AP National News

OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The president of California’s medical board says a group of anti-vaccine activists stalked her at home and followed her to her office where four men confronted her after work in a dark parking garage. She described it as a terrifying experience. Kristina Lawson said on social media on

By ADAM BEAM Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California truck drivers will soon have to worry about pollution tickets along with speeding tickets. The California Air Resources Board on Thursday approved a new smog check program for heavy duty trucks. Many newer trucks have computers on board that monitor emissions and send data to

By DON BABWIN and SARA BURNETT Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — A jury has convicted Jussie Smollett on five of six charges he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself and lied to Chicago police about it. The jury returned the verdict Thursday afternoon against the former “Empire” actor. Smollett’s attorney says he will appeal.

IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A former Colorado police officer has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge for using a Taser on a 75-year-old man without warning. Nicholas Hanning also relinquished his right to serve as a police officer elsewhere in Colorado. Hanning was an officer with the Idaho Springs police department when officials

By HUIZHONG WU Associated Press TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan has lost Nicaragua as a diplomatic ally after the Central American country said it would officially recognize only China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory. The Nicaraguan government announced the change, saying “there is only one China. The People’s Republic of China

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is getting ready for his first late-night TV appearance since taking office. Biden is set to appear Friday on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” with comedian Jimmy Fallon. Biden will appear virtually; the White House didn’t say where he will be when he tapes the segment. Biden is suffering from

By DON BABWIN and SARA BURNETT Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett’s defense attorney says the former “Empire” actor will appeal his conviction for lying to police about being the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack. A jury found Smollett guilty Thursday of five of the six charges of disorderly conduct against him following

By CALEB JONES Associated Press HONOLULU (AP) — Monsanto says in court papers that it has agreed to plead guilty to illegally using and storing pesticides in Hawaii and will pay $12 million in fines. The company in a court filing Thursday agreed to plead guilty to 30 environmental crimes after allowing workers to go

By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A prominent South Carolina attorney who wife and son were gunned down six months ago in unsolved killings has been indicted on 21 more charges that he stole settlement and other money from clients. The latest state grand jury indictments against Alex Murdaugh include seven more

GALENA, Mo. (AP) — A judge says he will decide next year whether three men charged after a tourist boat sank in Missouri in 2018 will go to trial. The three men, Kenneth McKee, Curtis Lanham and Charles Baltzell, were charged after a vessel known as a duck boat sank on Table Rock Lake near

SEATTLE (AP) — A controversial socialist City Councilmember in Seattle appears to have survived a recall vote by a narrow margin. She had faced calls for her ouster due to her aggressive tactics while calling for higher taxes on hometown tech giant Amazon and pushing to cut the police budget. The latest ballot count Thursday

By MICHAEL TARM AP Legal Affairs Writer CHICAGO (AP) — The legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago has culminated in a trial, which concluded with a jury convicting him on five counts of disorderly conduct. Smollett was acquitted Thursday of

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a woman who died when her car went into the icy rapids above Niagara Falls likely drove into the river on purpose. The New York State Park Police said Thursday “entry into the water appears to be an intentional act,” and an investigation was ongoing. The driver was

By MANUEL DE LA CRUZ and EDGAR H. CLEMENTE Associated Press TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico (AP) — Mexican authorities say at least 49 people are dead and dozens more injured after a cargo truck carrying people who appeared to be Central American migrants rolled over and crashed in southern Mexico. The head of the Chiapas state

By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a fast-track plan for raising the debt limit. A key hurdle was cleared Thursday with the support of 14 Republicans and 50 Democrats, and that likely averts another last-minute rush to avoid a federal default. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls it the

By PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas judge has ruled the enforcement scheme behind the nation’s strictest abortion law is unconstitutional in a narrow ruling that still leaves a near-total ban on abortions in place. State District Judge David Peeples of Austin on Thursday side-stepped the broader legality of the

By AMY TAXIN Associated Press MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) — Coronavirus survivors held an emotional reunion at a hospital in Southern California with the nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors who saved their lives at a time when little was known about the virus. They shared hugs, memories and photos at an event Thursday marking Providence

By LOLITA C. BALDOR AND ROBERT BURNS Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander for the Middle East says the U.S. will keep the current 2,500 troops in Iraq for the foreseeable future, despite their shift to a non-combat role, and they will still provide air support and other military support for Iraq’s

By DON BABWIN and SARA BURNETT Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — A jury has convicted Jussie Smollett on five of six charges he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself and lied to Chicago police about it. The jury returned the verdict Thursday afternoon against the former actor from the TV show “Empire” after a