Author: Associated Press

Kentucky man sentenced in $1.3M COVID-relief fund scheme

(Credit: Pixabay)LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining $1.3 million in pandemic small business loans. Federal authorities say he used some of the funds to pay off gambling debts. Randall “Rocky” Blankenship, of Versailles, was sentenced to 42 months on Thursday. A plea agreement say the…

Facing pressure, Biden to sign order on abortion access

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Joe Biden will take executive action to protect access to abortion. The president faces mounting pressure from fellow Democrats to be more forceful on the subject after the Supreme Court ended a constitutional right to the procedure two weeks ago. Biden is expected to formalize instructions to the Departments of Justice and…

Japan’s ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated during a speech

(CNN via CNN Newsource)NARA, Japan (AP) — Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated on a street in western Japan by a gunman who opened fire on him from behind as he delivered a campaign speech. The attack stunned the nation that has some of the strictest gun control laws anywhere. The 67-year-old Abe, who was Japan’s longest-serving leader when…

Former PM Shinzo Abe critically shot in shock Japan attack

(CNN via CNN Newsource)TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot and critically wounded while campaigning in western Japan. Fire officials say the 67-year-old Abe was not breathing and his heart stopped while being airlifted to a hospital. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that police arrested a male suspect at the scene of the…

James Caan, Oscar nominee for ‘The Godfather,’ dies at 82

(Source: CNN via CNN Newsource)James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of “The Godfather” and to television audiences as the dying football player in the classic weeper “Brian’s Song” and the casino boss in “Las Vegas,” has died. He was 82. His manager Matt DelPiano said he died on Wednesday. Caan grew…

Griner appears in court, pleads guilty in Russia drugs trial

(Source: CNN via CNN Newsource) MOSCOW (AP) — Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug possession during her trial in Moscow but said she had no intention of committing a crime. Representatives for Griner confirmed to The Associated Press that the WNBA star pleaded guilty to drug possession charges. Russian news reports quoted Griner as saying…

What’s next for UK? Boris Johnson quits, but not gone yet

(Source: UK Parliament TV via CNN Newsource)LONDON (AP) — Boris Johnson has stepped down as Conservative Party leader. But the scandal-tarnished politician remains Britain’s prime minister for now. Johnson’s resignation Thursday sparks a party contest to replace him as leader. All Conservative lawmakers are eligible to run and party officials could open the nominations within hours. Party lawmakers will vote…

US to diversify infant formula industry to avoid shortages

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is looking to help foreign manufacturers of baby formula stay on the U.S. market for the long term. It’s an effort to diversify the industry after the closure of the largest domestic plant sparked a nationwide shortage. The Food and Drug Administration has announced plans to help overseas producers that have sent supplies to…

Kentucky abortion clinics in court to block new state law

(Credit: Pixabay)LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Attorneys for Kentucky’s two abortion clinics are seeking an injunction to block the state’s near-total abortion ban. A Louisville judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state’s abortion ban last week. The clinics are asking Circuit Judge Mitch Perry to issue an injunction request, which would halt the state law while the case is…