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Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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NATIONAL
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How a violent police academy drill has been tied to deaths and injuries across the country
SUMMARY: When recruits were punched and tackled during a role-playing exercise at the Texas game wardens academy last year, they were taking part in a longstanding police training tradition that critics say should be retired. At least 13 of the cadets reported injuries that day, including concussions, a torn knee and a broken wrist. Two needed surgery, and one resigned in protest. A state investigation later found nothing wrong with the drill, which its supporters say is intended to teach recruits to make good decisions under stress. The experience may have been traumatizing for some, but it was not unique. Since 2005, drills intended to teach defensive tactics at law enforcement academies have been linked to at least a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries, some resulting in disability.
WORDS: 862 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 3:04 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDyingtoServeCombatTrainingDrillTakeaways/ed1f0ffd749857cc97002a79653c5e7c/text___
Combat training is a rite of passage for police recruits. It's left a trail of deaths and injuries
SUMMARY: Combat training drills are a rite of passage for police recruits nationwide, and an Associated Press investigation finds they've left a trail of deaths and injuries. The drills are frequently referred to as RedMan training for the brand and color of protective gear participants wear. They're among the most challenging tests at police academies, intended to teach recruits to defend themselves against combative suspects. Critics say they can put recruits at risk of physical and mental abuse. AP found that since 2005, the drills have been linked to at least a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries. Academies have wide latitude to design the drills, given a lack of national standards governing police training. One drill last year for Texas game warden recruits left at least 13 injured.
WORDS: 1917 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 3:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDyingToServeCombatTrainingDrillstLdWritethru/72f351069026cc6a82190d26b75c9a0d/text___
How surveillance technology and the 'Reddit Detective Agency' helped search for a killer
SUMMARY: More than a decade ago, a frenzied 5-day search for the Boston Marathon bombers left some lessons in its aftermath. One was that increasingly pervasive surveillance technology could help catch the culprits. Another was that amateur online sleuths on Reddit could not. But the intense search this week for a suspect in a Brown University shooting that killed two students and wounded nine other people turned the tables on those expectations. Only after a Reddit tipster cracked the case could police tap into mass surveillance of the suspect's car.
WORDS: 1242 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 5:06 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBrownUniversityShootingDigitalSleuthingstLdWritethru/5ada86cc2059feae6459c8d166bed263/text___
Suspect in Brown University shooting and MIT professor’s killing was once a physics student
SUMMARY: Thirty years ago, Claudio Neves Valente and Nuno F.G. Loureiro were classmates with bright futures. Both excelled in physics and made their way from their home country of Portugal to the U.S., settling on the campuses of prestigious East Coast universities. But Neves Valente’s path took a darker turn than his former peer. Investigators say the 48-year-old fatally shot two students last week at Brown University, where he was a graduate student in the early 2000s. They say he later gunned down Loureiro, who led one of the largest laboratories at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Neves Valente’s was found dead Thursday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
WORDS: 1080 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 6:26 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBrownUniversityShootingSuspectthLdWritethru/8c4dea453a23fdbe02fdd994361abfd8/text___
The US Treasury wants more states to embrace Trump's tax cuts. So far, only a few have done so
SUMMARY: Lawmakers across the U.S. will be debating whether to adopt new federal tax breaks for tips, overtime and business expenses. The Trump administration is urging states to follow its lead by applying the federal tax cuts to state income taxes. But that decision varies by state. In some places, the tax breaks automatically apply unless legislatures opt out. In others, they won't occur unless legislatures opt in. States embracing all of President Donald Trump's tax cuts could offer significant savings to taxpayers but may also face financial strain. So far, only a few states have voted on these tax breaks, with Michigan being the first to opt in for tips and overtime.
WORDS: 1046 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 3:09 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpTaxCutsStatesndLdWritethru/e0285cff57b7a0257a309a06d7d8092d/text___
Brown University attack suspect died 2 days before his body was found, autopsy finds
SUMMARY: An autopsy has found that the man suspected in last weekend’s attack at Brown University and the fatal shooting of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor days later had been dead for two days when found. Authorities found Claudio Neves Valente dead at a New Hampshire storage facility on Thursday night. New Hampshire’s attorney general announced Friday that Neves Valente, a Portuguese national who had been living in the U.S., died on Tuesday, the same day that his countryman, MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, died at a hospital. Authorities believe that after killing two students and wounding nine others at Brown last Saturday, Neves Valente shot Loureiro at his Boston-area home on Monday night.
WORDS: 1085 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 7:31 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBrownUniversityShootingthLdWritethru/22f87ed7ae912ed3ca2bcc798bb021eb/text___
NTSB unclear who was at controls in jet crash that killed ex-NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and 6 others
SUMMARY: Federal investigators are trying to determine why a business jet carrying retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others crashed shortly after takeoff in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 hit light poles and trees before erupting into flames on Thursday, killing everyone on board. The plane had departed Statesville Regional Airport but crashed less than 10 minutes later while attempting to return. Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder but have not identified the lead pilot. The plane's speed and altitude fluctuated significantly, suggesting the crew experienced an issue. The Statesville airport remains closed during the investigation.
WORDS: 892 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 6:37 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSNorthCarolinaPlaneCrashthLdWritethru/0387a779bad6bf5f5ede1993ec1f4e0c/text___
What to know about the man authorities say fatally shot 2 Brown students and an MIT professor
SUMMARY: Several days of investigations into the Brown University mass shooting and the slaying of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor ended when authorities discovered evidence they say indicates the killings were committed by the same man. The suspect was then found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Thursday. Authorities say he had been dead for two days when found. The attacker at Brown killed two students and wounded nine others in an engineering building last weekend. Some 50 miles (80 kilometers) away MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro was killed Monday night in his home in the Boston suburb of Brookline. Investigators were still trying to establish a motive on Friday.
WORDS: 786 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 9:05 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBrownUniversityShootingWhatToKnowthLdWritethru/a79661656428a4952920fd72a8ca21bc/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Trump's 'A+++++' economy collides with reality in a Pennsylvania city critical to the midterms
SUMMARY: Idalia Bisbal moved from New York City to Allentown, Pennsylvania, hoping for a cheaper life. Three years later, she feels disappointed by high prices for essentials like food and gas. Vice President JD Vance recently visited the area and blamed the Biden administration for the affordability crisis. This economic anxiety affects both political parties, especially in competitive districts such as Allentown. Many residents, including business leaders, agree prices are too high. The area remains a political battleground, with Republicans and Democrats vying for control. The economy remains a key focus for voters heading into 2026 and midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
WORDS: 1337 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 1:03 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionEconomystLdWritethru/ccfc8351c2c081693ce763c1be34e749/text___
US military launches strikes in Syria targeting Islamic State fighters after American deaths
SUMMARY: The Trump administration has launched military strikes in Syria to “eliminate” Islamic State group fighters and weapons sites in retaliation for an ambush attack that killed two U.S. troops and an American interpreter almost a week ago. A U.S. official described it as “a large-scale” strike that hit 70 targets in areas across central Syria that had IS infrastructure and weapons. Another U.S. official said more strikes should be expected. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operations. President Donald Trump had pledged “very serious retaliation” after the shooting in the Syrian desert. In a social media post on Friday, he said the strikes were targeting IS “strongholds.”
WORDS: 911 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 10:31 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSUnitedStatesSyriathLdWritethru/61dcee09576ce806de3a04aaec152495/text___
Justice Department releases limited set of files tied to Epstein sex trafficking investigation
SUMMARY: The Justice Department has released thousands of files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but the incomplete document dump Friday did not break significant ground about the long-running criminal investigations of the financier or his ties to wealthy and powerful individuals. The files included a small number of photos of President Donald Trump, sparing the White House for now from having to confront fresh revelations about an Epstein relationship that the administration for months has tried in vain to push past. It did feature a series of never-before-seen photos of Bill Clinton from a trip that the former president appears to have taken with Epstein decades ago.
WORDS: 1385 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 5:21 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSJusticeDepartmentJeffreyEpsteinthLdWritethru/f919d9dc9c3957cb2bd2c9c1a14b533c/text___
Young conservative women find a home in Turning Point with Charlie Kirk's widow at the helm
SUMMARY: Young women who have grown emboldened in their conservative beliefs are attending the annual conference held by Turning Point USA. The organization was founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated at Utah Valley University in September. The women don't want to apologize for their traditional views on faith, marriage and family, and they draw inspiration from Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who now leads the political juggernaut that helped return President Donald Trump to the White House. Turning Point's efforts to appeal to young women are intended to bridge a gender divide that has challenged the Republican Party, which has been more popular with men.
WORDS: 1237 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 5:44 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTurningPointWomenthLdWritethru/ae22c4cd81c58bdf666849bc84e74f3a/text___
Supreme Court sides with immigration judges in speech case for now, rebuffing Trump administration
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court is siding with immigration judges and rebuffing the Trump administration for now in a case that could have wider implications for federal workers as the justices weigh expanding presidential firing power. Friday's decision is a technical ruling in a long-running case. But the decision touches on questions raised by President Donald Trump's high-profile firings and his push to downsize the federal workforce. The justices let stand a ruling that raised doubts about the Republican administration’s handling of federal workforce issues, though they also signaled that lower courts should move cautiously.
WORDS: 506 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 7:07 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtImmigrationJudgesndLdWritethru/1b87f0fd3d40d3d7467832c86dcd762a/text___
Turning Point USA's Erika Kirk backs Vice President JD Vance's potential 2028 presidential bid
SUMMARY: Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and current CEO of the conservative youth group, endorsed the potential presidential bid of Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 election. Erika Kirk promised to support President Donald Trump's efforts to maintain GOP-control of Congress and vowed to “get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected” in the 2028 presidential election. The late Kirk and Vance were close friends.
WORDS: 417 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 4:36 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTurningPointErikaKirkVancestLdWritethru/2297d85f12eae466b9bda3fd3554fc7e/text___
Military lawyer swiftly fired from immigration bench after defying Trump deportation push
SUMMARY: A U.S. Army Reserve lawyer detailed as a federal immigration judge has been fired barely a month into the job after granting asylum at a high rate out of step with the Trump administration’s mass deportation goals. Christopher Day began hearing cases in late October as a temporary judge at the immigration court in Annandale, Virginia. He was fired around Dec. 2, according to the National Association of Immigration Judges. It wasn't made public why Day was fired. But federal data from November shows he ruled on asylum cases in ways at odds with the Trump administration’s stated goals.
WORDS: 923 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 5:16 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationMilitaryJudgesndLdWritethru/1c23e804e6c56c20c75cd6a6a060edc6/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Russian strike on Odesa kills 8 as US hosts a Kremlin envoy for talks on peace plan
SUMMARY: A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa has killed eight people and wounded 27, according to Ukraine’s emergency service. The attack occurred late Friday, with ballistic missiles hitting the port and damaging vehicles. Meanwhile, a Kremlin envoy is set to travel to Florida for talks on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the U.S. response after discussions with Russia. Additionally, Ukraine and Portugal have signed an agreement to jointly produce maritime drones, enhancing defense cooperation.
WORDS: 893 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 8:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/94fb98e6e49a14ec2d067f7c42186d8e/text___
Australian state plans tougher laws against displaying extremist flags after Bondi shooting
SUMMARY: The Australian state of New South Wales is proposing a ban on public displays of Islamic State group flags and extremist symbols. This follows a mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. The draft laws, to be debated Monday, include penalties of up to two years in prison and fines. Premier Chris Minns says chants like “globalize the intifada” will also be banned. Police will have more power to demand protesters remove face coverings. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to curb radicalization and hate, including broadening hate speech definitions and toughening punishments. Albanese said “Australia will not allow these evil antisemitic terrorists to divide us."
WORDS: 567 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 3:03 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASAustraliaShootingstLdWritethru/614404516ade558a1b912e96a506813c/text___
Jordan says its air force joined US strikes on Islamic State in Syria
SUMMARY: Jordan confirms its air force joined U.S. strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria. The U.S. launched these strikes on Friday to retaliate for the killing of three U.S. citizens by a Syrian gunman earlier this month. Jordan's military says its air force targeted several ISIS positions in southern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least five people were killed, including an IS cell leader. The operation aims to prevent extremist groups from threatening regional security. U.S. Central Command says the strikes hit over 70 targets across central Syria, with Jordanian support.
WORDS: 549 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 2:08 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLSyriaUSStrikes/c9c7255bd2053aefd1e9ea32a07431ee/text___
Pakistani court sentences former Prime Minister Imran Khan and wife to 17 years in graft case
SUMMARY: A Pakistani court has convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, sentencing them to 17 years in prison. The couple was found guilty of retaining and selling state gifts, including jewelry from Saudi Arabia, at prices far below market value. They pleaded not guilty when indicted last year. Prosecutors said they declared the gifts' value at just over $10,000, while the actual market value was $285,521. Khan’s spokesperson criticized the verdict, claiming it ignored justice principles. Khan’s party denounced the decision, calling it a "black chapter in history." Khan has faced multiple prison terms since 2023.
WORDS: 527 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 10:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASPakistanPoliticsthLdWritethru/5f22b343b4103e4312ed60a357b870d1/text___
At Putin’s annual news conference, a Russian journalist pops the question — to his girlfriend
SUMMARY: Russian President Vladimir Putin fielded many questions at his annual news conference. But amid the weighty queries from reporters about the fighting in Ukraine and other domestic issues, there also were the odd and lighter moments. Someone asked him what his license plate number was and whether love at first sight existed. Another reporter asked him if a comet approaching Earth could be a UFO, and reassured Putin that the city of Tyumen would be ready to welcome any extraterrestrial guests. A young TV journalist actually proposed to his girlfriend during his question to Putin. The event's anchors at the 4 1/2-hour session later passed along the news that she said yes.
WORDS: 433 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 6:27 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaPutinSpectaclendLdWritethru/d5e4c2b5b30ac19eaf14ab92e25590eb/text___
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BUSINESS
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Stocks rise on Wall Street as AI stocks turn higher again
SUMMARY: Stocks gained ground on Wall Street as AI stocks like Nvidia turned higher again. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% Friday, erasing its losses for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 183 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1.3%. Oracle rose sharply after joining a new joint venture for TikTok in the U.S. Winnebago Industries jumped after turning in profits and revenue that easily beat analysts' estimates. Japanese stocks closed higher after the Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in 30 years. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.
WORDS: 695 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 4:15 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/542b9b8f63f303ba1c0b183fc14737b7/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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Paraplegic engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to blast into space
SUMMARY: A paraplegic engineer has become the first wheelchair user in space, blasting off with Blue Origin. Severely injured in a mountain bike accident seven years ago, Michaela Benthaus rocketed away from West Texas on Saturday with Jeff Bezos' company. The German woman shared the 10-minute flight with five others, including a retired SpaceX executive who helped organize and finance her trip for an undisclosed amount. Benthaus says she wanted to savor floating in space while beholding Earth from on high and pushing the boundaries for the disabled.
WORDS: 747 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 2:18 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSCIBlueOriginLaunchthLdWritethru/e1b993bc7a66a1d587d94a0fb37aff8f/text___
You finally got a doctor's appointment. Here's how to get the most out of it
SUMMARY: It's not that unusual for a 20-something to text Mom from the doctor's office for help answering a health question. Or for patients of any age to struggle at recalling all their medicines. Getting the most out of a doctor's visit requires some advance preparation, whether it's a routine checkup or following up on health problems. Ask relatives about diseases that run in the family. Write down the names of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs and supplements you use. And bring a list of symptoms and questions to show at the beginning of the visit so nothing gets forgotten.
WORDS: 951 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 1:05 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMEDBeWellDoctorVisits/3fcde5b5c927734429818bd0ed1c6680/text___
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RELIGION
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Everything you need to know about Christmas, and how it has evolved into a global holiday
SUMMARY: Originally a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, Christmas has evolved into a global cultural event. Early Christians didn't commemorate Jesus' birth annually, focusing instead on his resurrection. The tradition of celebrating on Dec. 25 began in the fourth century, possibly aligning with pagan festivals. In the Middle Ages, Christmas was known for rowdy celebrations, but it became more family-oriented in the 19th century. Santa Claus was inspired by St. Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop known for his generosity. He has since become a secular symbol. In Japan, a unique tradition involves eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas.
WORDS: 1245 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 12:41 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APRELChristmasExplainer/af37867c2911d7368a9b8c835d6be138/text___
Pope Leo summons world's cardinals for a key assembly to help him govern the church
SUMMARY: Pope Leo XIV has summoned the world’s cardinals for meetings to help him govern the church, marking the unofficial start of his pontificate. The Vatican announced Saturday that the consistory will be held January 7-8, right after the 2025 Holy Year ends. Leo’s early months have focused on Holy Year obligations and wrapping up matters from Pope Francis' tenure. This gathering will be his first opportunity to set his own agenda since his election in May. Unlike Francis, who relied on a small group of advisers, Leo has called all cardinals to Rome for this consultative meeting.
WORDS: 271 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 12:25 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUVaticanPopeCardinalsstLdWritethru/0bf31013ce045d0472ee3fc9c7769aec/text___
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EDUCATION
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Trump administration will appeal judge's order reversing federal funding cuts at Harvard
SUMMARY: The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge’s order reversing billions of dollars in funding cuts to Harvard University. The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal late on Thursday in a pair of consolidated lawsuits brought by Harvard and the American Association of University Professors. It prolongs a legal battle that has tested the government’s power to sway the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university. The Trump administration cut more than $2.6 billion from the Ivy League school over allegations that it had been slow to deal with anti-Jewish bias on campus. A judge rejected that argument and ordered the cuts reversed.
WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 2:52 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpEducationHarvardndLdWritethru/f6527ccd3dbcef343158a4912c99c976/text___
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SPORTS
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Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul in 6th round to win heavyweight fight
SUMMARY: Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their heavyweight fight. The two-time heavyweight champion displayed why he is one of the sport’s elite punchers when he dropped the fading Paul twice in the fifth round. The YouTuber went down again in the sixth. Although Paul (12-2) reached his feet, Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) finally crushed Paul’s upset dream when he dropped him a fourth time with a right to the head. Paul was counted out at 1:31 of the round in front of a capacity crowd of 19,600 at the Kaseya Center. Paul later reported that his jaw was broken in two spots.
WORDS: 518 - MOVED: 12/20/2025 5:47 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APBOXPaulJoshuandLdWritethru/fa99bcc5d0dee3ece6876a66d9cb3675/text___
Los Angeles Angels settles lawsuit with family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs over fatal overdose
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Angels has settled a lawsuit over the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The decision to settle was reached Friday after a two-month civil trial in Southern California. Authorities say Skaggs died in 2019 after snorting a fentanyl-laced pill provided by the team’s communications director, Eric Kay. Skaggs’ relatives filed a lawsuit alleging the MLB team knew or should have known Kay was a drug addict and dealing painkillers to players. The team said officials didn’t know Skaggs was taking drugs and would have sought him help if they did. The Skaggs family says the confidential settlement closes a painful process.
WORDS: 779 - MOVED: 12/19/2025 7:19 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSkaggsDeathTrialthLdWritethru/81e44fd0ea6dd34c8d882c7edef72f54/text___
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