National News - The Morning Sun

In this photo provided by the Broward County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, Sheriff Scott Israel, holds the hand of Anthony Borges, 15, a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Borges, the most severely wounded survivor of the 2018 massacre at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, now owns shooter Nikolas Cruz's name and Cruz cannot give any interviews without his permission, under a settlement reached in a lawsuit, his attorney said Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Broward County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Survivor of Parkland school massacre wins ownership of shooter's name in lawsuit settlement

The most severely wounded survivor of the 2018 massacre at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School now owns shooter Nikolas Cruz’s name. Under his recent lawsuit settlement with Anthony … more

By TERRY SPENCER | 6/27/24

FILE - Syringes with vaccines are prepared at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans' Community Resource Center where they were offering members and the public free flu and COVID-19 vaccines Oct. 28, 2022, in Lynwood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

As COVID-19 ticks up in some places, US advisers recommend a fall vaccination campaign

As COVID-19 bubbles up in some parts of the country, health officials are setting course for a fall vaccination campaign. An influential government advisory panel on Thursday recommended a new round … more

By MIKE STOBBE | 6/27/24

Marshella Chidester sits in the courtroom during a break in her two-day preliminary exam, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Monroe, Mich. Chidester is charged with murder for allegedly driving drunk into Swan Boat Club, killing two children and injuring several people.(Clarence Tabb, Jr./Detroit News via AP)

Michigan woman to stand trial in crash that killed young brother and sister at birthday party

A Michigan woman has been ordered to stand trial in a crash that killed two siblings and injured several other people who were at a boat club to celebrate a child’s birthday. Marshella Chidester … more

By COREY WILLIAMS | 6/27/24

FILE - Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speaks to the media after arriving at the federal courthouse for a hearing in front of a bankruptcy judge, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Houston. A federal bankruptcy judge Thursday, June 27, stopped an effort by the parents of a boy killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting to collect on some of the $50 million owed to them by Jones and his company for his claims that the massacre was a hoax. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Judge stops parents' effort to collect on $50M Alex Jones owes for saying Newtown shooting was hoax

A federal bankruptcy judge has stopped an effort by the parents of a boy killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting to begin collecting on some of the $50 million they won in a lawsuit … more

By DAVE COLLINS | 6/27/24

This photo provided by the City of Alton, Ill., shows security video of a sinkhole that opened in the middle of a soccer field on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in Alton, Ill. Authorities say a giant sinkhole that opened in the middle of the southern Illinois soccer field swallowed a large light pole and left a gaping chasm above an area where limestone is mined underground. (City of Alton, Ill. via AP)

Giant sinkhole swallows the center of a soccer field built on top of a limestone mine

A giant sinkhole has swallowed the center of a soccer field in Illinois. Video shows the gaping hole taking down a large light pole and leaving a chasm at least 100 feet wide and up to 50 feet deep. … more

6/27/24

FILE - Residents look at candidates posters two days before polls open in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on June 26, 2024. Even in a busy year of elections, the next few days stand out. Voters go to the polls over the next week in fledgling democracies like Mauritania and Mongolia, in the Islamic Republic of Iran and in the stalwart democracies of Britain and France. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Ballot box binge: Votes loom in coming days from Mongolia to Iran to Britain in a busy election year

Even in a busy year of elections, the next few days stand out. Voters go to the polls over the next week in fledgling democracies like Mauritania and Mongolia, in the Islamic Republic of Iran and in … more

By JAMEY KEATEN | 6/27/24

FILE - A hiring sign is displayed in Riverwoods, Ill., on April 16, 2024. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the government reports on the number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Fewer Americans file for jobless claims, but continuing claims rise for 8th straight week

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week as layoffs remain at healthy levels despite elevated interest rates and inflation. The Labor Department reported Thursday … more

By MATT OTT | 6/27/24

Gene Milne, an impact zone property owner, is pictured during an interview on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Milne lost his newly built home in last year's wildfire and is the first property owner to start the rebuilding process since his previous home was not yet fully completed and had open permits. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

Maui officials highlight steps toward rebuilding as 1-year mark of deadly wildfire approaches

Maui officials are highlighting some steps toward rebuilding nearly a year after a deadly wildfire destroyed much of Lahaina. That includes residential building permits being issued, construction … more

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER | 6/27/24

Supporters of Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. protest outside the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., Friday, June 21, 2024. Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN's parent company, plans to relocate to its Burbank studios. Host network CNN said Thursday the independent presidential candidate fell short of benchmarks both for state ballot qualification and polling. The missed markers mean the June 27 showdown will be solely between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. didn't make the debate stage. He faces hurdles to stay relevant

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., won’t be with his better-known rivals when they debate Thursday in Atlanta. And aside from a livestreamed response to the debate, he also … more

By JONATHAN J. COOPER | 6/27/24

FILE - Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, second from right, is taken in handcuffs to a waiting aircraft as he is extradited to the United States, at an Air Force base in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 21, 2022. Hernandez was sentenced Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in New York, for his conviction on charges that he enabled drug traffickers to use his military and national police force to help get tons of cocaine into the United States. (AP Photo/Elmer Martinez, File)

Former Honduran president sentenced to 45 years for helping traffickers get tons of cocaine into US

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $8 million for enabling drug traffickers to use his military and national police force to help get … more

By LARRY NEUMEISTER | 6/26/24

FILE - This photo, supplied by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota, shows $120,000 in cash, taken from a bag that was left at the home of a juror in one of the country’s largest pandemic aid fraud cases, June 2, 2024, outside Minneapolis, Minn. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI announced charges in the case Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota via AP, File)

Feds charge 5, including man acquitted at trial, with attempting to bribe Minnesota juror with $120K

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI have announced that five people, including a man acquitted at trial, have been charged with trying to bribe a juror in one of the country’s largest … more

By MICHAEL GOLDBERG | 6/26/24

FILE - A Highlands County Sheriff's SWAT vehicle is stationed out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring, Fla., where authorities say five people were shot and killed. Assistant State Attorney Bonde Johnson told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday, June 26, 2024, that Xaver, 27, committed the murders at Sebring's SunTrust bank in Florida in 2019, to satisfy his yearslong desire to experience killing, forcing the women to lie down before executing them. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Jury recommends death penalty for ex-prison guard trainee who murdered 5 women inside Florida bank

A jury has recommended that a former prison guard trainee be sentenced to death for his execution-style murders of five women inside a Florida bank five years ago. The Highlands County jury voted 9-3 … more

By TERRY SPENCER | 6/26/24

FILE - A loggerhead sea turtle hatchling makes its way into the ocean along Haulover Beach in Miami, July 9, 2013. In an effort to protect sea turtles, birds and other animals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill which expands the state's current ban on releasing 10 or more balloons on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Florida's balloon ban will protect sea turtles, birds and other marine life

Intentionally releasing a balloon will soon be illegal in Florida. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday creating the new law, which expands the state's current ban on releasing 10 or … more

6/26/24

This image taken from police dashcam video shows Gregory Bombard getting arrested on Feb. 9, 2018 n St. Albans, Vt. Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit on behalf of Bombard who was charged with a crime for giving a state trooper the middle finger in 2018, the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (American Civil Liberties Union/Vt. State Police via AP)

He flipped off a trooper and got charged. Now Vermont is on the hook for $175,000

Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was charged with a crime for giving a state trooper the middle finger in 2018. The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by the … more

6/26/24

FILE - This Dec. 10, 2015, aerial file photo, shows Lincoln Hills juvenile prison in Irma, Wis. A staff member at Wisconsin’s youth prison has been declared brain-dead following a fight with an inmate, the county coroner said Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, File)

Wisconsin youth prison counselor is declared brain-dead after inmate assault

A county coroner says a counselor at Wisconsin’s youth prison has been declared brain-dead following a fight with an inmate. Lincoln County Coroner Valerie Caylor says Wednesday the man was … more

By TODD RICHMOND | 6/26/24

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Fifteen months after he was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg on espionage charges, Gershkovich returns there for his trial starting Wednesday, June 26, 2024, behind closed doors. Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government deny the charges. (AP Photo)

What to know from the first day of US journalist Evan Gershkovich's trial in Russia

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich went on trial in Russia on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government dismiss as false. The 32-year-old journalist appeared in court … more

By The Associated Press | 6/26/24

United States women's national team head coach Emma Hayes, left, looks on with forward Alex Morgan (13) as players warm up before facing South Korea in an international friendly soccer game Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Alex Morgan left off the 18-player U.S. soccer roster headed to the Olympics

U.S. national team forward Alex Morgan has been left off coach Emma Hayes’ roster for the Paris Olympics. Morgan was the most notable absence on the 18-player list. The 34-year-old Morgan is a … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 6/26/24

FILE - A Care Home Delivery Technician gets his blood pressure checked at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Va., on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Racial and ethnic inequities in health care are found in every state in the U.S. despite some progress over the past two decades, according to a new national report released Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Rebecca J. Barnab/The News Virginian via AP, File)

Health care needs to diversify its workforce to get rid of racial inequalities, a new report says

A new national report says racial and ethnic inequities in health care are found in every state despite some progress over the past two decades. The report was released Wednesday by the National … more

By DEVNA BOSE | 6/26/24

Journalists enter a courtroom to take photos and videos of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich prior to hearing in a court in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Fifteen months after he was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg on espionage charges, Gershkovich returns there for his trial starting Wednesday, June 26, 2024, behind closed doors. Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government deny the charges. (AP Photo)

A look at Yekaterinburg, the Russian city where US reporter has gone on trial

Yekaterinburg, the industrial city where U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich is on trial, in located in Russia’s Ural Mountains east of Moscow. The city is less than 300 years old and was a springboard … more

By The Associated Press | 6/26/24

This image provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows Texas death row inmate Ramiro Gonzales. The Texas man convicted of fatally shooting of an 18-year-old Southwest Texas woman whose remains weren’t found until two years after she vanished is facing execution. Gonzales is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP)

Texas inmate facing execution for 2001 fatal shooting as his lawyers argue he's no longer a danger

Texas is preparing for an execution Wednesday. A man who admitted that he kidnapped, sexually assaulted and fatally shot the 18-year-old girlfriend of his drug dealer is set to receive a lethal … more

By JUAN A. LOZANO | 6/26/24