National News - The Morning Sun

This combo from photos provided by Philadelphia Dept. of Prisons shows from left, Nasir Grant, left, and Ameen Hurst. Authorities searched Tuesday, May 9, 2023, for two inmates, one accused of killing four people, who were gone from a Philadelphia prison for nearly 19 hours before officials knew they were missing. Hurst, 18, and Grant, 24, escaped from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center around 8:30 p.m. Sunday by cutting a hole in a fence surrounding a recreation yard, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons said.(Philadelphia Dept. of Prisons via AP)

Second escaped inmate captured after breaking out of Philadelphia prison

Authorities say the second of two inmates who escaped from a Philadelphia prison earlier this month has been captured. The city commissioner says 18-year-old Ameen Hurst was arrested early Wednesday … more

5/17/23

Missouri terminates emergency rule to limit trans care for minors, some adults

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri officials terminated the Republican attorney general's emergency rule that would have placed limits on transgender care for minors and some adults. The move … more

By Margaret Stafford / The Associated Press | 5/17/23

FILE - Police work near a damaged Home Depot truck, Nov. 1, 2017, after a motorist drove onto a bike path the day before, Oct. 31, near the World Trade Center memorial, striking and killing several people, in New York. Relatives of eight people killed in the Halloween terror attack on a New York City bike path, as well as those who were injured, are expected to speak at a Wednesday, May 17, 2023, sentencing hearing for an Islamic extremist who prosecutors say deserves multiple life sentences. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

US seeks multiple life sentences for NYC bike path killer

Relatives of eight people killed in a Halloween terror attack on a New York City bike path are expected to speak at a sentencing hearing for an Islamic extremist who prosecutors say deserves multiple … more

By LARRY NEUMEISTER | 5/17/23

Debra Long looks through documents about the murder of her son, Randy Long, and photographs from his life, at her home in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., April 19, 2023. An AP examination of data from 23 states shows that Black people are disproportionately denied aid from programs that reimburse victims of violent crime. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Takeaways from AP report on racial disparities in states' victim compensation programs

Thousands of Americans each year turn to state-run programs that provide financial assistance to crime victims. The money helps to cover funeral expenses, physical and emotional therapy, lost wages, … more

By CLAUDIA LAUER and MIKE CATALINI | 5/17/23

In this aerial photo chunks of ice follow flooding from an ice jam in Crooked Creek, Alaska, May 15, 2023. Ice jams along two Alaska rivers unleashed major flooding over the weekend. (Jennifer Wallace, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management via AP)

Surging Alaska rivers leave behind huge chunks of ice, damaged homes

Ice jams in two Alaska rivers have unleashed major flooding over the weekend. The floods damaged homes and left huge chunks of ice as tall as 12 feet littered across communities in the state’s … more

5/16/23

A California condor named Hope, a species ambassador, poses for a photo at the Los Angeles Zoo, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. California condors are trapped in a cycle of life and death. The latest breeding efforts to boost the population of North America's largest land bird an endangered species where there are only several hundred in the wild come as the avian flu has already killed 20 birds this year. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Vaccine authorized for emergency use in California condors amid bird flu outbreak

California condors will receive a vaccine for a deadly strain of avian influenza that threatens the already critically endangered vulture species. Federal officials said Tuesday emergency approval … more

5/16/23

An alligator swims up to the beach on Dauphin Island, near Mobile, Ala., Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Matt Harvill via AP)

Surfing gator seen relaxing at Alabama beach amid the waves

There are plenty of alligators in Alabama. But how many enjoy a day at the beach? One such unlikely critter was spotted riding the waves recently on Dauphin Island, bobbing calmly near the human … more

By BEATRICE DUPUY | 5/16/23

Students exit P.S. 172 after classes end for the day as a protest sign is displayed outside the school, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in New York. New York City Mayor Eric Adam's plan to temporarily house immigrants in the school's gymnasium has frustrated some community members who protested outside the building earlier in the day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

New York City turns to school gyms to house new migrants, prompting uproar

New York City has begun housing asylum seekers in public school gymnasiums. The move marks its latest effort to shelter a growing migrant population that has overwhelmed the shelter system and stoked … more

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ | 5/16/23

A welcome sign hangs on the front of a Planned Parenthood branch, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. A man who waged a year-long series of BB gun attacks on a California Planned Parenthood clinic has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Man sentenced for BB gun attacks on California Planned Parenthood clinic

A man who waged BB gun attacks on a California Planned Parenthood clinic has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles says 53-year-old Richard Chamberlin was … more

5/16/23

FILE - The Internal Revenue Service 1040 tax form for 2022 is seen on April 17, 2023. The IRS is planning to launch a pilot program for a government-run, online tax filing system that’s free for all. After months of research, the IRS published a feasibility report on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, laying out taxpayer interest in direct file, how the system could work, its potential cost, operational challenges and more. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File)

IRS moves forward with free e-filing system in pilot program to launch in 2024

The IRS is planning to launch a pilot program for a government-run, online tax filing system that’s free for all. The IRS was tasked with looking into how to create a “direct file” system as … more

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS and FATIMA HUSSEIN | 5/16/23

Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins to resign after Justice Department ethics probe

Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins' attorney says she will resign after a monthslong ethics investigation by the Justice Department’s inspector general into her appearance at a political … more

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER | 5/16/23

FILE - Congregants arrive at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. Saddleback Church is appealing its ouster from the Southern Baptist Convention for having women pastors on staff, according to the denomination. The Executive Committee of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination had voted to expel the church earlier this year. But the Southern California megachurch is exercising its right to appeal to the full annual meeting of the convention next month in New Orleans. Southern Baptists’ statement of faith says the office of pastor is limited to men. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File)

Saddleback Church appealing its ouster from the Southern Baptists on issue of women pastors

The Southern Baptist Convention says that Saddleback Church is appealing its ouster from the denomination for having women pastors on staff. The Executive Committee of the nation’s largest … more

By PETER SMITH | 5/16/23

A shopper peruses a mountain bicycle on display in a Costco warehouse Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Sheridan, Colo. On Tuesday, the Commerce Department releases U.S. retail sales data for April. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Retail sales up 0.4% in April from March, buoyed by solid job market, easing inflationary pressures

Consumers picked up their spending in April from March, buoyed by a solid job market and easing inflationary pressures. Retail sales increased 0.4% in April from March when it was down 0.7%. It … more

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO | 5/16/23

In this photo provided by the Templeton Prize in May 2023, Dr. Edna Adan Ismail sits for a portrait in London. Ismail, a nurse-midwife, hospital founder, and healthcare advocate who for decades has combatted female circumcision and strived to improve women’s health care in East Africa, was named Tuesday, May 16, 2023, as winner of the 2023 Templeton Prize, one of the world's largest annual individual awards. (Tim Cole/Templeton Prize via AP)

Prominent foe of female circumcision wins prestigious $1.4 million Templeton Prize

The Templeton Prize — one of the world's largest annual individual awards — is being awarded this year to a nurse-midwife who for decades has strived to improve women’s health care in East … more

The Associated Press | 5/16/23

Missouri student suspended after reporting teacher used racial slur

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A sophomore at a Missouri high school who recorded a teacher using a racial slur during class was suspended for three days. Mary Walton, a student at Glendale High … more

Associated Press / [email protected] | 5/16/23

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, flanked by House Speaker Charles McCall, third right, and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, second right, announce details of an education funding plan that includes pay hikes for teachers on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma leaders reach education deal on voucher-style tax credits, teacher pay hikes

Oklahoma City (AP) — Republican leaders in Oklahoma have announced a deal that would raise teacher pay and pave the way for a voucher-style tax credit program for parents to send their children to … more

By Sean Murphy / Associated Press | 5/16/23

FILE - A volunteer cleans up needles used for drug injection that were found at a homeless encampment in Everett, Wash., Nov. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Washington state lawmakers seek to avoid decriminalizing drugs

Washington state lawmakers are considering a major new drug policy. A special legislative session begins Tuesday, a day after lawmakers reached a compromise that Democratic and Republican leaders say … more

By ED KOMENDA | 5/16/23

FILE - Then-Mississippi state Rep. Cory Wilson, R-Madison, discusses a transportation issue during a House Transportation Committee meeting at the state Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Feb. 17, 2016. Three conservative appeals court judges, including Wilson, with a history of supporting restrictions on abortion will hear arguments Wednesday, May 17, 2023, on whether a widely used abortion drug should remain available. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

3 judges who chipped away abortion rights to hear federal abortion pill appeal

Three appeals court judges with a history of supporting restrictions on abortion will hear arguments May 17 on whether a widely used abortion drug should remain available. The case involves a … more

By KEVIN McGILL | 5/16/23

FILE - The healthcare.gov website is seen on Dec. 14, 2021, in Fort Washington, Md. A federal judge's ruling striking down a part of the Affordable Care Act requiring most insurers to cover preventive care including vaccines and screenings for cancer, diabetes and HIV was temporarily put on hold Monday, May 15, 2023, by a federal appeals court in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Appeals court puts brakes on order that could end US health law’s preventative care mandate

A federal judge’s ruling striking down a key part of the Affordable Care Act has been temporarily put on hold by a federal appeals court in New Orleans. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued … more

By KEVIN McGILL | 5/15/23

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist Steve Griffith prepares to fire a tranquilizer dart into a black bear in a tree outside of a home, Sunday, May 14, 2023 in Traverse City, Mich. Representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, DNR Conservation Officers, Traverse City Police, Traverse City Fire and Traverse City Light and Power were able to remove the bear after several tranquilizer darts with plans to relocate it. (Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City Record-Eagle via AP)

Bear in a tree holds Michigan city in suspense for hours on Mother's Day

A city in northern Michigan has a new Mother’s Day memory. A 350-pound bear was in a tree for hours on Sunday before it fell onto a mattress as dozens of people watched in Traverse City. Annette … more

5/15/23