A government shutdown is nearing this weekend. What does it mean, who’s hit and what’s next?
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is just days away from a shutdown that will disrupt many services, squeeze workers and roil politics as Republicans in the House, fueled by hard-right demands, force a confrontation over federal spending. While some government entities will be exempt — Social Security checks, for...
American soldier who crossed into North Korea arrives back in U.S., video appears to show
SAN ANTONIO — The American soldier who sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas more than two months ago arrived back in the U.S. early Thursday, video appeared to show. North Korea abruptly announced Wednesday that it would expel Pvt. Travis King. His return was...
Donald Trump skipped the GOP debate again. This time, his rivals took him on directlyVideo
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Several of Donald Trump’s rivals stepped up their attacks against him in Wednesday’s second Republican presidential debate, urgently trying to dent the former president’s commanding primary lead during an event that often seemed like an undercard without him. Trump went to Michigan, aiming to capitalize on...
For millions, the return of federal student loan payments brings angst
Marin Exler, who grew up in Crafton, held no illusions that her college education would be free, nor did she procrastinate paying down the debt of almost $120,000 that she incurred at Case Western Reserve University. She worked multiple campus jobs, made bigger-than-required loan payments after graduating, refinanced double-digit interest...
Report: Elon Musk to cut X election integrity team by half
Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, reportedly plans to gut its election integrity team and dump the group’s boss — a decision that has caused concern as the United States and countries around the world prepare for major elections. X’s worldwide cuts will reduce the team’s...
Delaware trooper facing felony charges involving assaults on teens after doorbell prank at his houseVideo
DOVER, Del. — A Delaware State Trooper is facing several felony charges involving a brutal assault on a teenager who targeted the trooper’s house in a prank. An indictment issued Monday against Trooper Dempsey R. Walters, 29, includes the first use by prosecutors of a new felony deprivation of civil...
Judge Chutkan denies Trump’s request to recuse herself in federal election subversion case
WASHINGTON — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case in Washington, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments raise doubts about whether she can be fair. Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama...
Texas drag ban blocked, federal judge rules new law unconstitutional
AUSTIN — A federal judge declared a Texas law targeting drag shows unconstitutional, siding with LGBTQ Pride event organizers and performers who sued and blocking its enforcement. U.S. District Court Judge David Hittner ruled this week that the law, known as Senate Bill 12, violated the free speech and expression...
Tech CEO killed in Baltimore remembered as dedicated, compassionate entrepreneurVideo
BALTIMORE — Loved ones are remembering a slain Baltimore tech entrepreneur as a young woman who built a successful startup that earned her national recognition and local political clout while remaining focused on what motivated her from the beginning: forging connections, building community and using entrepreneurship to create meaningful social...
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to pocketing bribes in a wide-ranging corruption case
NEW YORK — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to federal charges accusing him of pocketing bribes of cash and gold bars in exchange for wielding his political influence to secretly advance Egyptian interests and do favors for local businessmen. Menendez led his wife,...
Black Americans express concerns about racist depictions in news media, lack of coverage efforts
NEW YORK — In a new study, Black Americans expressed broad concerns about how they are depicted in the news media, with majorities saying they see racist or negative depictions and a lack of effort to cover broad segments of their community. Four in five Black adults say they see...
House Speaker McCarthy is back to square one as the Senate pushes ahead to avert a federal shutdown
WASHINGTON — As the Senate marches ahead with a bipartisan approach to prevent a government shutdown, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is back to square one — asking his hard-right Republicans to do what they have said they would never do: approve their own temporary House measure to keep the government...
Fire at wedding hall in northern Iraq kills 100 people, injures 150
MOSUL, Iraq — A raging fire seemingly caused by fireworks set off to celebrate a Christian wedding consumed a hall packed with guests in northern Iraq, killing around 100 people and injuring 150 others as authorities warned Wednesday the death toll could still rise. Authorities said that flammable building materials...
U.S. secures the release of soldier who crossed into North Korea 2 months ago
WASHINGTON — The United States has secured the release of a U.S. soldier who sprinted across a heavily fortified border into North Korea more than two months ago, and he is on his way back to America, officials announced Wednesday. U.S. ally Sweden and rival China helped with the transfer....
The Supreme Court will let Alabama’s congressional map be redrawn to better represent Black voters
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the drawing of a new Alabama congressional map with greater representation for Black voters to proceed. The new districts also could help Democrats trying to flip control of the House of Representatives. The justices, without any noted dissent, rejected the state’s plea...
Over 50 arrested after mobs ransacked Philadelphia stores. Dozens of liquor outlets are shut downVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Dozens of people faced criminal charges Wednesday after a night of social media-fueled mayhem in which groups of thieves, apparently working together, smashed their way into stores in several areas of Philadelphia, stuffing plastic bags with merchandise and fleeing, authorities said. Police said they made at least 52...
Ohio high school football coach resigns after team used racist, antisemitic language during game
BROOKLYN, Ohio — An Ohio high school football coach resigned Monday after his team used racist and antisemitic language to call out plays during a game last week. Brooklyn High School coach Tim McFarland and his players repeatedly used the word “Nazi” as a play call in a game against...
Biden urges striking auto workers to ‘stick with it’ in picket line visit unparalleled in historyVideo
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — President Joe Biden grabbed a bullhorn on the picket line Tuesday and urged striking auto workers to “stick with it” in an unparalleled show of support for organized labor by a modern president. Donning a union ballcap and exchanging fist bumps, Biden told United Auto...
Charges dismissed against Philadelphia officer in fatal traffic-stop shooting of Eddie Irizarry
PHILADELPHIA — A judge dismissed murder and other charges Tuesday against a Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a driver through a rolled-up window — a confrontation police initially described as the officer shooting the driver after he lunged at him with a knife outside the car. Municipal Judge...
Judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks, insurers as he built real estate empire
NEW YORK — A judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House. Judge Arthur Engoron, ruling in a civil lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general, found that the former president and his...
Jailbreaks in Pa. are not as common as recent events imply
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds the powerful to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania correctional institutions have been the subject of public scrutiny after two high-profile escapes this summer. But how frequent are these kinds...
Sen. Bob Casey joins chorus calling for indicted Sen. Menendez to resign
Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, joined a growing group of senators Tuesday in calling for embattled New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez to resign. Menendez, a Democrat, and his wife were indicted Friday on charges that they took bribes including a luxury car, $480,000 in cash and $100,000 worth...
Hunter Biden sues Rudy Giuliani and another lawyer over accessing and sharing of his personal data
WASHINGTON — Hunter Biden sued Rudy Giuliani and another attorney Tuesday, saying the two wrongly accessed and shared his personal data after obtaining it from the owner of a Delaware computer repair shop. The lawsuit was the latest in a new strategy by Hunter Biden to strike back against Republican...
Judge dismisses charges against Philadelphia police officer in fatal traffic-stop shooting
PHILADELPHIA — A judge dismissed all charges, including a murder count, against a Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a driver who had a knife, agreeing with defense lawyers who said the officer could have feared for his life. The municipal judge ruled after a courtroom packed with police...
Striking Hollywood actors vote to authorize new walkout against video game makers
LOS ANGELES — Striking actors have voted to expand their walkout to include the lucrative video game market, a step that could put new pressure on Hollywood studios to make a deal with the performers who provide voices and stunts for games. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and...
