Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — University of Florida president Ben Sasse, a controversial pick almost two years ago when he was named to lead one of the top public universities in the U.S., plans to leave his position to focus on taking care of his family after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. In
Continue ReadingAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — China’s panda diplomacy may have one true winner: the pandas themselves. Decades after Beijing began working with zoos in the U.S. and Europe to protect the species, the number of giant pandas in the wild has risen to 1,900, up from about 1,100 in the 1980s, and they are no
Continue ReadingSANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has hit northern Chile near its border with Argentina. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck at at 9:51 p.m. Chilean time and had a depth of 117 kilometers. Its epicenter was 45 kilometers (28 miles) east-southeast of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Chilean President Gabriel
Continue ReadingAP Media Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Tucker Carlson returned to Fox News’ airwaves 15 months after being unceremoniously fired, seen Thursday in its coverage of a Republican National Convention speech that highlighted his growing influence in Donald Trump’s world. Carlson called the Republican nominee to return as president a changed man who effectively “became
Continue ReadingAssociated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Republicans are wrapping a nominating convention that has celebrated former President Donald Trump not just as a party leader but a living martyr who survived a would-be assassin’s bullet and is ready to work for everyday Americans after a sweeping victory in November. The unified portrayals sought to erase the
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Newhart has died at age 94. Jerry Digney, Newhart’s publicist, says the actor died Thursday in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses. The accountant-turned-comedian gained fame with a smash album and became one of the most popular TV stars of his time. Newhart was a Chicago psychologist in
Continue ReadingAssociated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has announced nearly $203 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Sudan. But Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned Thursday the money is not a “panacea” and is urging other countries to fulfill their financial pledges to address what she called “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
Continue ReadingSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The University of California Board of Regents are banning employees from posting political statements on the homepages of university websites, saying such comments could be interpreted as the university’s official view. The UC Board of Regents voted for the policy on Thursday. Political statements and personal opinions will be allowed on
Continue ReadingRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers have given final approval to legislation that will repeal new restrictions on a tuition waiver program for military families. The House of Delegates and state Senate each voted unanimously to fully restore the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, which offers free college tuition at state schools for
Continue ReadingAssociated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson announced his retirement at the university’s board of trustees meeting. Thursday’s announcement comes after almost 15 years in the role. Woodson says his term will officially conclude at the end of next June. He told reporters after the meeting that it felt
Continue ReadingHELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana officials are asking the state Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a ruling that allowed signatures from inactive voters to count on petitions for several proposed November ballot initiatives, including one to protect abortion rights. Thursday’s request comes after a district court judge said Montana’s Secretary of State
Continue ReadingSEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle police officer and union head has been fired over his callous remarks about the death of a graduate student from India after she was struck by another officer’s vehicle in a crosswalk. The Seattle Times reports Seattle interim police Chief Sue Rahr fired Officer Daniel Auderer on Wednesday for his
Continue ReadingAssociated Press TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas isn’t enforcing a new law requiring abortion providers to ask their patients why they want to terminate their pregnancies. The pause comes as a lawsuit proceeds against the rule and other, older requirements. For not enforcing the law, the state will get an extra four months to develop
Continue ReadingAssociated Press MAYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — A New York judge has ruled that author Salman Rushdie does not have to turn over private notes about his stabbing to the man charged with attacking him. Suspect Hadi Matar’s lawyers had sought material related to Rushdie’s recently published memoir about the attack as part of trial preparations.
Continue ReadingLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is going on her second trade mission to Europe, with a trip that will include a visit to an airshow in the United Kingdom. The Republican governor on Thursday announced she’s going to the Farnborough Air Show to pitch the state as a location for
Continue ReadingAssociated Press GOOCHLAND, Va. (AP) — A recount of the votes cast in the Republican primary in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District has been scheduled for July 31. The recount will decide whether state Sen. John McGuire will hold onto his narrow victory over U.S. Rep. Bob Good, one of the most conservative members of Congress.
Continue ReadingAssociated Press A jury has found that a commuter railroad is mostly at fault for a fiery and deadly 2015 collision between a train and an SUV at a suburban New York crossing. Tuesday’s verdict lays out how the bill for any damages will be split. The jury found that the Metro-North Railroad bore 71%
Continue ReadingAssociated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis has approved a contract that would make the city’s police officers among the highest paid in the region. The contract was approved Thursday. It comes years after a movement to defund the Minneapolis Police Department and a severe officer shortage in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. A majority
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — Former co-stars and famous fans are paying tribute to comedian and actor Bob Newhart, who died Thursday at age 94. Actors including Carol Burnett, Mark Hamill, Kaley Cuoco and Jamie Lee Curtis took to social media to share tributes to Newhart, making note of his comic greatness, generosity and kindness. Directors
Continue ReadingAssociated Press LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has announced a broad tax plan for an upcoming special legislative session billed to cut property taxes in half. But critics of the plan say it represents a tax shift from wealthy home and landowners to lower income residents who will have to pay sales
Continue Reading