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Meat raffle winners are bringing home the bacon
They're called meat raffles, and they're a tradition in a few pockets of the U.S. They're featured mainly at neighborhood bars or at American Legion or VFW posts in Minnesota, Wisconsin and New York state.
Ducklings reunited with their mother after officers rescue them from a storm drain
Body camera footage shows law enforcement in Redmond, Washington, rescuing ducklings from a storm drain and reuniting the flock with its likely mother.
Parents sue US after 8-year-old dies in CBP custody
A Honduran family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government after their 8-year-old girl with a heart condition died in federal custody after crossing the border in 2023.
https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-texas-anadith-mcallen-492a27426f879af0f08031b0c18f845b
Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show data on race admissions
A federal judge has halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren’t considering race in admissions.
Israeli police stop dozens of Palestinians hidden in garbage truck
Israeli police have found about 70 Palestinian men hiding in a garbage truck as they attempted to cross into Israel, apparently in search of work.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-economy-c2ca9aab23e2a1767b331043493bc0f3
Trump administration admits error in New York health care fraud probe
President Donald Trump's administration has admitted to a major error in data used to justify a federal fraud probe into New York’s Medicaid program.
https://apnews.com/article/new-york-medicaid-fraud-dr-oz-trump-342285a3c5d5b71f36ce3f3c77ec72c5
Trump's go-it-alone presidency confronts clear limits during wartime
President Donald Trump claims that the United States has, in his words, “completely decimated” Iran.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-go-it-alone-approach-c5f6cba859417ad1a6997b422a6f9d43
EPA change for plastics recycling could increase pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency is reconsidering whether facilities that recycle plastic chemically should be held to the same strict air pollution standards as incinerators.
Artemis II’s astronauts return to Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific
The three Americans and one Canadian have returned with a dramatic splashdown Friday evening, as their capsule parachuted into the Pacific to close out a nearly 10-day trip to the moon and back.
Vineyard Wind sues GE Renewables over Massachusetts offshore wind farm
The developer of a major Massachusetts offshore wind farm is suing its turbine manufacturer seeking to force it to stay with the project.
California governor candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell denies assault allegations
California Rep. Eric Swalwell is denying allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including once when she worked for him.
Judge told to review national security implications of Trump ballroom halt
A federal judge has been instructed to reconsider the possible national security implications of halting construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom.
Pope Leo XIV blasts 'delusion of omnipotence' fueling the US-Israeli war in Iran
Pope Leo XIV has denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.
https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-usisraeli-war-iran-7309c5df6c7312b942e0510ea65502cb
Trump threatens to fire Powell if the Fed Chair decides to stay on after his term ends next month
President Donald Trump has again threatened to fire Jerome Powell if the Federal Reserve Chair decides to stay on the central bank’s governing board after his term as chair expires next month.
https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-jerome-powell-trump-16f1777a974cf0dece60d78abe4eb973
Justice Department moves to toss seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys
The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to throw out the seditious conspiracy convictions of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders who were sentenced to prison terms for leading members of the far-right extremist groups in attacking the U.S.
Suspect in Molotov attack at Sam Altman’s home to appear in court
The man accused of trying to kill OpenAI CEO Sam Altman by throwing a Molotov cocktail at his San Francisco home is set to make an initial court appearance Tuesday.
AI-generated animation brings new life to communist messaging
The messaging from China’s Communist government may once have been rigid, but not anymore. Beijing is using social media and AI to make its messaging more appealing, especially to younger audiences.
https://apnews.com/article/ai-iran-war-animation-video-china-8b74148007a3906cef85534eead1d7c8
LaMelo Ball punches team mascot Hugo after Hornets knock out Heat
LaMelo Ball was so excited after delivering a knockout blow to the Miami Heat in a 127-126 play-in tournament win that he carried it over to his victory celebration, delivering two right-hand jabs to the oversized head of Hugo, the Charlotte Hornets’ mascot.
https://apnews.com/article/lamelo-ball-punches-mascot-win-b6a6750f779e6ce3ec381cf9d747aa6f
Ye attempts a comeback with sold-out LA-area concert, support from Lauryn Hill
The artist formerly and possibly again known as Kanye West reveled in support from one of his musical idols, Lauryn Hill, as he staged a sold-out Southern California concert meant to mark a comeback from years of controversy.
Canada's Artemis II astronaut gives thumbs-up to new space movie 'Project Hail Mary'
The new space movie “Project Hail Mary” starring Ryan Gosling is getting rave reviews more than halfway to the moon.
Cranberry bog data project shows how to turn the farms into wetlands
The largest restored wetlands in Massachusetts now cover hundreds of acres of what used to be cranberry farms.
There's a new street in Las Vegas: Bruno Mars Drive
Singer-songwriter Bruno Mars was honored with a parade in his honor and a street named after him near the Park MGM in Las Vegas.
https://apnews.com/article/bruno-mars-las-vegas-parade-93d2d0928f16eebdb1331786d150b4ac
Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to the moon
The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to the moon. The three Americans and one Canadian will reach their destination Monday, performing a lunar flyby and then coming straight back home.
https://apnews.com/article/nasa-moon-artemis-astronauts-85bd7e2d77284c3d53ca2a38cf7dee13
Housing market trends favor home shoppers, but Iran war clouds the outlook for mortgage rates
The economic fallout from the war with Iran is driving up the cost of buying a home, even as other housing market trends in many parts of the country favor home shoppers this spring.
Israeli police find about 70 Palestinian men hiding in garbage truck attempting to cross into Israel
Israeli police say they found about 70 Palestinian men hiding in a garbage truck as they attempted to cross into Israel, apparently in search of work.
European ministers call for profit caps on energy companies as Iran war drives price surge
Finance ministers from five European Union member states are urging the bloc to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies as surging oil and gas prices raise inflation fears.
https://apnews.com/article/europe-iran-energy-war-inflation-85b036564fe87a205bc96e743cb22e83
Colorado governor's plea for disaster aid again denied by Trump
President Donald Trump has again denied a request from Colorado’s governor to help people affected by wildfires and flooding.
https://apnews.com/article/fema-trump-disaster-declaration-colorado-0a98cffac8d31994c132ea130f93886d
Gap between rich and poor nations grows even wider, UN report says
The gap between rich and poor nations is growing even wider as actions agreed to by many countries last year, including overhauling the major global financial institutions, remain unfulfilled promises.
https://apnews.com/article/un-global-gap-financial-imf-world-bank-9c4b03b02a6cf3e1081656bfaea2e057
US revokes green cards and visas of several Iranian nationals
The Trump administration has revoked the green cards or U.S. visas of at least four Iranian nationals connected to the current or former Iranian government, including two who have been detained by immigration authorities and are to be deported.
Masters has a history of rewarding big 36-hole leads
Rory McIlroy has a record six-shot lead after 36 holes in the Masters. The previous mark of five shots was shared by six players and it usually ended well.
Judge rules in favor of commission in battle with Arizona over predictive market operators
A judge has temporarily barred Arizona from enforcing its gambling laws against predictive market operators like Kalshi.
9-year-old boy rescued after being locked in father's utility van in eastern France since 2024
A 9-year-old boy has been rescued from his father's utility van in eastern France, where he was locked up for a year and a half.
A growing movement wants to free us from our smartphones
Two decades after Steve Jobs premiered the iPhone, a small but intensely passionate movement is rebelling against the omnipresent screen.
Faith-based AI apps include chatbots imitating Jesus and Buddha
The faith-based AI market is expanding, with tools for various religions. For example, there's an AI Jesus that — for $1.99 per minute — will offer words of prayer and encouragement.
Great Value gets a makeover: Walmart's new packaging highlights
Walmart is redesigning the packaging of its biggest store label brand Great Value to help its shoppers and its gig workers instantly spot whether that bag of spicy chips is gluten free or how much protein is packed in its chicken nuggets.
https://apnews.com/article/walmart-great-value-packaging-food-c00bb765180bdd47d9fbadb0ed80cf92
Allbirds secures $50M to transform into AI infrastructure leader
Allbirds, the eco-friendly shoe brand that was once a Wall Street darling and found its way onto the feet of tech CEOs and movie stars, is pivoting to artificial intelligence.
How influencers' prep work and planning make Coachella content look easy
Social media content that comes out of the sprawling Coachella music festival often looks spontaneous and fun, but many content creators engage in intense levels of planning and strategy weeks or even months in advance.
https://apnews.com/article/coachella-influencers-content-creators-d5b1d5c8c694b7be138de9f51c71f7f0
FDA to weigh easing limits on unproven peptides favored by RFK Jr.
Federal health officials will meet this summer to consider easing restrictions on a controversial group of drugs popular with followers of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'
https://apnews.com/article/peptides-fda-kennedy-injection-bpc157-37bf2f94f0e8a57da76e67a03b58ff0f
Betts' big block helps UCLA withstand Texas' late run for 51-44 win in Final Four
Lauren Betts had 16 points and made a huge block late, and UCLA withstood a late charge by Texas for a 51-44 win to reach the women’s NCAA Tournament national championship game for the first time.
https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ucla-texas-965e552b6f30ba07a9eee033d8bb2746
Horse is euthanized after breaking its back but still winning a Grand National steeplechase race
A seven-year-old horse had to be euthanized after breaking its back on the final fence of a Grand National steeplechase race that it won despite suffering the serious injury.
https://apnews.com/article/grand-national-horse-death-aintree-c2ea8d6450d66bcc227bab542220c0aa
US presses search for a missing serviceman as Iran calls on public to find 'enemy pilot'
Iran’s atomic agency says an airstrike has hit near its Bushehr nuclear facility, killing a security guard and damaging a support building.
Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau miss Masters cut while Jon Rahm rallies
Robert MacIntyre made headlines for all the wrong reasons at the Masters. He flashed some fiery behavior amid rounds of 80 and 71 that caused him to miss the cut.
https://apnews.com/article/masters-cut-macintyre-dechambeau-rahm-f40f1f3365e27a7982f5a64d35d83a52
North Korean leader Kim backs China's push for ‘multipolar world’ in talks with foreign minister
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has voiced support for China’s push to build a multipolar world and called for deeper ties between the traditional allies.
https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-china-kim-yi-meeting-606b660fdd504641adbd805d7fcb1407
Ben & Jerry's co-founder wants the company to be independent once more
As Ben & Jerry’s celebrated its annual Free Cone Day on Tuesday, one of the brand’s co-founders was focused on a different sort of freedom.
Former UCLA gynecologist pleads guilty to sexual abuse charges
A former University of California, Los Angeles, gynecologist has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges in connection with the sexual assault of several patients over his career, after an appeals court reversed his conviction earlier this year.
Kennedy Center wants to show the building really needs a renovation
The Kennedy Center's new president, Matt Floca, is leading tours to show the building's need for major repairs.
https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-closing-trump-22210108b1b789bc7c53e628237a595b
As veil falls on Ichiro Suzuki's statue, so too goes his bat
A statue has been unveiled of Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki at the Seattle Mariners' T-Mobile Park. There was just one problem at the ceremony Friday — a broken bat.
https://apnews.com/article/mariners-ichiro-statue-bat-7516f079961f7e9bc7a4c6ea7e6ec084
Longtime AP reporter and editor Bill Mann dies at 83
Bill Mann, a reporter and editor who covered the Philippines, Egypt, India, Scandinavia and Washington, D.C. over a nearly 50-year career at The Associated Press, died Thursday in Reston, Virginia.
Doncic and Reaves to miss at least start of Lakers' first-round series
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will not return from injury in time to begin the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
https://apnews.com/article/lakers-luka-doncic-austin-reaves-injury-390130804010cb1d09a8ad06573ef7c3
California woman says Eric Swalwell raped her in 2018
A California woman says she was raped by Rep. Eric Swalwell in 2018 and now plans to make a report to law enforcement.