Associated Press stories, Page 147
ICE entices new recruits with patriotism pitch, promise of $50,000 signing bonuses
WASHINGTON — The agency responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump’s mass deportations is launching a recruiting campaign to entice “brave and heroic Americans” to serve as new deportation officers, lawyers and investigators as the government gears up for a major expansion of immigration enforcement thanks to a recent infusion...
Shohei Ohtani leaves mound with trainer after throwing 6 straight balls, including 2 wild pitches
CINCINNATI — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani left the mound accompanied by a trainer during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night. Ohtani threw six straight balls — including two consecutive wild pitches — and, after a conference on the mound, departed with a 2-0...
Brown University strikes agreement to resolve discrimination complaints and restore federal funding
WASHINGTON — Brown University will pay $50 million to Rhode Island workforce development organizations in a deal with the Trump administration that restores lost federal research funding and ends investigations into alleged discrimination, officials said Wednesday. The university also agreed to several concessions in line with President Donald Trump’s political...
Recall issued over Celsius energy drinks mistakenly containing vodka
MODESTO, Calif. — Energy drinks that mistakenly contain vodka are being recalled in half a dozen states. High Noon is recalling two production lots of High Noon Beach Variety packs because some packs include cans containing vodka that were mislabeled as Celsius Astro Vibe Energy Drink, according to a U.S....
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, 5 others charged with running illegal poker games at his LA mansion
LOS ANGELES — Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was arrested Wednesday along with five other people, including a suspected member of an Israeli organized crime group, on suspicion of hosting illegal high-stakes poker games at a Los Angeles mansion owned by Arenas, federal prosecutors said. All six defendants are charged...
Colorado dentist convicted of murder, gets life sentence for lacing wife’s shakes with poison
CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A Colorado dentist was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday in the death of his wife, whose protein shakes he laced with poison before delivering a fatal dose of cyanide. District Judge Shay Whitaker sentenced James Craig to life without the possibility of parole, the mandatory sentence...
ESPN cuts ties Shannon Sharpe after settlement of sexual assault lawsuit, AP source says
Hall of Fame tight end-turned-broadcaster Shannon Sharpe will not return to ESPN, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press on Wednesday. The decision comes less than two weeks after Sharpe resolved a lawsuit that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman during their relationship. The person...
NFL’s new kickoff rule here to stay, with slight tweak
The NFL’s one-year experiment with the new kickoff rule becomes permanent this season with a tweak that the league hopes will lead to a bigger increase in the rate of returns. The league also approved changes to the overtime rule, expanded replay assist and made a few other technical changes...
Ohio city whose Haitian migrants were disparaged by Trump braces to defend them against deportationVideo
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — An Ohio city whose Haitian migrants were disparaged by President Donald Trump last year as he pitched voters on his plans for an immigration crackdown is now bracing to defend the community against possible deportation. A group of about 100 community members, clergy and Haitian leaders in...
Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor in 2026
LOS ANGELES — Former Vice President Kamala Harris will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028. “Over the past six months, I have spent time reflecting on this moment in our nation’s history...
Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged even as Trump demands cuts
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve left its key short-term interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year, brushing off repeated calls from President Donald Trump for a cut. The Fed’s decision Wednesday leaves its key short-term rate at about 4.3%, where it has stood after the central bank reduced...
U.S. to share biometric data with Chile ‘to track criminals,’ Homeland Security’s Noem says
SANTIAGO, Chile — The United States will deploy biometric technologies in partnership with Chile to control migration and disrupt criminal networks, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday during a visit to the South American nation. “This arrangement is going to serve as a bridge to help Chile and the...
Demolition begins on last pieces of Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge
BALTIMORE — Demolition crews are using giant saws, backhoes and other heavy equipment to remove large sections of the remaining pieces of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed last year after a container ship lost power and veered off course, killing six people. Its replacement, which is expected to...
Trump administration is launching a new private health tracking system with Big Tech’s help
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is pushing an initiative for millions of Americans to upload personal health data and medical records on new apps and systems run by private tech companies, promising that will make it easier to access health records and monitor wellness. Leaders from more than 60 companies,...
Trump administration freezes $108M at Duke amid inquiry into alleged racial preferences
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is freezing $108 million in research funding to Duke University as the federal government accuses the school of racial discrimination in the form of affirmative action, according to a person familiar with the matter. The National Institutes of Health halted the funding to the private...
FDA vaccine chief leaving agency after less than 3 months
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration’s polarizing vaccine chief is leaving the agency after a brief tenure that drew the ire of biotech executives, patient groups and conservative allies of President Donald Trump. Dr. Vinay Prasad “did not want to be a distraction” and was stepping down from his...
Explosion at Nebraska biofuel plant killed 3 people, including 2 kids, officials say
FREMONT, Neb. — Two girls and an adult missing since a huge explosion tore through a Nebraska biofuels plant are confirmed dead, officials said Wednesday, as firefighters have battled smoke and flames smoldering in the wreckage for nearly a day. “Right now this has moved to a recovery effort,” Fremont...
Texas Republicans propose new U.S. House map with more winnable GOP seats
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a new congressional map that creates five additional GOP-leaning districts, bolstering their chances of maintaining control as they brace for a challenging midterm election. The redrawn map comes during a special legislative session called by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, as President Donald...
Sen. John Fetterman to release ‘Unfettered’ memoir this fall — looking at political and health battles
NEW YORK — A long-rumored and “unapologetic” memoir by Sen. John Fetterman will be released this fall, his publisher said. Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced Wednesday that “Unfettered” is scheduled for Nov. 11. The book’s price is listed at $32. In the memoir, the Democrat will open...
U.S. economy rebounds a surprisingly strong 3% in the 2nd quarter
WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy expanded at a surprising 3% annual pace from April through June, bouncing back at least temporarily from a first-quarter drop that reflected disruptions from President Donald Trump’s trade wars. America gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — rebounded after falling...
Former WWE boss Vince McMahon is cited for reckless driving in Connecticut crash
WESTPORT, Conn. — Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon is accused of causing a crash on a Connecticut highway that wrecked his Bentley and damaged two other cars, a few hours before Hulk Hogan’s death hit the news and he was quoted praising the wrestling icon. McMahon was cited for reckless...
Justice Department says Epstein and Maxwell grand juries heard from only 2 law enforcement witnesses
Just two witnesses, both law enforcement officials, testified before the federal grand juries that indicted Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell on sex trafficking charges, the Justice Department said in support of its request to unseal transcripts of the usually secret proceedings. In a filing late Tuesday in...
Trump announces 25% tariff on India starting Friday, unspecified penalties for buying Russian energy
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he’ll impose a 25% tariff on goods from India, plus an additional import tax because of India’s purchasing of Russian oil. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that India “is our friend” but its “Tariffs are far too high” on U.S....
Starbucks looks to protein drinks and other new products to turn around lagging U.S. sales
Starbucks said Tuesday it’s confident that improved store operations and new products — including a cold foam protein drink — will soon help turn around the company’s lagging U.S. sales. In the meantime, slow U.S. demand continues to be a drag on the company’s results. Starbucks reported that its revenue...
Tsunami evacuations ordered in South America, but worst risk appears to pass for U.S. after huge quake
HONOLULU — Fears of a devastating tsunami faded Wednesday for the U.S. and Japan after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck off a sparsely populated Russian peninsula, but new alerts along South America’s Pacific coast forced evacuations and closed beaches. Warnings in the first hours after the 8.8...
