Where are the wackiest New Year’s Eve drops in the US?
By JOHN SEEWER Associated Press Why let New York City have all the fun with its Times Square ball drop on New Year’s Eve? Dozens of places across the U.S. will ring in 2026 by dropping a quirky assortment of…
The moon and sun figure big in the new year’s lineup of cosmic wonders
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The moon and sun share top billing in 2026. Kicking off the year’s cosmic wonders is the moon, drawing the first astronauts to visit in more than 50 years…
Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured
HAMMONTON, N.J. (AP) — Two helicopters crashed midair in New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and critically injuring another, authorities say. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25…
California’s intense winter storms turned some roads into rivers of mud
WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Heavy rains and strong winds from powerful winter storms this week brought the wettest Christmas season to Southern California in years, triggering widespread mudslides and debris flows and leaving homes halfway filled with mud. Rain was…
US launches strikes against Islamic State group in Nigeria after attacks target Christians
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said the United States launched a “powerful and deadly” strike against forces of the Islamic State group in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the targeting of Christians. In…
Powerball jackpot soars to $1.7 billion after another night with no big winner
By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion, after the 46th drawing passed without a big winner. The numbers drawn Monday night were 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and the Powerball…
US economy expands at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter
By MATT OTT AP Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter, the most rapid expansion in two years, as government and consumer spending, as well as exports,…
Family member questioned after Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in Los Angeles, AP source says
By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and MIKE BALSAMO Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Investigators were questioning a family member of director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele after they were found dead at their home in Los Angeles, according to a…
Authorities say they will release person of interest detained in Brown University shooting
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, AMANDA SWINHART and HOLLY RAMER Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A person of interest detained after a Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine will be released after law enforcement authorities determined there…
What to know about the attack on the Hannukah festival in Australia that killed 15 people
SYDNEY (AP) — A father and son are suspected by officials to have killed 15 people on a popular Australian beach, shocking a country where gun violence is rare. The government on Monday, a day after the shootings, proposed tougher…