News

Earth’s warm October not record; 2016 likely record hot

WASHINGTON — While last month merely tied for the world’s third warmest October in history, 2016 is still on track to be the hottest year… Continue reading

Ryan pulls plug on House GOP bid to restore earmarks

WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders on Wednesday halted a bid by some GOP lawmakers to restore earmarks, those congressional directives that steer funds to specific… Continue reading

Rule to limit gas ‘flaring’ at drilling sites OK’d

WASHINGTON — With two months left in President Barack Obama’s term, his administration issued a rule Tuesday intended to clamp down on oil companies that… Continue reading

In this Oct. 4, 2016, file photo, farmworkers transport newly-harvested marijuana plants, at Los Suenos Farms, America's largest legal open air marijuana farm, in Avondale, southern Colorado.

Denver first city to allow pot in bars, restaurants

DENVER — Denver has approved a first-in-the-nation law allowing people to use marijuana at bars, restaurants and other public spaces such as art galleries or… Continue reading

In this Oct. 4, 2016, file photo, farmworkers transport newly-harvested marijuana plants, at Los Suenos Farms, America's largest legal open air marijuana farm, in Avondale, southern Colorado.

Nephew in ‘Making a Murderer’ ordered released

MADISON, Wis. — A man whose homicide conviction was overturned in a case profiled in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” could be celebrating Thanksgiving… Continue reading

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, center, smiles as he leaves Trump Tower, Friday, Nov. 11 in New York.

Giuliani emerges as favorite for Trump’s secretary of state

WASHINGTON — Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani emerged as the favorite to serve as secretary of state in Donald Trump’s incoming administration, a senior… Continue reading

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, center, smiles as he leaves Trump Tower, Friday, Nov. 11 in New York.
In this Nov. 9 photo, Eeman Abbasi speaks during a protest on the University of Connecticut campus against the election of Republican Donald Trump as president in Storrs, Conn. Abbasi, a junior psychology and neurobiology major, said as a Muslim student she feels that the American people told her Tuesday night that even though she was born in this country she doesn't belong here.

FBI: Hate crimes against Muslims up by 67 percent in 2015

ATLANTA — Reported hate crimes against Muslims rose in 2015 to their highest number since the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according… Continue reading

In this Nov. 9 photo, Eeman Abbasi speaks during a protest on the University of Connecticut campus against the election of Republican Donald Trump as president in Storrs, Conn. Abbasi, a junior psychology and neurobiology major, said as a Muslim student she feels that the American people told her Tuesday night that even though she was born in this country she doesn't belong here.
In this file May 5, 2016 photo, coal miners wave signs as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Charleston, West Virginia. Trump's election could signal the end of many of President Barack Obama's signature environmental initiatives. Trump has said he loathes regulation and wants to use more coal and expand offshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

Trump likely to try to reverse Obama environment initiatives

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump has not minced words about his approach to environment and energy policy: He loathes regulation and wants to increase… Continue reading

In this file May 5, 2016 photo, coal miners wave signs as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Charleston, West Virginia. Trump's election could signal the end of many of President Barack Obama's signature environmental initiatives. Trump has said he loathes regulation and wants to use more coal and expand offshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
In this March 22, 2013 file photo, Leonard Cohen performs on the Old Ideas World Tour, at The Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Cohen, the gravelly-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter of hits like “Hallelujah,” "Suzanne” and "Bird on a Wire," has died, his management said in a statement Thursday, Nov. 9, 2016. He was 82.

Singer-Songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen dead at age 82

LOS ANGELES — Leonard Cohen, the baritone-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter who seamlessly blended spirituality and sexuality in hits like "Hallelujah," ''Suzanne" and "Bird on a Wire,"… Continue reading

In this March 22, 2013 file photo, Leonard Cohen performs on the Old Ideas World Tour, at The Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Cohen, the gravelly-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter of hits like “Hallelujah,” "Suzanne” and "Bird on a Wire," has died, his management said in a statement Thursday, Nov. 9, 2016. He was 82.
President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Vice President-elect Mike Pence as he gives his acceptance speech during his election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Trump team sets transition in motion

WASHINGTON — Emboldened Republicans claimed a mandate Wednesday for President-elect Donald Trump after his astonishing election triumph, and an emotional Hillary Clinton told crestfallen supporters… Continue reading

President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Vice President-elect Mike Pence as he gives his acceptance speech during his election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Trump rides his movement to vindication and the White House

NEW YORK — Donald Trump awakened a movement of angry working-class voters fed up with political insiders and desperate for change. On Tuesday, that movement… Continue reading

From left, Pri Paw, Priki Dee, Chris Sunderlin and Par Der Wae leave the Parkway Center after voting on Election Day in Utica, New York, Tuesday. Pri Paw, Priki Dee and Par Der Wae came to Utica as refugees.

Americans register anger, desire for change with their votes

WASHINGTON — Americans emphatically declared their anger at government Tuesday as they elected a political outsider who failed to generate much excitement but offered the… Continue reading

From left, Pri Paw, Priki Dee, Chris Sunderlin and Par Der Wae leave the Parkway Center after voting on Election Day in Utica, New York, Tuesday. Pri Paw, Priki Dee and Par Der Wae came to Utica as refugees.
In this April 20, 2016 file photo, customers buy products at the Harvest Medical Marijuana Dispensary in San Francisco. California's lopsided U.S. Senate is nearing a historic end and voters are pondering a long list of ballot questions that could legalize marijuana, end the death penalty and slap cigarette smokers with a $2-a-pack tax increase.

3 states OK recreational pot; 2 toughen gun control laws

NEW YORK — California, Massachusetts and Nevada voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, giving a huge boost to the campaign to allow pot… Continue reading

In this April 20, 2016 file photo, customers buy products at the Harvest Medical Marijuana Dispensary in San Francisco. California's lopsided U.S. Senate is nearing a historic end and voters are pondering a long list of ballot questions that could legalize marijuana, end the death penalty and slap cigarette smokers with a $2-a-pack tax increase.
In this Oct. 22 photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers a speech during a campaign event in Gettysburg, Pa. Trump has warned for weeks of a “rigged” election, telling his supports to watch out for large-scale voter fraud, despite a lack of evidence that it exists. In the past few days, Trump has specifically raised concerns about people fraudulently voting using the names of dead people and cited research showing 1.8 million deceased people are still listed on state voter rolls.

Major voting problems scant despite ominous warnings

WASHINGTON — Election Day came and went with no obvious signs of the catastrophic problems some had feared, including large-scale fraud, intimidation or hacking.Voters across… Continue reading

In this Oct. 22 photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers a speech during a campaign event in Gettysburg, Pa. Trump has warned for weeks of a “rigged” election, telling his supports to watch out for large-scale voter fraud, despite a lack of evidence that it exists. In the past few days, Trump has specifically raised concerns about people fraudulently voting using the names of dead people and cited research showing 1.8 million deceased people are still listed on state voter rolls.

A new day dawns on the East Coast, but the race isn’t over

WASHINGTON — What, you thought this would be easy?The 2016 presidential campaign is entering D-Day plus one, the outcome still in doubt in several battleground… Continue reading

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cheer during an election night rally, Tuesday in New York.

The Latest: The latest developments in the US elections

WASHINGTON — The Latest on Election Day 2016 (all times EST):1:56 p.m.Hillary Clinton has won the statewide vote in Maine.Clinton has won one of the… Continue reading

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cheer during an election night rally, Tuesday in New York.
In this June 28 photo, Surterra Therapeutics Cultivation Manager Wes Conner displays the fully grown flower of one of their marijuana plants at their north Florida facility, on the outskirts of Tallahassee. The Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 2, is on the Florida general election ballot.

Cities in Maine put hold on pot shops before Tuesday’s vote

WESTBROOK, Maine — Cities and towns across Maine are considering temporarily banning businesses from selling marijuana as voters prepare to decide Tuesday whether the drug… Continue reading

In this June 28 photo, Surterra Therapeutics Cultivation Manager Wes Conner displays the fully grown flower of one of their marijuana plants at their north Florida facility, on the outskirts of Tallahassee. The Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 2, is on the Florida general election ballot.

Judge found police slaying suspect hit, exploited mom

DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa man jailed Thursday in the killings of two police officers was facing intense money problems, had been found by… Continue reading

Casino: Woman shown $43M jackpot actually owed $2.25

NEW YORK — A woman who appeared to win a life-changing $42.9 million jackpot at a New York City casino is threatening to sue after… Continue reading

Study: Obama tax hikes on rich didn’t hurt economy, or rich

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s 2013 tax increases for wealthy Americans neither slowed their income growth nor hurt the economy, according to a study that… Continue reading