AP National

AP Science Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The hidden figures of the space race were recognized with Congress’ highest honor at a medal ceremony on Wednesday. The Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the families of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson and Christine Darden at the U.S. Capitol. Darden watched the ceremony from her

Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A federal control board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances says it will step in to help speed up projects to fix the island’s crumbling power grid as widespread outages persist. Robert Mujica, the board’s executive director, said Wednesday that only $1.2 billion out of more than $17

Associated Press BRIGANTINE, N.J. (AP) — Opponents of offshore wind around the U.S. are pelting the projects with lawsuits, seeking to cancel them or tie them up for years in costly litigation. It’s just the latest challenge the industry must overcome, along with escalating prices, shaky supply chains, and some highly publicized turbine failures. There

Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have a new teammate in their bid to build a new $1.3 billion arena downtown. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on Wednesday a deal with team owners to keep the NBA franchise in town. This decision came despite objections from nearby Chinatown residents. Team owners say the planned

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — The highest peak at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is officially reverting to its Cherokee name more than 150 years after a surveyor named it for a Confederate general. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted on Wednesday in favor of a request from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to

AP Sports Writer COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets opened training camp still weighed down by the grief of losing star forward Johnny Gaudreau three weeks ago. One of the worst teams in the NHL last season, the Blue Jackets must find a way to move forward with a new general manager and

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is demanding that former secretary of public security Genaro García Luna, who was convicted on drug trafficking charges in the United States last year, present evidence to support his accusations that the president has links to drug trafficking. López Obrador was responding Wednesday to a

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is moving to clarify how homeowners and businesses can receive lucrative tax credits for installing electric vehicle chargers. A rule proposed Wednesday by the Treasury Department would make credits worth up to $1,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses available for each EV charger that is installed.

Associated Press NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AP) — Air Force Special Operations Command says it is weeks from deploying its fleet of CV-22B Osprey aircraft for counter terror operations, after grounding its crews in the wake of a fatal crash last November in Japan. Its top commander said Wednesday that the command has taken a hard

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A New Hampshire woman suffered burns on her leg after hiking off trail in Yellowstone National Park and falling into scalding water in a thermal area near the Old Faithful geyser, park officials said. The 60-year-old woman from Windsor, New Hampshire, along with her husband and their dog were

Associated Press DEER PARK, Texas (AP) — A pipeline fire that forced hundreds of people to flee their homes in the Houston suburbs is burning for a third day, with officials saying they don’t expect it to be extinguished until sometime Thursday evening. Officials say residents who had to evacuate will be allowed to return

The Norman City Council has approved a plan for a $1.1 billion entertainment district that would include a new arena for Oklahoma basketball and gymnastics. The City Council voted 5-4 after midnight Wednesday for the district that in addition to Oklahoma athletics, would host concerts, trade shows, meetings, graduations and other events. Oklahoma men’s basketball

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Prosecutors in Southern California have charged 10 people with failing to disperse during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of California, Irvine that led to a clash with police. The Orange County District Attorney’s office said Wednesday those facing misdemeanor charges include two UCI professors and four students. All ten

Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina inmate scheduled to be executed Friday is asking Gov. Henry McMaster to spare his life. No governor in the state has done that since the death penalty was restarted nearly 50 years ago. McMaster has said he will stick to the historic practice of announcing his

AP Film Writer Ten years after “Whiplash” took the film world by storm, Damien Chazelle’s breakthrough film is returning to theaters nationwide Friday. In 2014, “Whiplash” was the ultimate indie movie Cinderella story—a Sundance discovery made by a 20-something that that would go on to become both a box office hit and an awards darling:

Associated Press DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The global vaccine alliance Gavi says it will buy 500,000 doses of vaccine against mpox to fight outbreaks of the disease in African countries. Gavi said Wednesday that the vaccine doses — manufactured by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic — will be available this year, without giving any specific

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A high-ranking official with Haiti’s National Office of Migration has been killed in the north coastal city of Cap-Haitien. A reporter with Radio Caraïbes who was at the scene said  Kerwin Augustin, a regional representative who oversaw Haiti’s northern region, was shot near his house on Wednesday and died at a

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A respected human rights organization in Belarus says dozens of teachers have been detained or interrogated by authorities as part of the country’s wide-ranging crackdown on dissent. Pavel Sapelka, a spokesman for the Viasna rights group told The Associated Press on Wednesday that moves against teachers began in September and that

AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — #MeToo activist Tarana Burke says that while the details of the Sean “Diddy” Combs allegations are horrific, she is heartened by the fact that such cases now come out in public due to the ongoing impact of the #MeToo cultural reckoning. Burke also notes that the original lawsuit

Associated Press ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria has warned of possible flooding in 11 states following the release of water from a dam in neighboring Cameroon. The Nigerian hydrological agency said on Wednesday that water would be released from the Lagdo dam gradually and could cause flooding, but that there was no cause for alarm.

Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — The owner and manager of the cargo ship that caused the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse recklessly cut corners and ignored known electrical problems on the vessel, the Justice Department alleged Wednesday in a lawsuit seeking to recover more than $100 million that the government spent to clear the underwater debris

AP Sports Writer ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski is retiring from broadcasting to return to his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, to take over the newly created position of general manager of the men’s basketball program, the Atlantic 10 school announced Wednesday. Wojnarowski will oversee a wide range of responsibilities while working alongside coach Mark Schmidt

Associated Press ST. LOUIS (AP) — A man used construction equipment to drop a heavy boom lift onto a sculpture that has stood for 25 years outside St. Louis’ Cathedral Basilica, badly damaging it, police said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the Angel of Harmony, which stood 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall and depicts a

AP Congressional Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is preparing a series of Senate resolutions that would stop more than $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel. It’s a longshot political effort but the most substantive pushback yet from Congress over the devastation in Gaza ahead of the first year anniversary of

AP Science Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have discovered the longest pair of jets streaming from a black hole in a distant galaxy. The jets shooting hot plasma are the largest ever spotted – about as long as 140 Milky Way galaxies lined up end-to-end. “This one has managed to reach a size that’s

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy is taking lessons from its combat in the Red Sea over the past year and what Ukraine has done to hold off the Russians in the Black Sea to help U.S. military leaders prepare the service for a potential future conflict with China. From drones and unmanned surface

Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — Prosecutors in Thailand say eight former security personnel accused of responsibility for the deaths of 78 Muslim men arrested 20 years ago will be indicted on murder charges. The 2004 case earned special notoriety because of the manner in which the victims died. They were arrested following a violent protest

AP National Writer Not long after Edwin Moses figured out how to attack the solution to track’s ultimate math problem, he transformed himself into the best hurdler in history. That then gave the engineer-turned-Olympic champion the platform to go after even more difficult problems. The title to a new documentary on Moses, “13 Steps,” pays

AP Fashion Writer MILAN (AP) — Milan designers dipped into neutrals and muted tones for next summer on the second day of Milan Fashion Week. The color story on Wednesday reflected both a conservative streak in troubled times and a move toward thoughtful production of garments that can anchor any wardrobe. Even Roberto Cavalli opened

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The National Toy Hall of Fame is floating the idea of inducting balloons. They are among the 12 finalists being considered for the honor later this year, alongside other first-time contenders including the trampoline and the party game Apples to Apples. Also nominated are the “Choose Your Own Adventure” gamebooks, Hess

AP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — Representatives for former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris’ transition teams met for the first time at the White House, the Biden administration announced Wednesday, as the outgoing administration plans to smooth the handoff to whomever wins in November. Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients hosted a

AP Music Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Lin-Manuel Miranda argues most New Yorkers have an answer to the following question: When did you first see “The Warriors”? The 1979 cult classic about gangs in New York is the inspiration for a new musical concept album from Miranda and actor and playwriter Eisa Davis. The project

Donna Kelce is the latest family member to make her mark on the world of entertainment, cameoing in two upcoming Hallmark Christmas movies that, naturally, are football-themed. True to form, she won’t be playing favorites between her sons, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. “Holiday Touchdown:

Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed frustration Wednesday at surprise escalations that threaten to derail efforts to broker a cease-fire deal in Gaza, noting that the United States is assessing a deadly attack that caused pagers used by Hezbollah to explode in Lebanon. Blinken spoke to reporters in Cairo,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday that its online renewal system is now fully operational, after testing in pilot programs, and available to adult passport holders whose passport has expired within the past five years

AP Basketball Writer The WNBA is headed back to Portland, with Oregon’s biggest city getting an expansion team that will begin play in 2026. The team will be owned and operated by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. They paid $125 million for the franchise. The Bhathals started having conversations with

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Soldiers and residents in southwestern Poland are laying sandbags near swollen rivers around the city of Wroclaw to protect homes and businesses after days of flooding across Central Europe. Poland joins Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania in being hard hit by floods following record rains in the region starting last

Associated Press MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani police say they have arrested the key suspect in the gang rape of a woman polio worker who was assaulted by three men during last week’s vaccination campaign. Two other suspects in the case are still at large. A local police official said on Wednesday that the suspect,

Edmunds Vehicle recalls are an important part of automotive safety. But they can also be quite a hassle for owners. Taking your vehicle to the dealership for an unexpected repair or fix is just one more thing you have to plan for. Happily, things are changing. With many of the newest vehicles, some recalls can

AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Tupperware Brands has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company that revolutionized food storage decades ago and became inextricably linked to the parties where women seeking a measure of financial independence and fun in midcentury America sold the colorful products says it will seek court approval for

PAWLET, Vt. (AP) — Vermont State Police say a town official, his wife and her son were found shot to death in their home over the weekend. Police identified them as 46-year-old Brian Crossman, 41-year-old Erica Crossman and 13-year-old Colin Taft. Police say they were found dead Sunday and all three deaths were ruled homicides.

Associated Press LONDON (AP) — The chief executive of Britain’s scandal-ridden Post Office will step down next year. The resignation comes as criticism mounts over the speed of compensation payments to branch managers wrongly convicted of theft or fraud because of a faulty computer system. Nick Read said Wednesday it has been a “great privilege”

BEIJING (AP) — China has announced sanctions on American companies selling arms to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and threatens to annex by force. Chinese state media made the announcement on Wednesday, citing the Foreign Ministry, but gave no details on the companies involved. Taiwan is awaiting deliveries

AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by an unusually large half-point, a dramatic shift after more than two years of high rates that helped tame inflation but also made borrowing painfully expensive for American consumers. The rate cut, the Fed’s first in more than four

AP Technology Writer Government scientists and artificial intelligence experts from at least nine countries and the European Union will meet in San Francisco after the U.S. elections to coordinate on safely developing AI technology and averting its dangers. President Joe Biden’s administration on Wednesday announced a two-day international AI safety gathering planned for November 20

Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian drones have struck a large military depot in a town deep inside Russia overnight, causing a huge blaze and prompting the evacuation of residents. A Ukrainian official and Russian news reports said the strike destroyed Russian warehouses in Toropets, a town in Russia’s Tver region northwest of Moscow.

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA has teamed up with the World Health Organization for a campaign to educate the soccer industry about the risks of concussion injuries. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says “concussion is a public health issue of concern.” FIFA is sending a toolkit to all 211 national federations. It’s to help teach at

AP Business Writer LONDON (AP) — Google has won a court challenge against a 1.49 billion euro European Union antitrust fine imposed five years ago that targeted its online advertising business. The EU’s General Court said Wednesday it was throwing out the 2019 penalty imposed by the European Commission, which is the 27-nation bloc’s top

Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — A range of stars from the stage, screen and sport has gathered to pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter ahead of his 100th birthday. The eclectic lineup rolled out Tuesday was meant to highlight the 39th president’s emphasis on human rights and his love of music as a universal

Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Washington’s longtime attorney general and a former sheriff known for his work hunting down a notorious serial killer traded accusations of lying to voters during their gubernatorial debate Wednesday, as each made his case for becoming the next governor of the Democratic stronghold state. When ex-sheriff and former U.S. Rep.

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein is facing a new sex crime charge from as he awaits retrial in his landmark #MeToo case in New York. The ex-movie mogul pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a new charge of committing a criminal sex act. A new indictment accuses him of forcing oral sex on

Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — A drug dealer who sold a fentanyl-laced pill is liable for $5.8 million in the death of the woman to whom he sold it. Matt Capelouto has sought justice for his 20-year-old daughter, Alexandra, since her death in 2019, initially winning a civil lawsuit for wrongful death against the

Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian police say they have infiltrated Ghost, an encrypted global communications app developed for criminals, leading to dozens of arrests. The app’s alleged administrator, Jay Je Yoon Jung, appeared in a Sydney court on Wednesday on charges including supporting a criminal organization and benefiting from proceeds of crime. Australian