Millions of people — 12.3 million, the most to ever watch a women’s basketball game, according to ESPN — tuned in across America to watch the opener of an NCAA Tournament doubleheader that captivated fans like never before.
Stories by associated press
Amazon is Removing ‘Just Walk Out’ Technology From Its Fresh Grocery Stores in the US
The company’s well-known technology lets customers pay for items without standing in line and sends them receipts afterwards.
Shota Imanaga Stars in Major League Debut as Cubs Beat Rockies 5-0 in Wrigley Field Opener
Working in short sleeves on a cold, gray afternoon, Imanaga struck out nine in Chicago’s home opener. The Japanese left-hander, who signed a $53 million, four-year contract with the Cubs in January, allowed two singles and walked none.
US Traffic Deaths Fell 3.6% in 2023, the 2nd Straight Yearly Drop. But Nearly 41,000 People Died
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was the second year in a row that fatalities decreased. The agency also released final numbers for 2022 on Monday, saying that 42,514 people died in crashes.
The Baltimore Collapse Focused Attention on Vital Bridges. Thousands Are in Poor Shape Across the US
Iowa has the most poor bridges, followed by Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri, according to an Associated Press analysis.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black Man to Win Supporting Actor Oscar, Dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr. broke through on the small screen as Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries “Roots.” He won an Oscar for his performance in “An Officer and a Gentleman” opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger.
Man Charged With Murder, Attempted Murder in a Series of Stabbings in Rockford
Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in a frenzied stabbing rampage that killed four people in a matter of minutes in Rockford.
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82
Lieberman died in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall, the statement said. He was 82.
Should College Essays Touch on Race? Some Feel the Affirmative Action Ruling Leaves Them No Choice
When the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in higher education, it left the college essay as one of few places where race can play a role in admissions decisions. For many students of color, instantly more was riding on the already high-stakes writing assignment.
Supreme Court Seems Likely to Preserve Access to the Abortion Medication Mifepristone
In nearly 90 minutes of arguments, a consensus appeared to emerge that the abortion opponents who challenged the FDA’s approval of the medication, mifepristone, and subsequent actions to ease access to it, lack the legal right or standing to sue.
Supreme Court Again Confronts the Issue of Abortion, This Time Over Access to Widely Used Medication
Two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion opponents on Tuesday will ask the high court to ratify a ruling from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to the medication mifepristone.
Court Agrees to Block Collection of Donald Trump’s $454M Civil Fraud Judgment If He Puts Up $175M
A New York appeals court on Monday agreed to hold off collection of former President Donald Trump’s $454 million civil fraud judgment — if he puts up $175 million within 10 days.
United Airlines Says Federal Regulators Will Increase Oversight of the Company Following Issues
Among the most recent issues, a chunk of outer aluminum skin was discovered to have fallen off the belly of a United Boeing 737 after it landed in Oregon. Earlier this month, a United jet suffered an engine fire during takeoff from Houston, and a tire fell off another United jet as it left San Francisco.
March Madness: Langborg Lights It Up in OT as Northwestern Beats Florida Atlantic 77-65
The injury-depleted Wildcats recovered after squandering a nine-point lead late in the second half. Brooks Barnhizer’s driving layup tied it with nine seconds left.
Allergy Season Arrived Early in US. Here’s How to Keep Pollen From Ruining Your Spring
Allergy season is here — and it’s earlier and stronger than expected. The level of misery people will face depends on where they live and what they’re allergic to, but there are things you can do to feel better.
Ghost Army Members Who Staged Secret WWII Battlefield Deceptions Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
With inflatable tanks, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units that became known as the Ghost Army outwitted the enemy during World War II. Among them was Bernard Bluestein, now 100, of Hoffman Estates.
Congress Unveils $1.2 Trillion Plan to Avert Federal Shutdown and Bring Budget Fight to a Close
Democrats were largely able to swat back hundreds of policy mandates and some of the steeper budget cuts that House Republicans were seeking to impose on nondefense programs, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., highlighted some policy wins.
Judge Dismisses Sexual Assault Suit Brought by Chicago Police Officer Against Former Supt. Eddie Johnson
A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Chicago police officer that alleged sexual assault by former police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who was out drinking with her the night he was found asleep behind the wheel of his SUV.
EPA Issues New Auto Rules Aimed at Boosting Electric Vehicles and Hybrids, Cutting Carbon Emissions
The new standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of planet-warming carbon emissions over the next three decades and provide nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits, the EPA said.
Biden and Trump Notch Primary Wins in Illinois, Other States as Races Offer Hints on National Politics
Joe Biden and Donald Trump won their party's primaries in Illinois on Tuesday, notching more delegates as they continue their march to a rematch in this November's presidential election.
Outside Illinois, Tuesday’s Primaries Include a Key Senate Race in Ohio and Clues for the Biden-Trump Rematch
Trump is expected to easily win GOP primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio. Biden is expected to do the same in all those states except Florida, where Democrats canceled their primary and opted to award all 224 of their delegates to Biden. That’s not an unusual move for a party with an incumbent in the White House seeking reelection.
Singer R. Kelly Seeks Appeals Court Relief From 30-Year Prison Term
Attorney Jennifer Bonjean, seeking to reverse his 2021 convictions or to win him a new trial, tried to persuade three judges on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan that prosecutors improperly used a racketeering statute written to shut down organized crime to go after the singer.
Donald Trump’s Lawyers Say It’s Impossible for Him to Post Bond Covering $454 Million Civil Fraud Judgment
With interest, Trump owes $456.8 million. In all, he and co-defendants, including his company, sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr. and other executives, owe $467.3 million. To obtain a bond, they would be required to post collateral worth $557 million, Trump’s lawyers said.
United Airlines CEO Tries to Reassure Customers That the Airline is Safe Despite Recent Incidents
CEO Scott Kirby said the airline was already planning an extra day of training for pilots starting in May and changes in training curriculum for newly hired mechanics. In a memo to customers on Monday, Kirby tried to reassure travelers that safety is the airline's top priority.
From 4-Leaf Clovers to Unexpected History, All You Need to Know About St. Patrick’s Day
The day honoring the patron saint of Ireland is a global celebration of Irish heritage. And nowhere is that more so than in the United States, where parades take place in cities around the country and all kinds of foods and drinks are given an emerald hue.
Bost, Bailey Race to Win the Hearts and Minds of Trump Conservatives in Southern Illinois Congressional Primary
As it winds down, the race could be seen as a measure of Donald Trump’s clout. Mike Bost is a popular incumbent, but he’s running in a time and place where disdain for government is white-hot. Establishment Republicans are angry their man has to face an intraparty challenge, which is the attitude Darren Bailey argues needs to be dislodged.
