Kansas Senate to have new committees, including ethics panel

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate will have two new committees, including one focusing on ethics and government transparency issues.

Pandemic, politics and protests make Idaho's top 2020 news

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The novel coronavirus pandemic affected nearly every aspect of Idaho residents' lives in 2020, impacting our financial security, our education, our workplaces, our elections and our recreation. …

Mexican singer, composer Armando Manzanero dies at 85

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican ballad singer and composer Armando Manzanero died at the age of 85, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday.

Tituss Burgess, Adam Lambert star in 'Ratatouille' musical

NEW YORK (AP) — TikTok’s crowdsourced “Ratatouille” musical has cooked up some serious talent for its one-night-only benefit concert, including roles for Tituss Burgess, Adam Lambert, Wayne Brady, André De Shields …

Slow down? Never. Ryan Seacrest says he's busier than ever

NEW YORK (AP) — Most folks have slowed down in the past nine months but Ryan Seacrest says he's been juggling more than usual during the pandemic.

Iran says Pfizer vaccine batch expected from US benefactors

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An unidentified group of U.S.-based philanthropists plans to send 150,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Iran in the coming weeks, Iranian media reported Monday, in a step that could bring the h…

One Good Thing: Highlights of 9 months in tales of kindness

In mid-March, as the coronavirus was ravaging communities and economies around the world, The Associated Press launched its “

Officials: Attacks across Afghanistan kill at least 5

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — At least five people were killed in separate attacks across Afghanistan on Monday, officials said, raising further concerns about the fate of peace talks that have been suspended until at …

The Latest: Saudi Arabia extends weeklong border closure

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Saudi Arabia has decided to extend its weeklong closure of all official ports of entry over fears of the new fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus.

Netflix reworks leftovers with food-based reality game show

NEW YORK (AP) — Just in time for anyone facing a heaving, post-holiday refrigerator comes a TV show about what to do with all those dubious dishes — leftovers.

Man arrested after man found dead in Port Orchard home

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) — A man is facing murder charges in connection with the death of another person in Port Orchard.

AP source: NFL fines Ravens $250,000 for COVID violations

The Baltimore Ravens were fined $250,000 by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols, a person with direct knowledge of the punishment told The Associated Press on Monday.

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Kansas House creates new water, redistricting committees

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A newly created Kansas House committee will focus on water issues, and the chamber's Republican leaders have taken their first step toward redrawing the state's political boundaries.

US stocks open higher after Trump signs $900B aid package

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks began the final week of 2020 slightly higher after President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion economic aid package that helps reduce uncertainty amid the re-imposition of travel and busines…