What to know about Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California's Mojave Desert

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) – For decades, a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert has been a hotbed of some of the most innovative flight research in the U.S.

Promoter of election conspiracy theories wins GOP primary for Nevada secretary of state

Las Vegas (AP) – Former state lawmaker Jim Marchant won the Republican nomination for Nevada secretary of state on Monday, bringing one of the state’s most outspoken promoters of election conspiracy theories within reach of the office that oversees voting in a perennial presidential battleground.

US to hold latest oil and gas lease sale for Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Trump administration’s push to expand oil and gas development in Alaska faces a new test Friday, with the latest lease sale set for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

US-Iran talks begin Sunday in Switzerland as Tehran closes the strait over Lebanon fighting

TYRE, Lebanon (AP) – Iran on Saturday said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz because of Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon and warned that while negotiators were going to Switzerland for talks with the United States on their interim agreement, not much likely will happen if the fighting doesn’t stop.

Vance meets top Iranian officials as US looks to prod Iran to 'turn over a new leaf'

OBBUERGEN, Switzerland (AP) – U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Sunday there was an opportunity to “turn over a new leaf” with Iran as the sides held talks aimed at building out the interim deal to end the war in Iran reached by the two sides last week.

Luke's 'Empire' lightsaber, 'Wizard of Oz' witch hat going up for auction

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A lightsaber with Luke Skywalker’s severed hand from “The Empire Strikes Back” that is expected to sell for seven figures headlines an upcoming auction of valuables from movies, music and other corners of pop culture.

California Gov. says Trump's Justice Department is investigating him and his wife

SACRAMENTO, Calif (AP) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and longtime political rival of Republican President Donald Trump, said Monday the president had ordered the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife.

Ranger dies after falling into a crevasse on Alaska's Mount McKinley

DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska (AP) – A ranger in Alaska died after falling into a crevasse on North America’s tallest mountain, the National Park Service said.

Utah marks a year of battling measles, with no clear end in sight

Utah has spent the past year fighting measles outbreaks – a grim milestone that could affect whether the United States can keep its measles-free designation.