National News - The Morning Sun

President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he leaves Trump International Golf Club in his motorcade, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump returns to New York to face historic criminal charges

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump returned to New York from his Florida estate Monday for his historic booking and arraignment on hush money charges related to allegations of sexual … more

By JILL COLVIN, MICHAEL R. SISAK, TERRY SPENCER and WILL WEISSERT

Associated Press | 4/4/23

People browse through donated goods inside city hall in Adamsville, Tenn., on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Tennesee tornado survivors

People around McNairy County, Tennesee, have pitched in supplies for those affected by the series of storms that destroyed dozens homes and claimed several casualties. more

4/4/23

Today in History: April 4, Martin Luther King assassinated

Today in History Today is Tuesday, April 4, the 94th day of 2023. There are 271 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin … more

By The Associated Press | 4/4/23

In this video screenshot from Minnesota’s EagleCam provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, an eagle hunkers down in its nest while being battered by strong winds in Ramsey County, Minn., Sunday, April 2, 2023. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources via AP)

EagleCam shows heavy winds blow nest from tree; eaglet dies

Viewers of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources EagleCam were heartbroken over the weekend. The nature livestream captured the moment when strong winds from a severe weather system whipped … more

By TRISHA AHMED | 4/3/23

FILE - In this image from video, Dr. Bill Smock, a Louisville physician in forensic medicine, testifies in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged in the 2020 death of George Floyd, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Smock testified that he believes excited delirium is real. But he said Floyd met none of the 10 criteria developed by the American College of Emergency Physicians. In a statement posted on the National Association of Medical Examiners’ site on March 23, 2023, the leading group of medical experts says the term “excited delirium”should not be listed as a cause of death. Critics have said the term has been used to justify excessive force by police. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

Medical examiners group steps away from 'excited delirium'

A leading group of medical experts says the term “excited delirium” should not be listed as a cause of death. Critics have said the term has been used to justify excessive force by police. The … more

By CARLA K. JOHNSON and RYAN J. FOLEY | 4/3/23

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson talks to the media after the conviction of Alex Murdaugh outside the Colleton County Courthouse on March 2, 2023, in Walterboro, S.C. A second autopsy has been completed on the exhumed body of a teenager found dead nearly eight years earlier on a South Carolina road, according to the family's lawyer, after the public attention surrounding Murdaugh's murder trial boosted a mother's search for answers in the unsolved case. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Second autopsy done in unsolved South Carolina death probe

A lawyer for the family of a teenager found dead nearly eight years ago says a second autopsy of the exhumed body is complete. Attorney Eric Bland, who is representing the family of Stephen Smith, … more

By JAMES POLLARD | 4/3/23

In this image provided by Mammoth Mountain, the ski resort is covered with snow in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., on March 16, 2023. The Mammoth Mountain ski resort in the Eastern Sierra said this has been its snowiest season on record, with 695 inches at the main lodge and 870 inches on the summit of the 11,053-foot peak, as of Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Peter Morning/Mammoth Mountain via AP)

Officials: Epic California snowpack among biggest on record

California water officials say this year’s epic snowpack in the Sierra Nevada could top records. They also expect significant flooding when it melts. Just months after the state was dangerously … more

By JOHN ANTCZAK | 4/3/23

Students march from Hume Fogg High School to the State Capitol for the March For Our Lives protest against gun violence in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, April 3, 2023. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Nashville police: School shooter planned attack for months

As students across Nashville were walking out of class to protest gun violence following a school shooting last week, police released new information into the investigation. Police say 28-year-old … more

By TRAVIS LOLLER, JONATHAN MATTISE and KIMBERLEE KRUESI | 4/3/23

FILE - Actors Dwayne Johnson, left, and Auli'i Cravalho appear at the 2016 AFI Fest - "Moana" world premiere in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, 2016. Disney chief executive Bob Iger on Monday announced that a live-action “Moana” remake is in development in a call with investors. The production is in the early stages, but Dwayne Johnson is set to return as the demigod Maui. Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original, is to be an executive producer on the live-action version. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

Disney developing live-action 'Moana' with Dwayne Johnson

“Moana” will be the latest Walt Disney Co. animation to get the live-action treatment, and at least one star is coming back. Disney chief executive Bob Iger on Monday announced that a live-action … more

4/3/23

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a news conference at the state Capitol on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Planned Parenthood and ACLU of Utah filed a lawsuit Monday, April 3, 2023, challenging a new Utah law that would ban abortion clinics in the deeply conservative state. The law signed by Cox lat month would take effect May 3, at which time abortion clinics will not be able to apply to be licensed. It institutes a full ban Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Abortion clinic ban in Utah challenged by lawsuit

Planned Parenthood and ACLU of Utah filed a lawsuit Monday challenging a new Utah law that would ban abortion clinics in the deeply conservative state. The law signed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox … more

By SAM METZ | 4/3/23

Gulf of Mexico oil worse for climate than thought, study

Offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico give off much more methane emissions than official estimates, according to a study published Monday. Climate scientists found the additional … more

By DREW COSTLEY | 4/3/23

This photo provided by Aroostook UAS shows a giant ice disk that measures 1,776 feet – or 541 meters– is seen on the day it was set in motion, creating the world's largest ice carousel, on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Long Lake in Madawaska, Maine. (Aroostook UAS via AP)

Circle back: Maine claims biggest ice disk, at 1,776 feet

Volunteers in the state of Maine have claimed a world record in a category that few people know exists: The biggest ice carousel. A giant piece of ice estimated at 146,000 tons was cut in Long Lake … more

4/3/23

A group of fishermen claim a bottle of beer from a derailed railcar on the banks of the Clark Fork River near Quinn's Hot Springs, west of St. Regis, Mont., Sunday, April 2, 2023. Montana Rail Link is investigating the derailment in which there were no injuries reported. (Ben Allan Smith/The Missoulian via AP)

Hard cleanup: Montana train derailment spills beer and clay

Crews could face a difficult task cleaning up a 25-car train derailment in western Montana that spilled numerous cases of beer as well as powdered clay beside a scenic river. Authorities say the … more

4/3/23

Deputy Chief of Defense Forces Lt. Gen. Thoi Chany Reat, right, attends a ceremony for soldiers from the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) preparing to join the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF) in Congo, at the airport in Juba, South Sudan Monday, April 3, 2023. A United Nations-backed panel of investigators alleges in a new report that several officials in South Sudan including Reat have perpetrated serious human rights violations and should be held accountable for their crimes. (AP Photo/Samir Bol)

UN report charges South Sudan officials of rights violations

A United Nations-backed panel of investigators alleges that several officials in South Sudan have perpetrated serious human rights violations and should be held accountable for their crimes, in a … more

By DENG MACHOL | 4/3/23

Tedorian Gallano, right, and his wife Nicole Gallano, stand outside their home in Waianae, Hawaii, on Feb. 26, 2023. Hawaii's housing shortage has set off a population decline and grown so acute it has sparked widespread concern many of Hawaii's children won't be able to afford living in their homeland as adults. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

Spiraling housing prices spark worry about Hawaii's future

Hawaii housing has been expensive for decades, but only in the last few years have pricey dwellings set off a population decline. Now the problem has grown so acute it's sparked widespread concern … more

By AUDREY McAVOY | 4/3/23

FILE - Harrison Ford attends the premiere of "The Call of the Wild" in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2020. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," the fifth film in the Harrison Ford adventure series, will make its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, festival organizers announced Monday. Cannes will also pay a tribute to Harrison Ford for his career. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision via AP, File)

'Indiana Jones' to premiere at Cannes with tribute to Ford

Indiana Jones is swinging into the French Riviera. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” the fifth film in the Harrison Ford adventure series, will make its world premiere at the Cannes Film … more

By JAKE COYLE | 4/3/23

This combination of photos show promotional art for, from left, "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields," a documentary premiering April 4 on Hulu, "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies," a series premiering April 6 on Paramount+, and "Tiny Beautiful Things," a series premiering April 7 on Hulu. (Hulu/Paramount+/Hulu via AP)

New this week: Brooke Shields, 'Grease' prequel and NF album

This week’s new entertainment releases include an album from Michigan rapper NF, a two-part documentary about Brooke Shields on Hulu, and Kathryn Hahn portraying a character inspired by writer … more

By The Associated Press | 4/3/23

FILE - Messages of support for teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student, grace the front door of Richneck Elementary School Newport News, Va. on Jan. 9, 2023. Zwerner said Monday, March 20, that she has had four surgeries and has gone through a challenging recovery. (AP Photo/John C. Clark, File)

Teacher shot by 6-year-old student files $40 million lawsuit

A first-grade Virginia teacher who was shot and seriously wounded by her 6-year-old student has filed a lawsuit seeking $40 million in damages from Newport News school officials. The lawsuit filed … more

By DENISE LAVOIE | 4/3/23

Store displays advertising in Arabic that reads "Italian clothes and shoes for 9.99 $" in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Lebanon started pricing consumer goods in U.S. dollars Wednesday as the value of the Lebanese pound hit new lows. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

AP Month in Pictures: Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan

MARCH 2023 This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan in March 2023. This … more

By The Associated Press | 4/3/23

Russian Emergency Situations Ministry stand at the side of an explosion at a cafe in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2023. An explosion tore through a cafe in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Sunday, and preliminary reports suggested a prominent military blogger was killed and more than a dozen people were injured. (AP Photo)

Russia blames Ukraine for bomb that killed military blogger

Russian police have arrested a woman suspected of delivering a bomb that killed a well-known military blogger who fervently supported Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Russia’s top counterterrorism agency … more

By The Associated Press | 4/3/23