Venus Williams loses at Indian Wells in her first match since last year’s US Open

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Venus Williams played a match on tour for the first time in about six months on Thursday, and the 43-year-old owner of seven Grand Slam titles gave away the lead and the last 10 games in a 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 loss to qualifier Nao Hibino at the BNP Paribas Open. Williams … Read more

What to know about Alabama’s fast-tracked legislation to protect in vitro fertilization clinics

Alabama lawmakers are moving fast to approve measures this week to protect in vitro fertilization clinics from lawsuits in response to an uproar sparked by last month’s state Supreme Court ruling that found frozen embryos have the rights of children under the state’s wrongful death law. Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, is expected to sign … Read more

As an opioids scourge devastates tribes in Washington, lawmakers advance a bill to provide relief

SEATTLE — A bill that would bring millions of dollars to tribes in Washington state to address the opioid crisis received unanimous support in the House on Friday, opening the door for state funding to address a scourge that some say is claiming a generation. “This bill invests in Indian country. It invests in the … Read more

Off to Never Never Land: ‘Peter Pan’ flies again in a new tour after some much needed changes

NEW YORK — A new, inclusive stage production of “Peter Pan” flies out on a U.S. tour this month, telling the classic tale of a boy who refuses to grow up — but without references that, ironically, have aged poorly. Gone are elements harmful to Native people, in are a few new songs and the … Read more

Inter Miami cruises past Hong Kong XI 4-1 despite missing injured Messi

HONG KONG — Lionel Messi stayed on the bench for the full 90 minutes on Sunday as Inter Miami defeated a Hong Kong XI 4-1 in the latest stop on the MLS team’s preseason Asian tour. While the Argentine’s non-appearance was a disappointment for the fans who snapped up all 40,000 tickets at Hong Kong … Read more

The debate over Native American mascots persists as some schools reinstate the logos

It was a passionate student letter in 2020 that caused the Southern York County school board to reconsider its logo: a Native American man, representing the “Warriors.” Though the conversation had come up before in the suburban district located in southern Pennsylvania, 2020 was a turning point of racial reckoning after the death of George … Read more

A famed NYC museum is closing two Native American halls. Harvard and others have taken similar steps

NEW YORK — New York’s American Museum of Natural History is closing two halls featuring Native American objects starting Saturday, acknowledging the exhibits are “severely outdated” and contain culturally sensitive items. The mammoth complex across from Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side is the latest U.S. institution to cover up or remove Native American … Read more

Roxanna Asgarian’s ‘We Were Once a Family’ and Amanda Peters’ ‘The Berry Pickers’ win library medals

NEW YORK — In the childhood home of author Roxanna Asgarian, there were restrictions on how often the television could be on and which programs could be watched. Books were placed under a much looser set of rules. “Mom would take us to the library and gave us totally free reign,” says Asgarian, a Las … Read more

Pharrell Williams’ sophomore collection at Louis Vuitton showcases Americana, Native American spirit

PARIS — It was Wild West meets melting pot America at the Louis Vuitton Fall-Winter 2024 men’s show Tuesday, where musician-turned-designer Pharrell Williams unveiled his highly-anticipated sophomore collection. The show, set against the dramatic silhouette of the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, masterfully channeled Americana, with Native American designs mixing with modern luxury and showcasing … Read more

Nebraska governor stands firm on rejection of federal money to feed food-insecure children

OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska’s Republican governor on Friday reiterated his rejection of $18 million in federal funding to help feed children who might otherwise go hungry while school is out. Nebraska will not participate in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children — or Summer EBT — program, Gov. Jim Pillen said in a … Read more