Susan Sarandon dropped from Hollywood company after comments on Israel-Hamas war
NEW YORK — Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and “Scream” star Melissa Barrera were each dropped by Hollywood companies after making comments on the Israel-Hamas war that some deemed antisemitic. Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the upcoming “Scream VII,” acknowledged Barrera’s exit from the horror franchise. “The Mexican-born actress,...
Pope meets relatives of Israeli hostages and Palestinians in Gaza and sets off firestorm over words
Pope Francis met separately Wednesday with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinians living through the war and set off a firestorm by using words that Vatican diplomats usually avoid: “terrorism” and, according to the Palestinians, “genocide.” Francis spoke about the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians after his...
Democrats who swept Moms For Liberty off school board fight superintendent’s $700,000 exit deal
PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania school board that banned books, Pride flags and transgender athletes slipped a last-minute item into their final meeting before leaving office, hastily awarding a $700,000 exit package to the superintendent who supported their agenda. But the Democratic majority that swept the conservative Moms For Liberty slate...
Greensburg Garden Center gears up for annual holiday sale
Wreaths, garlands, trees, ornaments and other handmade decorations will be up for grabs at the Greensburg Garden Center’s annual holiday sale next week. The sale, scheduled for Dec. 1 and 2, features decorations made by about 30 of the center’s volunteers, said Co-President Carla Rusnica. Common items are artificial and...
Biden’s plan would raise salaries for Head Start teachers but could leave fewer spots for kids
WASHINGTON — A new plan from the Biden administration could significantly increase salaries for thousands of low-paid early childhood teachers caring for the country’s poorest children but might force some centers to reduce their enrollment. The Health and Human Services agency’s proposed federal rule would require Head Start programs, which...
If you haven’t started your Thanksgiving trip, you’re not alone. The busiest days are still to come
The late crush of holiday travelers is picking up steam, with about 2.7 million people expected to board flights on Wednesday and millions more planning to drive to Thanksgiving celebrations. Airline officials say they are confident that they can avoid the kind of massive disruptions that have marred past holiday...
The journey of Minnesota’s Rutt the moose is tracked by a herd of fans
A herd of followers are tracking a moose on the loose in southern Minnesota, hoping the majestic animal’s journey ends safely after it was spotted Tuesday 140 miles (225 km) northwest of Minneapolis. Fans have been tracking the young male moose for weeks and posting updates on a Facebook page...
JFK assassination remembered 60 years later by surviving witnesses to history, including AP reporter
DALLAS — Just minutes after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot as his motorcade rolled through downtown Dallas, Associated Press reporter Peggy Simpson rushed to the scene and immediately attached herself to the police officers who had converged on the building from which a sniper’s bullets had been fired....
Israeli official says talks continuing, hostage release won’t take place before Friday
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser says a planned hostage-for-prisoner swap with Hamas has been delayed until at least Friday. In a statement released late Wednesday, Tzachi Hanegbi said that contacts on the deal were continuing. “The release will begin according to the original agreement between...
Pennsylvania governor appeals decision blocking plan to make power plants pay for greenhouse gases
HARRISBURG — Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration said Tuesday that it is appealing a court ruling that blocked a state regulation to make Pennsylvania’s power plant owners pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, even as the Democrat warned lawmakers to get to work on a better alternative. In a statement,...
Authorities capture man accused of killing 3 in simmering Colorado property dispute
DENVER — A man was captured Tuesday after being on the run for one day after police say he fatally shot three people and critically wounded a fourth over a years-long property dispute regarding the use of an easement on the suspect’s property in rural Colorado, authorities said. The suspect,...
In tears, ex-Trump executive testifies he gave up company job because he was tired of legal woes
NEW YORK — Tearing up as he testified, Donald Trump’s former corporate controller said he “gave up” on his longtime job because he was worn out by the company’s legal woes. Jeffrey McConney was on the witness stand for a fourth day in six weeks at the ex-president’s civil fraud...
Giving thanks isn’t just a holiday tradition. It’s part of how humans evolved
NEW YORK — It’s the season of giving thanks — and it turns out humans have been doing it for a long, long time. As more researchers dig into the science of gratitude, they’ve found the feeling likely played a key role in helping our ancestors band together and survive....
Rosalynn Carter’s advocacy for mental health was rooted in compassion and perseverance
CONCORD, N.H. — The sun was shining in June 1979 as Rosalynn Carter made her way through an enthusiastic crowd in Laconia, New Hampshire. “She shook my hand!” yelled one delighted participant. The first lady was in the state for her husband’s reelection campaign, but this was no political rally....
Judge imposes stricter bond conditions on Trump co-defendant in Georgia election subversion case
ATLANTA — The Georgia judge overseeing the election subversion case against former President Donald Trump and others declined a request to revoke the bond of one of the defendants but did impose stricter bond conditions after prosecutors complained about his social media posts that mentioned witnesses and co-defendants. Fulton County...
Shooting that wounded 4 in Ohio is the 2nd to occur at a Walmart in 24 hoursVideo
BEAVERCREEK, Ohio — A gunman opened fire Monday evening inside a Walmart in Ohio and wounded four people before killing himself — the second shooting in 24 hours to take place at a store operated by the retail giant. The attack at the Walmart in Beavercreek, a suburb of Dayton,...
60 years after JFK’s death, today’s Kennedys choose other paths to public service
NEW YORK — Patrick Kennedy, son of Sen. Ted Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, remembers being a young state legislator in Rhode Island some 30 years ago and hearing encouraging words from the opposition leader at the time. “I just want you to know that no matter...
Israeli Cabinet approves cease-fire with Hamas that includes release of some 50 hostages
JERUSALEM — Israel’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a temporary cease-fire with the Hamas militant group that is expected to bring the first halt in fighting in a devastating six-week war and win freedom for dozens of hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip. The deal calls for a four-day cease-fire,...
Latest images from the Webb telescope present a new look at the vast universe
Make a wish — here are a half-million stars to choose from when you’re making it. The latest image from NASA’s James Webb telescope, released on Monday, looks deep into the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, showing a cluster of “baby” stars glowing within a dusty cloud. At the...
Court appears inclined to keep restricting Trump’s trial speech. But gag order could be narrowed
WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court appeared inclined Monday to reimpose at least some restrictions on Donald Trump’s speech in his landmark election subversion case. But the judges wrestled with how to craft a gag order that doesn’t infringe on the former president’s free speech rights or prevent him from...
Pa. lawmakers to get early holiday gift: a pay increase will bump base salary to $106k
Base salaries for lawmakers will soon top $106,000 a year, establishing Pennsylvania again as the third highest paid state legislature in the nation. The 3.5% pay raise starting Dec. 1, pushes yearly salaries to $106,422 — or $8.869 a month — up from the $102,844 received last December when lawmakers’...
Shapiro says unfinished business includes vouchers, more school funding and higher minimum wage
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Monday that his list of unfinished business for the state Legislature includes passing a private school voucher program, increasing the minimum wage and approving bills to curb gun violence. Shapiro also said he wants lawmakers to lift limits that prevent adult victims of...
Federal appeals court deals blow to Voting Rights Act, ruling that private plaintiffs can’t sue
WASHINGTON — A divided federal appeals court on Monday ruled that private individuals and groups such as the NAACP do not have the ability to sue under a key section of the federal Voting Rights Act, a decision voting rights advocates say could further erode protections under the landmark 1965...
What’s open and closed on Thanksgiving this year?
The holiday season is here, which means spending time with family on Thanksgiving and also, for millions of people, hunting for the best deals on Black Friday. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November each year, which takes place this week. A lot of national retailers are keeping...
Shippers anticipate being able to meet holiday demand
Carriers like the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and United Parcel Service have capacity to meet projected demand this holiday season, which is cheery news for shippers and shoppers alike. Like last year, there’s expected to be little drama compared to struggles during the pandemic when people hunkered down at home...
