Why dozens of Democrats left Texas and how Republicans want to punish them for it

August 5, 2025

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Dozens of Democratic state lawmakers in Texas have scattered to points across the country in a last-ditch effort to prevent Republicans from adopting U.S. House maps that President Donald Trump wants in place before the 2026 midterm elections. By leaving the state, Democrats are beyond the reach of Texas law enforcement, and they can effectively block any votes by ensuring the 150-member House does not have the quorum required to do business. The effect was immediate: The Republican-controlled state House did not have the required quorum for a scheduled vote on ...

U.S. and EU announce a trade framework after Trump holds tariff talks with top European official

July 28, 2025

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — The United States and the European Union announced a trade framework Sunday after a meeting between President Donald Trump and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. “It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it’s going to be great for both parties,” Trump said after the talks at his golf course resort near Turnberry, Scotland. For months, he has threatened most of the world with steep tariffs in hopes of shrinking large U.S. trade deficits with many key trading partners. The U.S. and EU seemed close to a deal earlier this month to ...

‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ scores Marvel’s first $100 million box office opening of 2025

July 28, 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marvel’s first family has finally found box office gold. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the first film about the superheroes made under the guidance of Kevin Feige and the Walt Disney Co., earned $118 million in its first weekend in 4,125 North American theaters, ...

Faith leaders hope bill will stop the loss of thousands of clergy from abroad who serve U.S. communities

July 28, 2025

(AP) — Faith leaders across the U.S. are hoping a bipartisan bill, recently introduced in the U.S. Senate and House, might finally bring resolution to an immigration issue that has been hindering their service to their communities for more than two years. In March 2023, the Biden ...

Passengers flee smoking jet on emergency slide after apparent landing gear problem at Denver

July 28, 2025

DENVER (AP) — Passengers slid down an emergency slide of a smoking jet at Denver International Airport due to a possible problem with the plane’s landing gear, authorities said. American Airlines Flight 3023 reported a “possible landing gear incident” during its departure from Denver ...

Trump’s demand for Washington NFL team name change ignores years of psychological data

July 28, 2025

(AP) — President Donald Trump is threatening to hold up a new stadium deal if Washington’s NFL team did not restore its name to a racial slur, despite decades of psychological research showing the negative mental health impacts of Native American mascots. The president is demanding a private company change its name to something that researchers have linked to a variety of negative mental health outcomes, particularly for children, said Mark Macarro, president of the National Congress of American Indians. The organization has been pushing back on stereotypes of Native Americans ...