National News - The Morning Sun

FILE - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul delivers his remarks after being sworn to his second term as attorney general during ceremonies on Jan. 9, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. Raoul on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, will discuss his office’s more than four-year investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy in the state going back decades — a probe launched by his predecessor after she found the church's own investigation to be seriously lacking. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Illinois AG probe: Catholic clergy sexual abuse of kids was far more common than church acknowledged

Illinois’ attorney general has released the results of a sweeping investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, saying investigators found that 451 clergy sexually abused … more

By KATHLEEN FOODY and MICHAEL TARM | 5/23/23

South Carolina House Democrats speak at a rally to people against an abortion bill being debated in the House on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina's only women senators to resist new abortion restrictions up for debate

The only five women in South Carolina’s 46-member Senate have vowed to resist new abortion restrictions up for debate after the group filibustered a near-total ban last month. But it remains to be … more

By JAMES POLLARD | 5/23/23

The cast and creatives behind the new Disney+ series "American Born Chinese" say it's a "surreal" feeling to have the project released into the world. Ben Wang stars as a teen growing up amid pressure to reconcile his American and Chinese sides and mixes drama, comedy, and mythology. (May 22)

From Xerox to TV box, long awaited adaptation of 'American Born Chinese' book hits Disney+

After 17 years, cartoonist Gene Luen Yang is seeing his American dream come true. “American Born Chinese,” an adaptation of his trailblazing graphic novel, debuts on Disney+ on Wednesday. The … more

By TERRY TANG | 5/23/23

This photo provided by Indian River County Sheriff's Office shows John Manchec. Sheriff's deputies in Florida say they foiled an elaborate escape plan by Manchec, a 78-year-old, dual citizenship businessman who is facing multiple child pornography charges stemming from a 2014 arrest. A tip from the outside sparked a two month investigation into the actions of Manchec, some of his employees and others who he befriended in jail, Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said Monday, May 22, 2023, during a news conference. (Indian River County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Millionaire’s elaborate jail escape plan foiled, Florida sheriff says

Sheriff’s investigators in Florida say they foiled an elaborate jailbreak plan by a 78-year-old businessman who is in custody facing child pornography charges stemming from a 2014 arrest. Indian … more

5/23/23

Melanese Marr-Thomas talks about the photographs of her late husband, Charles Thomas, which decorate her living room wall in District Heights, Md., on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. He felt doctors were quick to blame any ailments solely on his weight, but slow to listen to his symptoms or examine other causes. He eventually gave up on seeking medical care for a long time because he was tired of feeling judged. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

High blood pressure plagues many Black Americans. Combined with COVID, it's catastrophic

In a nation plagued by high blood pressure, Black people are more likely to suffer from it. And so, in the time of COVID-19, they are more likely than white people to die. It’s a stark reality. And … more

By KAT STAFFORD | 5/23/23

In predominantly Black schools, students’ mental health is further tested by pressures and discrimination they endure because they are Black, as well as violence and poverty in their communities that have faced years of disinvestment. (AP Illustration)

Black kids face racism before they even start school. It's driving a major mental health crisis.

The drivers of the youth mental health crisis for Black children begin early and persist through a lifetime. Black children’s first encounters with racism can start before they are even in school, … more

By ANNIE MA | 5/23/23

Sisters Angelica Lyons, left, and Ansonia Lyons pose for a portrait at their parents' home in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. As a public health instructor, Angelica taught college students about racial health disparities, including the fact that Black women in the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery than any other race. Then, in 2019, it nearly happened to her. Ansonia also had several difficulties when she became pregnant in 2020. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Why do so many Black women die in pregnancy? One reason: Doctors don't take them seriously

Black women in the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery than any other race. Some doctors don't take their concerns seriously. Black babies are more likely to … more

By KAT STAFFORD | 5/23/23

Daisy Donjuan, 24, sits for a portrait at Dallas College El Centro campus on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in downtown Dallas. When she enrolled in Dallas College after a five-year break in school, she was left to navigate a dizzying array of options and decisions solo as she sought a job outside of retail management. (Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Success coaches ‘dig a little deeper’ to help community college students

As many community college students around the country struggle to complete degrees, Dallas College in Texas is assigning “success coaches” to help students address whatever stands between them … more

By VALERIA OLIVARES, The Dallas Morning News | 5/23/23

A channel flows through the mud flats along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm in Alaska on Oct. 25, 2014. Authorities said, a 20-year-old man from Illinois who was walking Sunday evening, May 21, 2023, on tidal mud flats with friends in an Alaska estuary, got stuck up to his waist in the quicksand-like silt and drowned as the tide came in before frantic rescuers could extract him. (Bob Hallinen/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

'Mother Nature has no mercy': Man gets stuck waist-deep in Alaska mud flats, drowns as tide comes in

A man walking on tidal mud flats with friends in an Alaska estuary got stuck up to his waist in the quicksand-like silt and drowned as the tide came in before frantic rescuers could extract him. … more

By MARK THIESSEN | 5/22/23

An American Medical Response vehicle drives in San Francisco, Monday, May 22, 2023. Lawyers sued medical transport provider American Medical Response West, saying the ambulance company's lax oversight allowed a paramedic to sexually assault two women in their 80s on their way to a hospital. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Lawsuit targets ambulance company for paramedic accused of sexually assaulting 2 elderly women

A lawsuit has been filed against medical transport provider American Medical Response West, saying the ambulance company’s lax oversight allowed a paramedic to sexually assault two women in their … more

5/22/23

Guam braces to take a hit from Typhoon Mawar as the storm heads toward the Pacific US territory

Guam's governor is urging residents to stay home and is warning the island could take a direct hit from Typhoon Mawar. The storm is strengthening on its path toward the U.S. territory in the Pacific. … more

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER | 5/22/23

Steer on the run for weeks lassoed, captured on Detroit-area freeway

A team of wranglers chased down and captured a wayward steer named Lester across several lanes of a Detroit-area freeway. State police in-car video shows the tail-end of Sunday afternoon's chase on … more

5/22/23

FILE - A Ukrainian flag waves in the city center damaged by Russian shelling in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. Despite Russian claims to have captured the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, top Ukrainian military leaders insist the grinding nine-month battle there is not over. Although Ukraine now controls only a small part of the city, Kyiv says its troops played a key role in the strategy of exhausting Russian forces and will carry on with the fighting.(AP Photo/Libkos, File)

AP PHOTOS: Ukraine insists battle for Bakhmut is not over

Despite Russian claims to have captured the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, top military leaders in Ukraine insist the grinding nine-month battle there is not over. Although Ukraine now controls only a … more

By The Associated Press | 5/22/23

Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School School Resource Officer Scot Peterson is shown in court during a motions hearing in his case at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Monday, May 22, 2022. Broward County prosecutors charged Peterson, a former Broward Sheriff's Office deputy, with criminal charges for failing to enter the 1200 Building at the school and confront the shooter, Nikolas Cruz, during a mass shooting at the Parkland high school five years ago. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Ex-Florida deputy charged with failing to confront Parkland shooter says he's eager for trial

A former Florida sheriff's deputy charged with failing to confront the Parkland school shooter says he is eager for his trial to begin. Fired Broward County deputy Scot Peterson told reporters on … more

By TERRY SPENCER | 5/22/23

This image provided by the Beaufort County Detention Center shows Jamie Bradley Brun. Brun is charged with murder and attempted murder after authorities said she drowned one daughter and tried to kill another before her oldest daughter heard the screams and saved her sister. (Beaufort County Detention Center via AP)

Sheriff: Girl, 16, fights off mom to save a sister from being drowned after 2nd sister killed

Authorities say a 37-year-old mother drowned one of her daughters in their South Carolina home and was trying to kill another child when the oldest daughter was awakened by screams and managed to … more

By JEFFREY COLLINS | 5/22/23

Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott hugs his mother Frances Scott after announcing his candidacy for president of the United States on the campus of Charleston Southern University in North Charleston, S.C., Monday, May 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

Who is Tim Scott? Here's what to know about the newest 2024 GOP presidential candidate

As Sen. Tim Scott enters the 2024 GOP presidential field, he will be eager to introduce himself to voters who might not know much about him. He will be the first to say his Christian faith is an … more

By MEG KINNARD | 5/22/23

Heavy equipment operators remove old dune fencing and other debris from a badly eroded section of beach in North Wildwood, N.J., Monday, May 22, 2023. The Jersey Shore town, which has been locked in a high-stakes, long-running legal battle with the state of New Jersey over how to protect its beaches while waiting for a federal and state beach replenishment project that is at least two years away, got emergency permission last week from state environmental officials to repair damaged dunes before the start of summer tourism season this weekend. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

Emergency beach repairs start in New Jersey shore town amid $33M legal fight

Heavy equipment crews are moving sand along a stretch of badly eroded beach in North Wildwood where a bitter fight over how to protect its rapidly shrinking beaches has led to $33 million worth of … more

By WAYNE PARRY | 5/22/23

This photo provided by Young Min Kim shows the wedding of Kyu and Cindy Cho. Among the eight people killed when a gunman opened fire at a Texas shopping mall on May 6, 2023, were Kyu and Cindy Cho and their 3-year-old son James. Their family's only survivor that day was their 6-year-old son, who was wounded. (Young Min Kim via AP)

Couple killed at Texas mall shooting along with 3-year-old son had 'perfect synergy'

Among the eight people killed when a gunman opened fire at a Texas shopping mall earlier this month were Kyu and Cindy Cho and their 3-year-old son, James. Their family's only survivor that day was … more

By JAMIE STENGLE | 5/22/23

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison stands outside the State Capitol in St. Paul, on Thursday, May 18, 2023, for an interview with The Associated Press on his new book, "Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence," will be released Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Minnesota prosecutors were so worried a judge would move the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin out of the city where he killed George Floyd that they conducted a mock trial in a deep red rural county to test their strategy, Ellison reveals in the new book. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski)

Top prosecutor in trial of officer who killed George Floyd writes book recounting case

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison reveals in a new book how worried prosecutors were that a judge would move the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin out of the city where he killed George … more

By STEVE KARNOWSKI | 5/22/23

File - Andrew Addison holds up a sign advertising that he takes Venmo for payment at his corner drink stand, Monday, May 30, 2022, in Nolensville, Tenn. Venmo will officially allow teenagers to open an account with their parents' permission, the company said Monday, expanding the popular social payments app to a demographic that is likely to embrace it almost immediately. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Venmo to be officially available for teenagers, although many use it already

Venmo will officially allow teenagers to open an account with their parents' permission, the company said Monday, expanding the popular social payments app to a demographic that is likely to embrace … more

By KEN SWEET | 5/22/23