National News - The Morning Sun

FILE - Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz is shown at the defense table during jury selection in the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. The deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history ever to make it to trial is finally about to go before a jury. Opening statements are scheduled Monday, July 15, in Cruz's penalty trial. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool, File)

Florida high school shooter's penalty trial set to begin

The penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz is about to begin. Opening statements will be made and the first witnesses called Monday. Jurors will decide whether the 23-year-old Cruz will … more

By TERRY SPENCER | 7/18/22

Wet flowers are seen during a rainy day at a memorial to the seven people killed and others injured in the Fourth of July mass shooting at the Highland Park War Memorial, Friday, July 15, 2022, in Highland Park, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

July 4 parade funerals to conclude with tribute to slain dad

Funeral services for the seven people killed by a gunman at an Independence Day parade are set to conclude with family and friends gathering in suburban Chicago to remember Kevin McCarthy. The … more

7/17/22

In this April 20, 2020, photo, comedian Craig Robinson performs at the Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles. A man fired a gun inside a comedy club in North Carolina Saturday night, July 16, 2022 shortly after it was evacuated and before actor and comedian Craig Robinson was set to perform, police said. No one was injured. Club employees told WSOC-TV that the man waved a gun around and told everyone to leave before the venue emptied out. About 50 customers had been inside. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)

Police: Charlotte comedy club empties before man fires gun

Police say that a man fired a gun inside a comedy club in North Carolina before actor and comedian Craig Robinson was set to perform. The incident occurred Saturday night at The Comedy Zone in … more

7/17/22

FILE - Rachel Martinez carries her son and a protest sign as she attends a city council meeting, on July 12, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. A Texas lawmaker says surveillance video from the school hallway at Robb Elementary School where police waited as a gunman opened fire in a fourth-grade classroom will be shown this weekend to residents of Uvalde. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Uvalde families to receive new report on police failures

Families in Uvalde are awaiting a new report expected to outline police failures in the May school shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead. The findings that were due to be released … more

By JAKE BLEIBERG and PAUL J. WEBER | 7/17/22

FILE - In this April 15, 2021, file photo defendants Paul Flores, top left, and his father, Ruben Flores, bottom right, appear via video conference during their arraignment in San Luis Obispo Superior Court in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The father and son were arrested in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart, a college student at California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo. Paul Flores is charged with murder and his father, Ruben Flores, is charged as an accomplice for allegedly helping him bury her body. The two have pleaded not guilty. San Luis Obispo prosecutors say Paul Flores killed Smart while trying to rape her in his dorm room in May 1996 when they were freshmen students. The trial has been moved to Monterey County Superior Court in Salinas for Monday, July 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Nic Coury, File)

Prosecutors try to prove 1996 killing with body missing

Kristin Smart disappeared during her freshman year at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo more than 25 years ago. She is presumed dead and her body remains missing but the man … more

By BRIAN MELLEY | 7/17/22

Elton John performs during his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road," tour, Friday, July 15, 2022, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

From the end of the world to your town, Elton John's goodbye

It’s gonna be a long, long time until we see another songwriter and performer like Elton John. Wrapping up a 50-plus year career with a farewell tour, the British pianist and vocalist has created … more

By WAYNE PARRY | 7/16/22

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz speaks with sentence mitigation specialist Kate O'Shea during the penalty phase of his trial, Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Life or death for Parkland shooter? Trial will take months

The deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history ever to make it to trial is finally about to go before a jury. Opening statements are scheduled Monday in Nikolas Cruz's penalty trial. That's four years … more

By TERRY SPENCER | 7/16/22

FILE - In this photo from surveillance video provided by the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District via the Austin American-Statesman, authorities respond to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. This week's release of the striking video showing police inaction during the Uvalde school shooting provoked one unexpected response — anger toward the two Texas news outlets, even though their scoop provided what many in the community were seeking. The Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV faced complaints of insensitivity toward families of the 19 children and two adults killed by a gunman at Robb elementary school on May 24. (Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)

Uvalde video shows raw feelings toward journalists linger

Two news outlets’ decision to release an excruciating 77-minute video this week showing police inaction during the Robb Elementary School mass shooting drew a harsh response from residents of … more

By DAVID BAUDER | 7/16/22

Traffic is backed up on Interstate 90 after a fatal pileup where at least 20 vehicles crashed near Hardin, Mont., Friday, July 15, 2022. (Amy Lynn Nelson/The Billings Gazette via AP)

At least 5 die after storm causes Montana highway pileup

Authorities say at least five people have died after a pileup Friday evening on Interstate 90 in Montana. At least 20 vehicles crashed and Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Jay Nelson said authorities … more

By STEFANIE DAZIO | 7/15/22

FILE - Flowers, candles and cards have been left at the parking lot of the 7-Eleven store on W. Lambert Road in Brea, Calif., Thursday, July 14, 2022. Authorities said Friday, July 15, 2022, that a suspect has been arrested in a series of deadly robberies at Southern California 7-Eleven convenience stores. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP, File)

2 suspects arrested in probe of deadly 7-Eleven shootings

Authorities say two suspects have been arrested in a series of deadly robberies at Southern California 7-Eleven convenience stores where two people were killed and three wounded. Police have been … more

By STEFANIE DAZIO and BRIAN MELLEY | 7/15/22

This undated photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers shows Mary Dawn Wilson. Authorities are searching for Wilson, after her 2-year-old grandchild was found alone and abandoned for two days on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in a locked car on a rural Alaska road. The search for Wilson, 69, is being concentrated around the community of Healy, Alaska State Troopers said in an online statement. (Alaska State Troopers via AP)

Alaska grandma sought after child abandoned in car 2 days

Alaska State Troopers are searching for the grandmother of a toddler after her 2-year-old grandchild was found alone and abandoned for two days in a locked car on a rural Alaska road. The search for … more

7/15/22

FILE - Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke speaks at a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, on Aug. 5, 2021. The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into the Maryland State Police to determine if the agency engaged in racially discriminatory hiring and promotion practices, federal prosecutors announced Friday, July 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Feds to investigate Maryland State Police hiring practices

The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into the Maryland State Police to determine if the agency engaged in racially discriminatory hiring and promotion practices. Friday's … more

By TOM FOREMAN Jr. | 7/15/22

Lola the tiger gets X-rayed before her exam and dental procedure by a veterinarian team at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, July 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)

Rescued Oklahoma tigers get care in California and new home

Two neglected tigers rescued from a long-shuttered roadside Oklahoma tourist attraction are starting new lives more than 1,000 miles away at California’s Oakland Zoo after receiving much-needed … more

HAVEN DALEY | 7/15/22

FILE — Howard Mott reaches for Princess Doe's gravestone during a memorial service at Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Blairstown, N.J., July 15, 2007. The remains of a young girl who was dubbed “Princess Doe” after she was found 40 years ago in a northwestern New Jersey cemetery have been identified as a Long Island teenager, authorities announced Friday, July 15, 2022. (Claudio Papapietro/The New Jersey Herald via AP, File)

'Princess Doe' identified 40 years after remains were found

Authorities say a girl who was dubbed Princess Doe after her remains were found 40 years ago in a New Jersey cemetery has been identified as a Long Island teenager. Prosecutors said Friday that … more

7/15/22

FILE - Andrei Pivovarov, head of the Open Russia movement, gestures during a court session in Krasnodar, Russia, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Andrei Pivovarov, former head of the Open Russia group, was sentenced to four years in prison for "directing an undesirable organization," a criminal offense under a 2015 law. He has maintained his innocence and has insisted that the charges against him were brought because of his plans to run for parliament in September 2021. (AP Photo, File)

Another top opposition figure in Russia handed prison term

A Russian court has sentenced a top opposition figure to four years in prison, the latest move in the Kremlin’s crackdown on opposition activists, independent media and rights groups. Andrei … more

7/15/22

FILE - Julia Roberts appears at the premiere of the film "Armageddon Time" at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, on May 19, 2022. Roberts will be the recipient of the Icon Award at the Second Annual Academy Museum gala. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)

Academy Museum to honor Julia Roberts at 2nd annual gala

Julia Roberts will be honored by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures at its second annual gala in October. The organization announced Friday that the Oscar-winner will be presented with the Icon … more

By LINDSEY BAHR | 7/15/22

FILE - In this photo provided by NASA, backdropped against clouds over Earth, the International Space Station is seen from Space Shuttle Discovery as the two orbital spacecraft accomplish their relative separation on March 7, 2011. It was announced Friday, July 15, 2022, that NASA astronauts will go back to riding Russian rockets under a new agreement. At the same time, Russian cosmonauts will launch aboard U.S. rockets to the International Space Station beginning this fall. (NASA via AP, File)

US, Russian astronauts will swap seats on rockets again

NASA astronauts will go back to riding Russian rockets under a new agreement. At the same time, Russian cosmonauts will launch aboard U.S. rockets to the International Space Station beginning this … more

By MARCIA DUNN | 7/15/22

Tekle Sundberg's name is written in chalk during a vigil for 20-year old Sundberg Thursday, July 14, 2022 outside the apartment building where he was killed by Minneapolis Police in Minneapolis. Minneapolis police officers shot and killed Sundberg early Thursday after an overnight standoff that began after he allegedly fired shots inside an apartment building on the city's south side, according to city and state officials. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)

Vigil held for man killed by Minneapolis police in standoff

Several dozen people gathered for a vigil outside a Minneapolis apartment building where police fatally shot a man during an hourslong standoff that began with gunfire before officers arrived. Family … more

7/15/22

FILE - Muhammad Aziz stands outside the courthouse with members of his family after his conviction in the killing of Malcolm X was vacated on Nov. 18, 2021, in New York. Aziz, 84, has filed a $40 million lawsuit against New York City for the two decades he spent in prison for a notorious crime he did not commit. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Man exonerated in Malcolm X killing sues NYC for $40 million

A man who was exonerated last year in the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X has filed a $40 million lawsuit against New York City for the two decades he spent in prison for a notorious crime he did not … more

By KAREN MATTHEWS | 7/15/22

FILE - Donald Trump, left, his son Donald Trump Jr., center, and his daughter Ivanka Trump speak during the unveiling of the design for the Trump International Hotel, in Washington, Sept. 10, 2013. Former President Trump and two of his children got their questioning postponed Friday, July 15, 2022, in a New York civil investigation into their business dealings, a delay that follows the death of Trump’s ex-wife Ivana. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Deposition of Trump, 2 children delayed after Ivana's death

Former President Donald Trump and two of his children got their questioning postponed Friday in a New York civil investigation into their business dealings. The delay follows the death of Trump’s … more

By JENNIFER PELTZ | 7/15/22