National News - The Morning Sun

FILE - This photo provided by NASA shows the Starliner spacecraft docked to the Harmony module of the International Space Station, orbiting 262 miles above Egypt's Mediterranean coast, on June 13, 2024. (NASA via AP, File)

NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station

Officials say two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule. Test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams … more

By MARCIA DUNN | 7/25/24

FILE - California Gov. Gavin Newsom greets people, July 8, 2024, near the Common Man Roadside Market and Deli, in Hooksett, N.H. Newsom issued an executive order Thursday, July 25, for the removal of homeless encampments in his state. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Newsom issues executive order for removal of homeless encampments in California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order for the removal of homeless encampments in his state. Newsom’s order directs state agencies on how to remove the thousands of tents and … more

By TRÂN NGUYỄN | 7/25/24

FILE - A hiring sign is displayed at a restaurant in Mount Prospect, Ill., Feb. 1, 2024. On Thursday, July 25, 2024, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Fewer Americans file for jobless claims as applications remain at elevated, but not troubling levels

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but applications remained at recently elevated, though not troubling levels. Jobless claims for the week ending July 20 fell by 10,000 to … more

By MATT OTT | 7/25/24

Stewards catch pitch invaders during the men's Group B soccer match between Argentina and Morocco at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Argentina coach slams chaotic 'scandal' at Olympic soccer match vs Morocco

The head of Argentina’s soccer federation said the chaotic ending to its Olympic soccer match against Morocco on Wednesday “makes no sense,” and Argentina’s coach called the scene “a … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 7/25/24

Michael Boris, with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), shows off thousands of Oyster shells that will eventually be used to fight coastal erosion along the southern most parts of the state, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Violet, La. (AP Photo/Stephen Smith)

AmeriCorps CEO gets a look at a volunteer-heavy project to rebuild Louisiana's vulnerable coast.

A volunteer-heavy effort to restore some of Louisiana’s eroding coast with recycled oyster shells was part of the scenic backdrop for a visit from the head of AmeriCorps, the federal agency that … more

By STEPHEN SMITH and JACK BROOK | 7/24/24

In this photo provided by the Los Angeles Zoo, a California Condor chick is weighed at the Los Angeles Zoo on Friday, April 19, 2024. A record 17 California condor chicks hatched during this year's breeding season for the endangered birds at the Los Angeles Zoo. Officials said Wednesday, July 24, that all the chicks will be candidates for release into the wild as part of the California Condor Recovery Program. (Jamie Pham/Los Angeles Zoo via AP)

Los Angeles Zoo sets record with 17 California condor chicks hatched in 2024

A record 17 California condor chicks have hatched during this year’s breeding season for the endangered birds at the Los Angeles Zoo. Officials say Wednesday that all the chicks will be candidates … more

7/24/24

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Indianapolis International Airport, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. Harris is in Indianapolis to give a keynote speech at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.'s Grand Boul' event. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via AP)

The fight to define Harris is on. And for now, Republicans are dominating Democrats on the airwaves

Kamala Harris is already facing a wave of Republican-backed attack ads questioning her leadership, her progressive record and what she knew about President Joe Biden’s decline. For now, however, … more

By STEVE PEOPLES | 7/24/24

FILE - Christopher Dunn, right, listens to his attorney Justin Bonus from New York City during the first day of his hearing to decide whether to vacate his murder conviction, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Carnahan Courthouse in St. Louis. A Missouri judge on Monday, July 24, 2024, overturned the conviction of Dunn, who has spent more than 30 years in prison for a killing he has long contended he didn’t commit. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, Pool, File)

Judge orders release of Missouri man whose murder conviction was reversed over AG’s objections

A Missouri judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Christopher Dunn, who has spent more than 30 years in prison for a killing he has long contended he didn’t commit. St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason … more

By JIM SALTER | 7/24/24

In this image taken from body camera video released by Illinois State Police on Monday, July 22, 2024, former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, left, points his gun at Sonya Massey, who called 911 for help, before shooting and killing her inside her home in Springfield, Ill., July 6, 2024. (Illinois State Police via AP)

Body camera video focused national attention on an Illinois deputy's fatal shooting of Sonya Massey

A riveted nation watched video released this week of a sheriff’s deputy in Illinois fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who called 911 for assistance, in her home. Sean … more

By JOHN O'CONNOR | 7/24/24

FILE - Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, 70, center, appears at Bristol Superior court, accused of murdering her husband, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi, in Bristol, Conn., on Feb. 13, 2018. (Patrick Raycraft/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool, File)

Connecticut woman found dead hours before she was to be sentenced for killing her husband

A 76-year-old Connecticut woman has been found dead at her home, hours before she was to be sentenced for killing her husband. State police say they are investigating the “untimely death” of … more

By DAVE COLLINS | 7/24/24

A long, slow-moving trail of light created by a Blue Ghost firefly is visible late Saturday, June 22, 2024, near Cincinnati. Fireflies produce a chemical reaction inside their bodies, allowing them to light up. This type of light production is called bioluminescence. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The flickering glow of summer's fireflies: too important to lose, too small to notice them gone

Fireflies once seemed plentiful and cool, easy to catch and watch, and they served as an introduction to the world of nature around us. Entomologists keep hearing anecdotal reports of fewer … more

By SETH BORENSTEIN | 7/24/24

William & Mary expands new climate-focused major, deepens coastal research with $100 million gift

William & Mary has received a $100 million donation that aims to help coastal communities adapt to changing temperatures, rising seas and more intense storms. The university said Wednesday that the … more

By BEN FINLEY | 7/24/24

NASA telescope spots a super Jupiter that takes more than a century to go around its star

Astronomers have directly observed a super Jupiter around a nearby star. And they say it takes more than a century for the giant planet to orbit it. Scientists had long suspected a big planet circled … more

By MARCIA DUNN | 7/24/24

This image released by 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios shows Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in a scene from "Deadpool & Wolverine." (20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios via AP)

'Deadpool & Wolverine' is here to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe

After years of trying and many months of feverish speculation “Deadpool & Wolverine” is here at least. The movie opens in theaters nationwide Thursday and is poised to earn at least $160 million … more

By LINDSEY BAHR | 7/24/24

Opposition supporters hold a rosary with a flyer showing presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez during a prayer event in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, July 21, 2024. Venezuela is set to hold presidential elections July 28. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

As Venezuela heads for July 28 presidential election, what does the religious landscape look like?

What do Venezuelans believe in? The government has not published official data for years, but academics rely on projections and field work to have a sense of the religious landscape. Religion may not … more

By MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ | 7/24/24

Two occupants of a fishing vessel are safe Tuesday after a whale surfaced under their boat, capsizing it off the New Hampshire shore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Whale surfaces, capsizes fishing boat off New Hampshire coast

Two fishermen are safe after a whale crashed onto their boat, capsizing it off the New Hampshire shore. The U.S. Coast Guard says the incident occurred Tuesday near Odiorne Point State Park. The … more

7/24/24

U.S. alpine skier Lindsey Vonn speaks about Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics, during the 142nd IOC session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Olympics 2024: How to watch, when it starts, key dates in Paris

The Paris Olympics is getting underway. The action begins Wednesday with eight men’s soccer matches and the preliminary phase for rugby sevens, and the opening ceremony is set for Friday. The bold, … more

By The Associated Press | 7/24/24

Janet Yamanaka Mello, a former civilian employee of the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio pled guilty to stealing nearly $109 million from a youth development program for military families.

US Army worker who stole nearly $109 million to buy mansions and luxury cars is sentenced

A Texas woman who pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $109 million from a youth development program for military families has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Janet Yamanaka Mello, a former … more

By KEN MILLER | 7/23/24

Missouri prison ignores court order to free wrongfully convicted inmate for second time in weeks

For the second time in weeks, a Missouri prison has ignored a court order to release an inmate whose murder conviction was overturned. Just as in the case of Sandra Hemme, actions by the state’s … more

By JIM SALTER | 7/23/24

The School District of Philadelphia headquarters are shown in Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The Philadelphia school district has failed to protect Jewish students from "a virulent wave of antisemitism" that swept through classrooms after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, according to a federal complaint filed Tuesday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Antisemitism runs rampant in Philadelphia schools, Jewish group alleges in civil rights complaint

The Anti-Defamation League says the Philadelphia school district has failed to protect Jewish students from “a virulent wave of antisemitism” that swept through classrooms after Hamas attacked … more

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM | 7/23/24