National News - The Morning Sun

FILE - A sold sign hangs in front of a Brighton, New York house on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.66% from 6.62% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Average long-term mortgage rates rise again, reaching their highest level in 4 weeks

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose for the second time in as many weeks, climbing to its highest level in four weeks. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.66% from 6.62% last … more

By ALEX VEIGA | 1/11/24

FILE - Michelle Troconis, center, is arraigned on conspiracy to commit murder charges in Stamford Superior Court Wednesday, January 8, 2020, in Stamford, Conn. The first criminal trial related to the 2019 killing of Connecticut mother-of-five Jennifer Dulos is set to begin this week. Michelle Troconis is scheduled to go on trial Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, evidence tampering and hindering prosecution.(Erik Trautmann/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool, File)

Trial of woman charged in alleged coverup of Jennifer Dulos killing begins in Connecticut

The trial of a woman charged in the 2019 killing of mother-of-five Jennifer Dulos has begun in a Connecticut courtroom. A six-person jury began hearing the case against Michelle Troconis in Stamford … more

By DAVE COLLINS | 1/11/24

FILE - An advertisement for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin displayed on a tram, May 12, 2021, in Hong Kong. U.S. regulators are soon expected to decide whether to approve the first bitcoin exchange-traded fund, a development that could thrust the once niche and nerdy corner of the internet even further into the financial mainstream. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

New funds will make investing in bitcoin easier. Here’s what you need to know

The U.S. for the first time has given the greenlight to almost a dozen exchange traded funds for bitcoins. ETFs give every day investors a way to get in on trading in oil, gold, corporate bonds and … more

By KEN SWEET | 1/11/24

FILE - In this June 5, 2014 file photo, Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund, poses for a portrait by a painted mural in Washington. The United Negro College Fund announced a gift of $100 million from the Lilly Endowment, as part of its larger capital campaign to bolster the endowments of the 37 historically Black colleges and university that form its membership. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

$100 million gift from Lilly Endowment aims to shore up HBCU endowments

The United Negro College Fund announced a donation of $100 million from the Lilly Endowment, the single largest unrestricted gift to the organization since its founding 80 years ago. The gift … more

By ANNIE MA | 1/11/24

FILE - A Google sign hangs over an entrance to the company's new building, Sept. 6, 2023, in New York. Google has laid off hundreds of employees working on its hardware, voice assistance and engineering teams as part of cost-cutting measures. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)

Google lays off hundreds in hardware, voice assistant teams amid cost-cutting drive

Google says it has laid off hundreds of employees working on its hardware, voice assistance and engineering teams as part of cost-cutting measures. The company said the moves were made as Google aims … more

By ZEN SOO | 1/11/24

Starbucks sign hangs outside a casino along Main Street Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Deadwood, S.D. A consumer advocacy group filed a lawsuit against Starbucks on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, saying the company’s claim that its coffee is ethically sourced is false and misleading.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Starbucks sued by consumer group that calls its claim of ethical sourcing false and misleading

A consumer advocacy group filed a lawsuit against Starbucks Wednesday, saying the company’s claim that its coffee is ethically sourced is false and misleading. The National Consumers League cited … more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN | 1/11/24

FILE - Native Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawānanakoa poses outside a Honolulu courthouse on Oct. 25, 2019. There will be at least $100 million leftover to fund Native Hawaiian causes from the estate of the so-called last Hawaiian princess who died last year at age 96. According to court documents filed last week in the probate case for the estate of Abigail Kawānanakoa, $40 million will go to her wife. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, File)

$100M will be left for Native Hawaiian causes from the estate of an heiress considered last princess

There will be at least $100 million left in the estate of the so-called last Hawaiian princess to support Native Hawaiian culture. Abigail Kawānanakoa died last year at age 96. She was a descendant … more

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER | 1/11/24

FILE - A police officer gives an order to the public during a manhunt for Robert Card at a farm following two mass shootings, Oct. 27, 2023, in Lisbon, Maine. Despite the warning by Card's friend and fellow Army reservist Sean Hodgson, which came alongside a series of other glaring red flags, Army officials discounted the warnings and ultimately did not stop Card from committing Maine's deadliest mass shooting when he killed multiple people in Lewiston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

In his 1st interview, friend who warned officials of Maine shooter says 'I literally spelled it out'

For 17 years, Sean Hodgson was best friends with the man who would commit Maine's deadliest mass shooting. Hodgson and Robert Card were both Army reservists. Hodgson watched Card unravel, becoming … more

By HOLLY RAMER, NICK PERRY and DAVID SHARP | 1/11/24

FILE - Books are displayed at the Banned Book Library at American Stage, Feb. 18, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. A lawsuit can move forward against the Escambia County School District, a Florida Panhandle school district, over its removal of books about race and LGBTQ+ identities from library shelves, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)

Federal lawsuit against Florida school district that banned books can move forward, judge rules

A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit may move forward against a Florida Panhandle school district over its removal of books about race and LGBTQ+ identities from library shelves. The … more

1/10/24

FILE - This combination of photos shows Republican presidential candidates, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former South Carolina UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. The fifth Republican presidential debate of the 2024 election season will also be its first head-to-head matchup. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are the only candidates taking part in Wednesday night’s debate in Iowa. (AP Photo, File)

DeSantis and Haley go head to head: How to watch the fifth Republican presidential debate

The fifth Republican presidential debate of the 2024 election season will also be its first head-to-head matchup. The debate kicks off Wednesday, 9 p.m. Eastern time at Drake University and comes … more

By MEG KINNARD | 1/10/24

FILE - The headquarters of German software maker SAP is seen, Nov. 5, 2003, in Walldorf near Heidelberg, Germany. SAP will pay more than $220 million in fines to resolve U.S. bribery allegations involving payments to government officials in South Africa and Indonesia, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)

German software giant SAP fined more than $220M to resolve US bribery allegations

German software giant SAP will pay more than $220 million in fines to resolve U.S. bribery allegations involving payments to foreign government officials. The Justice Department said Wednesday that … more

By the Associated Press | 1/10/24

Attorney General State of Missouri Andrew Bailey testifies during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Washington. Federal judges on Wednesday ruled that Missouri may move forward with a lawsuit blaming China for its role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Bailey, whose office filed the lawsuit, on Wednesday lauded the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Missouri lawsuit accusing China of hoarding pandemic gear can proceed, appeals panel says

A federal appeals panel says a Missouri lawsuit accusing China of hoarding masks and other protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic can move forward. The three-judge panel of the U.S. Eighth … more

By SUMMER BALLENTINE | 1/10/24

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens as Bob Vander Plaats speaks to media following a Fox News Town Hall in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, Jan 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Court sends case of prosecutor suspended by DeSantis back to trial judge over First Amendment issues

A Democratic Florida prosecutor suspended by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis will get another chance to show his political advocacy was protected by the First Amendment and could not be the basis for … more

By CURT ANDERSON | 1/10/24

This combination of photos shows, from top left, former Rankin County sheriff's deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield appearing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss., Aug. 14, 2023. A federal judge has, for the second time, postponed sentencing for six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to a long list of state and federal charges for torturing two Black men. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sentencing postponed again for Mississippi police officers who tortured two Black men

A federal judge has postponed sentencing for six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to a long list of state and federal charges for torturing two Black men. Sentencing had … more

By MICHAEL GOLDBERG | 1/10/24

FILE - New York Rangers' Blake Wheeler (17) plays during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in New York. Whenever Blake Wheeler was going through mental health challenges throughout his hockey career, he felt better when he talked about them and sought help. So, when the NHL Players' Association introduced a pilot program to teach the basics of mental health, Wheeler was on board to give it a try. On Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, the union unveiled its full “First Line” program, an initiative with Mental Health Commission of Canada that's now available to players who want to be educated on the topic. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

NHLPA unveils mental health initiative to help hockey players learn more, watch for warning signs

The NHL players union has launched a mental health program aimed at educating and helping players learn more about their own well-being and that of their teammates and families. Players like … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 1/10/24

FILE - The seal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at SEC headquarters, June 19, 2015, in Washington. The Securities and Exchange Commission said Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, that a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, announcing that the securities regulator had approved the trading of exchange-traded funds holding bitcoin was fake, and that the agency’s account had been “compromised.” (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Regulators are set to decide whether to OK a new bitcoin fund. Here's what investors need to know

U.S. regulators are soon expected to decide whether to approve the first bitcoin exchange-traded fund, a development that could thrust the once niche and nerdy corner of the internet even further … more

By KEN SWEET | 1/10/24

FILE - Naomi Osaka of Japan plays a shot in her match against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 3, 2024. The first 15-day Australian Open sets to start Sunday morning, Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File)

Now a mom, Naomi Osaka gets ready to make her Grand Slam return at the Australian Open

Naomi Osaka is one of three former No. 1-ranked, former Australian Open champions returning to Melbourne Park for the first time as moms. The trio of Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki … more

By JOHN PYE | 1/10/24

FILE - Actor Adan Canto attends the Disney/ABC Winter 2014 TCA All Star Reception in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2014. Canto, the Mexican singer and actor best known for his roles in “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Agent Game” as well as the TV series “The Cleaning Lady,” “Narcos,” and “Designated Survivor,” died on Monday after a private battle with appendiceal cancer. He was 42. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP, File)

Adan Canto, known for his versatility in roles in 'X-Men' and 'Designated Survivor,' dies at 42

Adan Canto, the Mexican singer and actor best known for his roles in “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Agent Game” as well as the TV series “The Cleaning Lady,” has died. His publicist … more

By MARIA SHERMAN | 1/9/24

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media at a Washington hotel, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, after attending a hearing before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals at the federal courthouse in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Trump warns of 'Pandora's box' of perpetual presidential prosecutions if charges against him stand

Donald Trump is warning that other ex-presidents could be prosecuted if criminal charges against him aren't dropped. Trump has for months promised to prosecute President Joe Biden if Trump wins the … more

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI | 1/9/24

Pa Cheng Vang speaks to the media with photos of his children in front of him in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Three of his children died as a result of a fire in their St. Paul home. A 1-year-old and their 28-year-old mother remained hospitalized in critical condition, they said. Two other children also remain hospitalized, but their conditions have improved. (Kyeland Jackson/Star Tribune via AP)

4th child dies of injuries from fire at home in St. Paul, Minnesota, authorities say

Authorities say a fourth child has died of injuries suffered in a fire at a home in St. Paul, Minnesta. The Star Tribune reports that police Sgt. Mike Ernster said 1-year-old Mauj CagTxuj Vaj died at … more

1/9/24