News

By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — Texas’ most populous county has joined the legal battle by local officials seeking to override Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates and institute protections against COVID-19 as hospitals around the state continue to swell with patients sickened by the virus.  Harris County, where Houston is

DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — Officials say a free diver’s body has been recovered from the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office says dive team members found the 31-year old man’s body Thursday in about 75 feet of water near a reef about two miles southwest of Destin Pass. The

By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Somalia is reporting “significant progress” in implementing an agreement between the federal government and regional states aimed at holding long-delayed national elections. But James Swan said greater efforts are needed to ensure electoral security in light of the ongoing threat

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Caitlyn Jenner kicked off a monthlong recall campaign tour by raising new questions about her motive for launching her bid to become California’s next governor. On a visit to Los Angeles, the former Olympian and reality TV personality sidestepped questions about whether she had

By JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A jury has sentenced a man to death for fatally shooting a Tennessee sheriff’s deputy in 2018 before setting fire to his patrol car with his body inside. Jurors handed down the sentence Thursday. Steven Wiggins was found guilty last week of 10 charges in the

By TODD RICHMOND Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors have cleared three Green Bay police officers who killed a man who opened fire at a tribal casino restaurant in May. The state Department of Justice released a decision Thursday from Brown County District Attorney David Lasee not to charge Sgt. Brian Jordan, Officer MaKayla

By KEVIN McGILL and REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — People who want to go into bars, restaurants, gyms, music halls or other indoor venues in New Orleans will soon have to show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus or a recent negative test. Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the new requirement Thursday. It’s

By ACACIA CORONADO Report for America/Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Four of the nation’s 10 fastest-growing municipalities are suburbs of Texas’ big cities, census data released Thursday shows, meaning the second largest state in the U.S. could play a big part in the redistricting battle for control of Congress. Texas also grew less white

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Police in the Virginia city of Norfolk say they’ve solved the decade-old slaying of a college student who was a nephew of the late Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. WAVY-TV reports Norfolk police announced four arrests Thursday in the killing. Christopher Cummings was a student at Old Dominion University in 2011 and

By TALI ARBEL AP Technology Writer The Walt Disney Co. swung to a profit in its most recent quarter as reopened parks provided a revenue bounce. Revenue in the parks and products division surged to $4.3 billion from $1.1 billion a year ago, as theme parks closed last year were open for part or all

By ROB GILLIES Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — A source familiar with the plans says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will announce Sunday he is calling a snap election for September 20.   The official confirmed the election dates on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. Trudeau is

By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears’ father has agreed to step down from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years, but his departure is not imminent. James Spears filed legal documents saying that while there are no grounds for his removal, he will step

By KEN MILLER Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Parents of Oklahoma schoolchildren and the Oklahoma State Medical Association are suing to overturn a state law banning mask requirements in public schools. The lawsuit filed Thursday alleges the law violates a child’s rights to a safe education, due process and equal protection in addition to