Associated Press stories, Page 327
Ohio State and Texas enter CFP semifinal at Cotton Bowl with a chance to end title droughts
ARLINGTON, Texas — There is still a sense for some Ohio State players that they haven’t done anything yet, even after winning twice already this postseason to get into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against Texas. “Absolutely. I have been here for four years, and I...
The Los Angeles landmarks from film and TV damaged by wildfires
The high school where Brian De Palma brought Stephen King’s “Carrie” to life, Will Rogers’ ranch house and a motel owned by William Randolph Hearst are among some of the famous structures that have been damaged or destroyed by the California wildfires. Los Angeles is a town full of landmarks,...
What to know about thousands of evacuations and homes burned in Los Angeles area fires
LOS ANGELES — At least five people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said. Fast-moving flames blazed through homes and businesses as residents fled smoke-filled canyons and picturesque neighborhoods that are home to many celebrities. Many of the...
Michelle Obama absent from state funeral for President Jimmy Carter
Former first lady Michelle Obama did not attend the state funeral Thursday for former President Jimmy Carter. Except for Michelle Obama, all of the living former presidents and their spouses were at the funeral, including Barack Obama, sitting in the front pews of Washington National Cathedral behind only President Joe...
Striking ski patrollers at the biggest U.S. resort return to work claiming victory
Two hundred Utah ski patrollers returned to work Thursday after voting to accept a new labor contract and end a nearly two-week strike that closed many trails and caused long lift lines at the ones that remained open during a busy time of year at the country’s biggest ski resort....
Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case
WASHINGTON — A divided Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to delay his sentencing in his hush money case in New York. The court’s 5-4 order clears the way for Judge Juan M. Merchan to impose a sentence Friday on Trump, who was convicted in what prosecutors...
No more fact-checking for Meta. How will this change media — and the pursuit of truth?
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts,” the late New York Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan memorably wrote four decades ago. That seems like a simpler time — especially when you consider Meta’s decision to end a fact-checking program on social media apps Facebook, Instagram and...
Participate or keep it quiet? Recent sing-alongs tap into larger discussion on moviegoing etiquette
WASHINGTON — As movie theaters worked to entice Americans back into seats after covid-19 lockdowns and labor strikes, the industry marketed blockbuster films like “Wicked” and the dueling releases of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” as no less than cultural events. But when certain movies become “events” unto themselves, sometimes different behavior...
Trump gives GOP senators no set strategy as leaders struggle to craft his priorities
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump likes the idea of “one, big beautiful bill” for his top legislative priorities, but he emerged from a lengthy closed-door meeting with Republican senators late Wednesday open to other strategies as GOP leaders strain to develop a plan before the party gains full power in...
A powerful winter storm’s heavy snow and sleet cancels flights and closes schools across the South
DALLAS — A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow and icy conditions to parts of the South on Thursday, forcing officials to close schools, cancel flights and warn residents in some of the worst-hit areas to stay off roads as it lumbered eastward through Oklahoma and Texas. Arkansas Gov. Sarah...
Working Well: Saying no is hard, but setting boundaries can improve your health
NEW YORK — When Justin Stewart started his career, he juggled several jobs to make ends meet. He poured himself into his full-time role as a news show production assistant from 3 a.m. until noon. Then he rushed to the airport where he rented cars or to the big box...
Trump, the ‘America First’ candidate, has a new preoccupation: Imperialism
NEW YORK — Donald Trump ran on a return to his “America First” foreign policy platform. The U.S., he said, could no longer afford to be the world’s policeman. On his watch, he pledged, there would be no new wars. But since winning a second term, the president-elect has been...
New LA-area fire prompts more evacuations while over 10,000 structures lost to the 2 biggest blazes
LOS ANGELES — The two biggest wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area have burned at least 10,000 homes, buildings and other structures, officials said Thursday as they urged more people to heed evacuation orders after a new blaze ignited and quickly grew. The fast-moving Kenneth Fire started in the late...
TikTok’s fate arrives at Supreme Court in collision of free speech and national security
WASHINGTON — In one of the most important cases of the social media age, free speech and national security collide at the Supreme Court on Friday in arguments over the fate of TikTok, a wildly popular digital platform that roughly half the people in the United States use for entertainment...
New book alleges that someone at Fox News gave Trump’s team an early look at town hall questions
PHOENIX — Someone inside Fox News gave Donald Trump’s presidential campaign the questions he would face ahead of a town hall the network produced in January 2024, a forthcoming book alleges, according to excerpts obtained by The Associated Press. The claim appears in “Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return...
Photos capture how wildfires are ravaging Southern California 3 days after igniting
BC-California Wildfires-Photo Gallery, 15th Ld-Writethru15th Ld-Writethru Major wildfires around Los Angeles raged on Thursday as firefighters struggled to put out blazes three days after they began with strong winds ripped through the mountains and foothills. Ongoing flames All around Los Angeles, scenes of flames were everywhere, as many areas continued...
More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, officials say
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Thursday, with no end in sight to the 15-month conflict. The ministry said a total of 46,006 Palestinians have been killed and 109,378 wounded. It has said women and children...
Jimmy Carter lauded for his humility and service in Washington before his return to Georgia
WASHINGTON — Jimmy Carter was celebrated Thursday for his personal humility and public service before, during and after his presidency during a funeral at Washington National Cathedral featuring the kind of pageantry the 39th U.S. president typically eschewed. All of Carter’s living successors were in attendance, with President Joe Biden,...
U.S. will keep protecting more than 2,000 Rocky Mountain grizzly bears
BILLINGS, Mont. — The Biden administration said Wednesday it will continue protecting about 2,000 grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountains despite opposition from Republican-led states. Federal officials also said they would ease some restrictions as conflicts between bears and humans rise. Ranchers operating outside of designated grizzly recovery zones would...
Scientists drill nearly 2 miles down to pull 1.2 million-year-old ice core from Antarctic
An international team of scientists announced Thursday they’ve successfully drilled one of the oldest ice cores yet, penetrating nearly 2 miles to Antarctic bedrock to reach ice they say is at least 1.2 million years old. Analysis of the ancient ice is expected to show how Earth’s atmosphere and climate...
Ex-FBI informant who fabricated bribery story about Biden and his son Hunter gets 6 years in prison
WASHINGTON — A former FBI informant who fabricated a story about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter accepting bribes that became central to Republicans’ impeachment effort was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison. Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty last month in Los Angeles federal court to tax evasion and...
Chargers QB Justin Herbert looks to add playoff victory to list of accomplishmentsVideo
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Justin Herbert has accomplished several personal milestones during his first five years in the league. However, it hasn’t resulted in playoff success for the Los Angeles Chargers. Herbert can change that Saturday when the Chargers travel to Houston for an AFC wild-card round game. It will...
Rookie class led by Bucky Irving, Jalen McMillan lift Buccaneers
TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield had the best statistical year of his career, Mike Evans topped 1,000 yards receiving for a record-tying 11th consecutive season and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are NFC South champions for a franchise-best fourth straight time. It would be safe to say, though, the Bucs (10-7)...
Service workers union rejoins AFL-CIO after 20 years just ahead of Trump’s inauguration
WASHINGTON — The Service Employees International Union is returning to the AFL-CIO after 20 years, betting that a united labor movement will do more to help workers overcome legal challenges to organize and join unions. The union groups’ executive boards each unanimously approved the combination on Wednesday, with plans to...
Ending 8-year playoff drought sweet for Broncos’ Courtland Sutton, Garett BollesVideo
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Ending the Denver Broncos’ long playoff drought was especially poignant for left tackle Garett Bolles and wide receiver Courtland Sutton. “GB and I are the two longest-tenured guys on the team, so we’ve been through the ugly,” Sutton said. “For us to be able to see this...

