By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Hardly anyone knew about Austin Ekeler when he made the Los Angeles Chargers’ roster as an undrafted rookie in 2017. As the running back approaches what could be his final game in powder blue, Ekeler has been a fan favorite among Chargers fans —
Continue ReadingBy KEN RITTER and RIO YAMAT Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge was attacked Wednesday by a defendant in a felony battery case who leaped over a defense table and the judge’s bench, landing atop her and sparking a bloody brawl involving court officials and attorneys, officials and witnesses said. In a
Continue ReadingSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bill to ban oil and gas production within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of schools and day care centers across New Mexico is among the first published proposals as the state legislature prepares for a 30-day session that could bring an overhaul to fundamental oil and gas regulations. Regulators in
Continue ReadingBy MARTÍN ADAMES ALCÁNTARA Associated Press SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Dominican prosecutors have accused Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a minor whose mother also faces the same charges. Prosecutors on Wednesday requested that a judge hold Franco
Continue ReadingBy HIRO KOMAE, RICHARD COLOMBO and YURI KAGEYAMA Associated Press SUZU, Japan (AP) — Rescuers in Japan are braving the cold in a race against time as they search for survivors along the country’s western coastline after a powerful earthquake earlier in the week smashed homes and left at least 77 people dead and 51
Continue ReadingBy ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Although the Broncos didn’t end their playoff drought in Sean Payton’s first season in Denver, they do have a chance at snapping two other unseemly skids Sunday in Las Vegas. A win by the Broncos (8-8) in the season finale would snap a streak
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of California, Los Angeles, will turn a sprawling former shopping mall into cutting-edge centers for immunology and quantum science research, Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials announced Wednesday. The 700,000-square-foot (65,032-square-meter) former Westside Pavilion, located 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the university’s Westwood campus, will be called UCLA Research
Continue ReadingBy GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and linebacker Ernest Jones will not play in the playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams’ regular-season finale at San Francisco. Carson Wentz will make his first start for the Rams (9-7) on Sunday, coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.
Continue ReadingBy NICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling barring him from the Colorado ballot, setting up a high-stakes showdown over whether a constitutional provision prohibiting those who “engaged in insurrection” will end his political career. Trump appealed a 4-3 ruling
Continue ReadingSAN DIEGO (AP) — South Korean reliever Woo-Suk Go and the San Diego Padres agreed Wednesday to a $4.5 million, two-year contract that includes a 2026 mutual option plus bonus and escalator provisions that could make the deal worth $9.4 million over three seasons if he closes regularly. The right-hander was 3-8 with a 3.68
Continue ReadingBy ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she will push for schools to reemphasize phonics in literacy education programs, a potential overhaul that comes as many states are revamping curriculums amid low reading scores. Hochul, a Democrat, debuted the proposal on Wednesday. If approved by the state
Continue ReadingBy MIKE CATALINI Associated Press A New Jersey imam was gunned down outside his mosque before dawn Wednesday, leaving authorities hunting for a shooter and saying they’ve found no evidence yet that an anti-Muslim bias played a part in the shooting. Imam Hassan Sharif was in his car when he was shot more than once
Continue ReadingCNN By Alexandra Banner, CNN (CNN) — NASA has grand visions for the year ahead, including a mission to send astronauts deeper into the solar system than anyone has ventured in more than 50 years. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. 1. Border battle The
Continue ReadingBy TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer DETROIT (AP) — American consumers bought 15.6 million new vehicles last year. The numbers indicate car buyers were undeterred by high prices, rising interest rates, autoworker strikes and a computer-chip shortage that slowed assembly lines. The tally is 12% more than in 2022, and the biggest increase in more
Continue ReadingBy JIM SALTER Associated Press Prosecutors in Kansas on Wednesday dismissed three felony charges related to accusations that Jackson Mahomes — the younger brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — grabbed a woman by the neck and kissed her against her will. Johnson County Assistant District Attorney Megan Ahsens had filed a motion
Continue ReadingHILLBURN, N.Y. (AP) — New York state troopers have killed a person in a shootout on a major highway, after stopping a vehicle identified in a shooting investigation. State police say two troopers stopped the vehicle on the New York State Thruway in Hillburn near the New Jersey line just before 3 p.m. Wednesday. Authorities
Continue ReadingBy Priscilla Alvarez, CNN (CNN) — The Biden administration on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Texas over its controversial immigration law that gives local law enforcement in Texas the authority to arrest migrants, arguing the state “cannot run its own immigration system.” The move comes after the Justice Department threatened last week to sue Texas
Continue ReadingBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A court in Argentina has delivered a blow to labor rule changes announced by President Javier Milei as part of sweeping deregulation and austerity measures aimed at reviving the country’s struggling economy. The court on Wednesday ordered the suspension of a provision in a decree issued by Milei in December.
Continue ReadingBy ELLEN KNICKMEYER and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The mother and American uncle of a U.S. service member were safe outside of Gaza after being rescued from the fighting in a secret operation coordinated by the U.S., Israel, Egypt and others, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. It is
Continue ReadingBy MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer NEW YORK (AP) — More U.S. hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected but still nasty post-holiday spike in flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses. While many experts say this season likely won’t prove to be as deadly as some other recent winters, it
Continue Reading