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MARYLAND
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Melania Trump says she doesn't eat 'much sweets' as she celebrates Valentine's Day with children
SUMMARY: Melania Trump celebrated an early Valentine's Day with children and young adults receiving treatment for rare and serious diseases. On Wednesday, the first lady visited The Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, to help make holiday-themed crafts. She also made a somewhat sour confession before a holiday famous for heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. “I don't eat much sweets,” the first lady said. The Children’s Inn is a nonprofit that provides support to children participating in NIH clinical trials to treat their conditions. President Donald Trump has cut billions of dollars in research projects at NIH since taking office.
WORDS: 299 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 5:53 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MelaniaTrumpsaysshedoesnteatmuchsweetsasshecelebratesValentinesDaywithchildren/1188aeaef6b830bd9f1973afc40bd639/text——————————
Buddhist monks draw thousands to Lincoln Memorial on final day of their 15-week journey from Texas
SUMMARY: A group of Buddhist monks has completed a 108-day Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, bringing its message to the nation’s capital. On the final day, the 19 monks and their dog, Aloka, walked to Capitol Hill and then to the Lincoln Memorial to close the journey. They covered 2,300 miles and drew big crowds along the way. About 100 monks and nuns join them in Washington, along with silent supporters and thousands watching online. Their leader urges daily mindfulness and a “peaceful day” practice. One monk returned in a wheelchair after a highway crash in November seriously injured him.
WORDS: 926 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 1:35 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BuddhistmonksdrawthousandstoLincolnMemorialonfinaldayoftheirweekjourneyfromTexas/12595d2347288cdf8084edca7748a27b/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Protesters in multiple states press Target to oppose the immigration crackdown in Minnesota
SUMMARY: Activists have planned protests at more than two dozen Target stores around the United States to pressure the discount retailer into taking a public stand against the 5-week-old immigration crackdown in its home state of Minnesota. A coalition of community groups, religious leaders, labor unions and other critics of the federal operation, called for coordinated demonstrations to start on Wednesday and to continue for a full week. Target’s headquarters are located in Minneapolis, where federal officers last month killed two residents who had participated in anti-ICE protests, and its name adorns the city’s major league baseball stadium and an arena where its basketball teams plays.
WORDS: 929 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 5:36 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ProtestersinmultiplestatespressTargettoopposetheimmigrationcrackdowninMinnesota/4a9012400f6c8b44e96451a04e0113c8/text——————————
In the shadow of the Clairton Coke Works, the community's next generation learns
SUMMARY: At 2 p.m. on a chilly January afternoon, the elementary floor of the Clairton City School District’s building was buzzing. What was going on? “Beartopia.” The name nods to Clairton’s Bears — a district long known for its powerhouse football program — but this version of Bear pride is built around leadership, responsibility and imagination. The school had transformed into “Beartopia” — a world run by students in which each classroom is a business venture. This microsociety unfolds just two-thirds of a mile from the hulking, smoky Clairton Coke Works. Today, as the city attempts to turn a corner after the sale of its biggest business and a tragic explosion, its 793-student school district is searching for creative ways to inspire scholarship.
WORDS: 1280 - MOVED: 02/12/2026 9:38 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/IntheshadowoftheClairtonCokeWorksthecommunitysnextgenerationlearns/b5f39ba14d5c80c2621ff315829bb0a8/text——————————
After deadly explosion at US Steel mill outside Pittsburgh, maintaining safety now falls to Nippon
SUMMARY: Last year, an explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works outside Pittsburgh killed two U.S. Steel workers and injured 11 others, including contractors. Six months later, workers remain rattled and community concerns about air pollution from the plant are heightened. The blast comes on top of a string of other accidents at the Clairton plant over time as well as a long history of legal battles between U.S. Steel and Allegheny County regulators. Some current and former workers at Clairton Coke Works say poor management and underinvestment have exacerbated air pollution and undermined workplace safety at the plant where operators already have little margin for error. That's according to reporting from Pittsburgh’s Public Source and The Associated Press.
WORDS: 3464 - MOVED: 02/12/2026 9:37 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AfterdeadlyexplosionatUSSteelmilloutsidePittsburghmaintainingsafetynowfallstoNippon/cf5ec79fba028336d71ce3dec2284523/text——————————
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SPORTS
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MARYLAND
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Catcher Gary Sánchez agrees to a $1.75 million, one-year deal with the Brewers, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person familiar with the situation says veteran catcher Gary Sánchez has agreed to terms on a $1.75 million, one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced. The 33-year-old Sánchez played for the Brewers in 2024 and batted .220 with a .307 on-base percentage, 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 89 games. The two-time All-Star spent last year with the Baltimore Orioles and hit .231 with a .297 on-base percentage, five homers and 24 RBIs in 29 games.
WORDS: 292 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 2:48 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CatcherGarySnchezagreestoamilliononeyeardealwiththeBrewersAPsourcesays/66921cbd73f3a963bc885f1d87ce3cba/text——————————
FanDuel to stop accepting credit card deposits starting March 2
SUMMARY: FanDuel Sportsbook will stop letting customers deposit money by credit card across its U.S. apps. The company said it removes cards to improve the deposit experience. FanDuel also said it has reviewed its payment options for months. Many bettors already avoid credit cards because fees can add up. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren praised the move. She said card companies hit bettors with junk fees, even on small wagers. DraftKings makes the same change in August. BetMGM and Caesars still accept credit cards. FanDuel also announces a responsible betting program called “Play with a Plan.”
WORDS: 224 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 3:36 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FanDueltostopacceptingcreditcarddepositsstartingMarch/dae573ae12c351b036e3b3c7e706dbef/text——————————
Nationals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to a $2.25 million, 1-year contract
SUMMARY: Miles Mikolas and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $2.25 million, one-year contract, adding a durable veteran to the mix as the young team sorts out its starting rotation in spring training. The 37-year-old Mikolas, a two-time All-Star, spent his past seven seasons with St. Louis. The right-hander went 8-11 with a 4.84 ERA for the Cardinals in 2025 and is one of four major league pitchers to make at least 31 starts in each of the last four seasons. With the Nationals, he can earn $750,000 in performance bonuses.
WORDS: 341 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 9:26 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NationalssignpitcherMilesMikolastoamillionyearcontract/34b7cc7f67a8739f151c6db1bfad794d/text——————————
Orioles add veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt to rotation, AP source says
SUMMARY: The Baltimore Orioles have added Chris Bassitt to their rotation, agreeing to an $18.5 million, one-year contract with the right-hander, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus, and Bassitt can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses if he starts at least 27 games. Bassitt, who turns 37 on Feb. 22, went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA for AL champion Toronto last year. He has made at least 27 starts and pitched at least 157 1/3 innings in each of the last five seasons.
WORDS: 504 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 9:19 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OriolesaddveteranrighthanderChrisBassitttorotationAPsourcesays/047967241d874a57e5020dcf169873f2/text——————————
Wizards' Alex Sarr to miss the Rising Stars event with a hamstring injury
SUMMARY: Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards is expected to miss Friday’s Rising Stars event at All-Star weekend because of a strained hamstring. The Wizards say Sarr will still join Washington teammates Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson for the festivities in Los Angeles, but the approximate recovery time for the injury is two weeks. The 7-foot Sarr is averaging 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game in his second NBA season after being picked No. 2 in the 2024 draft. He’s also second in the league with 2.0 blocks per game.
WORDS: 122 - MOVED: 02/12/2026 10:53 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WizardsAlexSarrtomisstheRisingStarseventwithahamstringinjury/ef89f4bd507289e308d23f0f17ae30ec/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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FanDuel to stop accepting credit card deposits starting March 2
SUMMARY: FanDuel Sportsbook will stop letting customers deposit money by credit card across its U.S. apps. The company said it removes cards to improve the deposit experience. FanDuel also said it has reviewed its payment options for months. Many bettors already avoid credit cards because fees can add up. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren praised the move. She said card companies hit bettors with junk fees, even on small wagers. DraftKings makes the same change in August. BetMGM and Caesars still accept credit cards. FanDuel also announces a responsible betting program called “Play with a Plan.”
WORDS: 224 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 3:36 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FanDueltostopacceptingcreditcarddepositsstartingMarch/dae573ae12c351b036e3b3c7e706dbef/text——————————
Scheffler, Gotterup and how much has changed in a year at Pebble Beach
SUMMARY: Chris Gotterup has come a long way in the last year. He wasn't eligible for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at No. 206 in the world. Now he's won three of his last 10 starts on the PGA Tour and has risen to No. 5. Scottie Scheffler? Not much change there. The world's No. 1 player is on a heater of 17 straight top 10s. Scheffler and Gotterup have combined to win five of the last seven tournaments when both in the field. Pebble Beach also features Rory McIlroy as the defending champion making his first U.S. start on 2026.
WORDS: 882 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 3:58 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SchefflerGotterupandhowmuchhaschangedinayearatPebbleBeach/852ca23281ba9093dafd2d21871d1e65/text——————————
Pacers beat Nets 115-110 as Kam Jones hits key 3 with 16 seconds left
SUMMARY: Jarace Walker had 23 points, Kam Jones secured the victory with a 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining, and the short-handed Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-110. Micah Potter had 19 and Ethan Thompson had 15 for the Pacers, who won for the second straight night after winning in overtime over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night to end a four-game losing streak. Nolan Traore had 20 points to lead the Nets, who had won two in a row. Day’Ron Sharpe had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Ziaire Williams also had 19.
WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 10:23 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PacersbeatNetsasKamJoneshitskeywithsecondsleft/231012242eba5eb602491ca57e84dd9f/text——————————
Alvarado and Bridges pace Knicks to a 138-89 rout of the 76ers
SUMMARY: Jose Alvarado scored a season-high 26 points and Mikal Bridges added 22 points as the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 138-89 Wednesday night. The Knicks bounced back from an overtime home lost to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night for their 10th win in 12 games. Two of those victories have come against the Sixers. The teams split their four-game season series. Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Mohamed Diawara scored 14 points. Jalen Brunson, who scored 40 points against the Pacers, scored eight on Tuesday.Tyrese Maxey led the way with 32 points in three quarters for the 76ers, who played without center Joel Embiid, who sat due to right knee soreness.
WORDS: 304 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 10:17 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AlvaradoandBridgespaceKnickstoaroutoftheers/8625dbd81438df81ead0bf262094d5eb/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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FanDuel to stop accepting credit card deposits starting March 2
SUMMARY: FanDuel Sportsbook will stop letting customers deposit money by credit card across its U.S. apps. The company said it removes cards to improve the deposit experience. FanDuel also said it has reviewed its payment options for months. Many bettors already avoid credit cards because fees can add up. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren praised the move. She said card companies hit bettors with junk fees, even on small wagers. DraftKings makes the same change in August. BetMGM and Caesars still accept credit cards. FanDuel also announces a responsible betting program called “Play with a Plan.”
WORDS: 224 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 3:36 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FanDueltostopacceptingcreditcarddepositsstartingMarch/dae573ae12c351b036e3b3c7e706dbef/text——————————
Dolphins hiring former Eagles OC Kevin Patullo as pass game coordinator, AP source says
SUMMARY: Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo is joining the Miami Dolphins as their pass game coordinator. That is according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the hiring. ESPN first reported the move. Patullo was let go by the Eagles last month after a lackluster season calling plays. He’ll now join new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley’s staff and return to the role he held before being promoted to Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator in 2025.
WORDS: 271 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 9:07 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DolphinshiringformerEaglesOCKevinPatulloaspassgamecoordinatorAPsourcesays/03c27791182d98e42bfad413efdfee99/text——————————
Pirates and pitcher José Urquidy finalize $1.5 million, 1-year contract
SUMMARY: José Urquidy and the Pittsburgh Pirates have finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract. The sides agreed to terms last week, subject to a successful physical. A 30-year-old right-hander, Urquidy adds depth to a Pirates pitching staff headed by NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. Urquidy had Tommy John surgery in June 2024 while with Houston. He signed a $1 million, one-year deal with Detroit last March and returned to the majors on Sept. 14. He made two big league relief appearances and had a 7.71 ERA over 2 1/3 innings. A six-year major league veteran, Urquidy is 27-16 with a 4.00 ERA in 70 starts and 11 relief appearances for the Astros and Tigers.
WORDS: 184 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 9:53 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PiratesandpitcherJosUrquidyfinalizemillionyearcontract/a1174072dc13c82edb432a1d97080673/text——————————
Whitlock scores 33, Lehigh takes down American 90-82
SUMMARY: Led by Nasir Whitlock’s 33 points, the Lehigh Mountain Hawks defeated the American Eagles 90-82. The Eagles were led by Geoff Sprouse with 21 points. The Mountain Hawks improved to 11-15 overall and 7-6 in the Patriot League and the Eagles fell to 13-13, 6-7.
WORDS: 194 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 10:10 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WhitlockscoresLehightakesdownAmerican/9bfe4f1a38ab4a7f9d376cab0e658818/text——————————
Alvarado and Bridges pace Knicks to a 138-89 rout of the 76ers
SUMMARY: Jose Alvarado scored a season-high 26 points and Mikal Bridges added 22 points as the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 138-89 Wednesday night. The Knicks bounced back from an overtime home lost to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night for their 10th win in 12 games. Two of those victories have come against the Sixers. The teams split their four-game season series. Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Mohamed Diawara scored 14 points. Jalen Brunson, who scored 40 points against the Pacers, scored eight on Tuesday.Tyrese Maxey led the way with 32 points in three quarters for the 76ers, who played without center Joel Embiid, who sat due to right knee soreness.
WORDS: 304 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 10:17 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AlvaradoandBridgespaceKnickstoaroutoftheers/8625dbd81438df81ead0bf262094d5eb/text——————————
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