Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery by former assistant in lawsuit

Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery by former assistant in lawsuit

LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Fast and Furious” star Vin Diesel has been accused by his former assistant of sexual battery while working for him in 2010. Astra Jonasson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Thursday alleging that Diesel forced himself onto her in a hotel suite in Atlanta. The lawsuit alleges … Read more

Large St. Louis-area urgent care chain to pay $9.1 million settlement over false claims allegations

Large St. Louis-area urgent care chain to pay .1 million settlement over false claims allegations

ST. LOUIS — One of the largest urgent care chains in Missouri will pay $9.1 million to settle allegations that the company submitted false claims for medical services, including COVID-19 testing. The U.S. Attorney’s office in St. Louis on Thursday announced the settlement with Total Access Urgent Care, which operates more than two dozen clinics … Read more

Two Rhode Island men charged with assault and battery in death of Patriots fan

Two Rhode Island men charged with assault and battery in death of Patriots fan

BOSTON — Two Rhode Island men have been charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct by Foxborough Police in connection with the recent death of a fan at a New England Patriots game. John Vieira, 59, and Justin Mitchell, 39, both of Warwick, R.I., were charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct earlier … Read more

Oscars shortlists revealed: Here are the films one step closer to a nomination

Oscars shortlists revealed: Here are the films one step closer to a nomination

The “Barbie” power ballad “I’m Just Ken” and AP and Frontline’s documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” just got one step closer to an Oscar nomination. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday shortlists in 10 categories, including best original song, documentary feature, international feature, original score, and crafts like hair and makeup, … Read more

‘You are the father!’ Maury Povich declares to Denver Zoo orangutan

Large St. Louis-area urgent care chain to pay .1 million settlement over false claims allegations

Initially unsure of which orangutan was the father of a new baby primate, the Denver Zoo decided to have a little fun with the results and turned to the paternity announcement guru himself: former daytime talk show host Maury Povich. Just as he would do on his long-running show, Povich pulled the purported DNA results … Read more

Florida State to discuss future of athletics, affiliation with ACC at board meeting, AP source says

Florida State to discuss future of athletics, affiliation with ACC at board meeting, AP source says

Florida State announced it will hold a Board of Trustees meeting on Friday and a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the future of the athletic department and its affiliation with the Atlantic Coast Conference will be discussed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the school had not yet … Read more

Taylor Swift’s new romance, debt-erasing gifts and the eclipse are among most joyous moments of 2023

Taylor Swift’s new romance, debt-erasing gifts and the eclipse are among most joyous moments of 2023

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A romance that united sports and music fans, a celestial wonder that drew millions of eyes skyward and a spiritual homecoming for some Native American tribes were just some of the moments that inspired us and brought joy in 2023. In a year that saw multiple wars, deadly mass shootings, earthquakes, … Read more

Canada, U.S. ‘too slow’ adapting to security threats: outgoing NORAD chief – National

Canada, U.S. ‘too slow’ adapting to security threats: outgoing NORAD chief – National

In a world of uncertainty, there is one critical mission the North American Aerospace Defence Command can count on every year: tracking Santa Claus. On Sunday, millions of people will log onto the specialized website and social media channels that depict the jolly old elf’s magical journey as he and his reindeer visit children around … Read more

Cat-owner duo in Ohio shares amputee journey while helping others through animal therapy

Cat-owner duo in Ohio shares amputee journey while helping others through animal therapy

TROY, Ohio — Each morning when she wakes up, Juanita Mengel removes the silicone liner of her prosthetic leg out from under a heated blanket so that the metal parts of the artificial limb don’t feel as cold on her skin when she straps the pieces together. The 67-year-old Amanda, Ohio, resident then does the … Read more

Ready, set, travel: The holiday rush to the airports and highways is underway

Ready, set, travel: The holiday rush to the airports and highways is underway

It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. Travel over Christmas and New Year’s tends to spread out over many days, so the peaks in the U.S. are likely to be lower than they were during the Thanksgiving holiday. That is … Read more