Stories by Associated Press

Biden Seeking Party, National Unity in Convention Climax

Joe Biden is hoping to start unifying a divided America as well as the nation’s diverse Democrats Thursday night as he accepts his party’s presidential nomination in the climax of recent history’s most unorthodox national convention.

Ex-Trump Adviser Steve Bannon Charged in Border Wall Scheme

President Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon was arrested Thursday on charges that he and three others ripped off donors to an online fundraising effort to build a southern border wall.

Democratic Boundary Breakers’ Night: Obama, Clinton, Harris

Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, and Hillary Clinton, the first woman nominated for president by a major party, are speaking on Biden’s behalf Tuesday night. And Kamala Harris, the first Black woman on a major party ticket, will deliver highly anticipated remarks.

Poll: Pandemic Shifts How Consumers Use Gig Companies

A new survey shows how consumer attitudes about using ride-hailing and delivery services have changed. It also highlights a wealth divide, where Americans with higher incomes are able to utilize the services to help reduce their risk of infection.

‘One of Us’: South Asians Celebrate Harris as VP Choice

Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, often focuses on her identity as a Black woman. At times during her political career, as she ran for California attorney general and senator, some didn’t realize she was of Indian descent.

Advocates Plan Birthday Gift for the 19th Amendment: The ERA

It was a huge step forward for American women when, exactly 100 years ago, they finally gained the guaranteed right to vote with ratification of the 19th Amendment. But to Alice Paul, the step wasn’t nearly large enough.

Postal Service Halts Some Changes Amid Outcry, Lawsuits

Facing mounting public pressure and a crush of state lawsuits, President Donald Trump’s new postmaster general announced Tuesday he is halting some operational changes to mail delivery.

Democrats’ Day 2 Focus: Trump’s Global Leadership Deficit

A day after Michelle Obama’s passion wowed Democrats, Joe Biden is drawing on a collection of his party’s most experienced leaders at the Democratic National Convention to underscore what he calls a global leadership deficit.

AP Survey: States Uncommitted to Trump’s Unemployment Boost

Many governors say the costs to states to receive the bigger boost offered by Trump is more than their battered budgets can bear. They also say the federal government’s guidelines on how it will work are too murky.

Democrats Claim ‘Big Tent’ for First Convention in Pandemic

The unprecedented gathering is not only testing the bonds of the diverse Biden-Kamala Harris coalition but the practical challenges of running a presidential campaign in the midst of a pandemic.

Pelosi to Call House Back Into Session to Vote on USPS Bill

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday she is calling the House back into session over the crisis at the U.S. Postal Service, setting up a political showdown amid growing concerns that the Trump White House is trying to undermine the agency ahead of the election.

Coronavirus Hasn’t Devastated the Homeless as Many Feared

In a country that’s surpassed 5 million identified cases and 169,000 deaths, researchers don’t know why there appear to be so few outbreaks among the homeless. 

Taller Cubicles, One-Way Aisles: Office Workers Must Adjust

Around the U.S., office workers sent home when the coronavirus took hold in March are returning to the world of cubicles and conference rooms and facing certain adjustments, including daily questions about their health.

Civil Rights Activist Ruby Bridges Writes Children’s Book

Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges has written a children’s book with a candid telling of the past and positive message for the future, inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests.

Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson, ‘Big Jim,’ Dies at 84

Former Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson, whose prosecutions of public officials — including a predecessor — helped catapult him to become the state’s longest-serving chief executive, has died. He was 84. 

Q&A: What’s Happening at the US Postal Service, and Why?

The U.S. Postal Service is warning states it cannot guarantee that all ballots cast by mail for the Nov. 3 election will arrive in time to be counted, even if ballots are mailed by state deadlines. 

Study Hints, Can’t Prove, Survivor Plasma Fights COVID-19

Mayo Clinic researchers reported a strong hint that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other patients recover, but it’s not proof and some experts worry if, amid clamor for the treatment, they’ll ever get a clear answer.

Biden Calls for Nationwide Mask Mandate

Joe Biden is calling for a nationwide protective mask mandate, citing health experts’ predictions that it could save 40,000 lives from coronavirus over the next three months.

Bulls Fire Coach Jim Boylen After Missing Playoffs Again

The Chicago Bulls fired coach Jim Boylen on Friday, the new front office beginning its remake of a team that missed the playoffs again. 

R. Kelly’s Manager Charged With Phone Threats to Theater

R. Kelly's manager has been arrested on charges that he threatened a shooting at a Manhattan theater two years ago, forcing an evacuation and the cancellation of the screening of Lifetime’s “Surviving R. Kelly” series.

US Jobless Claims Fall Below 1 Million But Remain High

The number of Americans applying for unemployment dropped below 1 million last week for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak took hold in the U.S. five months ago, but layoffs are still running extraordinarily high.

Trump Opposes Postal Money That Would Help Vote-By-Mail

President Donald Trump said he opposes additional funding for the U.S. Postal Service, acknowledging that his position would starve the agency of money Democrats say it needs to process an anticipated surge in mail-in ballots.

Prosecutors Charge 3 With Threatening Women in R. Kelly Case

Federal prosecutors announced charges Wednesday against three men accused of threatening and intimidating women who have accused R&B singer R. Kelly of abuse, including one man suspected of setting fire to a vehicle in Florida.

Big Ten, Pac-12 Pull Plug on Fall Football Amid Pandemic

A crumbling college football season took a massive hit Tuesday when the Big Ten and Pac-12, two historic and powerful conferences, succumbed to the pandemic and canceled their fall football seasons.

Q&A: What’s Up With Trump’s Orders on TikTok and WeChat?

President Donald Trump has ordered sweeping but vague ban on dealings with the Chinese owners of popular apps TikTok and WeChat, saying they are a threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy and the economy.

Biden Selects California Sen. Kamala Harris as Running Mate

Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket.
 

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