National News - The Morning Sun

FILE - This Sunday, April 5, 2020, file photo, shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. A U.S. Census Bureau director couldn't be fired without cause and new questions to the census form would have to be vetted by Congress under proposed legislation which attempts to prevent in the future the type of political interference into the nation's head count that took place during the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Researchers ask Census to stop controversial privacy method

Prominent demographers are asking the U.S. Census Bureau to abandon a controversial method for protecting survey and census participants’ confidentiality. They say it is jeopardizing the usability … more

By MIKE SCHNEIDER | 8/8/22

Al Medvitz, who farms alfalfa and other crops, looks out over Sacramento River from a hill on his land near Rio Vista, Calif., on Monday, July 25, 2022. In dry winters like the one California just had, less fresh water flows down from the mountains into the Sacramento River, the state's largest. Medvitz wants approval from the state to build a small reservoir on the property to store fresh water for use in dry times. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

In dry California, salty water creeps into key waterways

The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers are central arms of California's water system. But they are becoming too salty to use for some farmers and cities that rely on them as the state's punishing … more

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE | 8/8/22

FILE - A man receives the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at Jabra Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, March 11, 2021. A new philanthropic project hopes to invest $100 million in up to 10 countries mostly in Africa by 2030 to support up to 200,000 community health workers. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File)

Nonprofits launch $100M plan to support local health workers

A new philanthropic project hopes to invest $100 million in up to 10 countries mostly in Africa by 2030 to support up to 200,000 community health workers. These workers serve as a critical bridge to … more

By THALIA BEATY | 8/8/22

A volunteer shovels dirt and debris off of the main street in downtown Fleming-Neon, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. The previous week's massive flooding damaged much of the town. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Former coal town comes together in face of Kentucky floods

The town of Fleming-Neon was trying to move beyond an economic disaster when a natural one knocked it back down. The former coal town was devastated by flooding that killed more than 30 in Kentucky. … more

By ALLEN G. BREED | 8/8/22

FILE - Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in Detroit, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. Published reports say Nessel’s office is asking that a special prosecutor investigate whether the Republican candidate for state attorney general, Matt DePerno, and others should be charged in connection with an effort to gain access to voting machines after the 2020 election. DePerno has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (Max Ortiz/Detroit News via AP, File)

Report: Michigan AG seeks special prosecutor in 2020 probe

Published reports say the Michigan Attorney General’s office is asking that a special prosecutor investigate whether the Republican candidate for state attorney general and others should be charged … more

8/7/22

FILE - This photo combo of images provided by the Kent County Sheriff and Delaware Department of Justice, respectively, shows Adam Dean Fox, left, and Barry Croft Jr. on April 8, 2022. The men who are accused of crafting a plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 and ignite a national rebellion are facing a second trial with jury selection starting Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, months after a jury couldn't reach a verdict on the pair while acquitting two others in the case. (Kent County Sheriff and Delaware Department of Justice via AP, File)

2 men face new trial over scheme to kidnap Michigan governor

Two men accused of coming up with a plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 are facing a second trial this week. It comes months after a jury couldn’t reach a verdict on Adam Fox and … more

By ED WHITE | 8/7/22

This combination of Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 photos shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren during separate news conferences in Tampa, Fla. On Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, Warren vowed to fight his suspension from office by DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the state's 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments for minors. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Florida prosecutor vows to fight Gov. DeSantis suspension

A Florida prosecutor is vowing to fight his suspension from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the state’s 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments … more

By CURT ANDERSON | 8/7/22

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, center, talks with residents that have been displaced by floodwaters at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Prestonsburg, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

More storms forecasted for flood-ravaged eastern Kentucky

The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for areas of eastern Kentucky ravaged by high water more than a week ago and said there’s a threat of thunderstorms in the region for much of … more

8/7/22

FILE - In this May 2, 2010 photo, Institute of Marine Mammal Sciences researcher Justin Main takes photographs of a dead sea turtle on the beach in Pass Christian, Miss. Beach crews have found the first sea turtle nest on the Mississippi mainland in four years. A Harrison County Sand Beach crew that was cleaning up found what appeared to be turtle tracks just east of the Pass Christian Harbor, officials said. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

1st sea turtle nest found on Mississippi beach since 2018

Beach crews have found the first sea turtle nest on the Mississippi mainland in four years. Officials say a Harrison County Sand Beach crew that was cleaning up found what appeared to be turtle … more

8/7/22

Valeri Langston is seen at a rally for Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes at John Marshall High School Friday, July 15, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Dems rally around abortion. Are they reaching Black voters?

Democratic hopefuls in Wisconsin see abortion as the issue that will carry them to election wins in November, but efforts to reach Black voters on the topic are sparse. Several organizing groups said … more

By HARM VENHUIZEN | 8/7/22

Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz, checks into evidence the weapon used in the MSD shooting during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, July 25, 2022. Cruz previously plead guilty to all 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the 2018 shootings. (Carline Jean/ Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Parkland shooter's prosecutor had bloody facts on his side

The prosecutor seeking to sentence Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz to death let the facts speak for themselves as he presented his case over the last three weeks. Former Broward County state … more

By TERRY SPENCER | 8/7/22

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones attempts to answer questions about his emails asked by Mark Bankston, lawyer for Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, during trial at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin, Wednesday Aug. 3, 2022. Jones testified Wednesday that he now understands it was irresponsible of him to declare the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre a hoax and that he now believes it was “100% real." (Briana Sanchez/Austin American-Statesman via AP, Pool)

Alex Jones’ $49.3M verdict and the future of misinformation

Infowars conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is facing a hefty price tag for his lies about the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre — $49.3 million in damages and counting — for claiming the … more

By MICHAEL R. SISAK | 8/6/22

This 2011 photo shows Associated Press journalist Marcus Eliason in New York. Eliason, an international journalist whose insightful reporting, sparkling prose and skillful editing graced Associated Press news wires for almost a half-century, has died at age 75. Eliason died on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in a New York hospital, his family said. (AP Photo/Charles J. Hanley)

Longtime AP correspondent, editor Marcus Eliason dies at 75

Marcus Eliason, a journalist whose insightful reporting, sparkling prose and skillful editing graced Associated Press news wires for almost a half-century, has died. He was 75. Starting with Israel … more

By CHARLES J. HANLEY | 8/6/22

In this photo provided by the National Park Service, cars are stuck in mud and debris from flash flooding at The Inn at Death Valley in Death Valley National Park, Calif., Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding that closed several roads in Death Valley National Park on Friday near the California-Nevada line. The National Weather Service reported that all park roads had been closed after 1 to 2 inches of rain fell in a short amount of time. (National Park Service via AP)

Tourists find safety after floods close Death Valley roads

Hundreds of hotel guests trapped by flash flooding at Death Valley National Park were able to drive out after crews cleared a path for them. But roads choked with rocks and mud or damaged by … more

By JACQUES BILLEAUD and MICHAEL R. BLOOD | 8/6/22

FILE - This is a photo provided by Hollie Dance of her son Archie Battersbee. The family of a 12-year-old boy who has been in a coma for four months expects a London hospital to begin withdrawing life-sustaining treatment. His parents have exhausted their legal options in a battle over his care. British courts on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 rejected the family’s request to transfer Archie to a hospice, and the European Court of Human Rights refused for a second time to intervene in the case. (Hollie Dance via AP, File)

Boy at heart of UK court battle dies after life support ends

A 12-year-old boy who has been in a coma for four months has died at a London hospital after doctors ended life-sustaining treatment that had been the subject of a lengthy court battle. Archie … more

By DANICA KIRKA | 8/6/22

This artist rendering provided by Together New Orleans shows Broadmoor Community Church. Global warming is producing more extreme weather. That can mean extended power outages in places like New Orleans. A grassroots network is launching “Community Lighthouses” to meet the challenge. (Together New Orleans via AP)

'Community Lighthouses' powered by the sun and volunteers

Global warming is producing more extreme weather. That can mean extended power outages in places like New Orleans. A grassroots network is launching “Community Lighthouses” to meet the challenge. … more

By REBECCA SANTANA | 8/6/22

A small memorial sits outside the home of Gene Twiford, 86, Janet Twiford, 85, and Dana Twiford, 55, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in Laurel, Neb. The three were among four people found dead Thursday in two burning homes in this small community in northeastern Nebraska, authorities said. Police investigating the killings have arrested a neighbor of the victims, the Nebraska State Patrol said Friday. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

4 killings end century of calm in small Nebraska town

Police investigating the killings of four people in a small northeast Nebraska town have arrested a neighbor of the victims. The Nebraska State Patrol said a police team surrounded then entered a … more

By MARGERY A. BECK | 8/5/22

FILE - The Twitter application is seen on a digital device on April 25, 2022, in San Diego. A vulnerability in Twitter's software that exposed an undetermined number of owners of anonymous accounts to potential identity compromise last year was apparently exploited by a malicious actor, the social media company said Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Twitter breach exposed anonymous account owners

Twitter says vulnerability in its software that exposed an undetermined number of owners of anonymous accounts to potential identity compromise last year was apparently exploited by a malicious … more

By FRANK BAJAK | 8/5/22

Firefighters set up lights in front of a fatal house fire at 733 First Street in Nescopeck, Pa, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. The fire in Nescopeck was reported around 2:30 a.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. (Jimmy May/Bloomsburg Press Enterprise via AP)

Firefighter: As many as 10 feared dead in house fire

A firefighter says as many as 10 of his relatives are feared dead after a house fire in northeastern Pennsylvania. Police say a criminal investigation is underway after the fire early Friday. … more

8/5/22

FILE - A Burmese python is held during a safe capture demonstration on June 16, 2022, in Miami. More than 800 competitors will be trudging through the Florida Everglades for the next eight days, in search of invasive Burmese pythons that will bring in thousands of dollars in prize money. The python hunt officially began Friday, Aug. 5, and runs through Aug. 15. Officials who gathered in Miami to kick off the annual campaign say it's significant because the non native snakes are killing off birds and mammals in the Everglades ecosystem. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Python hunt! 800 compete to remove Florida's invasive snakes

More than 800 competitors will be trudging through the Florida Everglades for the next eight days, in search of invasive Burmese pythons that will bring in thousands of dollars in prize money. The … more

MIAMI | 8/5/22