Author: Associated Press

Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel, condemns ‘sheer evil’ of Hamas militants

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas as he condemned the militant group for the “sheer evil” of its shocking weekend assault on Israel. “Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear,” said Biden, who compared the brutality of the Hamas militants to that of the…

Auto workers stop expanding strikes against Detroit Three after GM makes battery plant concession

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union said Friday it will not expand its strikes against Detroit’s three automakers after General Motors made a breakthrough concession on unionizing electric vehicle battery plants. Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a video appearance that additional plants could be added to the strikes later. The announcement of the pause in expanding…

Speaker McCarthy ousted in historic House vote, as scramble begins for a Republican leader

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown — a first in U.S. history, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and throwing the House and its Republican leadership into chaos. It’s the end of the political line for McCarthy, who has said repeatedly that he never gives up, but found…

Democratic Gov. Beshear’s budget proposal seeks to improve drinking water, affordable housing, roads

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled a portion of his state budget proposal Tuesday that deals with infrastructure, including funding requests for improving drinking water, affordable housing and road and bridge improvements. Beshear, who is running for reelection against Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, said the state’s economy is “red-hot” and should use a historic budget surplus…

McCarthy ousted as House speaker in dramatic vote as Democrats join with GOP critics to topple him

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history, The 216-210 vote, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives, throws the House and its Republican leadership into chaos. McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, brought forward the “motion to vacate” drawing together more than a…

Gaetz launches effort to bring down McCarthy, but removing the House speaker is no easy task

WASHINGTON (AP) — “How would you be different as speaker, compared to Mr. Boehner?” a reporter asked then-House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in September 2015 as the California Republican pursued, and eventually gave up, his first attempt at the speakership. McCarthy laughed while standing next to outgoing Speaker John Boehner — who had just stepped down after facing a threat…

Stellantis recalls nearly 273,000 Ram trucks because rear view camera image may not show on screen

DETROIT (AP) — Stellantis is recalling nearly 273,000 trucks in the U.S. because the radio software can stop the rear view camera image from being displayed. The recall announced Tuesday by U.S. safety regulators covers certain Ram 1500 pickup trucks and some Ram 3500 chassis cabs from the 2022 and 2023 model years. Also covered are 2022 through 2024 Ram…