National News - The Morning Sun

FILE - One of Pacific Gas and Electric's Diablo Canyon Power Plant's nuclear reactors is seen in Avila Beach, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2008. An environmental group has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Energy Department challenging its award of over $1 billion to help keep California's last nuclear power plant running beyond a planned closure by 2025. The lawsuit filed by Friends of the Earth in U.S. District Court opens the latest battlefront in the fight over the future of Diablo Canyon's twin reactors. (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant, File)

Lawsuit challenges $1 billion in federal funding to sustain California's last nuclear power plant

An environmental group is challenging the U.S. Energy Department's decision to award over $1 billion to help keep California’s last nuclear power plant running beyond 2025. A lawsuit filed by … more

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD | 4/3/24

This image released by Universal Pictures shows a scene from the film "Monkey Man." (Universal Pictures via AP)

Movie Review: Dev Patel's 'Monkey Man' is a political allegory bathed in blood

Like “Slumdog Millionaire,” Dev Patel's “Monkey Man” is set in Mumbai and has a touch of fable to it. But in tone and texture, it could hardly be more different. Bathed in blood and fury, … more

By JAKE COYLE | 4/3/24

Demonstrators gather outside federal court buildings in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, to protest a Texas law known as SB4. Texas officials appeared before a three-judge federal appeals panel to defend a state law that would allow police to arrest migrants for illegally entering the United States, a week after the same three judges put the law on hold. (AP Photo by Kevin McGill)

Texas asks court to decide if the state's migrant arrest law went too far

A attorney defending Texas’ plans to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally has told a panel of federal judges that the law may have “went too far” but that will be up the court to … more

By ACACIA CORONADO | 4/3/24

Thousands of homes and businesses were without power Tuesday as severe weather roared through several states, causing at least one death and spawning possible tornadoes.

New England braces for major spring snowstorm as severe weather continues to sock US

More severe weather is coming across the nation. A major spring storm is expected to drop more than a foot of snow in parts of New England on Wednesday, while heavy rains are likely to soak the East … more

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI | 4/3/24

This colorized electron microscope image provided by The Rockefeller University and NIAID shows a hepatitis C virion. New U.S. hepatitis C infections dropped slightly in 2022, a surprising improvement after more than a decade of steady increases, federal health officials said Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (Maria Teresa Catanese, Charles M. Rice/The Rockefeller University, NIAID via AP)

Hepatitis C cases dropped in the US. Health officials aren't sure if it's a blip or a trend

Federal health officials say that new U.S. hepatitis C infections dropped slightly in 2022. It's a surprising improvement after more than a decade of steady increases. Experts say they're not sure … more

By MIKE STOBBE | 4/3/24

This image released by Focus Features shows Dzada Selim, left, and Anamaria Marinca in a scene from "Housekeeping for Beginners." (Focus Features via AP)

Movie Review: Love wins in the triumphant 'Housekeeping for Beginners'

“Housekeeping for Beginners” begins with a shot of a painting on a wall hanging just a little askew. It’s an apt metaphor for what’s in store, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy. … more

By MARK KENNEDY | 4/3/24

In this photo provided by the Tennessee Department of Education, 2nd grade teacher Missy Testerman, center, who teaches English as a second language, works with students Dafne Lozano, left, and Dwiti Patel, right, at the Rogersville City School, Thursday, March 13, 2024, in Rogersville, Tenn. Testerman has been named the 2024 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers. (Tennessee Department of Education via AP)

National Teacher of the Year helps diverse students and their families thrive in rural Tennessee

A 2nd grade teacher in rural Tennessee has been chosen as the 2024 National Teacher of the Year. Missy Testerman has drawn accolades for celebrating differences among her students while emphasizing … more

By TRAVIS LOLLER | 4/3/24

FILE - A Powerball lottery ticket is dipslayed seen inside a convenience store, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Kennesaw, Ga. An estimated $1.09 billion Powerball jackpot that ranks as the 9th largest in U.S. lottery history will be up for grabs Wednesday night, April 3. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, FIle)

Drawing nears for $1.09 billion Powerball jackpot that is 9th largest in US history

An estimated $1.09 billion Powerball jackpot that ranks as the 9th largest in U.S. lottery history is up for grabs. The Powerball jackpot has been growing for more than three months, reflecting the … more

4/3/24

Salvage work continues on the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Workers had little warning as Maryland bridge collapsed, raising concerns over safety, communication

In the moments before the cargo ship Dali rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge and sent it crumbling into the water, a flurry of urgent warnings crackled over radios and enabled police to block … more

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ and CLAUDIA LAUER | 4/3/24

FILE - A tornado funnel moves through the southeast Pine Crest Garden section of Xenia, Ohio, Wednesday was April 3, 1974. The deadly tornado killed 32 people, injured hundreds and leveled half the city of 25,000. Nearby Wilberforce was also hit hard. As the Watergate scandal unfolded in Washington, President Richard Nixon made an unannounced visit to Xenia to tour the damage. Xenia's was the deadliest and most powerful tornado of the 1974 Super Outbreak. (AP Photo/Fred Stewart, file)

AP Was There: A 1974 tornado in Xenia, Ohio, kills 32 and levels half the city

On April 3, 1974, a deadly tornado barreled through Xenia, Ohio. It killed 32 people, injured hundreds and leveled half the city of 25,000. Nearby Wilberforce was also hit hard. As the Watergate … more

The Associated Press | 4/3/24

FILE - This undated photo provided by the City of Fontana Police Department shows abducted teen Savannah Graziano. Graziano who had been kidnapped by her father in 2022 was following sheriff's deputies' instructions during a gunbattle on a Southern California highway and appeared to be surrendering to them when they fatally shot her, newly released audio and video show. Graziano, 15, was shot and killed as she ran toward San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies amid a hail of gunfire on Sept. 27, 2022. (City of Fontana Police Department via AP,File)

Video shows California deputies fatally shooting abducted teen as she surrenders

A 15-year-old girl who had been kidnapped by her father was following sheriff’s deputy's instructions and appeared to be surrendering when deputies fatally shot her during a gun battle on a … more

By STEFANIE DAZIO | 4/2/24

Aid organizations suspend operations in Gaza after World Central Kitchen workers' deaths

Several humanitarian aid organizations have suspended operations in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen workers. The nonprofits, including World Central Kitchen, said … more

By GLENN GAMBOA and SARAH EL DEEB | 4/2/24

FILE - Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond stands during the playing of the national anthem at the inauguration ceremonies, Jan. 9, 2023, in Oklahoma City. Drummond urged the state’s highest court on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, to stop the creation of what would be the nation’s first publicly funded Catholic charter school. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Oklahoma court considers whether to allow the US' first publicly funded Catholic school

Oklahoma's attorney general is urging the state's highest court to stop the creation of what would be the nation's first publicly funded religious charter school. Republican Attorney General Gentner … more

By SEAN MURPHY | 4/2/24

People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. World Central Kitchen, an aid group, says an Israeli strike that hit its workers in Gaza killed at least seven people, including several foreigners. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Family and friends recall 'brave' and 'selfless' aid workers killed in Israeli airstrike

An Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza reverberated around the world Tuesday. Friends and relatives mourned the losses of those who were delivering food to besieged Palestinians … more

The Associated Press | 4/2/24

FILE - Uvalde mayoral candidate Cody Smith gestures toward a voter waiting in a long line outside of the SSGT Willie de Leon Civic Center on Election Day, Nov. 7, 2023, in Uvalde, Texas. On Monday, April 1, 2024, Smith, now mayor of Uvalde, resigned from his position effective immediately, leaving his post empty the same week the city's police chief is expected to step down. (Sam Owens/The San Antonio Express-News via AP, File)

Uvalde mayor resigns citing health issues in wake of controversial report on 2022 school shooting

The mayor of the Texas city that was the site of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history has announced his resignation, citing health issues. City of Uvalde Mayor Cody Smith said Monday … more

By ACACIA CORONADO | 4/2/24

FILE - French writer Maryse Condé reacts after being awarded the New Academy's Literature Prize at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, on Dec. 9, 2018. Condé, winner in 2018 of an “alternate” Nobel Prize, died Monday night at a hospital in Apt, outside Marseille. (Christine Olsson/ TT News Agency via AP, File)

Maryse Condé, prolific 'grande dame' of Caribbean literature, dies at age 90

A prize-winning author from Guadeloupe who was known as the ‘grande dame' of Caribbean literature has died. Maryse Condé was 90. Condé was a world traveler who probed the conflicts between and … more

By HILLEL ITALIE | 4/2/24

FILE - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Superior, Wis. Evers vetoed a bill Tuesday, April 2, 2024, passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have banned high school transgender athletes from competing on teams that align with their gender identity. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Wisconsin governor vetoes transgender high school athletics ban

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have banned high school transgender athletes from competing on teams that align with their gender … more

By SCOTT BAUER | 4/2/24

FILE - A sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is seen, May 4, 2021, in Washington. The IRS says it’s making progress with initiatives to claw back money improperly distributed under the Employee Retention Credit. The ERC was designed to help businesses retain employees during pandemic-era shut downs, but it quickly became a magnet for fraud. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

IRS claws back money given to businesses under fraud-ridden COVID-era tax credit program

The IRS says it’s making progress with initiatives to claw back money improperly distributed under the Employee Retention Credit. The ERC was designed to help businesses retain employees during … more

By MAE ANDERSON | 4/2/24

Isaac Cruz, of Mexico, hits Rolando Romero in a super lightweight title bout Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

AP Sports Week in Pictures: Vegas fight, Tour of Flanders and flying feet in Marseille

Associated Press photographers have been there for the biggest stories in sports across the globe over the past week. The super lightweight title fight between Isaac Cruz and Rolando Romero in Las … more

By The Associated Press | 4/2/24

A page from the Internal Revenue Service website is shown on a laptop on Monday, April1, 2024 in New York. Taxpayers usually know their identity has been stolen when they try to file their tax returns and the IRS says they've already done so. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

Here's how to protect yourself from common scams this tax season

Scammers look for ways to trick people into giving them money year-round, but tax season can be particularly fraught. One of the most common tax scams is identity theft. Taxpayers usually know their … more

By ADRIANA MORGA | 4/2/24