Stories by Associated Press
Florida Has Most Lead Pipes in U.S., Illinois Second: EPA Survey
| Associated Press
The survey released Tuesday was the first time the agency asked about lead pipes and gave the best count yet of how many are underground. Illinois ranked second in with 1.04 million lead pipes.
Trump Returns to New York to Face Historic Criminal Charges
| Associated Press
Former President Donald Trump returned to New York from his Florida estate Monday for his historic booking and arraignment on hush money charges related to allegations of sexual encounters.
WSJ: McDonald's Closes U.S. Offices Ahead of Layoffs
| Associated Press
The Wall Street Journal cited an internal email from the Chicago fast-food giant saying U.S. corporate staff and some employees overseas should work from home while the company notifies people of their job status.
Tornadoes Kill at Least 21 Across Midwest and South, Including 4 in Illinois
| Associated Press
In Belvidere, Illinois, a tornado collapsed the roof of the Apollo Theatre as 260 people attended a heavy metal concert, killing one person and injuring 40, officials said.
Many Electric Vehicles to Lose Big Federal Tax Credit With New Rules
| Associated Press
The new rules take effect April 18 and are aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on China and other countries for battery supply chains for electric vehicles.
Key Inflation Gauge Tracked by the Fed Slowed in February
| Associated Press
Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose 0.3% from January to February, down from a 0.6% increase from December to January.
Donald Trump to be Arraigned Tuesday in New York in Hush Money Case
| Associated Press
While Trump and his lawyers prepared for his defense, the prosecutor in his hush money case defended the grand jury investigation that propelled him toward trial, while congressional Republicans painted it as politically motivated.
Donald Trump Indicted; 1st Ex-President Charged With Crime
| Associated Press
It becomes the first ever criminal case against a former U.S. president and a jolt to Trump’s bid to retake the White House in 2024.
Cubs’ Marcus Stroman Commits MLB’s 1st Pitch-Clock Violation
| Associated Press
Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman committed Major League Baseball’s first pitch-clock violation in the third inning of Thursday’s opening day game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
FDA Approves Over-The-Counter Narcan. Here’s What it Means
| Associated Press
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling the leading version of naloxone without a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing drug on course to become the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter.
Dangerous Storms, Tornadoes May Target Midwest, South
| Associated Press
A seemingly relentless series of severe storms, likely with deadly tornadoes, are forecast to rip across parts of America’s Midwest and South over the next couple weeks, especially Friday, meteorologists said.
Nashville School Shooter Had Drawn Maps, Done Surveillance Before Killing 3 Children and 3 Adults
| Associated Press
The suspect also died after being shot by police following the violence at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school for about 200 students from preschool through sixth grade.
Push to Expand Voting Rights in US for Those Held in Jails
| Associated Press
Detainees awaiting trial or serving misdemeanor sentences retain the right to vote, but face barriers to exercising it in many parts of the U.S. Cook County Jail, with more than 5,500 inmates and detainees, is one of the largest jails in the nation.
As South Bans Abortion, Thousands Turn to Illinois Clinics
| Associated Press
Hundreds of women travel each week to the southern tip of Illinois to secure an abortion, something that is no longer available to millions living in a 1,800 mile stretch of 11 Southern states that have mostly banned pregnancy terminations.
Why Executions by Firing Squad May Be Coming Back in the US
| Associated Press
Idaho lawmakers passed a bill this week seeking to add the state to the list of those authorizing firing squads, which currently includes Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Interest comes as states scramble for alternatives to lethal injections after pharmaceutical companies barred the use of their drugs.
Attempts to Ban Books Hit Record High in 2022, Chicago-Based Library Org Says
| Associated Press
More than 1,200 challenges were compiled by the association in 2022, nearly double the then-record total from 2021 and by far the most since the American Library Association began keeping data 20 years ago.
Chicago Blackhawks Won’t Wear Pride Jerseys, Cite Russian Law
| Associated Press
The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night game against Vancouver, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press, because of security concerns involving the law that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed in December.
Fed Raises Key Interest Rate By Quarter-Point Despite Bank Turmoil
| Associated Press
The Federal Reserve extended its year-long fight against high inflation Wednesday by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point despite concerns that higher borrowing rates could worsen the turmoil that has gripped the banking system.
Muslims Across the World Mark Start of Holy Month of Ramadan
| Associated Press
For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything — even the tiniest sip of water — from sunrise to sunset. Many will more strictly observe prayers, donate to charity and devote more time to reading the Quran as they seek to draw closer to God.
From Mike Pence to Ron DeSantis, GOP Presidential Hopefuls Hold Off Campaigns
| Associated Press
From Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, there appears to be little rush to join the field of official presidential candidates. The reluctance reflects the unsettled nature of U.S. politics.
Superbug Fungus Cases Rose Dramatically During Pandemic
| Associated Press
The fungus, Candida auris, is a form of yeast that is usually not harmful to healthy people but can be a deadly risk to fragile hospital and nursing home patients.
Donald Trump Indictment Would Be Unprecedented Moment in US History
| Associated Press
Law enforcement officials are bracing for protests and the possibility of violence after Donald Trump called on his supporters to protest ahead of a possible indictment in New York.
World on 'Thin Ice' as UN Climate Report Gives Stark Warning
| Associated Press
Humanity still has a chance, close to the last, to prevent the worst of climate change’s future harms, a top United Nations panel of scientists said Monday.
ICC Issues Arrest Warrant For Putin Over Ukraine War Crimes
| Associated Press
The International Criminal Court said Friday it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in abductions of children from Ukraine.
COVID-19 Pill Paxlovid Moves Closer to Full FDA Approval
| Associated Press
The medication has been used by millions of Americans since the FDA granted it emergency use authorization in late 2021. The agency has the final say on giving Pfizer’s drug full approval and is expected to decide by May.
US Jobless Aid Claims Fell Last Week as Layoffs Remain Low
| Associated Press
Applications for unemployment benefits are seen as a barometer for layoffs in the U.S.
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