Whitmer orders alternatives to products with toxic chemicals
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered state officials Wednesday to buy fewer products containing toxic compounds used widely despite being associated with serious illnesses.
California virus cases stop falling, governor urges caution
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled up his sleeve Wednesday and received a coronavirus vaccine booster shot, a move he encouraged others to take as the state heads into the time of year that in 2020 ushered in the deadliest spike of COVID-19 cases.
Ex-NYT columnist Kristof announces run for Oregon governor
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Former New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof announced his candidacy Wednesday for Oregon governor, saying the state needs a political newbie to solve problems like homelessness and rural despair.
EXPLAINER: Why Congress is looking closely at Jan. 6 rally
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection has focused some of its early work on the planning of the rally at which President Donald Trump told his supporters to “fight like hell.” The rally, held that morning and planned by former White House and campaign aides, became a staging ground for hundreds of supporters who marched to the Capitol, pushed past police and broke inside.
Report: Fire, EMS departments nearing crisis in Wisconsin as 911 calls rise, staffing declines
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Wis. – When flames tore through a Fort Atkinson warehouse in early August, fire departments from as far away as…
France threatens to block British fishing boats from ports
PARIS (AP) — France announced Wednesday that it will bar British fishing boats from some French ports starting next week if no deal is reached with the U.K. in a dispute over fishing licenses — and suggested it may restrict energy supplies to the Channel Islands as well.
Indicted senator steps aside as education chairman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee senator who was recently indicted on charges that he violated federal campaign finance laws announced Wednesday that he will step aside as chairman of the Senate Education Committee.
McCloskey against abortions for young rape or incest victims
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Republican Mark McCloskey, who is running for the U.S. Senate, said he does not support allowing abortions for young girls who become pregnant through rape or incest.
New Orleans drops mask mandate as coronavirus numbers fall
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans is largely ending a mandate requiring residents and visitors wear masks indoors as infections of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continue to fall, the city's mayor announced Wednesday.
Bill would remove 'conscience' as basis for refusing vaccine
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois law has for more than four decades protected those who oppose providing or receiving medical treatment because of their religious beliefs. Now Democrats want an exception to allow repercussions for those who refuse vaccinations in the battle against COVID-19.
White House skeptical Iran ready to restart nuclear talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Wednesday responded skeptically after Iran's chief negotiator announced that Tehran was ready to return to nuclear negotiations in Vienna by the end of next month.
US limits immigration arrests at schools, 'protected' areas
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. immigration authorities will limit arrests at schools, hospitals and other “protected” areas under guidelines issued Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security, part of a broader effort to roll back the approach to enforcement under President Donald Trump.
Judge: Colorado parents can't exempt kids from school masks
DENVER (AP) — A federal judge has issued a restraining order against a suburban Denver county's policy allowing parents to opt their children out of a mask mandate at school, finding that the rule violates the rights of students with disabilities who are vulnerable to COVID-19.
In Haiti, the difficult relationship of gangs and business
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Youri Mevs knew that the call was coming, and she was terrified.
Edwards: Ida temporary trailer program ramps up in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's temporary housing program for people displaced by Hurricane Ida is increasing its pace of getting people into travel trailers, but Gov. John Bel Edwards said he's still pushing for the program to accelerate its work.
Ransomware gang says it targeted National Rifle Association
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A ransomware gang believed to operate out of Russia says it hacked the National Rifle Association, the most powerful gun-rights group in the United States.
