VIRUS TODAY: Colorado reports first US case of virus variant

Here’s what’s happening Wednesday with the pandemic in the U.S.:

No. 19 San Jose State faces Ball State in Arizona Bowl

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — San Jose State was unable to play on its home field most of the season due to COVID-19 restrictions and faced scrutiny over its travel plans to play Ball State in the Arizona Bowl.

Colorado Guardsman has 1st reported US case of virus variant

DENVER (AP) — The first person in the U.S. known to be infected with a new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus was identified Wednesday as a Colorado National Guardsman who had been sent to help out at a nursing home struggling with an outbreak. And health officials said a second Guard member may have it, too.

Clemson RB Travis Etienne expands game for final title run

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — While Travis Etienne's rushing total alone this season tells a disappointing story, the Clemson senior tailback believes there is a more positive tale that has made his decision to return to school for a final year well worth it.

Fire that began in dog house totals rural South Dakota home

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say a house fire believed to have started when a dog house heater failed during a snowstorm was thought to be under control Monday night, only to flare up early Tuesday and destroy a rural South Dakota home.

Week 17 is a tough chore for picking wins and covers

One of the worst chores in Week 17 in the NFL is figuring out who will go full-out for victory.

The Latest: Colorado man in his 20s has variant of virus

DENVER — A Colorado man in his 20s has been reported as the first in the U.S. with the more contagious variant of the coronavirus.

Missouri senator to contest Electoral College win for Biden

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said Wednesday he will raise objections next week when

Sheriff: 4 dead in Houston domestic violence shooting

HOUSTON (AP) — Four people were killed at a Houston home Wednesday in what authorities said was likely a domestic violence shooting that included a man firing at police before turning a gun on himself.

NBA ratings for opening week up significantly from 2019

NEW YORK (AP) — NBA viewers watched 81.5 million hours of live games on ABC, ESPN and TNT in the opening week of the season, up 95% from opening week in 2019.

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2020: A year where the fist-bump became mainstream greeting

The moment called for a handshake. Or would have, under what used to be considered normal circumstances.

UK okays 'vaccine for the world'; extends time between doses

LONDON (AP) — Britain authorized an easy-to-handle coronavirus vaccine Wednesday and decided to stretch out the time between doses to allow more people to get some level of protection faster as infections surge. The first greenlight for the shot dubbed the “vaccine for the world” brought a measure of hope that the pandemic could be brought under control.

Pandemic, protests and 'Murder Hornets' top state stories

Washington saw the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States this year, as well as the first deadly cluster as the pandemic upended virtually all activity in the state. The coronavirus outbreak was voted the state’s top news story of 2020 by Associated Press staff. Other top news items of the past 12 months included widespread protests over police issues, huge Western wildfires and the state’s attempts to deal with Asian giant hornets, better known as “murder hornets.”

Virginia advocates set to try again on death penalty repeal

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Death penalty opponents are cautiously optimistic they have enough bipartisan support from lawmakers to get a bill passed next year ending executions in Virginia, a state that has put more people to death in its long history than any other.

Israeli foreign minister joins exodus from centrist party

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's foreign minister said Wednesday he is leaving the Blue and White party and taking a “break” from politics, marking the further disintegration of the centrist party that came close to unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three hard-fought elections.

2020 sports quiz: Brady to Bundesliga, Big Ten to Brooklyn

You’ve had time to shelter at home and bone up. Your 2020 year-end sports quiz awaits. Like much else these days, quizzes will be graded on the curve:

After a tumultuous 2020, Black leaders weigh next steps

DETROIT (AP) — As a barrier-breaking year draws to a close, there's one undeniable fact: the strength of Black political power.

Lives Lost: Families find solace in memories and mementos

Long after the funeral or memorial, if one was even possible, and long after the condolence cards, the phone calls of support, there is simply the emptiness. That’s when the memories rush in.

Outgoing NC House minority leader named to Court of Appeals

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The outgoing leader of Democrats within the North Carolina House is joining the state Court of Appeals, the result of a vacancy by another appellate judge moving up to the state Supreme Court.