Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from a Kansas park

Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from a Kansas park

WICHITA, Kan. — A prized statue of Jackie Robinson was stolen from a public park in Kansas, spurring a police search Friday and outrage across the city of Wichita. The statue honors the first player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. Surveillance video was released of two people hauling the sculpture away … Read more

Judge green-lights narrowing of main road through Atlantic City despite opposition from casinos

Judge green-lights narrowing of main road through Atlantic City despite opposition from casinos

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City got a green light Friday to proceed with a project to reduce the width of its main street from four lanes to two, despite fears from casinos and a hospital that the plan could tie the city into gridlocked knots, scare away gamblers and delay emergency vehicles. Superior Court … Read more

Bill decriminalizing drug test strips in opioid-devastated West Virginia heads to governor

Bill decriminalizing drug test strips in opioid-devastated West Virginia heads to governor

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that would decriminalize all the strips used to test deadly drugs in West Virginia, the state with the nation’s highest overdose rate, is headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Jim Justice. Justice hasn’t said publicly whether he supports the bill, which has received bipartisan support. The proposal follows a … Read more

Fatih Terim, the ‘Emperor’ of Turkish soccer, shakes up Greek league

Fatih Terim, the ‘Emperor’ of Turkish soccer, shakes up Greek league

ATHENS, Greece — Seeking a bonus to his storied career as a player and coach in Turkey, Fatih Terim is facing his next challenge in neighboring Greece. The restless 70-year-old took charge of Panathinaikos at the new year and his team next plays PAOK in Thessaloniki on Sunday. The two teams currently top the Super … Read more

Harry Connick Sr., longtime New Orleans district attorney and singer’s dad, dies at 97

Harry Connick Sr., longtime New Orleans district attorney and singer’s dad, dies at 97

NEW ORLEANS — Harry Connick Sr., who was New Orleans’ district attorney for three decades and later faced allegations that his staff sometimes held back evidence that could have helped defendants, died Thursday at age 97. Connick died peacefully at his home in New Orleans with his wife, Londa, and children — Suzanna and musician … Read more

Wisconsin Republicans approve bill banning abortions after 14 weeks of pregnancy

Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from a Kansas park

MADISON, Wis. — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Assembly approved a bill Thursday that would call for a binding statewide referendum to ban abortion after 14 weeks of pregnancy. Current Wisconsin law prohibits abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bill’s supporters say closing the window after 14 weeks could save more fetuses from death. … Read more

King Charles III is admitted to a hospital for a scheduled prostate treatment

King Charles III is admitted to a hospital for a scheduled prostate treatment

LONDON — King Charles III was admitted to a private hospital on Friday to undergo a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said, confirming a pre-planned treatment that was announced last week. The 75-year-old monarch will be treated at the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales, his daughter-in-law, is recovering from abdominal … Read more

George Carlin estate sues over fake comedy special purportedly generated by AI

George Carlin estate sues over fake comedy special purportedly generated by AI

LOS ANGELES — The estate of George Carlin has filed a lawsuit against the media company behind a fake hourlong comedy special that purportedly uses artificial intelligence to recreate the late standup comic’s style and material. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday asks that a judge order the podcast outlet, … Read more

Minnesota lawmakers kick off debate on joining other states that permit physician-assisted suicide

Minnesota lawmakers kick off debate on joining other states that permit physician-assisted suicide

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Legislature kicked off debate Thursday on whether the state should join the list of those that allow physician-assisted suicide. A House health committee took the unusual step of giving the bill a hearing even before the legislative session formally convenes Feb. 12. The lead sponsor, Democratic Rep. Mike Freiberg, … Read more

Schools are using surveillance tech to catch students vaping, snaring some with harsh punishments

Schools are using surveillance tech to catch students vaping, snaring some with harsh punishments

When Aaliyah Iglesias was caught vaping at a Texas high school, she didn’t realize how much could be taken from her. Suddenly, the rest of her high school experience was threatened: being student council president, her role as debate team captain and walking at graduation. Even her college scholarships were at risk. She was sent … Read more