US

The latest payout from Arizona's sheriff has resulted in taxpayers paying $100M
Nearly five decades after Joe Arpaio was elected sheriff of Arizona's largest county, taxpayers now cover one of the major bills left from the thousands upon thousands of lawsuits that he sparked -- and it has risen to $100 million.

The US saw its highest wage increase in 20 years, according to records.
The three months ended in September saw the highest increase in wages in 20-year-old records. This is a clear indication of the rising ability of workers to demand more from companies desperate to fill jobs.

UN and US officials call for action to prevent climate catastrophe
Joe Biden, the U.N.'s highest human rights official and U.S. President Joe Biden’s climate envoy, called for countries to intensify their fight against global warming on Thursday. He described it as a matter of survival for humanity.

In the face of COVID, US economy contracted to a 2% pace last quarter
The U.S. economy was severely affected by the rising number of COVID-19 cases, and the persistent shortages of supplies. It experienced a 2% annual rate growth in the July-September period. This is the lowest quarterly expansion since the start of the recovery from the pandemic recession last year.

California is a drought-stricken state thanks to the 'Atmospheric River'
California was hit with a powerful atmospheric river storm, which set new rainfall records and helped to quell wildfires. It remains to be seen how big of an impact it had on California's drought.

United States issues 1st passport bearing 'X' gender marker
The United States issued its first passport bearing the "X" gender designation. This is a significant milestone in the recognition and protection of the rights of all people.

California drought-stricken California gets record rainfall thanks to a storm
California was hit with a powerful storm that set records for rainfall and diduse wildfires. It remains to be seen how big of an impact it had on California's drought.

Poll: AP-NORC/EPIC: Majority of Americans Concerned About Climate Change
At a time when the majority of Americans view the deteriorating climate with high importance, President Joe Biden will be heading to an important U.N. Climate Summit. This is an increase in concern from just a few short years ago.

Major storm calms California drought-stricken
After flooding roads and toppling trees, a powerful storm swept towards Southern California.

Colombia's most wanted drug lord is captured during a jungle raid
Colombian security forces captured the country's most wanted drug dealer. He was a rural warlord who had been on the run for over a decade, corrupting state officials and aligning with left- and right-leaning combatants.

US sends Afghan refugees to Kosovo in secrecy
Although the U.S. welcomes tens of thousands Afghans who were airlifted from Kabul, it has not disclosed much publicly about a small number of those who are still overseas. These include dozens of people who caused security concerns during security screening and were sent to an American base located in the Balkan country of Kosovo.

Texas adoption agencies to start rejecting application from gay, Jewish and interfaith couples
Parents trying to adopt kids in Texas could soon be dismisses by the state or private organizations with religious protests to them being Jewish, gay, Muslim, single, or interfaith couples, under a proposition in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

For first time in 48 years, Seattle out-snows Minneapolis
CaptionCloseThis winter has presented quite the upset in meteorological worlds: Seattle has out-snowed king-of-winter Minneapolis for much of the winter.Since Jan. 1, Seattle has had 10.2 inches of snow, while Minneapolis has had just 8.4 inches -- including...

Car crashes into utility pole in Beacon Hill
CaptionCloseAuthorities responded to reports of a car smashed into a utility pole early Wednesday morning in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood.The crash occurred on 15th Avenue South between State Street and Holgate at a bit before 4:30 a.m.The driver side...

Argument leads to man being shot in face
CaptionCloseTwo men were shot or pistol-whipped Feb. 28, 2017, in the 300 block of Petaluma Boulevard.Two men were shot or pistol-whipped Feb. 28, 2017, in the 300 block of Petaluma Boulevard.Two men were shot or pistol-whipped Feb. 28, 2017, in the 300 block...

Westmoreland County gets $14 million from Pennsylvania's fuel tax for local roadwork
Road money Municipalities in Westmoreland County, like those throughout the state, will benefit from increased liquid fuels payments — annual allocations from the state to local governments that are earmarked for construction, maintenance and repair of...

Some Wash. Boeing employees impacted by security breach after worker sent email to spouse
CaptionCloseBoeing is investigating an internal security breach impacting thousands of employees in four states, including Washington.The company said it was notified in January after a worker accidentally sent the personal information of 36,000 Boeing employees...

Sonoma County’s congressmen say President Trump's speech long on promises, short on details
Sonoma County’s two members of Congress said President Donald Trump made expansive promises and talked about spending trillions of taxpayer dollars in a speech Tuesday night that was short on explaining how any of it will be done.“He made a lot of lofty...

High-speed chase, crash results in man's arrest
CaptionClosePolice on Wednesday arrested a man after a high-speed chase that ended with a crash on the city's West Side.It is unclear what initiated the chase, but it came to a conclusion around 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Culebra Road and Zarzamora...

Vehicle flips on rainy Route 33 North
A vehicle rolled over Wednesday morning on Route 33 North, a Northampton County emergency dispatch supervisor confirmed. The crash was reported at 9:37 a.m. near mile marker 6 in Lower Nazareth Township, the supervisor said. A first responder reported...

Oxford student does her part to help pediatric cancer patients
Recently, Oxford Central School student Jen Reid participated in the St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser to benefit cancer research. Jen Reid not only raised money but had her head shaved to show support for cancer patients. (Courtesy photo) ...

Accident snarls traffic on Route 309 in Lehigh County
A rollover crash was reported just before 10 a.m. Wednesday on Route 309 South, a Lehigh County dispatcher confirmed. No one appeared injured in the wreck near the Interstate 78 overpass in Lower Macungie Township, the dispatcher said. MORE: Rollover wreck...

Easton club hosts girls' basketball clinics
The Boys and Girls Club of Easton is hosting Girls' Basketball Clinics 10 to 11 a.m. starting Saturday, March 4 with extended play and skill development training from 11a.m. until noon. Girls who are looking for more fun, want to learn new skills like...

The Latest: Storms cut power to 30K Indiana customers
CaptionCloseOTTAWA, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on severe weather affecting a large swath of the central U.S. (all times local):8:25 a.m.Severe thunderstorms that swept through Indiana overnight cut power to nearly 30,000 homes and businesses.Duke Energy...

Flemington seeks proposals to redevelop Global Agway site
FLEMINGTON -- The Borough Council has voted unanimously to seek a company to redevelop the former Global Agway site. The vote Monday night called for circulating a Request for Proposals to build on the 5.6-acre site at the gateway to the borough's downtown...

North Warren girls basketball's Vuz hits 1,000 points in state playoff win
North Warren girls basketball junior Kelly Vuz knocked down a free throw with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter to put her team ahead and herself into the Patriots’ record book. Vuz, a guard, scored her 1,000th career point as 10th-seeded North Warren...

Renewed Warren County Democrats promise full slate of candidates
Warren County's Democrats are working from the top down. The small, long-quiet party committee on Sunday held its first nominating convention in more than a decade, backing a candidate for New Jersey governor. But they won't stop there. Committee...

Mormon Church sanctuary spared in Van Nuys fire
VAN NUYS — A fire damaged a Mormon church today in Van Nuys, but no one was hurt.The blaze was reported at 2:13 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 15555 Saticoy St., according to Brian Humphrey of Los Angeles Fire Department.Flames...

President Trump's speech to Congress: A big shift in tone, but tough choices left to Congress
President Trump’s well-delivered speech to Congress on Tuesday night answered one major question — whether he could offer the country a less divisive tone — but provided almost no clarity about how he hopes to fulfill the promises that he made in his...

At least 2 dead after tornadoes touch down in central US
CaptionCloseLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Tornadoes touched down in the upper Midwest and northern Arkansas, killing at least two people, as a spring-like storm system posed a risk to 45 million people.Compact but strong storms known as supercells raked...

Trump offers mixed messages on immigration
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump, signaling a potential shift on a signature issue, indicated Tuesday in a private meeting with news anchors that he's open to immigration legislation that would give legal status to some people living in the U.S. illegally...

In emotional moment, Trump salutes slain SEAL's wife
WASHINGTON -- The widow of a U.S. Navy SEAL killed in Yemen stood in the balcony of the House chamber, tears streaming down her face as she looked upward and appeared to whisper to her husband.Democrats and Republicans alike stood for minutes to applaud Carryn...

At least 2 dead after tornadoes touch down in central U.S.
Tornadoes touched down in the upper Midwest and northern Arkansas on Tuesday, killing at least two people, as a spring-like storm system posed a risk to 45 million people.Compact but strong storms known as supercells raked parts of the central U.S., causing...

Murder charges in airport nerve agent attack that killed Kim Jong Nam
Appearing calm and solemn, two young women accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader, were charged with murder Wednesday.The women, who arrived in court under the protection of masked special forces...

Hate crime tracking: Fascinating, unreliable
(CNN)According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a crime becomes a hate crime when there's an added element of bias. For example, a murder is labeled a hate crime if the victim was killed because he was gay. Or black. Or Muslim. See the latest news...

Empathy and action: Muslims unite to help fix vandalized Jewish cemeteries
(CNN)Once again, dozens of Jewish headstones have been vandalized, stoking fears of heightened anti-Semitism. And once again, members of the Muslim community are rallying to help.President of @PhillyMosque expressing solidarity w/our Jewish sisters &...

'A resurgence of white nationalism': Hate groups spiked in 2016
(CNN)Across the country, flyers are showing up on college campuses.Source: CNN

Santa Rosa slaying victim sought new start away from husband accused of killing her
Jessica Carlson didn’t keep concerns about her husband, Dalton Carlson, to herself. Months before she was found dead Saturday in her west Santa Rosa home, she had begun talking and texting with friends and family, worried his drug use was spiraling out...

ATF: Canadian crook bought assault rifle on store credit
CaptionCloseGuns are famously easy to come by in the United States.It’s often noted that they are easier to get than a job or an education. America has more guns in private hands than adult residents. Even for people legally prohibited from possessing...

Sonoma County’s congressmen say Trump speech long on promises, short on details
Sonoma County’s two members of Congress said President Donald Trump made expansive promises and talked about spending trillions of taxpayer dollars in a speech Tuesday night that was short on explaining how any of it will be done.“He made a lot of lofty...

Santa Rosa boosts Legal Aid funding for low-income renters
A divided Santa Rosa City Council agreed Tuesday to support legal services for low-income renters facing evictions and poor housing conditions after some council members acknowledged the city’s efforts to enact rent control last year may have exacerbated...

Fayette County man gets 6 to 12 years in prison for assaulting Rostraver officers
Sign up for one of our email newsletters.Updated 7 hours ago A Brownsville man was sentenced Tuesday to serve up to 12 years in prison for assaulting two Rostraver police officers who were trying to make an arrest last year. Charles L. Bell, 51, pleaded guilty...

Jeannette man allegedly found with stolen jewelry after an overdose charged with recent burglary of Hempfield pawn shop
Sign up for one of our email newsletters.Updated 4 hours ago State police on Tuesday charged a Jeannette man with the recent burglary of a Hempfield pawn shop after he overdosed at a bank last weekend and was found with some of the stolen jewelry in his possession....

Clear Lake reopens to motor boats, ending two-week closure over flooding
Clear Lake, a prime year-round destination for anglers and economic engine for Lake County businesses, reopened to motorboats Tuesday, bringing relief to many of those interests after a two-week closure tied to recent flooding. The ban on motorized vessels,...

Fact checking Donald Trump’s speech to Congress
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday night about corporate job expansion and military cost-savings that actually took root under his predecessor and gave a one-sided account of the costs and benefits to the economy from immigration — ignoring...

Neighbor, firefighter treated following South Side Easton house fire (PHOTOS)
A South Side Easton resident and city firefighter were taken by ambulance for treatment following a house fire Tuesday night, officials said. Flames could be seen erupting from the front room of 324 E. Berwick St. The blaze was reported at 9:21...

President Trump sees ‘new chapter of American greatness’ in big speech
WASHINGTON — Heralding a “new chapter of American greatness,” President Donald Trump stood before Congress for the first time Tuesday night and issued a broad call for overhauling the nation’s health care system, significantly boosting military spending...

Texas Senate calls for amending Constitution to limit feds
CaptionCloseAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate on Tuesday approved a call for a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to limit federal power via checks such as a balanced budget rule and term limits — a call which the state's top Republicans...

Voter beware: Don’t fall for the tricks of political junk mail: Susan Shelley
If you’re the kind of Californian who votes in most elections, you have by now received stacks of the political mail sent out to convince voters that people they trust have made a slate of recommendations for every race in the upcoming election.But...

Sonoma man in barrel murder sentenced to state prison
A Sonoma man who bludgeoned another man to death, shoved his body in a barrel and dumped it in front of City Hall was sentenced Tuesday to 36 years to life in state prison.Christopher Michael McNatt, 42, received the punishment in the slaying of Ronald Gordon...

Catholic Charities expanding central intake system for Sonoma County’s homeless
Homeless people throughout Sonoma County will no longer need to juggle spots on several waiting lists or navigate multiple programs to access shelter under a centralized system being put in place by local government and nonprofit leaders.Over the next several...

Massive debris pile emerges from water near troubled Oroville Dam
OROVILLE — Crews worked Tuesday to clean up dirt and debris from the base of Oroville Dam and biologists rush to save stranded fish after state officials shut off the flow of water from a damaged spillway at the Northern California lake.Officials brought...

PG&E helicopter to fly low Wednesday surveying power lines
PG&E will conduct a low-flying helicopter survey of power lines in Sonoma County Wednesday, looking for dead trees that could pose a fire or other public safety hazard, the utility said. Weather permitting, the helicopter will leave from the Sonoma County...

Trump says he is open to immigration compromise that provides a pathway to legal status
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is open to an immigration reform bill that could provide a pathway to legal status - but not citizenship - for potentially millions of people who are in the United States illegally but have not committed serious crimes.At...

Charges: Man bound, beat nephew at Bellevue workplace
CaptionCloseKing County Prosecutors say a 43-year-old Bothell man tied up, assaulted and robbed his nephew at the family business in Bellevue earlier this month on the belief that he stole some of his belongings.King County Prosecutors say a 43-year-old Bothell...

My Monday commute was a bummer, how was yours?
CaptionCloseA flammable butane tanker truck rolled over on Interstate 5 Monday morning, causing a midday shutdown of I-5 and Interstate 90 in downtown Seattle. Three people suffered minor injuries.A flammable butane tanker truck rolled over on Interstate...

9 things to know about Vancouver’s Trump tower
CaptionCloseIf protests are any indication, Vancouver isn’t all too excited about its newest landmark – a 63-story Trump tower. Here’s what you should know about the newest Trump-branded tower. If protests are any indication, Vancouver isn’t all...

White House misspells American Samoa for American Sonoma in pool report
It looks like Sonoma County is getting White House attention—on an account of a misspelling.On Tuesday, the White House released a pool report that included names of attorney generals who met with President Trump. However, Twitter user Dino Grandoni (@dino_grandoni)...