AP-National

By RIO YAMAT Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — Thousands of hotel workers fighting for new union contracts rallied on the Las Vegas Strip where at least 58 who were blocking rush-hour traffic have been arrested. Union leaders said that Wednesday night’s demonstration was a stepped-up effort to bring attention to the labor union’s negotiations

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The leader of a Mexican megachurch who is serving more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing young followers has been charged with two federal crimes involving a 16-year-old girl. The U.S. attorney’s office says a federal grand jury on Wednesday charged Naasón Joaquín García with possessing and

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (AP) — A man convicted of fatally shooting his wife and a bystander and injuring a third person at a southern Indiana gas station last year was sentenced to 240 years in prison Wednesday. A jury found Cherok Ameer Douglass, of New Albany, guilty in August of two counts of murder and

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A woman sentenced to life in prison in Idaho in the murders of her two kids and another woman will be taken to Arizona to face additional charges. Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed an extradition warrant for Lori Vallow Daybell this week. The warrant directs the

By GERALD IMRAY Associated Press CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The World Bank has approved a $1 billion loan for South Africa to help it address an energy crisis that has peaked this year with the country’s worst electricity blackouts. It has forced South Africa to lean more heavily on its highly polluting coal-fired

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Dusty Baker has retired as manager of the Houston Astros, ending an illustrious 26-year career as a big league skipper highlighted by a World Series win last season. Baker broke the news in an interview with USA Today. “I’m very grateful and thankful to (owner) Jim

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE and AMY TAXIN Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Federal officials say that conditions have improved on the Colorado River to the point that a three-state plan to reduce water use should keep the river basin on stable footing for several years. The U.S. Department of the Interior is throwing its support

By JACK JEFFERY Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — Al Jazeera says its chief correspondent in Gaza has lost four members of his family in an Israeli airstrike. According to the network, Wael Dahdouh’s wife, son, daughter and grandson were killed by an Israeli airstrike that hit Nuseirat Refugee Camp. His family members were among the

NEW YORK (AP) — “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt, ”Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker and Salem Radio Network morning host Hugh Hewitt will moderate the third Republican presidential debate. Scheduled for Nov. 8 in Miami, the debate will be shown live on NBC and the NBC News Now streaming service at 8 p.m.

MAYWOOD, Ill. (AP) — A prosecutor says former NFL player Sergio Brown bought a one-way ticket to Cancun, Mexico, after being the last person seen with his mother before her slaying last month. Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jose Villarreal said in court Wednesday that Brown flew out the next morning, and charges on his

BELOIT, Wis. (AP) — People go to Noodles & Company to save a buck, not to have one interrupt their meal. But that’s what happened in Beloit, Wisconsin, on Tuesday when a deer came crashing through a restaurant window. Surveillance footage shows a buck charging into the crowded restaurant around lunchtime, prompting diners to scatter.

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer A Michigan State University hearing officer has determined that former Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker sexually harassed and sexually exploited rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy, according to her attorney, Karen Truszkowski. The hearing officer ruled Tucker was in violation of several terms of his contract, a person

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hyundai says it will set up “mobile clinics” at five U.S. locations to provide anti-theft software upgrades for vehicles now regularly targeted by thieves using a technique popularized on TikTok and other social platforms. The South Korean automaker will hold the clinics in New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota,

By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A low-key lawmaker who has been in the House for less than a decade, new House Speaker Mike Johnson isn’t instantly recognizable to most Americans. But the social conservative and devoted ally of former President Donald Trump has been a quiet force within the Republican conference

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court will decide whether Republican state senators who carried out a record-setting GOP walkout during this year’s legislative session can run for reelection. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the decision, announced Tuesday, means the lawmakers should have clarity before the March 12 deadline to file for office. The senators

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press/Report for America RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A former North Carolina congressman has announced he is dropping out of the Republican primary for governor to try to win back his U.S. House seat. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker launched a bid Wednesday to reclaim the district he had represented on Capitol

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina General Assembly has given final approval to new redistricting maps poised to empower the state GOP for years to come. Their passage Wednesday marks the final achievement for Republican leaders in an annual work session that saw policy preferences on abortion, LGBTQ+