AP National News

By DAVID BAUDER AP Media Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Considering he’s starred for more than 18 seasons on television’s most popular drama, Mark Harmon made a quiet exit from “NCIS” on Monday night. His character, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, said he was retiring to Alaska. At Harmon’s request, CBS didn’t promote the special

SOLVANG, Calif. (AP) — Evacuation orders have been expanded for a growing wildfire driven by intense winds that has shut down a key Southern California highway for more than a day. At least 200 firefighters battled the Alisal Fire. By Tuesday the blaze had scorched 21 square miles along coastal Santa Barbara County and was

By PATTY NIEBERG Associated Press/Report for America DENVER (AP) — Colorado state and federal officials announced Tuesday that the state will include gender confirmation care in individual and small group health insurance. The plan under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will include jaw, cheek and eye modifications, face tightening, facial bone remodeling for

By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A jury has been selected for the trial of Lev Parnas, a onetime associate of Rudy Giuliani who is accused along with a co-defendant of making illegal campaign contributions. Opening statements were set for Wednesday morning. U.S. prosecutors say Parnas ingratiated himself with influential Republicans through

By JULIE WATSON Associated Press SANTEE, Calif. (AP) — Before a twin-engine plane nose-dived into a San Diego suburb, an increasingly concerned air traffic controller warned the pilot to climb in altitude more than a half dozen times. The recording will be reviewed by a National Transportation Safety Board investigator who arrived Tuesday a day

By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a short-term hike to the nation’s debt limit. The vote Tuesday evening ensures the federal government can continue fully paying its bills into December. The legislation next goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. A default would have had

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — A standalone Peppa Pig theme park at the Legoland Florida Resort is scheduled to open Feb. 24. Park officials also announced ticket prices on Tuesday. A one-day ticket will be $34.99 at the gate and $30.99 online. An annual pass costs $79.99. The new park is also offering several combo

LONDON (AP) — A government agency says England will be hit hard by floods like those that devastated Germany this summer if the country does not improve its defenses against more extreme weather brought by climate change. In a report Wednesday, the Environment Agency warns of hotter, drier summers, more and worse flooding, rising sea

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The three U.S. Postal Service workers who died in a shooting at a Tennessee sorting facility included a supervisor, a manager and a letter carrier temporarily assigned to the postal annex. Authorities say two workers were fatally shot Tuesday by a third employee who died from a self-inflicted gunshot. The FBI

By DAVID PORTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A project to build a rail link connecting New York City to LaGuardia Airport has been put on hold. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Tuesday it is pausing the project to consider alternatives. Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul had criticized

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say rapper Tyga has been arrested in a felony domestic violence investigation. Los Angeles police say the 31-year-old whose legal name is Michael Stevenson was booked after a Tuesday incident in Hollywood. He was released after posting $50,000 bond. The arrest came after his ex-girlfriend Camaryn Swanson posted images online

By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Investigators with Georgia’s secretary of state’s office have not found any evidence to substantiate claims that fraudulent or counterfeit ballots were counted in Fulton County during the 2020 general election. Henry County Superior Court Chief Judge Brian Amero is presiding over a lawsuit that alleges fraud in

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi auditor is demanding repayment of $77 million in misspent welfare money in one of the poorest states in the nation. This includes $828,000 the auditor is seeking from retired NFL player Brett Favre and an employee of his business, Favre Enterprises. Initial allegations

By RAMESH SANTANAM Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh police officers say the man accused of killing 11 people in a synagogue shooting three years ago made several references to killing Jews. Officer Stephen Mescan was among the first law enforcement members to get inside the synagogue. He was the first witness Tuesday in what’s

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Pamela has weakened to a tropical storm as it meanders off Mexico’s Pacific coast. But forecasters say it is expected to regain strength and be a hurricane while making landfall near the port of Mazatlan on Wednesday. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Pamela’s center was about 240 miles (385

LONDON (AP) — Authorities in London say a fire erupted on the 20th floor of an apartment building in the city’s southwest, causing dozens of residents, including children in pajamas, to flee the tower and injuring one woman and a child. The London Fire Brigade says 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines rushed to the

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor has announced that he will be lifting a curfew and a ban on alcohol sales as the U.S. territory reports a drop in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. Current restrictions prohibit certain businesses from operating between midnight and 5 a.m. and also bar alcohol

By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, U.S. heath officials have authorized an electronic cigarette, saying the vaping device from R.J. Reynolds can benefit smokers. The Food and Drug Administration said data submitted by the company showed its Vuse Solo e-cigarette helped smokers significantly cut back their use of