Stories by Associated Press

Days After Taking Over, Elon Musk Emerging as Twitter’s Chief Moderator Ahead of Midterm Elections

Elon Musk even changed his profile to “Twitter Complaint Hotline Operator” — with a photo of himself when he was a toddler holding a telephone. But it is almost impossible for those outside of Twitter to know what strings he is pulling or whose accounts have been suspended.

Strong RSV Vaccine Data Lifts Hopes After Years of Futility

Pfizer announced Tuesday that a large international study found vaccinating moms-to-be was nearly 82% effective at preventing severe cases of RSV in their babies’ most vulnerable first 90 days of life. At age 6 months, the vaccine still was proving 69% effective against serious illness.

Chicago Bears Agree to Trade LB Roquan Smith to Ravens: AP Source

The Chicago Bears agreed to trade linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. It’s the Bears’ second major trade involving a defensive player in less than a week.

Police: Pelosi Suspect Wanted to Hold House Speaker Hostage

The district attorney’s remarks come as the gruesome attack on the husband of the House speaker is being mocked and dismissed in conservative, far-right social media, even among some Republicans leaders and those at the highest levels of social power. San Francisco’s police chief has also said the attack was targeted.

Records: Lying Illinois Prison Officers Go Unpunished in 2018 Inmate Death

Three former Illinois prison guards face life behind bars after the 2018 fatal beating of a 65-year-old inmate in a case marked by the unpunished lies of other correctional officers who continue to get pay raises, records obtained by The Associated Press and court documents show.

Supreme Court Justices Raise Doubts on Race-Conscious College Admissions

The Supreme Court wrestled with persistent, difficult questions of race Monday, debating whether to end the use of affirmative action in higher education.

Assailant Shouted ‘Where is Nancy?’ in Attack on Speaker of the House’s Husband

Those shouts were a chilling echo of the chants during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, when rioters trying to stop Joe Biden’s election searched menacingly through the halls for the speaker.

Barack Obama Gets a Midterm Do-Over to Help Boost Democrats

Barack Obama is trying to do something he couldn’t during two terms as president: help Democrats succeed in national midterm elections when they already hold the White House.

McDonald's Q3 Sales Boosted by Higher Prices, Promotions

McDonald’s Chief Financial Officer Ian Borden said U.S. prices were 10% higher than last year in the July-September period. But while some lower-income consumers appeared to shift to cheaper menu items, overall demand remained strong.

US Economy Returned to Growth Last Quarter, Expanding 2.6%

Thursday’s better-than-expected estimate from the Commerce Department showed that the nation’s gross domestic product — the broadest gauge of economic output — grew in the third quarter after having shrunk in the first half of 2022.

UN Weather Agency: Greenhouse Gases Reach New Record in 2021

Of the three main types of heat-trapping greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide — the biggest jump from 2020 to 2021 was in methane, whose concentrations in the air came in with the biggest year-on-year increase since regular measurements began four decades ago, WMO said.

Man Convicted of Killing 6 With SUV in Christmas Parade

The jury found Darrell Brooks guilty of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide. He faces a mandatory life sentence on each count.

Massive Recall of CPAP Machines, Used for Sleep Apnea, Drags On and Stokes Frustration

Philips initially estimated it could repair or replace the units within a year. But with the recall expanding to more than 5 million devices worldwide, the Dutch company now says the effort will stretch into 2023.

St. Louis School Gunman Had AR-15-Style Weapon, 600 Rounds of Ammo

The shooter left behind a hand-written note offering his explanation for the shooting Monday at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. Tenth-grader Alexandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died and seven students were wounded.

Adidas Latest Company to End Partnership with Kanye West Over Antisemitic Remarks

The sneaker giant became the latest company to cut ties with Chicago native Ye, who was suspended from Twitter and Instagram this month over antisemitic posts that the social networks said violated their policies.

Leslie Jordan, Versatile Emmy-Winning Actor and Social Media Star, Dies at 67

Leslie Jordan, the Emmy-winning actor whose wry Southern drawl and versatility made him a comedy and drama standout on TV series including “Will & Grace” and “American Horror Story,” has died. He was 67.

Control of Congress: What’s at Play in the 2022 Midterm Elections?

Democrats have held both chambers of Congress and the presidency for the last two years, but they may not have such consolidated power for much longer. A look at control of Congress and what will happen if Republicans win a majority in either chamber in the election. 

Gunfire During Illegal Street Racing on Southwest Side Kills 3, Injures 2 Others

The shooting happened about 4 a.m. Sunday in Brighton Park after the caravan blocked streets leading to the intersection for illegal street racing, Chicago police Cmdr. Don Jerome said during a news conference. 

Biden Juggling Long List of Issues to Please Dem Coalition

“There’s no one thing,” President Joe Biden said Wednesday when questioned about his top priority. “There’s multiple, multiple, multiple issues, and they’re all important. ... We ought to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. You know, that old expression.”

Court Temporarily Blocks Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued the stay while it considers a motion from six Republican-led states to block the loan cancellation program. The stay ordered the Biden administration not to act on the program while it considers the appeal. The order came just days after people began applying for loan forgiveness.

Emmett Till Honored With Statue in Mississippi Community Near Where He Was Killed

A Mississippi community with an elaborate Confederate monument plans to unveil a larger-than-life statue of Emmett Till on Friday, not far from where white men kidnapped and killed the Black teenager.

Bannon Gets 4 Months Behind Bars for Defying 1/6 Subpoena

Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, was convicted in July of two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition and the other for refusing to provide documents.

Online School Put US Kids Behind. Some Adults Have Regrets.

There are fears for the futures of students who don’t catch up. They run the risk of never learning to read, long a precursor for dropping out of school. They might never master simple algebra, putting science and tech fields out of reach. The pandemic decline in college attendance could continue to accelerate, crippling the U.S. economy.

Truss Quits, but UK's Political and Economic Turmoil Linger

Truss became the third Conservative prime minister to be toppled in as many years, extending the instability that has shaken Britain since it broke off from the European Union and leaving its leadership in limbo as the country faces a cost-of-living crisis and looming recession.

Everything to Know to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness

Borrowers who apply before mid-November should see forgiveness before Jan. 1, when payments on loans are scheduled to restart after a pause during the pandemic.

Illinois Takes Center Stage in Battle Over Union Rights Vote

With U.S. union ranks swelling as everyone from coffee shop baristas to warehouse workers seeks to organize, Illinois voters will decide next month whether to amend their state constitution to guarantee the right to bargain collectively.
 

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