Author: Associated Press

Arbery defendants convicted of hate crimes, lesser charges

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — The three white men convicted of murder in Ahmaud Arbery’s fatal shooting have been found guilty of federal hate crimes. A jury delivered its verdict Tuesday after several hours of deliberations. The jury found that father and son Greg and Travis McMichael and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan violated Arbery’s civil rights in the fatal chase and…

US, EU to impose Russia sanctions amid Ukraine crisis

MOSCOW (AP) — The White House says President Joe Biden is ordering new sanctions on Moscow after Russia moved to recognize separatist eastern Ukraine regions. The Biden administration calls Monday’s announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin a “blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.” The sanctions will prohibit new investment, trade and financing in the two separatist regions of Ukraine recognized…

Ukraine-Russia crisis: What to know amid a push for a summit

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — World leaders are making another diplomatic push in hopes of preventing a Russian invasion of Ukraine, even as heavy shelling continues in Ukraine’s east. The White House said President Joe Biden had agreed “in principle” to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin if he refrains from launching an assault on his neighbor that U.S. officials say…

Russian trio of skaters face uncertain futures after drama

BEIJING (AP) — Russia’s trio of teenage figure skating stars each enter an uncertain future after what may be the most dramatic night in their sport’s history. World record holder Kamila Valieva faces a possible doping ban and a coach whose first response to her disastrous skate Thursday was more criticism. Runner-up Alexandra Trusova was in despair after her history-making…

Star Trek’s Captain Kirk rocketing into space next week

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Star Trek’s Captain Kirk is rocketing into space this month. Actor William Shatner will blast off from West Texas on Oct. 12. Jeff Bezos’ space travel company, Blue Origin, announced Monday that Shatner will join the flight with three others. It will be the company’s second crew flight to space. Bezos was on the debut…

Kentucky plans campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations

FileFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky is planning an outreach campaign in the coming months to continue encouraging more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He says the campaign also will focus on the virus’s symptoms and long-term effects. Among those to be featured are Kentuckians who lost unvaccinated loved ones to the coronavirus. A target group…

World War II soldier from Kentucky to be buried in hometown

FileMcKEE, Ky. (AP) — The Army says the remains of a Kentucky soldier killed during World War II will be buried this month in his hometown. The burial at Wind Cave Baptist Church in McKee for Pfc. Berton J. McQueen was rescheduled for Oct. 16 and will follow funeral services. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said earlier that the 20-year-old…

Website helps Kentuckians search for antibody treatments

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentuckians can now tap into the state’s COVID-19 website to help them search for health care facilities that provide monoclonal antibody treatment. Kentucky’s public health commissioner, Steven Stack, says supplies of the therapy are limited because of high demand nationally. For people infected with COVID-19, he says the treatment can help give their immune system a…

Burn restrictions in place as fire hazard season begins

FileFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Officials say Kentucky’s fall forest fire hazard season has begun, meaning it is illegal to burn near a woodland or brushland between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Kentucky Division of Forestry said in a statement that the fall fire season runs Oct. 1 through Dec. 15. Under state law, no burning can take place within…