National News - The Morning Sun

Mark Palmquist cross country skis through the snowfall Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 at Baker Park in Frederick, Md. (Ric Dugan/The Frederick News-Post via AP)

Winter blast in much of U.S. poses serious risks like black ice, frostbite and hypothermia.

Freezing temperatures and wind speeds are creating dangerously cold conditions in a large part of the U.S. stretching from Montana to northern Florida. The region is not expected to begin thawing out … more

By SUDHIN THANAWALA | 1/20/24

CORRECTS DETAILS OF DEATH Relatives mourn 17-year-old American Tawfiq Ajaq at his funeral in his family’s Palestinian home village in Al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya, West Bank, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. Ajaq was killed Friday by Israeli fire and police say they have launched an investigation. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Father of American teen killed in West Bank by Israeli fire rails against US support for Israel

The father of an American teen killed by Israeli fire in the occupied West Bank has railed against Washington’s military support for Israel. He spoke as hundreds of mourners buried the 17-year-old … more

By JULIA FRANKEL and NASSER NASSER | 1/20/24

FILE - Vyacheslav Volodin attends a session at the State Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament in Moscow, on Oct. 18, 2023. A senior lawmaker says Russia's parliament will consider a law allowing for the confiscation of money and property from those deemed to spread “deliberately false information” about Moscow's military actions. Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house, said the measure would apply to those calling for “extremist activities” or the introduction of sanctions against Russia as well as those “discrediting” the armed forces, a criminal offense under a law adopted after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine. (The State Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament via AP, File)

Russia will consider property confiscations for those convicted of discrediting the army

A senior lawmaker says Russia's parliament will consider a law allowing for the confiscation of money and property from those deemed to spread “deliberately false information” about Moscow's … more

By The Associated Press | 1/20/24

Chicago's iconic Rat Hole in the 1900 block of West Roscoe Street in the Roscoe Village neighborhood, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Chicago. Earlier the Rat Hole was filled in with a plaster type substance but was cleaned out by neighbors. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere /Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Dirty rat! Culprit fills in Chicago neighborhood landmark known as the "rat hole"

You dirty rat! In a city infamous for its gangster past, some culprit filled in a Northside Chicago neighborhood landmark affectionately called by residents the “rat hole.” The indentation in the … more

1/20/24

FILE - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks to reporters after a meeting at the Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 16, 2024. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's worried by the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House. In an interview with the U.K.’s Channel 4 News that aired Friday Jan. 19, 2024, Zelenskyy called Trump’s claim that he could stop Ukraine’s war with Russia in 24 hours “very dangerous.” (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

Zelenskyy calls Trump's rhetoric about Ukraine's war with Russia 'very dangerous'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's worried by the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House. In an interview with the U.K.’s Channel 4 News that aired Friday, Zelenskyy … more

By The Associated Press | 1/20/24

An empty newspaper rack for the Ouray County Plaindealer is show on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2023 in Ouray, Colo. Nearly all the copies of the small-town Colorado newspaper were stolen from racks on the same day it published a story about charges being filed over rapes alleged to have occurred at an underage drinking party at the police chief's house while the chief was asleep. In response, the paper posted the story on social media, removed the newspaper website's paywall and published another 250 copies of this week's edition. (Mike Wiggins/Ouray County Plaindealer)

Small-town Colorado newspapers stolen after running story about rape charges at police chief's house

Nearly all the copies of a small-town Colorado newspaper were stolen from newspaper racks on the same day the Ouray County Plaindealer published a story about charges being filed over rapes alleged … more

By AMY BETH HANSON | 1/19/24

FILE - Dani Thayer, left, and Marina Lanae, right, both of Tulsa, Okla., hold pro-choice signs outside the state Capitol, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Oklahoma City. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Friday, Jan 19, 2024, an Oklahoma hospital did not violate federal law when doctors told a woman with a nonviable pregnancy to wait in the parking lot until her condition worsened enough to qualify for an abortion under the state's strict ban. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki File)

US government rejects complaint that woman was improperly denied an emergency abortion in Oklahoma

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says an Oklahoma hospital did not violate federal law after doctors told a woman with a nonviable pregnancy to wait in the parking lot until her … more

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI | 1/19/24

Historically Black Missouri college in turmoil after suicide of administrator who alleged bullying

A historically Black college in Missouri is in turmoil after the suicide of an administrator who alleged bullying by the school's president. Known for keeping her office door open and greeting … more

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and SUMMER BALLENTINE | 1/19/24

FILE - Investigators stand outside a house where five immigrants from Senegal were found dead after a fire in suburban Denver on Aug. 5, 2020. One of three teens accused of starting the fire -- apparently in revenge for a stolen iPhone mistakenly traced to the residence -- pleaded guilty on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024to one count of second degree murder. Under the plea agreement, Gavin Seymour, 19, faces between 16 and 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 15. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert, File)

Teen pleads guilty in Denver house fire that killed 5 from Senegal

One of three teens charged with starting a house fire in suburban Denver that killed five members of a Senegalese family has pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder. Investigators learned … more

1/19/24

FILE - A pedestrian wears a heavy coat against the cold in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. January can be the worst month for respiratory illnesses and vaccination rates are low. When relatives, friends and co-workers are coming down with coughs, nasal congestion, fatigue and fever, keeping viruses at bay means thorough hand-washing, good ventilation and wearing a mask in crowded areas. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

How to stay healthy during cold, flu and COVID-19 season

Getting through winter healthy means trying to protect yourself from respiratory viruses. January can be the worst month for these illnesses and vaccination rates are low. When relatives, friends and … more

By CARLA K. JOHNSON | 1/19/24

FILE - This undated photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was convicted in a 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife. Alabama will be allowed to put Smith to death with nitrogen gas later this month, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, clearing the way for what would be the nation’s first execution under a new method the inmate’s lawyers criticize as cruel and experimental. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP, File)

Alabama inmate asking federal appeals court to block first-ever execution by nitrogen gas

An Alabama inmate set to be the first person put to death by nitrogen gas will ask a federal appeals Friday to block the upcoming execution. Kenneth Smith is scheduled to be executed by the … more

By KIM CHANDLER | 1/19/24

FILE - Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., asks a question during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 15, 2022. The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install two more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to control contamination from so-called forever chemicals, Slotkin's office announced Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.(AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

Defense Department to again target 'forever chemicals' contamination near Michigan military base

The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to control contamination from so-called forever chemicals. DOD officials said … more

By TODD RICHMOND | 1/19/24

Emily Vering, a 20-year-old volunteer and sophomore at St. Olaf College, assembles a yard sign as part of a course she is taking on campaigns and politics in Hooksett, N.H., Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. President Joe Biden is skipping the New Hampshire Democratic primary on Tuesday because it doesn't comply with party rules, but some supporters have begun a campaign to get voters to write-in his name on the ballot. (AP Photo/Will Weissert)

Biden is skipping New Hampshire's primary. One of his opponents says he's as elusive as Bigfoot

President Joe Biden is skipping Tuesday's New Hampshire primary because the state defies new Democratic rules he championed. He isn't campaigning and his name won't be on the ballot. One of his top … more

By WILL WEISSERT | 1/19/24

In this image taken from video provided by Michigan State Police, a dog named Ruby grasps a rescue disc tethered to a rope. An MSP motor carrier officer wanted Ruby to take the disc to the dog's owner, who fell through the ice on frozen Arbutus Lake in Grand Traverse County, Mich., Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (Michigan State Police via AP)

Michigan man who fell into icy lake rescued after officer uses man's dog to deliver rescue equipment

A man who fell through the ice on a frozen Michigan lake was rescued after a quick-thinking state police officer used the stranded man’s dog to get rescue equipment to him and drag him to safety. … more

1/19/24

FILE - In this photo taken from video released by Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel on Dec. 30, 2023, firefighters extinguish burning cars after shelling in Belgorod, Russia. Belgorod has canceled its traditional Orthodox Epiphany festivities on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 due to the threat of attacks as Kyiv's forces pursue a new strategy with the war approaching its two-year milestone. (Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel via AP, File)

A Ukrainian drone attack on an oil depot inside Russia causes a massive blaze, officials say

A Russian official says a Ukrainian drone has struck an oil storage depot in western Russia, causing a massive blaze. It is the latest incident in Ukrainian forces' apparently extended campaign of … more

By The Associated Press | 1/19/24

A worker with ice on his face pauses while removing snow from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday Jan. 14, 2024. A potentially dangerous snowstorm that hit the Buffalo region on Saturday led the NFL to push back the Bills wild-card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers from Sunday to Monday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the NFL cited public safety concerns for the postponement, with up to 2 feet of snow projected to fall on the region over a 24- plus hour period. (AP Photo/ Jeffrey T. Barnes)

AP Week in Pictures: North America

Jan. 12-18, 2024 People across the U.S. deal with a winter storm, Iowa Republican caucus participants choose former President Donald Trump and people gather at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial … more

By The Associated Press | 1/19/24

Niecy Nash-Betts, winner of the award for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie for "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," poses in the press room during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

AP Week in Pictures: Global

Jan. 12-18, 2024 Divas celebrate at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, Ecuadorian soldiers hunt for an escaped gang leader, Denmark celebrates King Frederik and North Korea’s officials exercise in … more

By The Associated Press | 1/19/24

Texas State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-Texas, center, sits with family members of shooting victims as they listen to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta during a news conference were they shared the findings of a federal report into the law enforcement response to a school shooting at Robb Elementary, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Uvalde families renew demands for police to face charges after a scathing Justice Department report

Families of the children and teachers killed in the Uvalde, Texas, school massacre are renewing demands for criminal charges after a scathing Justice Department report again laid bare numerous … more

By ACACIA CORONADO and JAKE BLEIBERG | 1/19/24

File - Tesla and SpaceX's CEO Elon Musk cheers as he speaks at the annual political festival Atreju, in Rome on Dec. 16, 2023. A recent report from anti-poverty organization Oxfam highlighted how the fortunes of the world's five richest people — Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, Bernard Arnault of luxury company LVMH, and investment guru Warren Buffett — have more than doubled since 2020. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

We could see the world's 1st trillionaire in the next decade. Here are some of today's richest 1%

The world might see its first trillionaire sooner than you think. And that adds a spotlight on today’s richest 1%. In an annual assessment of global inequalities published earlier this week, Oxfam … more

1/18/24

FILE - A ship sails through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta near Bethel Island, Calif., on March 12, 2008. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Kenneth C. Mennemeier ruled Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, that the state does not have permission to borrow billions of dollars for a water project. The decision could threaten a key source of funding for a plan to build a tunnel to reroute the state's water supply from the Central Valley to the densely populated southern portion of the state. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California court ruling could threaten key source of funding for disputed giant water tunnel project

A California judge has ruled that the state does not have permission to borrow billions of dollars for a water project. The decision by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Kenneth C. Mennemeier could … more

By ADAM BEAM | 1/18/24