National News - The Morning Sun

Guadalupe Gonzalez, a Lahaina, Hawaii, resident who survived a deadly wildfire, stands next to missing person flyers while waiting for a post office to open in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Gonzalez said she and her family had to drive through the fire twice while fleeing the town. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Maui confronts challenge of finding those unaccounted for after deadly fire

Maui authorities say more than 800 people remain unaccounted for two weeks after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century destroyed the community of Lahaina. It's a staggering number that … more

By AUDREY McAVOY, CLAIRE RUSH and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER | 8/22/23

Racers, including eventual winner Ocean Kim (5), leave the gates for the championship race during the "T-Rex World Championship Races" at Emerald Downs, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Auburn, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

'T. rexes' race to photo finish at Washington state track

A track for live horse racing in suburban Seattle turned prehistoric over the weekend as more than 200 people ran down the track cloaked in inflatable Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur costumes. The 2023 … more

8/21/23

Members of Cal Fire Pilot Rock 6 crew, out of Crestline, Calif., clear mud off the side of the road in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Yucaipa, Calif. Scientists figure a natural El Nino, human-caused climate change, a stubborn heat dome over the nation’s midsection and other factors cooked up Hilary’s record-breaking slosh into California and Nevada. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

How a mix of natural and human-caused caused factors cooked up Tropical Storm Hilary's soggy mess

Scientists figure a natural El Nino, human-caused climate change, a stubborn heat dome over the nation’s midsection and other factors cooked up Hilary’s record-breaking slosh into California and … more

By SETH BORENSTEIN | 8/21/23

A worker inspects buoys being used as a barrier along the Rio Grande, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas moves large floating barrier on US-Mexico border closer to American soil

Texas has moved a floating barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border closer to American soil. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that the barrier was moved “out of an abundance of caution” following … more

By VALERIE GONZALEZ and PAUL J. WEBER | 8/21/23

FILE - Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, March 4, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Scott’s quest to give the bulk of her wealth to charity continues. So far this year, 17 nonprofits have announced they’ve received unrestricted donations from Scott through her Yield Giving fund, according to a Chronicle of Philanthropy tally. The gifts total $97 million and range from $1 million to $15 million. Nearly half went to charities focused on early-childhood education and early-childhood development. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

MacKenzie Scott gave 17 nonprofits $97 million in the first half of 2023

MacKenzie Scott’s quest to give the bulk of her wealth to charity continues. So far this year, 17 nonprofits have announced they’ve received unrestricted donations from Scott through her Yield … more

By MARIA DI MENTO of The Chronicle of Philanthropy | 8/21/23

FILE - The Metrorail station at Dulles International Airport is seen on Nov. 2, 2022, in Chantilly, Va., with the terminal in the background. A man charged in 2019 with planning an Islamic State-inspired attack at a Washington, D.C., area shopping and entertainment complex has pleaded guilty in a separate plot to drive a stolen van into a crowd at the Virginia airport that was aborted. Rondell Henry of Germantown, Md., is to be sentenced Oct. 23, 2023, in federal court in connection with a 2019 plot at Dulles International Airport. (AP Photo/Matthew Barakat, File)

Maryland man charged with ISIS-inspired plot pleads guilty to planning separate airport attack

A man charged in 2019 with planning an Islamic State-inspired attack at a Washington, D.C., area shopping and entertainment complex has pleaded guilty in a separate plot to drive a stolen van into a … more

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN | 8/21/23

Smoke fills the air as Pat Manzuik and her husband Trevor use a paddleboat to get to shore after being given a boat ride by good samaritan Christy Dewalt, back right, back to their home they were evacuated from due to the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire, in Scotch Creek, Canada, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

CLIMATE GLIMPSE: Here's what you need to see and know today

Tropical Storm Hilary faded after delivering a drenching that ranged from Mexico's Baja California north all the way to Oregon and Idaho. It was the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in … more

By The Associated Press | 8/21/23

FILE - A supporter for the transgender community holds up a flag in front of counter-protesters at the city's Gay Pride Festival in Atlanta on Oct. 12, 2019. A federal judge in Atlanta has blocked Georgia from enforcing part of a new law that restricts doctors from prescribing hormone therapy to transgender people under the age of 18. Judge Sarah Geraghty granted a preliminary injunction on Sunday, Aug. 20. (AP Photo/Robin Rayne, file)

Judge blocks Georgia ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender minors

A federal judge in Atlanta has blocked Georgia from enforcing part of a new law that restricts doctors from prescribing hormone therapy to transgender people under the age of 18. Judge Sarah Geraghty … more

By SUDHIN THANAWALA | 8/21/23

FILE - Adobe co-founder John Warnock smiles in the lobby at Adobe headquarters in San Jose, Calif., on May 9, 2001. Warnock, the inventor of the PDF and Adobe Systems co-founder died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, the software company said. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

John Warnock, who helped invent the PDF and co-founded Adobe Systems, dies at age 82

John Warnock, who helped invent the PDF and co-founded Adobe Systems, has died. He was 82. The company said in a statement that the Silicon Valley entrepreneur and computer scientist died Saturday … more

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST | 8/21/23

FILE - Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams jumps in for a touchdown as Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts, left, defends and Southern California wide receiver Kyle Ford watch during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. Caleb Williams was named to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

USC's Caleb Williams, Ohio State's Harrison Jr. and Michigan's Corum top AP preseason All-Americans

Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of USC, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michigan running back Blake Corum are among the returning first-team All-Americans who were selected to The … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 8/21/23

White House science adviser calls for more safeguards against artificial intelligence risks

When President Joe Biden has questions about artificial intelligence, one expert he turns to is his science adviser Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology … more

By MATT O'BRIEN | 8/21/23

FILE - The son, left, and daughter, back right, of Pittsburgh dentist Lawrence "Larry" Rudolph head into federal court for the afternoon session of the trial, July 13, 2022, in Denver. Rudolph, a wealthy dentist convicted of killing his wife during an African safari so he could be with his girlfriend, is expected to be sentenced to life in prison Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, for a murder prosecutors say capped off a lifetime “spent seeking domination and control over others through wealth and power.” The couple's two adult children, Julian and AnaBianca Rudolph, have so far opted not to to speak publicly about the death. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Dentist convicted of killing wife on African safari set to be sentenced to life in prison

A wealthy dentist convicted of killing his wife at the end of an African safari is expected to be sent to prison for the rest of his life when he is sentenced in federal court Monday. U.S. government … more

By COLLEEN SLEVIN | 8/21/23

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

The Bidens will travel to Maui to meet with wildfire survivors and first responders

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are traveling to Maui to comfort survivors of the devastating wildfires that ripped through the western part of the Hawaiian island earlier this month. … more

By SEUNG MIN KIM | 8/21/23

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks during an event about high-speed internet infrastructure in the East Room of the White House, Monday, June 26, 2023, in Washington. The Biden administration on Monday, Aug. 21, continued its push toward internet-for-all by 2030, announcing about $667 million in new grants and loans to build more broadband infrastructure in the rural U.S. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden administration announces more new funding for rural broadband infrastructure

The Biden administration is continuing its push to bring internet connectivity to every home and business in the U.S. On Monday, the Biden administration announced a new investment of $667 million to … more

By KAVISH HARJAI | 8/21/23

Vendor Francis Ndege measures rice at his stall in the Toi Market, Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Countries worldwide are scrambling to secure rice after a partial ban on exports by India cut global supplies by roughly a fifth. Now, Ndege isn’t sure if his customers in Africa’s largest slum can afford to keep buying rice from him. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Global food security is at crossroads as rice shortages and surging prices hit the most vulnerable

Countries worldwide are scrambling to secure rice after a partial ban on exports by India cut global supplies by roughly a fifth. Global food security is already under threat since Russia halted … more

By ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL and EVELYNE MUSAMBI | 8/21/23

Palwasha Sharwani, executive director of Emgage Texas, left, and A.J. Durrani, right, a Harris County elections judge, pose for a photo on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houstonians worry new laws will deter voters who don't recall the hard-won fight for voting rights

Texas Republicans passed measures this year to eliminate Harris County’s top election job and give the Republican secretary of state power to take oversight of elections in Houston. The laws are … more

BY AYANNA ALEXANDER | 8/20/23

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a Fair-Side Chat with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Iowa State Fair, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Where do the 2024 presidential candidates stand on abortion? Take a look

More than a year after the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion, the issue has at times dominated the discussion among the Republicans seeking their party’s 2024 presidential … more

By MEG KINNARD | 8/20/23

Flares are seen on the horizon as the fire advances through the forest toward the town of La Laguna and Los Rodeos airport in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Firefighters have battled through the night to try to bring under control the worst wildfire in decades on the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, a major tourist destination. The fire in the north of the island started Tuesday night and has forced the evacuation or confinement of nearly 8,000 people. Regional officials say Friday's efforts will be crucial in containing the fire. (AP Photo/Arturo Rodriguez)

Official says wildfire on Spain's popular tourist island of Tenerife was started deliberately

Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo says police have confirmed that a wildfire raging out on the tourist island of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands was started deliberately. … more

By ARTURO RODRÍGUEZ and CIARÁN GILES | 8/20/23

FILE - Volunteers load supplies onto a boat for West Maui at the Kihei boat landing, after a wildfire destroyed much of the historical town of Lahaina, on the island of Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 13, 2023. When the most deadly U.S. fire in a century ripped across the Hawaiian island, it damaged hundreds of drinking water pipes, resulting in a loss of pressure that likely allowed toxic chemicals along with metals and bacteria into water lines. Experts are using strong language to warn Maui residents in Lahaina and Upper Kula not to filter their own tap water. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, File)

Maui water is unsafe even with filters, one of the lessons learned from fires in California

Experts are using strong language to warn Maui residents in Lahaina and Upper Kula not to filter their own tap water. They also are taking lessons from areas of California burned in previous … more

By BRITTANY PETERSON | 8/20/23

Mexico sets up large tent shelter for hundreds of migrants in border city of Matamoros

The Mexican government says it has set up a large tent shelter for about 600 migrants in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas. The large tents provide sun and rain shelter for … more

8/19/23