COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Ed Hassinger has been named the new director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, a Wednesday press release says. He replaces Patrick McKenna, who announced in August that he would be stepping down from the position in September after nine years. Hassiner holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering
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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a California teenager pleaded guilty Wednesday in a case involving the swatting of a Florida mosque, among other institutions and individuals. Swatting is the practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police
Continue Reading Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — A man who failed in an attempt to break into Brazil’s Supreme Court killed himself in explosions outside the building Wednesday that forced justices and staff to evacuate, authorities said. The two strong blasts were heard about 7:30 p.m. after the day’s session finished and all the justices and
Continue Reading Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Lawyers for the state of Louisiana are asking a federal appeals court in New Orleans to immediately block a judge’s ruling ordering education officials to tell all local districts that a law requiring schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms is unconstitutional. A judge found the law unconstitutional
Continue Reading Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Wednesday that he will continue pushing lawmakers to phase out the state income tax, even with the possibility of federal spending cuts that could affect states after Donald Trump begins his second term as president. Mississippi is one of the poorest states in
Continue Reading Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal investigation into Chinese government efforts to hack into U.S. telecommunications networks has revealed a “broad and significant” cyberespionage campaign aimed at stealing information from Americans who work in government and politics, the FBI said Wednesday. Hackers affiliated with Beijing have compromised the networks of “multiple” telecommunications companies to
Continue Reading Associated Press MEXICO CITY (AP) — U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar lashed out Wednesday at Mexico’s failure to accept aid in the fight against drug cartels, claiming the country “closed the doors” on security cooperation. In a press conference, Salazar launched his harshest criticism yet of rampant violence, police corruption and the Mexican government’s mistaken attitude
Continue Reading By Julia Vargas Jones, Helen Regan and Mia Alberti, CNN (CNN) — A man killed himself while detonating explosives after trying to enter Brazil’s Supreme Court in Brasilia on Wednesday, an attempted attack that appeared to be politically motivated and came as the country’s top tribunal finds itself under pressure over disinformation and extremism cases.
Continue Reading Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, was once embroiled in a sex trafficking investigation by the Justice Department he’s been tapped to lead, and has been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over allegations including sexual misconduct. That probe effectively ended Wednesday, though,
Continue Reading AP Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills quarterback Josh Allen shrugs off the hype being generated in advance of AFC East-leading Buffalo hosting Patrick Mahomes and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Allen referred to it as just one regular-season game of 17 on the schedule. He then shed light on his
Continue Reading Associated Press In picking Rep. Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump is looking to install a fierce loyalist — who has been seen as divisive even within his own party — over some of the more established attorneys whose names had been mentioned for the nation’s top federal prosecutor post.
Continue Reading Associated Press BRICK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s governor declared a drought warning. Black Hawk helicopters scooped water from a lake to dump on a forest fire burning in New York state. And across the country, firefighters were making good progress Wednesday battling a major wildfire in a county northwest of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, New
Continue Reading Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith has asked a court to pause prosecutors’ appeal seeking to revive the classified documents case against President-elect Donald Trump in light of the Republican’s presidential victory. Smith’s team has been evaluating how to wind down the classified documents and the federal 2020 election interference case in
Continue Reading AP Business Writer OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The flurry of contract agreements announced early this fall — including two more Wednesday — offer evidence that major railroads and their unions are working to avoid the standoffs that led them to a brink of a national strike two years ago. Both sides are also now keenly
Continue Reading Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — Several U.S. Catholic bishops on Wednesday encouraged the church to boldly share Vatican teachings on a range of hot-button issues, including the condemnation of abortion, euthanasia, surrogacy and gender-affirming surgery. The prelates acknowledged theirs is often a countercultural view. “We have been too apologetic for too long,” said Bishop Robert
Continue Reading Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania between Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick is headed for a statewide recount, as counties continued Wednesday to sort through outstanding ballots and the campaigns jousted over which ones should count. A noon deadline passed Wednesday for Casey to waive
Continue Reading Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astrodome has been in limbo, waiting for its chance at a second life since being shuttered more than 15 years ago. On Wednesday, a nonprofit focused on saving the beloved domed stadium unveiled its $1 billion proposal to refurbish the iconic stadium. Over the years, ideas for its
Continue Reading Associated Press PARIS (AP) — Protests have erupted in Paris against a controversial gala organized by far-right figures in support of Israel. The Wednesday event is intended to raise funds for the Israeli military and included Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich among its invited guests. The minister, a hard-line settler leader, has been accused of
Continue Reading AP Technology Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Social media site Bluesky has gained 1 million new users in the week since the U.S. election, as some X users look for an alternative platform to post their thoughts and engage with others online. Bluesky said Wednesday that its total users surged to 15 million, up from
Continue Reading By Daniel Wine, CNN Editor’s Note: CNN’s 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here. 👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! In most US cities, buying a home now requires a six-figure salary. A new report found that you need
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