National News - The Morning Sun

Karen Bass, left, is sworn in as mayor of Los Angeles by Vice President Kamala Harris, a longtime friend and former California attorney general, in Los Angeles, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. Bass' stepdaughter, Yvette Lechuga, center, holds the Bible used in the swearing in. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

New LA mayor Bass declares homeless emergency as term begins

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has taken office making good on a pledge to declare an immediate state of emergency to grapple with the city’s out-of-control homeless crisis. Bass said the declaration … more

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD and CHRISTOPHER WEBER | 12/12/22

Can James Cameron and 'Avatar' wow again? Don't doubt it.

Thirteen years after the original “Avatar” and five years after production started on its sequel, “The Way of Water,” James Cameron is finally unveiling the long-awaited follow-up to the … more

By JAKE COYLE | 12/12/22

A Montenegro riot police officer guards the parliament building during clashes in Podgorica, Montenegro, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. Clashes erupted on Monday during an opposition protest in Montenegro reflecting a deep political crisis between the pro-Western and pro-Serb and pro-Russian camps in the small Balkan country that is a member of NATO. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Clashes at Montenegro protests amid political tension

Clashes erupted on Monday during an opposition protest in Montenegro reflecting a deep political crisis between the pro-Western and pro-Serb and pro-Russian camps in the small Balkan country that is … more

By PREDRAG MILIC | 12/12/22

Kadence Horton, 8, of Iron River gives a hug to Steven Pringle, owner of Build a Bicycle - Bicycle Therapy, after he presented her with a new bike at his shop in Kingsford, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on Friday, July 29, 2022. The Michigan Army veteran who turned his life around with a bike shop died in a crash while delivering free bikes to children in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian, his family said. Pringle, 57, was killed in Punta Gorda, Fla., on Nov. 23. (Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press via AP)

Michigan man dies in Florida while delivering free bikes

A Michigan Army veteran has been killed in a crash while delivering bicycles to children in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian. Steven Pringle was 57. The Detroit Free Press says Pringle was driving a … more

12/12/22

FILE - In this April 1, 2021, file photo Gov. Greg Gianforte receives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from pharmacist Drew Garton at a Walgreen's pharmacy, in Helena, Mont. Medical providers and Montana residents with compromised immune systems are challenging the only law in the U.S. that prevents state employers from mandating workers get vaccinated amid a surge of COVID-19 infections. They argue the new law violates federal requirements for safe workplaces and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities and want a federal judge to rule that it doesn't apply to hospitals and other medical providers. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP, File)

Judge rejects vaccine choice law in health care settings

A federal judge says a person's choice to decline vaccinations does not outweigh public health and safety requirements in medical settings. US. District Court Judge Donald Molloy on Friday … more

By AMY BETH HANSON | 12/12/22

This image released by A24 Films shows, from left, Stephanie Hsu, Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan in a scene from, "Everything Everywhere All At Once." (Allyson Riggs/A24 Films via AP)

List of nominees to the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards

The nominees for the 80th Golden Globe Awards have been announced. “The Banshees of Inisherin” is among the leading nominee, with several nods including best picture, musical or comedy and a best … more

12/12/22

Wanda Farris sits beside a picture of her daughter, 16-year-old Leesa Gray, that hangs inside Comer's Restaurant in Dorsey Miss., Thursday Dec. 8, 2022. Gray was kidnapped, raped and murdered by death row inmate Eddie Loden in the summer of 2000. Loden will be put to death by the state of Mississippi on Wednesday. (Thomas Wells/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP)

Slain teen 'loved life,' mom says before killer's execution

The mother of a teenager who was killed in Mississippi 22 years ago is set to witness the execution of the man who took the girl's life. Leesa Gray was stranded with a flat tire on a night in June … more

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS | 12/12/22

The statue of Confederate Lieutenant General A.P. Hill stands as dawn begins to break on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/John C. Clark)

Richmond to remove its last public Confederate monument

The city of Richmond _ the capital of the Confederacy for most of the Civil War _ is set to remove its last public Confederate statue. The city removed its other Confederate monuments amid the … more

By DENISE LAVOIE | 12/12/22

FILE - Indiana Lt. Gov Suzanne Crouch leads the Indiana Senate in a ceremonial start to the upcoming legislative session on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Crouch formally started her 2024 campaign for governor on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, and said she would not shy away from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb's record despite discontent among many conservatives over his COVID-19 policies and other actions. (Jenna Watson/The Indianapolis Star via AP, File)

Indiana Lt Gov Crouch joins US Sen Braun in governor's race

Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch has formally started her 2024 campaign for governor. She is launching her effort Monday and says she won't shy away from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb's record despite … more

By TOM DAVIES | 12/12/22

Historic US treasurer's memorabilia on display in Ohio

When Mary Ellen Withrow first ran for public office, she was not allowed to have a credit card in her name. In 1969, credit cards were for men only. Today, Withrow's signature appears on more U.S. … more

By JULIE CARR SMYTH | 12/12/22

FILE - Los Angeles City Council members Gil Cedillo, left, and Kevin de Leon sit in chamber before starting the City Council meeting on Oct. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. Two months after being entangled in a racism scandal that shook public trust in Los Angeles government, de Leon has has refused calls to resign and is attempting to rehabilitate his reputation. Cedillo, who vanished from public view shortly after the scandal emerged in October, has not attempted to return to City Hall meetings. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)

Fallout from LA racism scandal keeps shaking City Council

Two months after being entangled in a racism scandal that shook public trust in Los Angeles government, disgraced City Councilman Kevin de Leon has refused calls to resign and is trying to … more

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD | 12/12/22

This booking photo provided by the Missouri Department of Corrections shows Lamar Johnson. A hearing begins Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in St. Louis to decide if the murder conviction for Johnson should be thrown out. Johnson has spent more than 27 years in prison for a killing that he said he did not commit. (Missouri Department of Corrections via AP)

Missouri man seeks exoneration in murder; 2 others confessed

A hearing begins Monday in a case that will decide if the conviction should be overturned for a Missouri man who has spent nearly three decades in prison for a murder that two other people have since … more

By JIM SALTER | 12/12/22

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Tom Cruise as Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in "Top Gun: Maverick." (Paramount Pictures via AP)

Golden Globes, hobbled by scandal, set to announce noms

After scandal and boycott plunged the Hollywood Foreign Press Association into disarray and knocked the Golden Globes broadcast off television for a year, the annual film and television awards are … more

By JAKE COYLE | 12/12/22

This image released by Focus Features shows Cate Blanchett in a scene from "Tár." (Focus Features via AP)

'Tár,' 'Everything Everywhere' tie for LA critics' top award

Todd Field’s symphonic backstage drama “Tár” and the existential comedy “Everything Everywhere All at Once” tied for top honors with the Los Angeles Film Critics Association in awards … more

12/11/22

In this aerial image provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, fissure 3 is seen erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. The world's largest volcano continues to erupt but scientists say lava is no longer feeding the flow front that has been creeping toward a crucial highway. That means the flow isn't advancing and is no longer an imminent threat to the road that connects the east and west sides of the Big Island. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

Scientists say eruption of Hawaii volcano continues to ease

Scientists say the eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island continues to ease. The announcement on Sunday reinforced an earlier pronouncement that the mountain’s first flare-up in … more

12/11/22

Skiers dressed in Santa Claus outfits hit the slopes for charity at the Sunday River Ski Resort, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Newry, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

It’s all downhill for 300 skiing Santas, a Grinch and a tree

A bunch of Santa lookalikes have taken to the ski slopes once again to spread some holiday cheer. More than 300 jolly ol’ elves — all dressed in red — dashed together through the snow with … more

12/11/22

FILE Police and investigators look at what remains of the nose of Pan Am 103 in a field in Lockerbie, Scotland, in this Dec. 22, 1988 file photo. U.S. and Scottish authorities said Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 that the Libyan man suspected of making the bomb that destroyed a passenger plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 is in U.S. custody. (AP Photo/Martin Cleaver, File)

With suspect in custody, spotlight returns to 1988 bombing

The announcement that a Libyan man suspected in the 1988 bombing of a passenger jet has been taken into U.S. custody put the spotlight back on the notorious terrorist attack. The suspect, Abu Agela … more

By ADAM GELLER | 12/11/22

NASA's Orion capsule blazes home from test flight to moon

NASA’s Orion capsule is back from the moon. The capsule made a blisteringly fast return Sunday, parachuting into the Pacific off Mexico to conclude a dramatic 25-day test flight. The mission should … more

By MARCIA DUNN | 12/11/22

A Palestinian excavation team works in a newly discovered Roman era cemetery in the Gaza Strip, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. Hamas authorities in Gaza announced the discovery of over 60 tombs in the ancient burial site. Work crews have been excavating the site since it was discovered last January during preparations for an Egyptian-funded housing project. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Gaza authorities discover over 60 Roman era graves

Hamas authorities in Gaza have announced the discovery of over 60 tombs in an ancient burial site dating back to the Roman era. Work crews have been excavating the site since it was discovered last … more

12/11/22

A long row of double-stacked shipping contrainers provide a new wall between the United States and Mexico in the remote section area of San Rafael Valley, Ariz., Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Work crews are steadily erecting hundreds of double-stacked shipping containers along the rugged east end of Arizona’s boundary with Mexico as Republican Gov. Doug Ducey makes a bold show of border enforcement even as he prepares to step aside next month for Democratic Governor-elect Katie Hobbs. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Gov. Ducey stacks containers on border at term's end

Work crews are steadily erecting hundreds of double-stacked shipping containers along the rugged east end of Arizona’s boundary with Mexico as Republican Gov. Doug Ducey makes a bold show of border … more

By ANITA SNOW and ROSS D. FRANKLIN | 12/11/22