Stories by Associated Press

Two Supermoons in August Mean Double the Stargazing Fun

The cosmos is offering up a double feature in August: a pair of supermoons. Catch the first show Tuesday night, Aug. 2, as the full moon rises in the southeast.

For Emmett Till’s Family, National Monument Proclamation Cements His Inclusion in the American Story

When President Joe Biden signs a proclamation on Tuesday establishing a national monument honoring Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, it will mark the fulfillment of a promise Till’s relatives made after his death 68 years ago.

US Price and Wage Increases Slow Further in the Latest Signs of Cooling Inflation

New figures provided the latest signs that the Federal Reserve’s drive to tame inflation may succeed without triggering a recession, an outcome known as a “soft landing.”

Chicago Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz Dies at Age 70

The Blackhawks said in a release that Wirtz died on Tuesday, calling it a “sudden passing.” No further details were provided.

In Congressional Hearing, Whistleblower Says He Believes US is Concealing ‘Multi-Decade’ Program That Captures UFOs

While the study of mysterious aircraft or objects often evokes talk of aliens, Democrats and Republicans in recent years have pushed for more research as a national security matter due to concerns that sightings observed by pilots may be tied to U.S. adversaries.

Sinéad O’Connor, Gifted and Provocative Irish Singer, Dies at 56

Sinéad O’Connor, the gifted Irish singer-songwriter who became a superstar in her mid-20s but was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music, has died at 56.

Northwestern Interim Coach Fends for Himself as Wildcats Players Skip Annual Big Ten Kickoff

Pending litigation caused the three hand-picked players to skip Wednesday interviews, forcing interim coach David Braun to fend off questions about what happened and possible solutions all by himself.

Hunter Biden Pleads Not Guilty to 2 Tax Crimes After Agreement With Prosecutors Falls Through

The outcome leaves open, at least temporarily, the yearslong investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings. He had been charged with two misdemeanor tax crimes of failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes from over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018.

UPS Reaches Contract With 340,000 Unionized Workers, Averting Potentially Calamitous Strike

UPS has reached a contract agreement with its 340,000-person strong union Tuesday, averting a strike that had the potential to disrupt logistics nationwide for businesses and households alike.

A UPS Strike Could Be Just Around the Corner. Here’s What You Need to Know

Negotiations broke down earlier this month and unionized workers have been holding rallies and practice pickets across the country. The Teamsters, which represent more than half of the company’s workforce, will resume talks with UPS on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden Will Establish a National Monument Honoring Emmett Till at Chicago Church, 2 Locations in Mississippi

Biden will sign a proclamation on Tuesday to create the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi, according to the official. 

Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Other Tech Companies Agree to AI Safeguards Set by the White House

The White House said Friday that it has secured voluntary commitments from seven U.S. companies meant to ensure their AI products are safe before they release them.

Tony Bennett, Masterful Stylist of American Musical Standards, Dies at 96

The last of the great saloon singers of the mid-20th century, Bennett often said his lifelong ambition was to create “a hit catalog rather than hit records.” He released more than 70 albums, bringing him 19 competitive Grammys and enjoyed deep and lasting affection from fans and fellow artists.

Senate Committee Led by Dick Durbin Approves Bill to Impose Stronger Ethics Standards on Supreme Court Justices

The Supreme Court would have to abide by stronger ethics standards under legislation approved on Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation has little chance to make it through the full Senate.

Actors and Writers on Strike Rally in Chicago, Philadelphia as Union Action Spreads

In Chicago, hundreds of strikers — many wearing black SAG T-shirts — marched and chanted at Millennium Park and Grant Park, “We’re union/United/Never be divided.” A small brass band played “This Land Is Your Land.”

Israeli President Seeks to Reassure Congress on His Country’s Democracy, U.S. Ties

The divide was reflected in his audience. While lawmakers repeatedly rose to their feet in thundering applause of President Isaac Herzog’s recounting of Israel’s founding, a handful of leading young progressive Democrats boycotted his speech.

Biden’s White House is Taking on Corporate Mergers, Landlord Junk Fees and Food Prices

The Biden administration on Wednesday proposed new guidelines for corporate mergers, took steps to disclose the junk fees charged by landlords and launched a crackdown on price-gouging in the food industry.

Trump Is Notified He’s a Target of the US Criminal Probe into Efforts to Overturn the 2020 Election

New federal charges, on top of existing state and federal counts in New York and Florida and a separate election-interference investigation nearing conclusion in Georgia, would add to the list of legal problems for Trump as he pursues the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

1st Lawsuit Filed Against Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern Leaders Stemming From a Hazing Scandal

The player, identified in the lawsuit as John Doe, alleged Tuesday in the Cook County Court in Chicago that Fitzgerald, Northwestern University President Michael Schill, the board of trustees and athletic director Derrick Gragg enabled and concealed sexual misconduct and racial discrimination.

Unhealthy Air Quality Lingers Across Parts of US From Drifting Canadian Wildfire Smoke

Extensive swaths of the northern United States awoke to unhealthy air quality Monday morning or were experiencing it by midafternoon.

NTSB Looking at Risk Parked Semis Posed to Greyhound Bus in Fatal Illinois Crash

The crash near St. Louis killed three of the 22 bus passengers and left 14 other people, including the driver, injured. The National Transportation Safety Board is trying to determine what caused the bus to strike three parked rigs.

Jesse Jackson is Stepping Down as Head of Civil Rights Organization Rainbow PUSH

A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson confirmed the long-time civil rights leader would be retiring from the organization.

At Least 11 Tornadoes Hit the Chicago Area This Week, Weather Service Says

No injuries were reported when Wednesday’s storms ripped roofs from buildings and toppled trees in the Chicago area and points west. One tornado touched down near O’Hare Airport, sending passengers dashing for shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights.

US Sets Grim Milestone with New 6-Month Record of 28 Mass Killings

From Jan. 1 to June 30, the nation endured 28 mass killings, all but one of which involved guns. The death toll rose just about every week, a constant cycle of violence and grief. Six months. 181 days. 28 mass killings. 140 victims.

Republican Presidential Hopefuls Face Mounting Pressure to Stop Trump in Iowa

As the six-month sprint to the Iowa caucuses begins, the sprawling field of Republican presidential candidates is facing growing pressure to prove they can become serious challengers to former President Donald Trump.

Days After Football Scandal, Northwestern Fires Baseball Coach Jim Foster Amid Misconduct Allegations

Northwestern baseball coach Jim Foster was fired Thursday amid allegations of misconduct, three days after football coach Pat Fitzgerald was dismissed because of a hazing scandal.
 

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