AP National News

AP Film Writer Saoirse Ronan is having a big fall with two major films coming to theaters. First is “The Outrun,” an adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir of alcoholism and recovery that she stars in and produced alongside her husband Jack Lowden. It opens in theaters Friday. Next is Steve McQueen’s highly anticipated “Blitz,” in

Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A federal court has rejected Alex Murdaugh’s request to throw out his 40-year sentence for stealing from clients and his law firm. The disgraced South Carolina lawyer said it was a decade longer than what prosecutors had recommended. The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal, saying

AP Film Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The Jonathan Majors-starring bodybuilder drama “Magazine Dreams” has been acquired for theatrical release after it was dropped following Majors’ conviction for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Briarcliff Entertainment has picked up distribution rights to the film, its chief executive, Tom Ortenberg confirmed Wednesday. Ortenberg said in an email that Briarcliff

BALTIMORE (AP) — A man has pleaded guilty to strangling his cellmate to death in Baltimore’s jail two years ago. The plea entered Tuesday concludes the prosecution of a case that raised significant questions about operations in the detention center and the city’s backlogged court system. Thirty-five-year-old Gordon Staron was charged with first-degree murder in

Associated Press HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene dumped heavy rain on a mountainous region hundreds of miles away from the coast. Some residents who live in the Appalachian Mountains were surprised they faced such a severe threat from flooding — and climate change is making that threat worse. The landscape adds to the problem.

AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Reese Witherspoon’s latest literary news marks a new direction for the Oscar-winning actor, producer and founder of her own book club. Grand Central Publishing announced Wednesday that the “Legally Blonde” and “Big Little Lies” star is teaming with the bestselling thriller writer and Netflix producer-creator Harlan Coben on

ROME (AP) — The Vatican bank has fired two employees on the grounds that their recent wedding violates a new ban on workplace marriages. The Institute for Religious Works said it took the “difficult decision” to fire the couple, who have three children, after neither one agreed to resign voluntarily to allow the other to

Associated Press ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — More than 100 people, mostly women and children, were missing after an overloaded boat bringing them back from an Islamic festival at night capsized in northwestern Nigeria, authorities said Wednesday. The locally made boat, whose capacity was 100 passengers, had about 300 people onboard along the Niger River when

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Robert Downey Jr. made his Broadway debut this week in “McNeal,” revealing some unexpected inspirations that helped him prepare for the stage. He says starring in “Oppenheimer” gave him a very monastic focus and then doing multiple parts in “The Sympathizer” gave him flexibility. The Oscar winner for his

AP Science Writer Hurricanes in the United States end up hundreds of times deadlier than the government calculates, contributing to more American deaths than car accidents or all the nation’s wars, a new study said. The average storm hitting the U.S. contributes to the early deaths of 7,000 to 11,000 people over a 15-year period,

Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s new government says it hopes to improve ties with China after receiving a “forward-looking” congratulatory message from Beijing on the election of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Ties between Japan and China have been strained by a territorial dispute, Japan’s wartime history, and most recently, the killing of a Japanese

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s Republican attorney general is appealing a judge’s ruling that the state’s abortion ban is unconstitutional. Attorney General Chris Carr’s office filed a legal motion Wednesday asking the Georgia Supreme Court to reinstate the law that outlaws most abortions after the first six weeks or so of pregnancy while the court considers

AP Sports Writer SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz did more than carve out a place in this city. They became a Salt Lake City institution, continuing to draw sellout crowds long after Stockton-to-Malone eventually turned into a rebuilding team that very well could be going on year three of missing the playoffs.