Alabama college students sanctioned for COVID violations

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — More than 600 students at the University of Alabama have been sanctioned — including 33 who were effectively suspended — for violating rules intended to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases on …

Mizzou leader backtracks after blocking students on Twitter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The leader of the University of Missouri system and chancellor of its flagship Columbia campus is backtracking in the face of backlash and a possible lawsuit for blocking critical students on T…

Police defend handling of protests over Daniel Prude's death

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Rochester's outgoing police chief Thursday defended his officers' response to protests over the suffocation death of Daniel Prude, which included the use of pepper balls.

Latest: Over 900 square miles scorched in Washington fires

The Latest on wildfires in the U.S. West (all times local):

In a year of restrictions, virus changes Sept. 11, too

NEW YORK (AP) — In a year when the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped countless American rituals, even the commemoration of 9/11 could not escape unchanged.

Puerto Rico to reopen beaches, gyms, theaters amid pandemic

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Thursday announced she would reopen beaches, casinos, gyms and movie theaters across the U.S. territory as officials report a recent drop in COVID-19 cases and…

Virginia Senate approves sweeping police reform legislation

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate approved wide-ranging police reform legislation Thursday that would prohibit the use of chokeholds, restrict no-knock search warrants, and expand the grounds to decertify la…

Judges: Trump order to exclude people violates the law

NEW YORK (AP) — A panel of three federal judges said Thursday that President Trump’s order to exclude people in the country illegally when redrawing congressional districts violates the law.

BC-150-actives-f

African serval cat, named Spartacus, missing in NH town

MERRIMACK, N.H. (AP) — A 40-pound (18-kilogram) serval cat named Spartacus that was adopted from a zoo four years ago is missing after running away from his New Hampshire home.

Black woman's party death gets renewed scrutiny in Georgia

CUMMING, Ga. (AP) — The 2018 death of a Black woman during a sleepover party for adults is getting renewed attention since authorities launched a new investigation.

St. Louis Zoo says python laid 7 eggs without male help

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Experts at the St. Louis Zoo are trying to figure out how a 62-year-old ball python laid seven eggs despite not being near a male python for at least two decades.

Smithfield Foods pork plant faces OSHA fine from outbreak

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Federal regulators said Thursday they have cited Smithfield Foods for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus at the company’s Sioux Falls plant, an early hot spot for…

Man accused of making Zoom lecture bomb threat free on bond

HOUSTON (AP) — A man accused of making a bomb threat against the University of Houston during a Zoom lecture was released on bond Wednesday.

Police in Maryland accused of rubber stamping use of force

One of Maryland's largest police departments appears to routinely “rubber stamp” the use of force by officers who disproportionately wield it against Black citizens, a plaintiffs' expert said in a court filing Thur…