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MARYLAND
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Kids are in a ‘reading recession,’ as test scores continue to decline
SUMMARY: Researchers are warning that the U.S. is experiencing a reading recession, a slide that predates the COVID-19 pandemic. A new analysis of state test scores from third to eighth grade for over 5,000 school districts in 38 states found that only five states, plus the District of Columbia, had meaningful growth in reading test scores from 2022 to 2025. The analysis by scholars at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth also found students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic levels in reading and only slightly better in math. Still, some states and school districts are making progress — largely by shifting toward phonics-based instruction and providing extra support for struggling readers.
WORDS: 1303 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 12:03 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Kidsareinareadingrecessionastestscorescontinuetodecline/7fa4111ad0de934f664ebb984e830d13/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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One of the largest modern US infrastructure projects will soon burrow toward New York City
SUMMARY: The giant machines that will bore a train tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting Manhattan to New Jersey are being assembled. The $16 billion tunnel is one of the largest and costliest mass transit projects in modern U.S. history. It was briefly halted over the winter, when President Donald Trump froze funding. But a federal judge in February ordered the administration to release the money, allowing work to resume. When complete, the project with four modern rail tracks between New Jersey and New York where there are currently only two.
WORDS: 488 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 2:58 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OneofthelargestmodernUSinfrastructureprojectswillsoonburrowtowardNewYorkCity/2c102b1dc7bddebca21524a1dfbbfe17/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Some parents don't want their kids to use tech at school. But districts are pushing back
SUMMARY: Parents across the country who are worried about excessive screen time in schools are lobbying educators to go back to pencils and paper. In places like Pennsylvania's Lower Merion School District, some families are taking it even further. Over 600 people have signed a petition asking to preserve parents' ability to opt their children out of digital devices, setting off a clash with the school district. At a meeting Monday night, school board members said it’s not feasible to let hundreds of students opt out of technology that is essential to the curriculum.
WORDS: 1235 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 12:05 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SomeparentsdontwanttheirkidstousetechatschoolButdistrictsarepushingback/6aab2bac1d66df1863509b5d5c74fe12/text——————————
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SPORTS
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MARYLAND
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Bradish and Rutschman help the Orioles rout the Yankees 7-0 to take 2 of 3 in the series
SUMMARY: Kyle Bradish pitched six one-hit innings, Adley Rutschman homered and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Yankees 7-0 after New York lost left-hander Max Fried to a sore elbow. Fried was pulled after only three innings with the score 3-0. He’s expected to be examined by the team physician Thursday. The Yankees outscored the Orioles 39-10 while sweeping four straight from them earlier this month, but Baltimore rebounded by taking two of three in this series. Wednesday was the first shutout of the season for the Orioles, who were the final team to pitch one. New York has lost five of six games.
WORDS: 337 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 3:57 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BradishandRutschmanhelptheOriolesrouttheYankeestotakeofintheseries/2e0e80a82daf8dea1bec3d5b299bd0b5/text——————————
Yankees lefty Max Fried pulled from his start at Baltimore after only 3 innings with a sore elbow
SUMMARY: New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried was pulled from his start at Baltimore after only three innings because of elbow soreness. The three-time All-Star is expected to be examined Thursday by team physician Chris Ahmad in New York. The Yankees have an off day then. Fried headed straight up the tunnel after Baltimore scored twice in the third inning, and the Yankees had Paul Blackburn warming in the bullpen while batting in the fourth. Fried allowed three runs and five hits. In his previous start at Milwaukee, he permitted five runs in six innings.
WORDS: 501 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 2:29 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/YankeesleftyMaxFriedpulledfromhisstartatBaltimoreafteronlyinningswithasoreelbow/4f1203603f13c71d8c3a464185db5362/text——————————
Daylen Lile's 2-run homer in 10th sends Nationals to 8-7 win over Reds
SUMMARY: Daylen Lile hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the 10th inning, Keibert Ruiz also went deep and the Washington Nationals rallied from an early five-run deficit to beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-7. With his father in the stands at Great American Ball Park, Lile hit a 409-foot drive to right-center off Tony Santillan (1-2) to score automatic runner CJ Abrams. It was the third homer in two games and sixth of the season for the 23-year-old Lile. In the bottom of the 10th, Spencer Steer hit a line drive to the wall in left field that was caught by a fan. Umpires called the fan for interference, giving Steer a double.
WORDS: 316 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 10:41 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DaylenLilesrunhomerinthsendsNationalstowinoverReds/380fb523c4c61b2fca7de9bd12acf8f8/text——————————
Brittany Russell, with husband Sheldon riding, could make Preakness history with Taj Mahal
SUMMARY: Brittany Russell has a chance to make horse racing history as the latest woman to train a Triple Crown race winner. Following Cherie DeVaux's Kentucky Derby win and Jenna Antonucci's Belmont victory, Russell aims to complete the sweep by winning the Preakness Stakes with Taj Mahal on Saturday. The race takes place at Laurel Park, Russell's home track, and her husband Sheldon is the jockey. This could make them the first married couple to win a Triple Crown race as trainer and jockey. Taj Mahal is a strong contender, unbeaten in three races at Laurel Park.
WORDS: 743 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 11:25 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BrittanyRussellwithhusbandSheldonridingcouldmakePreaknesshistorywithTajMahal/2acd525672533112816c91dcc8316024/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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Juan Soto returns to lineup for Mets, who also get a positive progress report on Francisco Lindor
SUMMARY: Juan Soto has returned to the starting lineup for the injury-riddled New York Mets, who also learned Francisco Lindor has progressed in his recovery from a strained left calf. Soto exited a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning on Wednesday night, four innings after he fouled a ball off his right foot. X-rays were negative and Soto was penciled into the lineup Thursday as the designated hitter for the matinee finale against the Tigers. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Lindor has shown signs of healing, although he is not close to a return.
WORDS: 327 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 12:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JuanSotoreturnstolineupforMetswhoalsogetapositiveprogressreportonFranciscoLindor/be67c2fafdfc37bfd730ff27713cab91/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Steelers lock up longtime kicker Chris Boswell with new five-year deal
SUMMARY: The Pittsburgh Steelers and kicker Chris Boswell have agreed to a new five-year contract. The deal averages $7 million a season over the final four seasons, tying Boswell with Dallas' Brandon Aubrey for the largest contract awarded to a kicker. The 35-year-old Boswell has spent all 11 seasons of his career with Pittsburgh. He is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, connecting on 88% of his field goal attempts and 96% of his extra point attempts. Boswell's 1,250 career points rank second in franchise history.
WORDS: 194 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 1:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SteelerslockuplongtimekickerChrisBoswellwithnewfiveyeardeal/3325b986c7ee6f4986de295046b61037/text——————————
Cameron Young and Justin Thomas see the PGA Championship differently because of their fathers
SUMMARY: For a golf world that tends to view the PGA Championship as the fourth of the four majors, Cameron Young and Justin Thomas see it differently. What makes the PGA Championship stand out is the 20 club pros who get a spot in the field. Both Young's and Thomas' fathers are golf professionals and longtime members of the PGA of America. Thomas is a two-time PGA champion. Young is No. 3 in the world and among the favorites this week at Aronimink. They face the strongest field of the four majors when it gets started on Thursday outside of Philadelphia.
WORDS: 933 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 2:46 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CameronYoungandJustinThomasseethePGAChampionshipdifferentlybecauseoftheirfathers/c39d14325c81d8098f3a6676e09d8f03/text——————————
Maple Leafs fire coach Craig Berube after two seasons, last-place finish in Atlantic Division
SUMMARY: The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired coach Craig Berube after he guided the team to a last-place finish in the Atlantic Division this season. The move ended Berube’s two-year run with the Maple Leafs. He helped the club to a 108-point campaign in his first season as coach, but Toronto struggled mightily in 2025-26. New general manager John Chayka called Wednesday's move “an opportunity for a fresh start” rather than an evaluation of Berube. Berube went 84-62-18 with Toronto, but the Maple Leafs were just 32-36-14 this season. The drop in points from 108 to 78 was the team’s largest year-over-year points decline.
WORDS: 566 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 11:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MapleLeafsfirecoachCraigBerubeaftertwoseasonslastplacefinishinAtlanticDivision/9b98a46c2304243e9c4c556cea8ea0f8/text——————————
The PGA Championship: How to watch, betting odds for golf's second major of 2026
SUMMARY: The PGA Championship is the second major of the year. It returns to Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia for the first time since 1962. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are the betting favorites. Jordan Spieth gets yet another crack at trying to win the PGA for the career Grand Slam. ESPN and CBS will combine to provide 46 hours of coverage, starting with the first tee times of each day. The winner gets the Wanamaker Trophy and a lifetime exemption to the PGA Championship. He also gets a five-year exemption to the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open.
WORDS: 1168 - MOVED: 05/11/2026 3:15 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ThePGAChampionshipHowtowatchbettingoddsforgolfssecondmajorof/da908b5f03c958cdd872c0de718a82a9/text——————————
Luke Donald happy not to have to worry about Jon Rahm's eligibility for Ryder Cup
SUMMARY: Luke Donald has one less issue as Ryder Cup captain now that Jon Rahm and the European tour have come to an agreement. Donald says he was delighted that Rahm will be in full standing on the tour and eligible for the European team for the 2027 matches in Ireland. He says if there's any hard feeling, even brothers fight from time to time. Donald is captain for the third time. He's at the PGA Championship this week on a special invitation. Jim Furyk returns as Ryder Cup captain for the Americans. He's not playing this week because Furyk says he turned 56 and Aronimink is too big for him.
WORDS: 645 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 3:51 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LukeDonaldhappynottohavetoworryaboutJonRahmseligibilityforRyderCup/d0df2a5e9a79cd239e7722b95eccaee7/text——————————
Braden Shattuck keep his day job teaching golf before playing in the PGA Championship
SUMMARY: Braden Shattuck is the PGA director of instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club and he's also in the field for the PGA Championship at nearby Aronimink. He had to fulfill his teaching duties on Wednesday before changing courses for at least nine holes of practice ahead of Thursday's opening round. Shattuck earned his spot in the PGA Championship by finishing eighth in April's PGA Professional Championship. He is one of 20 golf professionals in the 156-man field. He was raised in suburban Philadelphia and is a fan favorite at Aronimink. He overcame a 2019 car accident that led to physical and mental health struggles.
WORDS: 1003 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 3:54 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BradenShattuckkeephisdayjobteachinggolfbeforeplayinginthePGAChampionship/b14fadd84d408d4e8a77380473041dfd/text——————————
PGA Championship at a glance
SUMMARY: A brief look at the PGA Championship going into the first round Thursday at Aronimink.
WORDS: 317 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PGAChampionshipataglance/baf321179ef268b0d99e456992437011/text——————————
Rory McIlroy has big shoes to fill at the PGA: His own to help with a blister
SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy has found the solution to the blister on his right pinky toe, just in time for the PGA Championship. He got a bigger shoe and made it through his nine-hole practice round at Aronimink just fine on Wednesday. The championship starts Thursday, and McIlroy plays with Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm. McIlroy says the toe only hurts when he has to walk downhill. The Masters champion did end up missing the PGA champions dinner that Scottie Scheffler hosted. It's like the Masters dinner, only not really. The menu isn't as elaborate and Scheffler didn't have to pay for it.
WORDS: 891 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 5:48 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/RoryMcIlroyhasbigshoestofillatthePGAHisowntohelpwithablister/46d2c06e17ba5d12565e4604f4bfbfb7/text——————————
Rockies' Jake McCarthy becomes first left fielder since 2013 to record unassisted double play
SUMMARY: Jake McCarthy recorded the first unassisted double play by a left fielder in the big leagues since 2013, accomplishing the feat for the Colorado Rockies against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. McCarthy charged in on a sinking line drive from Bryan Reynolds, catching the ball on a full sprint for the second out of the first inning. Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz — who started on second base — was near third when McCarthy made the catch, so the 28-year-old continued to jog toward the infield, stepping on second for the final out.
WORDS: 133 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 9:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/RockiesJakeMcCarthybecomesfirstleftfieldersincetorecordunassisteddoubleplay/ff514a42e8d4ec9ae1fa8c20f9323edd/text——————————
Rafaela's pinch 2-run homer leads Red Sox over Phillies 3-1 as Schwarber streak stopped
SUMMARY: Pinch-hitter Ceddanne Rafaela had a tiebreaking, two-run homer over the Green Monster and the Boston Red Sox beat Philadelphia 3-1 while ending the home run streak of the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber at five games. Rafaela hit a fastball from Orion Kerkering, who replaced Tanner Banks with two outs in the sixth. Making his second start after missing a couple of weeks due to right hamstring tightness that forced him from a start on April 20, Sonny Gray gave up one run and two hits over six innings with six strikeouts and one walk.
WORDS: 374 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 9:14 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/RafaelaspinchrunhomerleadsRedSoxoverPhilliesasSchwarberstreakstopped/abf30a08f8df0f90aa5841c4fcaa8018/text——————————
Moniak has 3 hits, McCarthy gets unassisted double play from LF as Rockies beat Pirates 10-4
SUMMARY: Mickey Moniak doubled, tripled, and homered on his 28th birthday, Jake McCarthy had the first unassisted double play by a left fielder in the majors since 2013, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-4. The Rockies ended a three-game losing streak and snapped a five-game skid against the Pirates dating to last Aug. 3. In the first inning, McCarthy caught a sinking line drive from Bryan Reynolds on a full sprint for the second out. He then stepped on second base to double off Oneil Cruz.
WORDS: 346 - MOVED: 05/13/2026 9:54 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MoniakhashitsMcCarthygetsunassisteddoubleplayfromLFasRockiesbeatPirates/6b6ba41ee74281e52934ec6b345cbb52/text——————————
A Philadelphia golf course seeks to reclaim its status as a force for opportunity and inclusion
SUMMARY: The Philadelphia region is rich in golf history, yet the area's greatest contribution to the game may have come from public course in West Philadelphia. While golf greats were playing for trophies and titles on the Main Line, Cobbs Creek Golf Club offered golfers not permitted on those courses due to their color or gender opportunity and inclusion. Charlie Sifford, the first Black member of the PGA Tour, called Cobbs Creek home, and his relationship with Tiger Woods helped jumpstart a grand plan to rebuild the “Olde Course” while supplementing education and supporting the community.
WORDS: 1310 - MOVED: 05/12/2026 8:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APhiladelphiagolfcourseseekstoreclaimitsstatusasaforceforopportunityandinclusion/86e57ef0a1c197e7778cd59bfc8aa672/text——————————
NBA tipoff: Round 2 continues Friday with Spurs-Timberwolves
SUMMARY: For the first time since the playoffs started, there was a day without NBA basketball. No games were scheduled for Thursday. It was the league’s first day with no games in a month. The playoffs will resume Friday with two games. Detroit, trying to keep its season alive, will play in Cleveland. And Minnesota, trying to keep its season alive, will play host to San Antonio. The Cavaliers and Spurs hold 3-2 leads in those series. If Game 7s are needed, they would be Sunday in Detroit and San Antonio.
WORDS: 873 - MOVED: 04/14/2026 9:36 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NBAtipoffRoundcontinuesFridaywithSpursTimberwolves/21ad890604b4cb2895cf3613378c5813/text——————————
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