More states ease lingering virus rules as vaccine rates rise

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, more U.S. cities and states are shrugging off lingering COVID-19 restrictions as vaccination rates rise and the number of infections falls.

AP Interview: Kremlin cracking down on dissent before vote

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities are cracking down on dissent before a crucial parliamentary election in September, in what a leading Kremlin critic on Tuesday described as an attempt to sideline opponents.

AP Interview: Kremlin cracking down on dissent before vote

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities are cracking down on dissent before a crucial parliamentary election in September, in what a leading Kremlin critic on Tuesday described as an attempt to sideline opponents.

Manchin say he'll vote against 'partisan' Dem elections bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key Democratic senator says he will not vote for the largest overhaul of U.S. election law in at least a generation, defying his party and the White House and virtually guaranteeing the failure of the legislation after a near party-line approval in the House.

Manchin's opposition clouds future of Dems' elections bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key Democratic senator says he will not vote for the largest overhaul of U.S. election law in at least a generation, leaving no plausible path forward for legislation that his party and the White House have portrayed as crucial for protecting access to the ballot.

Manchin's opposition clouds future of Dems' elections bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key Democratic senator says he will not vote for the largest overhaul of U.S. election law in at least a generation, leaving no plausible path forward for legislation that his party and the White House have portrayed as crucial for protecting access to the ballot.

Manchin's opposition clouds future of Dems' elections bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key Democratic senator says he will not vote for the largest overhaul of U.S. election law in at least a generation, leaving no plausible path forward for legislation that his party and the White House have portrayed as crucial for protecting access to the ballot.

Grant PUD chief testifies before House

Streamlining dam licensing process beneficial to all stakeholders

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With demand for electricity in Grant County growing, federal energy regulators need to make it easier for hydroelectric generators like the Grant County Public Utility District to relicense dams and improve power production, PUD General Manager Richard Wallen told members of the House of Representatives on Thursday. “Our load is growing, and we are approaching outgrowing physical output in 2026,” Wallen said. “We need new generation or new ways to get it.”

Čeferin asserts European soccer power in face of 'threats'

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Asserting the power of European soccer, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin warned that FIFA’s attempts to radically change several club competitions would be a “death sentence” for football.

Thailand enacts shutdowns to curb spread of coronavirus

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's government has enacted stronger measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, including postponing the country's biggest holiday, shutting down schools and closing bars.

The Latest: Start of Swedish soccer delayed by virus

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak's effect on sports around the world (all times local):

WA coronavirus deaths up to 67, Inslee issues eviction ban

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state health officials reported 13 new deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the state tally of fatalities to 67 – the highest in the country.

WA coronavirus deaths up to 67, Inslee issues eviction ban

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state health officials reported 13 new deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the state tally of fatalities to 67 – the highest in the country.

Thailand enacts shutdowns to curb spread of coronavirus

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's government has enacted stronger measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, including postponing the country's biggest holiday, shutting down schools and closing bars.

Judge halts lawsuits against local Boy Scout councils

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware bankruptcy judge has granted a request by the Boy Scouts of America to halt lawsuits against local Scout councils as the BSA works on its bankruptcy plan to set up a compensation fund for thousands of men who were molested as boys by Scout leaders.

North Korea fires barrage of missiles from ground and air

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A barrage of North Korean missiles fired from the ground and fighter jets splashed down on the waters off the country’s east coast on Tuesday, South Korea’s military said, a show of force on the eve of a key state anniversary in the North and parliamentary elections in the rival South.

Groups want mail-only election, order's effect unclear

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Voting advocacy groups and the mayor of Wisconsin's largest city on Tuesday urged Gov. Tony Evers to close polling sites and conduct the state's spring election entirely by mail to protect voters and a dwindling pool of election workers from the coronavirus.

New safety restrictions issued for Maryland's nursing homes

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Larry Hogan on Sunday announced new mandates for Maryland’s nursing homes in order to dull the spread of

Pakistan court overturns conviction in death of Daniel Pearl

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani court on Thursday overturned the murder conviction of a British Pakistani man found guilty of the 2002 kidnapping and killing of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

Bettman raises chance of NHL not completing regular season

For the first time since halting play four weeks ago, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman raised the possibility Tuesday of not completing the regular season in order to squeeze in time to award the Stanley Cup.