Audit: Inadequate control to prevent state unemployment scam

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The state Employment Security Department did not have adequate controls to prevent a slew of illegal unemployment insurance claims last spring that totaled about $600 million and grew into the…

Justices side with NC lawmakers in grant challenge by Cooper

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina legislature can decide the details on how federal block grants are spent, even when they run counter to a governor's wishes, the state Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

US: More must be done to protect Colorado River from drought

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A set of guidelines for managing the Colorado River helped several states through a dry spell, but it's not enough to keep key reservoirs in the American West from plummeting amid persistent…

Pelosi receives COVID-19 vaccine as it rolls out in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — The legislative branch of government is rapidly moving to receive

Admissions changes aim to remedy segregation in NYC schools

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City is changing its admission system for hundreds of middle and high schools, officials said Friday in announcing one of the most significant steps the nation's largest school system has t…

FAA seeks fines against passengers for rows over face masks

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials said Friday they are seeking civil fines of $15,000 and $7,500 against two airline passengers accused of assaulting flight attendants for telling them to wear face masks.

The Latest: Macron: 'Doing well' after positive virus test

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is blaming his positive coronavirus test on negligence and bad luck.

Audit blasts 'widespread misspending' at Mississippi prisons

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's prison system used tax dollars to buy massage chairs, Himalayan salt lamps and a bedroom set and illegally paid some employees for extra work time they had accumulated, the state…

Damage from border wall: blown-up mountains, toppled cactus

GUADALUPE CANYON, Ariz. (AP) — Work crews ignite dynamite blasts in the remote and rugged southeast corner of Arizona, forever reshaping the landscape as they pulverize mountaintops in a rush to build more of Presi…

NC elections board finally certifies chief justice results

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's final outstanding November statewide election was resolved Friday when state officials certified results showing that Paul Newby received the most votes for Supreme Court chief…

The best clutch coach in the NFL? Look to Kansas City

Who's the best clutch coach in the NFL? There's actually a ranking service, and it chooses, well, read on.

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Weston McKennie voted U.S. Soccer male player of the year

CHICAGO (AP) — Midfielder Weston McKennie has won the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award for the pandemic-abbreviated schedule.

France's Macron blames his COVID on negligence, bad luck

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday blamed his COVID-19 on a combination of negligence and bad luck, urging his compatriots to stay safe as critics called out slip-ups in his behavior to prevent…

NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The NBA's Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale Friday of the Utah Jazz to a group led by technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith, ending the Miller family’s 35-year run as owners of the…