National Business - The Morning Sun

FILE - A sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is seen on May 4, 2021, in Washington. A former contractor for the Internal Revenue Service has been charged with leaking tax information to news outlets about a government official and thousands of the country’s wealthiest people. The Justice Department said in a statement Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, that 38-year-old Charles Edward Littlejohn of Washington, D.C. is accused of stealing tax return information and giving it to two different news outlets between 2018 and 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

IRS contractor charged with leaking tax return information of wealthy people

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A former contractor for the Internal Revenue Service has been charged with leaking tax information to news outlets about a government official and thousands of the country’s wealthiest people. The … more

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST | 9/29/23

Madison Square Garden Executive Chairman James Dolan looks at a Sphere robot, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil)

James Dolan's sketch of the Sphere becomes reality as the venue opens with a U2 show in Las Vegas

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It started as a crude sketch — a circle with a stick person inside. Seven years later, that drawing has been made real: A $2.3 billion massive spherical venue standing 366 feet high and lighting up … more

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. and KEN RITTER | 9/29/23

FILE - A sign for the Food and Drug Administration is displayed outside their offices in Silver Spring, Md., on Dec. 10, 2020. On Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, the FDA laid out a proposal to begin regulating laboratory medical tests, a multibillion-dollar industry that it says poses a growing risk to patients because of potentially inaccurate results. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

FDA wants to regulate thousands of lab tests that have long skirted oversight

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The Food and Drug Administration says it plans to begin regulating laboratory-based medical tests. It's a multibillion-dollar industry that regulators say poses a growing risk to patients. The … more

By MATTHEW PERRONE | 9/29/23

FILE - House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., joined by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, right, and other GOP members, talks to reporters just after voting to advance appropriations bills on the House floor, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday night, Sept. 26, 2023. McCarthy is digging in on his refusal to take up Senate legislation designed to keep the federal government fully running beyond midnight Saturday, Sept. 30. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

McCarthy launches last-ditch plan to keep government open but with steep 30% cuts to many agencies

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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is rushing into a last-ditch plan to keep the government temporarily open but with steep spending cuts of nearly 30% to many agencies. McCarthy unveiled the proposal … more

By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING | 9/29/23

This combination of images shows, from left, Jelly Roll, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA and Usher who will perform at iHeartRadio's 2023 Jingle Ball. (AP Photo)

Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Usher, Jelly Roll and more will hit the 2023 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball stage

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iHeartRadio has unveiled its star-studded 2023 Jingle Ball lineup, including performances by Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Nicki Minaj, SZA, Niall Horan, and Jelly Roll. The 11-city tour will hit Tampa and … more

By MARIA SHERMAN | 9/29/23

Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Usher, Jelly Roll and more will hit the 2023 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball stage

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iHeartRadio has unveiled its star-studded 2023 Jingle Ball lineup, including performances by Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Nicki Minaj, SZA, Niall Horan, and Jelly Roll. The 11-city tour will hit Tampa and … more

By MARIA SHERMAN | 9/29/23

Karin Engstrom, 82, poses for photos at home, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Seattle. Engstrom recently had student loans forgiven. She's one of 804,000 borrowers who will have a total of $39 billion forgiven under a one-time adjustment granted by the Biden administration. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

804,000 long-term borrowers are having their student loans forgiven before payments resume this fall

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Student loan payments start up again for most borrowers in October, but more than 800,000 people who have been paying for years are having their loans forgiven. A total of $39 billion is being … more

By CORA LEWIS | 9/29/23

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution

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The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. The justices will review laws enacted by … more

By MARK SHERMAN | 9/29/23

FILE - This April 10, 2011, file photo, shows a rig and supply vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Louisiana. The Biden administration on Friday proposed up to three oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico over the next five years — and none in Alaska — as it tries to navigate between energy companies that have pressed for greater oil and gas production and environmental activists who have urged President Joe Biden to shut down new offshore drilling in the fight against climate change. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Biden calls for up to three oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, disappointing all sides

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President Joe Biden's administration has proposed up to three oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico over the next five years but none in Alaska. The Democratic administration is trying to … more

By MATTHEW DALY | 9/29/23

File - As shoppers wait in the background, a woman looks at Apple's new iPhone 15 at an Apple Store in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. On Friday, the Commerce Department issues its August report on consumer spending. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Higher gas prices lift Fed's preferred inflation gauge but underlying price pressures remain mild

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An inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve accelerated in August, boosted mainly by higher gas prices. But measures of underlying inflation slowed in the latest sign that overall price … more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER | 9/29/23

FILE - People walking the main shopping street in Dortmund, Germany, on Sept. 28, 2023. Inflation that has been plaguing Europeans made a marked decline in September, strengthening hopes that consumers will eventually get relief from costlier groceries, vacations and haircuts — and that the European Central Bank won’t have to further restrict the economy by raising interest rates from already-record highs. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Inflation drops sharply in Europe. It offers a glimmer of hope, but higher oil prices loom

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Inflation has sharply dropped in Europe. The official figure released Friday by the European Union's statistics agency was 4.3% in September for the 20 countries that use the euro, down from 5.2% in … more

By DAVID McHUGH | 9/29/23

FILE - President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his economic agenda at a training center run by Laborers' International Union of North America, Feb. 8, 2023, in Deforest, Wis. The Biden administration on Friday, Sept. 29, is releasing a playbook on best practices for training workers — as the low 3.8% unemployment rate and years of underinvestment have left manufacturers, construction firms and other employers with unfilled jobs. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

As employers face labor shortages, Biden administration rolls out playbook for training workers

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The Biden administration is releasing a playbook on best practices for training workers as the low 3.8% unemployment rate and years of underinvestment have left manufacturers, construction firms and … more

By JOSH BOAK | 9/29/23

Stock market today: Asian shares mixed, with most regional markets closed after Wall St ticks higher

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Asian markets are mixed, with only a few open due to public holidays across the region. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 was slightly lower. On Thursday, Wall Street's benchmarks ticked higher, trimming its sharp … more

By ELAINE KURTENBACH | 9/29/23

Visitors gather near a giant flower basket on display at the crowded Tiananmen Square to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. Tens of millions of Chinese tourists are expected to travel within their country, splurging on hotels, tours, attractions and meals in a boost to the economy during the 8-day autumn holiday period that began Friday. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Millions take to China's railways, roads, air in 1st big autumn holiday since end of zero-COVID

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Many millions of Chinese tourists are expected to travel within their country, splurging on hotels, tours, attractions and meals in a boost to the economy during the 8-day autumn holiday period that … more

By ZEN SOO | 9/29/23

People pass by an election billboard of far-right "Kotlebovci" party in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. The billboard reads: 'We will save Slovakia from migrants'. Slovakia holds early parliamentary elections on Saturday Oct. 30, 2023, with a populist former prime minister Robert Fico and his scandal-tainted party "SMER" (Direction) favored to win after campaigning on a clear pro-Russian and anti-American message. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Slovakia election pits a pro-Russia former prime minister against a liberal pro-West newcomer

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Slovakia holds an early parliamentary election on Saturday that pits populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico who campaigned on a clear pro-Russia and anti-American message against a liberal … more

9/29/23

FILE - A line of 2022 Santa Fe SUV's sit outside a Hyundai dealership on Sept. 12, 2021, in Littleton, Colo. Nearly 3.4 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S. are under recall due to the risk of engine compartment fires. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Drive a Hyundai or Kia? See if your car is one of the nearly 3.4 million under recall for fire risks

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Nearly 3.4 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S. are under recall due to the risk of engine compartment fires. And it’s important for drivers to check if their car is one of them. According … more

By TOM KRISHER | 9/28/23

Miss Penn sits on top of the dome at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, June 29, 2023. A senior adviser to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro who abruptly resigned Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, had been accused earlier this year of sexual harassment by a coworker who said his behavior forced her to quit her job in the governor's office. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Before senior aide to Pennsylvania governor resigned, coworker accused adviser of sexual harassment

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A senior adviser to Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro who abruptly resigned this week was accused earlier in the year of sexual harassment by a former coworker. The woman says Shapiro's … more

By BROOKE SCHULTZ and MARK SCOLFORO | 9/28/23

A pharmacist administers a Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine at a drug store, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. Fall 2023 vaccination season is in full swing, with health officials in the U.S. urging both an updated COVID-19 shot and flu vaccine for most everyone. New this year are vaccines for older adults and women in late pregnancy to guard against another virus named RSV. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP)

What to know as fall vaccinations against COVID, flu and RSV get underway

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Fall vaccination season is in full swing, with health officials urging both an updated COVID-19 shot and flu vaccine for most everyone. The new COVID-19 shots may be getting a little easier for … more

By LAURAN NEERGAARD | 9/28/23

Former President Donald Trump speaks in Clinton Township, Mich., Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Mulholland)

Court rejects Donald Trump’s bid to delay trial in wake of fraud ruling that threatens his business

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An appeals court has rejected Donald Trump’s bid to delay a civil trial in a lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general. Thursday’s decision by the state’s intermediate appellate court … more

By MICHAEL R. SISAK | 9/28/23

FILE - Infowars founder Alex Jones appears in court to testify during the Sandy Hook defamation damages trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Waterbury, Conn., on Sept. 22, 2022. A bank recently shut down the accounts of Jones' media company citing unauthorized transactions — a move that caused panic at the business when its balances suddenly dropped from more than $2 million to zero, according to a bankruptcy lawyer for the company. (Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool, File)

Bank that handles Infowars money appears to be cutting ties with Alex Jones' company, lawyer says

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A lawyer for conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' media company says a bank recently shut down the company's accounts, citing unauthorized transactions. The lawyer, Ray Battaglia, told a bankruptcy judge … more

By DAVE COLLINS | 9/28/23