Virus pandemic slows renovations to Superdome in New Orleans

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Plans for $450 million in upgrades to New Orleans' iconic Superdome have been disrupted because of financial troubles caused by the pandemic, the stadium's manager told state lawmakers durin…

7th man arrested in sex abuse case at youth detention center

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A former youth detention center worker accused of responding to a bruised and crying teenager’s rape allegations by saying, “Look little fella, that just doesn’t happen," was arrested Thursday …

Washington Senate OKs restrictions on police tactics, gear

SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington state Senate has approved a measure restricting certain police tactics and gear, including the use of neck restraints and tear gas, after police killings of Black people sparked tumult…

AP Interview: Stacey Abrams on voting rights, her next move

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia is at the forefront of the partisan fight over voting rights and election law.

Inslee to announce possible new COVID restrictions Monday

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee will announce Monday whether some counties in Washington state will have to roll back to Phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 reopening plan because of rising cases.

Noem pitches transgender sports ban; lawmakers say not now

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Despite South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's renewed push for lawmakers to take up issues she feels were left unsettled during the regular legislative session, including banning transgender girl…

Inside secret Syria talks aimed at freeing American hostages

WASHINGTON (AP) — Last summer, two U.S. officials ventured into hostile territory for a secret high-stakes meeting with American adversaries.

House OKs bill making police intervene to stop undue force

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state House on Wednesday approved a measure requiring police to intervene if they see a fellow officer using, or attempting to use, excessive force.

Virginia becomes first Southern state to legalize marijuana

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana Wednesday, as lawmakers voted to approve Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposed changes to a bill that will allow adults to possess and cul…

EXPLAINER: Is the US border with Mexico in crisis?

Gaetz associate working toward plea deal with prosecutors

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — An associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz's is working toward a plea deal with federal prosecutors investigating a sex trafficking operation, potentially escalating the

China warns Washington not to boycott Winter Olympics

BEIJING (AP) — China's government warned Washington on Wednesday not to boycott next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing after the Biden administration said it was talking with allies about

Grim view of global future offered in intelligence report

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials are painting a dark picture of the world's future, writing in a report released Thursday that the coronavirus pandemic has deepened economic inequality, strained govern…

A year after pandemic hit, Haiti awaits vaccines amid apathy

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti does not have a single vaccine to offer its more than 11 million people over a year after the pandemic began, raising concerns among health experts that the well-being of Haitians…

Utah high school announces new mascot following backlash

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A mostly white high school near Salt Lake City revealed its new mascot Friday that will replace its contentious Braves mascot, as school and professional sports teams nationwide face increasin…