News

SpaceX says it will fly 2 people to moon next year

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX said Monday it will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASA’s Apollo heyday… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to a meeting of the National Governors Association, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at the White House in Washington. (Evan Vucci | The Associated Press)

Trump looks to refocus his presidency in address to Congress

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress gives him a welcome opportunity to refocus his young administration on the core economic issues that… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to a meeting of the National Governors Association, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at the White House in Washington. (Evan Vucci | The Associated Press)
One ounce of dried marijuana is shown. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

White House expects Justice crackdown on legalized marijuana

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department will step up enforcement of federal law against recreational marijuana, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Thursday, offering the Trump… Continue reading

One ounce of dried marijuana is shown. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this Feb. 2 photo, a man stands on a commercial fishing boat docked at Pier 38 in Honolulu. (Caleb Jones | The Associated Press)

Hawaii bill would ban licenses for some foreign fishermen

HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers are considering a proposal with the potential to cripple the state’s commercial fishing industry after an Associated Press investigation found foreign… Continue reading

In this Feb. 2 photo, a man stands on a commercial fishing boat docked at Pier 38 in Honolulu. (Caleb Jones | The Associated Press)
This image provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech shows an artist’s conception of what the surface of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1f may look like, based on available data about its diameter, mass and distances from the host star. The planets circle tightly around a dim dwarf star called Trappist-1, barely the size of Jupiter. Three are in the so-called habitable zone, where liquid water and, possibly life, might exist. The others are right on the doorstep. (NASA/JPL-Caltech via the Associated Press)

7 Earth-size worlds found orbiting star; could hold life

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — For the first time ever, astronomers have discovered seven Earth-size planets orbiting a nearby star — and these new worlds could… Continue reading

This image provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech shows an artist’s conception of what the surface of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1f may look like, based on available data about its diameter, mass and distances from the host star. The planets circle tightly around a dim dwarf star called Trappist-1, barely the size of Jupiter. Three are in the so-called habitable zone, where liquid water and, possibly life, might exist. The others are right on the doorstep. (NASA/JPL-Caltech via the Associated Press)

Tribes hope Trump’s ‘America first’ helps first Americans

BOSTON — Native Americans hope President Donald Trump doesn’t forget America’s first inhabitants as he promises to put “America first.” Tribes have been reaching out… Continue reading

In this Feb. 8 photo, Amy Scarton, the new director of the Washington State Ferries, poses for a photo at Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington. (Larry Steagall | Kitsap Sun)

New Washington ferry director young and passionate

SEATTLE — There’s a new generation leading Washington’s ferries. Forty-year-old Amy Scarton became director Feb. 1, bumping interim boss Elizabeth Kosa back to her No.… Continue reading

In this Feb. 8 photo, Amy Scarton, the new director of the Washington State Ferries, poses for a photo at Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington. (Larry Steagall | Kitsap Sun)
In this Feb. 24, 2015 photo, members of the National Guard patrol along the Rio Grande at the Texas-Mexico border in Rio Grande City, Texas. The Trump administration is considering a proposal to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up unauthorized immigrants, including millions living nowhere near the Mexico border, according to a draft memo obtained by The Associated Press. (Eric Gay | The Associated Press file)

AP Exclusive: DHS weighed National Guard for immigration roundups

The Trump administration considered a proposal to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up unauthorized immigrants, including millions living nowhere near… Continue reading

In this Feb. 24, 2015 photo, members of the National Guard patrol along the Rio Grande at the Texas-Mexico border in Rio Grande City, Texas. The Trump administration is considering a proposal to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up unauthorized immigrants, including millions living nowhere near the Mexico border, according to a draft memo obtained by The Associated Press. (Eric Gay | The Associated Press file)

Trump says White House ‘fine-tuned machine,’ despite turmoil

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump mounted an aggressive defense of his young presidency Thursday, lambasting reports that his campaign advisers had inappropriate contact with Russian officials… Continue reading

Lawyer: Florida airport shooting suspect mentally competent

MIAMI — Defense lawyers say the Alaska man accused of fatally shooting five people and wounding six at a major airport in Florida is mentally… Continue reading

In a Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 photo, family members who have just arrived from Syria embrace and are greeted by family who live in the United States upon their arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, as a way to show the country how important they are to America’s economy and way of life. “A Day Without Immigrants” actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Austin, Texas. (Craig Ruttle | The Associated Press)

Immigrant workers, families to protest by staying home

PHILADELPHIA — Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to… Continue reading

In a Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 photo, family members who have just arrived from Syria embrace and are greeted by family who live in the United States upon their arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, as a way to show the country how important they are to America’s economy and way of life. “A Day Without Immigrants” actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Austin, Texas. (Craig Ruttle | The Associated Press)
In this Nov. 19, 2016 file photo, then-President-elect Donald Trump walks Labor Secretary-designate Andy Puzder from Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, New Jersey. Puzder’s nomination appeared to be in serious trouble Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, as Republicans said they were concerned over his failure to pay taxes for five years on a former housekeeper who wasn’t authorized to work in the U.S. (Carolyn Kaster | The Associated Press file)

Puzder withdraws nomination to be Trump’s labor secretary

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary abruptly withdrew his nomination Wednesday after Senate Republicans balked at supporting him, in part over taxes… Continue reading

In this Nov. 19, 2016 file photo, then-President-elect Donald Trump walks Labor Secretary-designate Andy Puzder from Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, New Jersey. Puzder’s nomination appeared to be in serious trouble Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, as Republicans said they were concerned over his failure to pay taxes for five years on a former housekeeper who wasn’t authorized to work in the U.S. (Carolyn Kaster | The Associated Press file)

Officials: Trump knew Flynn misled White House weeks before ouster

WASHINGTON — Just six days into his presidency, Donald Trump was informed his national security adviser had misled his vice president about contacts with Russia.… Continue reading

Alleged airport shooter lied about his record on job form

ANCHORAGE — The man accused of killing five people at a Florida airport lied about his criminal record on his application to be a security… Continue reading

Murkowski among 4 GOP senators on fence over Pudzer for labor secretary

WASHINGTON — Four Republicans on the Senate committee considering President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of labor aren’t saying publicly if they will vote for… Continue reading

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, accompanied by their wives, first lady Melania Trump and Akie Abe, wave before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base Maryland on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Trump is hosting Abe at his estate Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida for the weekend. (Susan Walsh | The Associated Press)

White House seeks to regroup after stinging legal defeat

WASHINGTON — Seeking to regroup after a stinging legal defeat, President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering signing a “brand new order” after his… Continue reading

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, accompanied by their wives, first lady Melania Trump and Akie Abe, wave before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base Maryland on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Trump is hosting Abe at his estate Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida for the weekend. (Susan Walsh | The Associated Press)
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson smiles at a news conference about a federal appeals court’s refusal to reinstate President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Seattle. The ruling dealt another legal setback to the new administration’s immigration policy. In a unanimous decision, the panel of three judges from the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban and allowed previously barred travelers to enter the U.S. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is possible. (Elaine Thompson | The Associated Press)

A look at what comes next in Trump travel ban case

SEATTLE — A federal appeals court has handed a resounding victory to Washington state and Minnesota in their challenge of President Donald Trump’s travel ban,… Continue reading

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson smiles at a news conference about a federal appeals court’s refusal to reinstate President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Seattle. The ruling dealt another legal setback to the new administration’s immigration policy. In a unanimous decision, the panel of three judges from the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban and allowed previously barred travelers to enter the U.S. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is possible. (Elaine Thompson | The Associated Press)

Appeals court refuses to reinstate Trump travel ban

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court refused Thursday to reinstate President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, dealing another legal… Continue reading

In this April 12, 2014 photo, the Bundy family and their supporters fly the American flag as their cattle is released by the Bureau of Land Management back onto public land outside of Bunkerville, Nev. A federal judge in Nevada is considering crucial rulings about what jurors will hear in the trial of six defendants accused of stopping U.S. agents at gunpoint from rounding up cattle near Cliven Bundy’s ranch in April 2014. (Jason Bean | Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jury hears openings in trial for 6 in Bundy ranch standoff

LAS VEGAS — A jury in Las Vegas heard competing narratives Thursday about six men accused of illegally wielding weapons to block a federal roundup… Continue reading

In this April 12, 2014 photo, the Bundy family and their supporters fly the American flag as their cattle is released by the Bureau of Land Management back onto public land outside of Bunkerville, Nev. A federal judge in Nevada is considering crucial rulings about what jurors will hear in the trial of six defendants accused of stopping U.S. agents at gunpoint from rounding up cattle near Cliven Bundy’s ranch in April 2014. (Jason Bean | Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Military vehicles are staged near the path of the Dakota Access pipeline Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The developer says construction of the Dakota Access pipeline under a North Dakota reservoir has begun and that the full pipeline should be operational within three months. One of two tribes who say the pipeline threatens their water supply on Thursday filed a legal challenge asking a court to block construction while an earlier lawsuit against the pipeline proceeds. (James MacPherson | The Associated Press)

Tribe files legal challenge to stall Dakota Access pipeline

CANNON BALL, N.D. — Construction crews have resumed work on the final segment of the Dakota Access pipeline, and the developer of the long-delayed project… Continue reading

Military vehicles are staged near the path of the Dakota Access pipeline Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The developer says construction of the Dakota Access pipeline under a North Dakota reservoir has begun and that the full pipeline should be operational within three months. One of two tribes who say the pipeline threatens their water supply on Thursday filed a legal challenge asking a court to block construction while an earlier lawsuit against the pipeline proceeds. (James MacPherson | The Associated Press)