Court alters police rules for warrantless vehicle searches

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Police must have probable cause as well as “exigent circumstances” in order to legally search a vehicle without a warrant, a divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

US population growth smallest in at least 120 years

The U.S. population grew by the smallest rate in at least 120 years from 2019 to 2020, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau — a trend that demographers say provides a glimpse of the coronavirus pandemic’s toll.

Californians warned of possible post-holidays virus disaster

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Californians are being warned it is too risky to celebrate the winter holidays normally and if they don’t change plans a deadly explosion of coronavirus cases could follow.

VIRUS TODAY: Deaths to set record, consumer confidence down

Here's what's happening Tuesday with the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.:

Acting defense chief visits Afghanistan during troop pullout

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan on Tuesday, meeting top leaders during the American troop withdrawal.

South Carolina governor tests positive for the coronavirus

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has tested positive for the coronavirus and was slated to receive outpatient antibody treatment for “mild symptoms,” his office said Tuesday.

BC-150-actives-n

Flint joins $641M deal to settle lawsuits over lead in water

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The Flint City Council on Tuesday signed off on its portion of a $641 million settlement with residents of the poor, majority-Black city who were exposed to lead-tainted water.

The Latest: Italy sees 13K increase in COVID-19 cases

MILAN — The number of new COVID-19 cases in Italy rose by 13,318 on Tuesday, with 201 requiring intensive care treatment, as Italy heads toward a nationwide partial lockdown for the Christmas holidays.

South Carolina health board picks new agency leader

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — After months without a permanent director at the helm of the agency overseeing South Carolina's coronavirus response, the state's health board selected a military doctor to head the state's health and environmental department Tuesday.

Haskins apologizes after photos show mask-less partying

Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins publicly apologized Tuesday after photo evidence came to light of him partying with several people unmasked after playing Sunday.

AP All-Big Ten: Ohio State's Fields, Indiana's Allen honored

Quarterback Justin Fields repeated as offensive player of the year and is joined by three of his teammates on The Associated Press All-Big Ten football team announced Tuesday.

Perdue seeks payoff from Trump loyalty in Georgia runoff

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — In 2014, David Perdue introduced himself to Georgia voters as a corporate executive capable of bringing pragmatism to a Congress depicted in his first TV ad as a bunch of diaper-clad, crying babies.

The Latest: North Dakota bar, restaurant hours expanded

BISMARCK, N.D. — The governor of North Dakota is allowing bars and restaurants to return to regular hours of operation on Tuesday, as the active number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have declined.

Britain finds itself isolated and uncertain ahead of Brexit

LONDON (AP) — Over 2,800 stranded truck drivers hoped to get the green light Tuesday to leave Britain and get back home for Christmas as the country found itself increasingly isolated and its trade bottled up, cut off by neighbors afraid of a new version of the coronavirus circulating in England.

Nov. existing home sales fall 2.5%, following record summer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The market for existing homes cooled slightly in November, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday, after climbing through the late spring, summer and early fall despite the pandemic.

Georgia Southern to meet La. Tech in New Orleans Bowl

New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana Tech (5-4, 4-2 Conference USA) vs. Georgia Southern (7-5, 4-4 Sun Belt), Dec. 23, 3 p.m. EST (ESPN).

Gio Reyna voted US Soccer's top young male player of year

CHICAGO (AP) — Gio Reyna was voted the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Young Male Player of the Year on Tuesday after a breakthrough season that included debuts with Borussia Dortmund and the American national team.

Column: On its own for 70 years, LPGA gets through big year

The late Mickey Wright once recalled an LPGA Tour event where she was unable to sleep, all because of her location.

During crucial holiday season, US consumer confidence slumps

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — A closely-watched gauge of U.S. consumer confidence tumbled in December as rising coronavirus cases dragged American optimism to its lowest level since the summer.