Stories by Associated Press

FAA Lifts Ground Stop on Flights Following Computer Outage

The Federal Aviation Administration is lifting a ground stop on flights across the U.S. following a computer outage early Wednesday that resulted in thousands of delays and hundreds of cancellations quickly cascading through the system at airports nationwide.

How Republicans are Transforming the US House in the Majority

Lawmakers no longer have to walk through metal detectors before gaining access to the House floor. And any time they do vote, they will have to do so in person — no more voting by proxy from home. Those are just some of the changes.

Bears GM Poles Expects Fields to Be Starting QB Next Season

Fields, the No. 11 overall pick in 2021, emerged as one of the NFL's most exciting players in his second season. But he was drafted by former general manager Ryan Pace — not current GM Ryan Poles.

EPA to Award $100M to Boost Environmental Justice Programs

The funding, established through the 2022 climate and health law signed by President Joe Biden, marks the largest environmental justice grants the agency has ever offered.

NWSL Bans 4 from Coaching, Takes Other Disciplinary Actions

Former North Carolina coach Paul Riley, former Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames, former Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke and former Racing Louisville coach Christy Holly were all banned from coaching in the league.

New Guidance: Use Drugs, Surgery Early for Obesity in Kids

The longstanding practice of “watchful waiting,” or delaying treatment to see whether children and teens outgrow or overcome obesity on their own only worsens the problem that affects more than 14.4 million young people in the U.S.

White Sox Closer Hendriks Says He Has Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks announced Sunday on Instagram that he was diagnosed in recent days. The three-time All-Star was scheduled to begin treatment on Monday.

SEC Charges Former McDonald’s CEO with Misleading Investors

Former McDonald’s CEO Stephen Easterbrook has been charged by federal regulators with making false and misleading statements to investors about the circumstances of firing by the burger giant in November 2019.

Bears Get No. 1 Pick After Texans Rally for Win at Indy

Chicago will pick No. 1 for the first time since 1947 after it lost 29-13 to the Minnesota Vikings in its season finale on Sunday. It was the 10th straight loss for the Bears (3-14), extending a franchise record, and the 14 losses overall also marked the most in team history.

Biden Toughens Border, Offers Legal Path for 30,000 a Month

President Joe Biden said the U.S. would immediately begin turning away Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans who cross the border from Mexico illegally, his boldest move yet to confront the arrivals of migrants that have spiraled since he took office.

Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to $1.1 Billion After No Winner

The prize is now the third-largest in U.S. history.

Lame-Duck Illinois Lawmakers Vote Themselves a 16% Raise

Legislation authorizing funds to be added for spending needs halfway through the state's fiscal year includes an $11,655 raise in base pay, to $85,000.

McCarthy Elected US House Speaker in Rowdy Post-Midnight Vote

Eager to confront President Joe Biden and the Democrats, Kevin McCarthy promised subpoenas and investigations. “Now the hard work begins," the California Republican declared.

EXPLAINER: Capitol Riot Investigation Growing 2 Years Later

More than 930 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the siege on Jan. 6, 2021, and the tally increases by the week. Hundreds more people remain at large on the second anniversary of the unprecedented assault that was fueled by lies that the 2020 election was stolen.

Faithful Mourn Benedict XVI at Funeral Presided Over by Pope

Benedict XVI is considered one of the 20th century’s greatest theologians and spent his lifetime upholding church doctrine. But he will go down in history for a singular, revolutionary act that changed the future of the papacy: He retired, the first pope in six centuries to do so.

McCarthy Fails for 3rd Long Day in GOP House Speaker Fight

Pressure was building as GOP party leader Kevin McCarthy lost a seventh, eighth and historic ninth round of voting, tying the number it took the last time this happened, 100 years ago, in a prolonged fight to choose a speaker in a disputed election.

Biden to Award Citizens Medal to 12 on Jan. 6 Anniversary

President Joe Biden on Friday will present the nation’s second highest civilian award to 12 individuals involved in defending the Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and safeguarding the will of American voters in the 2020 presidential election.

McCarthy Rejected for House Speaker with GOP in Disarray

For a fourth, fifth and sixth time, Republicans tried to vote McCarthy into the top job as the House plunged deeper into disarray.

US Job Openings Fell Slightly in November Yet Still High

Yet the figures show there are nearly 1.8 jobs for every unemployed person, down from a peak of 2 but historically very high. Before the pandemic, there were usually more unemployed people than jobs.

Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs to $940M After No Winner

The new jackpot will remain the sixth-largest jackpot in U.S. history.

Twitter Says It Will Relax Ban on Political Advertising

Twitter banned all political advertising in 2019, reacting to growing concern about misinformation spreading on social media. The latest move appears to represent a break from that policy, which had banned ads by candidates, political parties, or elected or appointed government officials.

Kevin McCarthy Fails After Marathon Votes for Speaker of the House, Vows to Stay In

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy had pledged a “battle on the floor” for as long as it takes to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel from his fellow party members on the initial vote.

Explainer: What Happened to Buffalo Bills Player Damar Hamlin?

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during Monday night’s game, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game against the Cincinnati Bengals that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.

Wall Street Slips in 2023 Open After Ending Dismal Year

Investors will be closely watching moves by central banks in coming months to fight inflation with higher interest rates, all the while bracing for the recession and higher unemployment that could result from those policies.

Tony Award-Winner, Chicago Stage Champion Frank Galati Dies

 Frank Galati won twin Tonys in 1990 — best play and best director — for his adaptation and staging of Steppenwolf’s production of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” starring Gary Sinise as Tom Joad. He was also nominated for directing the 1998 celebrated musical “Ragtime.”

$785M Mega Millions Prize Is 6th Largest in US History

The jackpot is the largest since someone in California won a record $2.04 billion Powerball prize on Nov. 8. There still has not been an announced winner of that jackpot.
 

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