National News
House passes bill that would lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner doesn't sell. Senate path unclear
WASHINGTON (AP) - The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company's current ownership structure is a national security threat. The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to...
Mar 13, 2024
Pentagon study finds no sign of alien life in reported UFO sightings going back decades
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Pentagon study released Friday that examined reported sightings of UFOs over nearly the last century found no evidence of aliens or extraterrestrial intelligence, a conclusion consistent with past U.S. government efforts to assess the accuracy of claims that have captivated public attention for deca...
Mar 08, 2024
What is Ramadan and how do Muslims observe the Islamic holy month?
CAIRO (AP) - Observant Muslims the world over will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts. For Muslims, it's a time of increased worship, charity and good deeds. Socially, it often brings families and friends together in festive gatherings around meal...
Mar 08, 2024
Power lines ignited the largest wildfire in Texas history and one nearby, officials say
Power lines ignited massive wildfires across the Texas Panhandle that killed at least two people, destroyed homes and livestock, and left a charred landscape, officials said Thursday, including the largest blaze in state history. The Texas A&M Forest Service said its investigators concluded that power lines ignited...
Mar 08, 2024
Takeaways from Biden's State of the Union address: Combative attacks on a foe with no name
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State of the Union address is one of the durable set pieces of the presidency, a forum that almost always favors the speaker in a one-way conversation with millions of Americans. Most of the speeches are instantly dissected, and almost as quickly forgotten. But this is a most unusual year, with Pr...
Mar 08, 2024
IRS alert: Beware of companies misrepresenting nutrition, wellness and general health expenses as medical care for FSAs, HSAs, HRAs and MSAs
WASHINGTON - Amid concerns about people being misled, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers and heath spending plan administrators that personal expenses for general health and wellness are not considered medical expenses under the tax law. This means personal expenses are not deductible or reimbursable...
Mar 07, 2024
Why are clocks set forward in the spring? Thank wars, confusion and a hunger for sunlight
DALLAS (AP) - Once again, most Americans will set their clocks forward by one hour this weekend, losing perhaps a bit of sleep but gaining more glorious sunlight in the evenings as the days warm into summer. Where did this all come from, though? How we came to move the clock forward in the spring, and then push it back...
Mar 07, 2024
'Rust' armorer convicted of involuntary manslaughter in fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin on movie set
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A jury convicted a movie weapons supervisor of involuntary manslaughter Wednesday in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal on the set of the Western movie "Rust." The verdict against movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed assigned new blame in the ...
Mar 07, 2024
State of the Union: What to watch as Biden addresses the nation
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State of the Union speech is one of the biggest pieces of political theater every year. It's rooted in a simple requirement in the U.S. Constitution that directs the president to "give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as...
Mar 06, 2024
MH370 disappeared a decade ago. Here's what we know about one of aviation's biggest mysteries
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - A decade ago on March 8, a Malaysia Airlines flight vanished without a trace, becoming one of aviation's biggest mysteries. Investigators still do not know exactly what happened to the plane and its 239 passengers. But Malaysia's government said Sunday it may renew the hunt for MH370 after...
Mar 06, 2024