hall attack dents Putin’s tough image. He tries to use it to rally support for Ukraine war
A week ago, President Vladimir Putin swaggered triumphantly onstage at a post-election event surrounded by young people in T-shirts reading “Putin — Russia — Victory,” and he confidently shrugged off Western criticism of the vote as neither free nor fair. This weekend, a very different Vladimir Putin addressed a nation...
Hardy souls across New England, New York dig out after major winter storm
BOSTON — Thousands of hardy souls across New England spent Sunday digging out after a major weekend storm dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas, caused multiple road accidents, downed power lines and left hundreds of thousands across the Northeast in the dark, some perhaps for days....
Acclaimed Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini dies at age 82
ROME — Maurizio Pollini, a Grammy-winning Italian pianist who performed frequently at La Scala opera house in Milan, has died. He was 82. Pollini died on Saturday, La Scala said in a statement. The announcement didn’t specify a cause of death, but Pollini had been forced to cancel a concert...
Palestinians describe heavy destruction, forced marches in ongoing Israeli raid around Gaza hospital
RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinians who fled during an ongoing Israeli raid in and around the Gaza Strip’s main hospital described days of heavy fighting, mass arrests, forced marches past dead bodies and flattened buildings in interviews Sunday. The Israeli military says it has killed over 170 militants and detained...
Oath Keepers’ son emerges from traumatic childhood to tell his own story in a long shot election bid
KALISPELL, Mont. — The eldest son of one of America’s most infamous seditionists is building a new life since breaking free from his father’s control — juggling work, college classes and volunteer firefighting. And Dakota Adams has tossed one more ball in the air this year: a Democratic campaign for...
Pope Francis skips Palm Sunday homily at start of busy Holy Week that will test his health
ROME — Pope Francis decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, avoiding a strenuous speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly frail health. Hobbled by bad knees and persistent respiratory problems, Francis also...
3 of 4 suspects charged in Russia concert hall attack admit guilt during court hearing
MOSCOW — Three of the four suspects charged with carrying out the concert hall attack in Moscow that killed more than 130 people admitted guilt for the incident in a Russian court Sunday. Moscow’s Basmanny District Court formally charged Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19; and Shamsidin...
Mifepristone access is coming before the U.S. Supreme Court. How safe is this abortion pill?
The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case Tuesday that could impact how women get access to mifepristone, one of the two pills used in the most common type of abortion in the nation. The central dispute in the case is whether the Food and Drug Administration overlooked serious...
Shapiro’s proposed energy policy needs GOP support
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — As part of what his administration is calling a “new era” of energy policy, Gov. Josh Shapiro...
4 Westmoreland athletes will represent U.S. at junior world kickboxing championship in Hungary
Xander Eddy’s friends at Norwin High School don’tbelieve him when he talks about the eight national and world kickboxing titles he holds. Eddy, 15, a sophomore at Norwin, started kickboxing when he was 4 years old. He dedicates 15 to 20 hours per week to training with his teammates, conditioning...
Pitt-Greensburg math professor wins national award for algebra textbook
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg math professor Kayla Heffernan won a national award for creating a college algebra textbook that uses a teaching method called guided inquiry. But Heffernan, 33, of Hunker, finds more value in the impact her work has had on students. The POGIL Project is a nonprofit...
Biden, Trump win Louisiana’s presidential primary
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump won Louisiana’s primary Saturday, collecting more delegates after they already clinched their party nominations. Biden also appeared in Missouri’s Democratic primary, with results not expected to be reported until next week. None of the races were in suspense. Biden and...
Biden views LGBTQ flag restriction as abusive, White House says
WASHINGTON — The White House criticized congressional Republicans for adding a ban on U.S. embassies flying the LGBTQ pride flag to a government funding bill, saying it abused the budget process and that President Joe Biden will work for its repeal. House Speaker Mike Johnson promoted the flag restriction as...
Kamala Harris tours bloodstained building where 2018 Parkland massacre happened
PARKLAND, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris toured on Saturday the bloodstained classroom building where the 2018 Parkland high school massacre happened, then announced a program to assist states that have laws allowing police to temporarily seize guns from people judges have found to be dangerous. Harris saw bullet-pocked walls...
Fulton County DA Fani Willis: Despite efforts to slow down Trump case, ‘the train is coming’
ATLANTA — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said Saturday the election interference prosecution against Donald Trump hasn’t been delayed by proceedings over her romantic relationship with a special prosecutor she hired for the case. “I don’t feel like we have been slowed down at all,” Willis told CNN in...
Rain helps contain wildfires in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
RICHMOND, Va. — Crews who have been battling wildfires in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley this week have gotten an assist from rain and from the state government, which has deployed new resources to the area, officials said Saturday. “Without a doubt, the rain is helping” said Cory Swift, a spokesperson for...
Drag story hour at library canceled after suspicious package, threats
LANCASTER — A scheduled “Drag Queen Story Hour” at a Pennsylvania library that had drawn opposition was canceled Saturday after a suspicious package was found in the building and two blocks were evacuated after threats were reported, authorities said. Police evacuated Lancaster Public Library after the package was found. A...
New England battling a mix of wind, rain, sleet and heavy snow
BOSTON — It might officially be spring, but New England is battling a wintry weather combination across the region Saturday with more than a foot of snow expected in ski country, and rain, wind and possible flooding in southern areas and along the coast. In Maine, the National Weather Service...
Wyoming governor vetoes bill to allow concealed carry in public schools and meetings
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to carry concealed guns in public schools and government meetings. In his veto letter Friday night, Gordon said he had concerns the bill would exceed the separation of powers provision in the state...
Heavy rains kill at least 7 in Rio de Janeiro state, 4-year-old rescued after 16 hours under mud
PETROPOLIS, Brazil — Heavy rains in Rio de Janeiro state have killed at least seven people, authorities said Saturday, while a 4-year-old girl was rescued after more than 16 hours under mud. The girl was pulled out alive in the city of Petropolis, 43 miles north of Rio. Rescue teams...
