By MICHAEL TARM and JOHN O’CONNOR Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, for decades one of the nation’s most powerful state legislators, has been charged with a nearly $3 million racketeering and bribery scheme. An indictment unsealed Wednesday accuses the 79-year-old Chicago Democrat of leading a criminal enterprise whose purpose
Continue ReadingMIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas is resigning as artistic director of the New World Symphony after 34 seasons with the orchestra, wanting to lessen administrative responsibilities as he deals with a brain tumor. The 77-year-old had surgery last August for the tumor. He has conducted 20 concerts since then with the
Continue ReadingWINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Two women have been convicted of inciting two female residents at an North Carolina assisted living facility to fight each other in 2019. The fight was recorded and shared with others. The Winston-Salem Journal reports one woman pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault of an individual with a disability.
Continue ReadingINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pete Carroll says the Seattle Seahawks aren’t open for business when teams may inquire about the availability of quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason. Carroll says the Seahawks receive questions all the time about players that might be available, but they are not interested in making a move with Wilson. Carroll was even
Continue ReadingBy COLLEEN LONG and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading Democratic senator is calling out President Joe Biden to show “more urgency” to address gun violence by executive action, as the prospects of legislation on Capitol Hill to pass gun control reforms remain slim. Sen. Chris Murphy, who represented Newtown, Connecticut, when
Continue ReadingBy KEN MILLER Associated Press Researchers say the discovery of human remains that could possibly be victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma shows the search for mass graves should continue. A report submitted Tuesday to Tulsa’s committee overseeing the search said one body recovered is a possible massacre victim and had three
Continue ReadingBy CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Masks are now optional in school districts across New York state, including many of the largest, following the end of a statewide mandate. Districts in Yonkers, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Albany were among those to stop requiring face coverings beginning Wednesday. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the
Continue ReadingAlejandra Ramos (CNN) — La Casa Blanca dio a conocer este miércoles un plan para llevar a la nación a una nueva etapa de la pandemia en la que el covid-19 “no interrumpa nuestra vida cotidiana”, al tiempo que prepara a la nación para cualquier nueva variante que pueda surgir. El Plan Nacional de Preparación
Continue ReadingBy ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is closing all of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, as well as its 4-star shops and pop up locations. The closures come as the online behemoth reworks its physical footprint. The move affects 66 stores in the U.S. and two in the United Kingdom. The Seattle-based
Continue ReadingBy Allison Morrow, CNN Business If Russia’s oligarchs weren’t already shaking in their custom Italian-leather boots, they probably are now. In his first State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Joe Biden addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s cronies directly, telling them that the United States and its allies are coming to “seize your yachts,
Continue ReadingBy Ariane de Vogue, CNN Supreme Court Reporter As the Supreme Court continues to mull major questions concerning the future of Roe v. Wade and the Second Amendment, Republicans in North Carolina are now asking the justices — on an emergency basis — to possibly change how US elections are decided. Election law experts are
Continue ReadingThe Associated Press Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities, and foreign exchange levels.
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Lay It Out Events announced Wednesday the return of its beloved Theater in the Park series with the 2005 Tony Award-winning musical comedy “Spamalot.” The hilarious tale of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake will be held on the grass under towering pine trees for two summer nights Aug. 26 & 27 in Bend’s iconic Drake Park.
Continue ReadingBy MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has rejected an effort by New York’s attorney general to put the National Rifle Association out of business, but will allow her lawsuit accusing top executives of illegally diverting tens of millions of dollars from the powerful gun advocacy organization to proceed. Manhattan
Continue ReadingBy MATT OTT AP Business Writer SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Bitcoin prices have surged as investors again appear to view the volatile cryptocurrency as a safe haven for their money and Russians and Ukrainians seek alternatives to their country’s financial institutions. After initially falling to around $34,000 following Russia’s advance into Ukraine last week,
Continue ReadingCNN By Donald Judd and Jeremy Herb, CNN The White House on Wednesday detailed a new slate of economic measures levied against Russia and its ally Belarus, condemning Belarus for “enabling (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.” Among Wednesday’s actions are new restrictions extending export control policies to Belarus and preventing diversion of tech
Continue ReadingPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler will use his executive powers to create a new homeless service hub within the city government, streamlining the work of various departments that interact with people living outside.Wheeler made the announcement at a Wednesday news conference. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the mayor will use his emergency powers
Continue ReadingBy SAM METZ Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The sponsor of a Utah proposal to create a commission to make eligibility decisions about transgender kids in youth sports is removing controversial provisions that list body measurements as criteria to be considered. Republican Rep. Kera Birkeland said Wednesday that she planned to remove the
Continue ReadingBy SAM METZ Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The sponsor of a Utah proposal to create a commission to make eligibility decisions about transgender kids in youth sports is removing controversial provisions that list body measurements as criteria to be considered. Republican Rep. Kera Birkeland said Wednesday that she planned to remove the
Continue ReadingGREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Delicia Washington had 33 points and 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season and No. 13 seed Clemson beat 12th-seeded Syracuse 88-69 in the opening game of the ACC tournament. Clemson advances to face ACC player of the year Elizabeth Kitley and No. 5 seed Virginia Tech on Thursday.
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