Washington tourist barred from Hawaii beaches

HONOLULU (AP) – A tourist from Washington state pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges accusing him of hurling a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal and was ordered to stay away from Hawaii beaches.

9 missing after Washington paper mill tank implosion

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) – Crews were set to resume searching Wednesday for nine workers at a Washington paper mill where a tank imploded, releasing a highly destructive chemical mixture called “white liquor” and causing at least one confirmed death.

Cruz, Cantwell look to break college sports logjam in Congress with bipartisan bill

WASHINGTON (AP) – Two key senators involved in a long-simmering debate over fixing college sports will introduce a bipartisan bill designed to break a congressional logjam that would regulate payments to players, limit them to one “free” transfer over their careers and create a “Lane Kiffin Rule” to restrict coach movement during the season.

Minneapolis police chief resigns after interfering with an investigation, mayor says

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, who was hired to oversee reforms in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing, chose to resign rather than face disciplinary action for interfering with an investigation into his conduct, Mayor Jacob Frey announced Tuesday.

Puerto Rico governor announces emergency to fight worsening coastal erosion

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Puerto Rico’s governor announced a state of emergency Wednesday to fight a surge in coastal erosion along the U.S. territory ‘s north coast.

Rep. Al Green defeated by freshman Rep. Christian Menefee in generational primary

WASHINGTON (AP) – In a generational contest between sitting congressmen, freshman Rep. Christian Menefee defeated veteran Rep. Al Green in a Democratic primary runoff for a Houston-area district created last year by an unusual Republican-led redistricting effort.

Cornyn went to great lengths to avoid Trump's wrath

PLANO, Texas (AP) – As it turned out, it would never be enough. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn tried for more than a year to show Donald Trump and Texas Republicans that he and the president were on the same team. Cornyn posted a photo of himself reading Trump’s “The Art of the Deal.”

Millions of people have been placed in new voting districts

A frenzied redistricting effort ahead of the November elections has reshaped congressional voting districts for millions of Americans – and it isn’t over yet. Since President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw U.S. House districts last year, Republicans in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida and Tennessee also have enacted new maps.

The Chicks announce 'Taking the Long Way' 20th Anniversary Tour

NEW YORK (AP) – Call it a comeback, a crossover moment, or both. Twenty years ago, The Chicks released their blockbuster 2006 album “Taking the Long Way” – their first full-length after the country music industry turned their backs on them – and one of the biggest of their career. This fall, the Texas trio of Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines will take it on the road, hitting intimate theaters across the U.S.