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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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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Extreme heat bears down as America 250 celebrations ramp up. Trump heads to Mount Rushmore
SUMMARY: Festivities marking the 250th anniversary of American independence are ramping up across the United States. President Donald Trump is heading to South Dakota for a speech and fireworks at Mount Rushmore on Friday night. New York City's Times Square will have a ball drop at midnight to kick off the July Fourth holiday. The main celebration comes Saturday, with fireworks, cookouts and block parties nationwide. But across much of the country, extreme heat is a concern this holiday. Officials are urging people to stay hydrated. The celebrations also come amid political polarization, with competing groups organizing events.
WORDS: 1011 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 11:30 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAmericaAmericaCelebratesrdLdWritethru/9d84acb8bd36837b2f21fab9e1808fc0/text___
Man with a Tibetan flag dies after setting himself on fire in front of UN headquarters
SUMMARY: Officials say a man with a Tibetan flag in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York set himself on fire and died. Law enforcement responded Thursday evening to a 911 call. The New York Police Department says they found a 52-year-old man with severe burns throughout his body. Police say the man was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead. Law enforcement are investigating what happened and were not able to comment on what prompted the man to set himself on fire. A United Nations spokesperson says the incident happened after all scheduled meetings were finished for the day.
WORDS: 268 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:41 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSUnitedNationsSelfImmolationndLdWritethru/6357f73732683634694b6debefc6e141/text___
A grand jury indicts Louisiana's attorney general in a fight over changes to New Orleans courts
SUMMARY: Louisiana’s attorney general has been indicted over accusations she threatened the jobs of New Orleans leaders who fought a Republican-led overhaul of local courts in the heavily Democratic city. The 16-count indictment against Republican Liz Murrill was handed up by a New Orleans grand jury. It charges Louisiana’s first female attorney general with intimidation and malfeasance. At the center of the case are deepening rifts between state leaders in Louisiana, which is heavily Republican, and Democrats who control the state’s most prominent city. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry has promised a swift pardon. Democratic Mayor Helena Moreno was among those accusing Murrill of threatening public officials.
WORDS: 721 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 9:28 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLouisianaAttorneyGeneralIndictedthLdWritethru/ec8c31e8d56fa5df843580902369cb0f/text___
'Right under our noses and nobody was able to help them.' 16 kids found in squalor shocks Ohio town
SUMMARY: The discovery of 16 siblings living in deplorable conditions in rural Ohio has left people wondering why the life-threatening squalor wasn’t detected earlier. Seven were taken to hospitals, including one who was in critical condition when rushed to care Tuesday. Windows and doors at the home in Hamden, about 60 miles from Columbus, have been boarded up. Four people who are the children’s parents and grandparents face child endangerment charges. A defense lawyer is urging the public to withhold judgment and let the case “play out.”
WORDS: 1218 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 8:05 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSOhioAbusedChildrenthLdWritethru/fa8efadfabab556f8478c6c0439d9d6e/text___
The FBI is directing hundreds of analysts to its probe of Georgia's 2020 presidential election
SUMMARY: The FBI has asked its field offices across the country to dedicate more than 200 staffers to its investigation of the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County. A memo obtained Thursday by The Associated Press calls for the FBI to “surge” 260 investigative analysts and staff operations specialists to the effort. The memo describes it as a “priority investigation.” While the memo does not describe the investigation, people familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal decision-making have confirmed the request was to help with the Georgia 2020 election investigation. Georgia’s votes in that year's presidential race were counted three times, including once by hand. Each count affirmed Democrat Joe Biden’s win.
WORDS: 243 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 9:46 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSGeorgiaElectionsInvestigationstLdWritethru/a1d9f555519bb3ee1e39594b8eab0a4f/text___
Couple charged with felonies for Empire State Building climb-turned-proposal
SUMMARY: Prosecutors say a skyscraper-scaling daredevil told police that he and his girlfriend climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about love and peace because he wanted to “do something special” for their engagement. The couple was arraigned on felony reckless endangerment, burglary and other charges Thursday, a day after the spectacle at the skyscraper. A court complaint noted the danger to officers who climbed part of the way up the antenna to intercept the two. Known as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, they were the subjects of a 2024 Netflix documentary called “Skywalkers: A Love Story.” As they left court, Beerkus told journalists that, in his words, “We believe in love.”
WORDS: 524 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:47 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEmpireStateBuildingBannerndLdWritethru/be1e1053639886aef8b2058ab06f7fbc/text___
Fire shelters are a key defense for firefighters. But they don't guarantee survival
SUMMARY: Fire shelters are a key piece of equipment for wildland firefighters, but their use doesn't ensure survival. Five firefighters battling fast-moving flames in Colorado last weekend could not escape the blaze and deployed their shelters as a last resort. Three of them died, and two were injured. Fire shelters have been mandatory equipment for wildland firefighters for decades. The equipment resembles a cocoon or sleeping bag that firefighters are meant to deploy in 30 seconds or less when they cannot avoid being overrun by flames.
WORDS: 825 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 5:23 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFireSheltersWhattoKnow/971c1312988b98330293c34aa836ce7e/text___
The Onion debuts new parody of Alex Jones' Infowars, will send $100,000 to Sandy Hook families
SUMMARY: The families of those killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting will indirectly receive money from Alex Jones after a billion-dollar defamation verdict. The Onion, which has tried to take over Jones' Infowars in a bankruptcy auction, is sending the families a $100,000 check from merchandise sales combining the conspiracy empire’s brand with the The Onion’s logo. The satire news site has launched a webpage to parody Jones' style with shows and content under Infowars branding. Jones called the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting a hoax, leading to harassment of the families. The Onion CEO Ben Collins says he wants to use satire to expose Jones.
WORDS: 772 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTheOnionInfowarsstLdWritethru/e38e5447435e6dc117e1ce996a58ac5c/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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FACT FOCUS: Experts say Trump's claims linking Democrats to communism are inaccurate
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has been warning recently that communism will pose a threat to the U.S. if Democrats win in the upcoming midterm elections. His most recent round of attacks has followed primary victories by democratic socialist candidates. They are reminiscent of similar narratives he has employed throughout his political career. But no candidate openly belonging to the U.S. Communist Party has ever been elected to state or federal office. Although there are fringes of the Democratic Party that have expressed support for communist ideas, experts say that they still advocate for a market-based economy and that it is inaccurate to paint the entire party with such a broad brush.
WORDS: 959 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 10:28 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APTrumpCommunistCandidatesFactFocus/9316dc25eb5c7454e8226721f2f6e426/text___
Trump got the Senate candidates he wanted. How much will he spend to help them?
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has reshaped the U.S. Senate map by sidelining some Republican incumbents and promoting loyalists. With four months until November's elections, it's unclear how much MAGA Inc., with $382 million in the bank, plans to spend on key races. Senate Republican leaders have urged Trump's team to fund these decisions. In Texas, Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn, turning a safe election into a toss-up. In North Carolina, Trump backed Michael Whatley, hoping to flip the seat. Republicans expect MAGA Inc. to contribute, but its plans remain a mystery.
WORDS: 826 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionTrumpCampaignMoney/e31ca3b1c7ad048617f5d73ff54aa8b0/text___
Former Olympian indicted on felony charge over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism
SUMMARY: A former Olympian has been indicted on a felony charge for alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. David Hearn is a former Olympic canoe racer who was indicted on a single count of property destruction in Washington, D.C. court. District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said he ripped up recently installed sealant and caused over $1,000 in damage. Hearn previously told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool to examine the newly peeled coating during a 64-mile bike ride. Trump has said federal authorities made “multiple arrests” of people he said were vandalizing the Reflecting Pool following a $16-million rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
WORDS: 462 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 7:03 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpReflectingPoolthLdWritethru/d946ccf6bfc5207d4c5380b9001b7c26/text___
ICE arrests 10,000 in 5 days, a sharp late-June surge in Trump's deportation push
SUMMARY: Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested 10,000 people over a five-day period at the end of June. This marks a major push by the agency tasked with carrying out the Trump administration's mass deportations agenda. The arrests translate into roughly 2,000 per day, a sharp increase over previous periods. In June, the number of people booked into ICE detention facilities climbed to roughly 39,000. The New York Times first reported the news of the arrests. ICE doesn't publicly release arrest data, making exact comparisons difficult. The Deportation Data Project provided data showing a significant increase in arrests.
WORDS: 549 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 8:17 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationArrestsstLdWritethru/a748345d743ebc84b5a20b71abea17f1/text___
Goal of higher voter turnout remains elusive in California as changes have extended ballot counting
SUMMARY: California has enacted many changes over the years that were intended to boost voter turnout. But there hasn't been significant improvement in participation and those changes are largely responsible for the state’s tediously slow ballot counting today. Preliminary figures show turnout hit 40.8% in the June primary, with counties required to complete their vote counting on Thursday. That would be an increase over recent primary elections but below participation levels in others stretching back to 2000. Meantime, California’s drawn-out tabulating has put the state in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump and made California a target of those who promote unfounded election conspiracy theories.
WORDS: 1255 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 2:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionCaliforniaTurnoutstLdWritethru/525dca3720c76b96072656ff759f0b30/text___
Trump Accounts launch July 4, giving newborns $1,000. Here's what to know
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump is launching Trump Accounts on July 4, aiming to boost financial independence for children born during his second term. Parents can open accounts for these children, receiving $1,000 from the government and potentially more from billionaires who've pledged funds. The funds are managed by private firms and are invested in the stock market. Children can access the money at age 18 for specific purposes, such as education or home buying. The program has faced criticism for failing to address kids’ immediate needs and for potentially widening the wealth gap. Affluent families that can afford to put their own money in the accounts will realize the greatest benefits.
WORDS: 1329 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 12:31 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpAccountsWhattoKnowstLdWritethru/c0a6f07548acb9f792be160965fbfbec/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Putin shrugs off fuel shortages in Russia as he ramps up attacks on Ukraine
SUMMARY: President Vladimir Putin remains unfazed by Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries, despite severe fuel shortages. He dismisses the situation as "not critical" and insists the war will continue until his goals are met. Analysts note that Russian forces have been stalled in recent months. On Thursday, the Russian military launched a deadly attack on Kyiv, killing at least 30 people. There have been over 50 reported Ukrainian attacks on energy facilities in Russia and occupied Crimea since March, badly denting the country's refining capacity. Putin downplays the impact, pledging to accelerate repairs and boost air defense production. He rejects ceasefire proposals, demanding Ukraine withdraw from contested regions.
WORDS: 1021 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 4:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaPutinDoublingDownrdLdWritethru/a2f9eb36ad610ec8070b462244083f7b/text___
Interpol names suspect in Monaco bombing that reportedly targeted Russia-linked Ukrainian tycoon
SUMMARY: Interpol has identified a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman as the main suspect in a Monaco bombing that reportedly targeted a Ukrainian tycoon linked to Russia. Anastasiia Berezovska remains at large, with a Red Notice issued for her arrest. The bombing on Monday injured three people, including a woman and a child. Media reports suggest Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev was among the wounded. Monaco authorities say the bomb was detonated remotely. The suspect was initially mistaken for a man. Investigators believe she may have had accomplices. Her last known address is in Germany, where police recently searched her apartment.
WORDS: 688 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 9:33 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUMonacoBombingthLdWritethru/a4b18288209c8ce8f621794c1acf70ec/text___
3 men acquitted in killing of journalist shot while covering Northern Ireland protest
SUMMARY: Three men have been acquitted of murder in the killing of Belfast journalist Lyra McKee. Justice Patricia Smyth issued not guilty verdicts Friday in the nonjury trial at Belfast Crown Court. McKee was shot by a member of a dissident Irish Republican Army splinter group while covering a 2019 riot in Northern Ireland. The New IRA claimed its members accidentally shot McKee while aiming at police. McKee was known for writing about the challenges faced by the generation raised after the 1998 Good Friday peace accord. No one was ever charged with pulling the trigger in her killing.
WORDS: 294 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 2:15 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUNorthernIrelandJournalistKilled/9f10bf8d1eea23e0210861be8f20eca2/text___
NATO commander says Europe has backfilled most gaps from US cutbacks on military equipment
SUMMARY: NATO’s top commander says European allies have mostly filled gaps left by the U.S. reducing its military contributions to the organization's crisis plans. For weeks, U.S. Gen. Alex Grynkewich has been urging Europe to provide more equipment after the U.S. announced on June 3 it would cut assets like an aircraft carrier and fighter jets. He also considered backup plans in case of an attack. The NATO Force Model outlines available military assets from member nations. Grynkewich says the Europeans has largely filled the gaps and are weighing alternatives if the same equipment can't be found.
WORDS: 432 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:49 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUNATOUSForces/172d1cab35ef22c75e375c03aabd15a5/text___
Erdogan's warm ties with Trump offer Turkey an edge ahead of NATO summit
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has berated and belittled many of the European leaders who are expected to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey. But Trump has offered only praise for the summit host, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan has drawn on his close ties with the Republican president to secure Trump's presence at the summit. Leveraging that friendship has helped Erdogan avoid the disarray that Trump's absence might have caused. Trump has hinted he could make news during his visit related to jet engines and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets. That's been barred for years because of Turkey’s closeness with Russia.
WORDS: 1226 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSNATOSummitTrumpErdoganrdLdWritethru/c3fbddc43d7f4b0b12fcc2442ee03613/text___
Iran prepares for dayslong funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war
SUMMARY: Iran is preparing for the dayslong funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Banners across Tehran urge the public to rise up in support of the Islamic Republic after the devastating war that killed the 86-year-old cleric. The country’s theocracy hopes to see millions flood the streets of the capital beginning Saturday in scenes reminiscent to the burial of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. That could provide a boost for its government, particularly as it tries to leverage its hold on the Strait of Hormuz in negotiations with the United States over a permanent end to the war.
WORDS: 967 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:50 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSKhameneiFuneralthLdWritethru/554d4f05f43ebbb86f81821eb18c0927/text___
Venezuelans are rushing to identify the bodies of their loved ones as earthquake deaths multiply
SUMMARY: The rush is on across Venezuela’s north coast to identify loved ones before it’s too late. With at least 2,295 people killed in the deadly earthquakes last week, the country is overwhelmed with bodies that officials are struggling to collect, identify and preserve. Many fear mass graves are coming as they search for the bodies of loved ones who died in the earthquakes that struck the South American country on June 24. Thousands are still missing.
WORDS: 850 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 5:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaIdentifyingVictimsrdLdWritethru/f49371c5663fe3d3f25393a2d413abb4/text___
Australian prime minister condemns delay of changes to child social media ban
SUMMARY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned senators who blocked changes to the social media ban for children. The government recently introduced to Parliament amendments aimed at increasing the powers of the eSafety Commissioner to enforce the ban that took effect last December. But the conservative opposition Liberal Party and minor Australian Greens party referred the draft legislation to an eight-week Senate inquiry. Australia was the first nation to ban children younger than 16 from holding accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Albanese said Friday that tech giants would use the delay to destroy evidence.
WORDS: 568 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 6:31 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASAustraliaSocialMedia/1f52922f70829080b30be2854095e0ef/text___
The far-right Alternative for Germany is buoyant as it eyes a slice of power in regional elections
SUMMARY: The far-right Alternative for Germany is in a buoyant mood as it holds a convention this weekend. It is capitalizing on the unpopularity of a government that is trying to reform the sluggish economy, and eyeing promising prospects of power in an eastern region this fall. Yet the anti-migration nationalist party is as polarizing as ever. Its meeting is expected to draw tens of thousands of protesters to the eastern city of Erfurt. The party hopes to win 40% of the vote or more in a state election in September in the eastern region of Saxony-Anhalt. That could put it on course for its first state governor.
WORDS: 1001 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 5:42 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUGermanyFarRightstLdWritethru/277d377d7639423958b9975714f4cf03/text___
What to know about the funeral and burial of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
SUMMARY: Mourners in Iran are preparing for a dayslong funeral for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the war with the U.S. and Israel. His body will be carried through cities in Iran and Iraq, with the funeral beginning Saturday in Tehran. The funeral was delayed due to the war. It now serves as a test for Iran’s theocracy to rally public support. Khamenei led Iran for nearly four decades. His son, the new supreme leader, has not been seen publicly due to injuries. The funeral coincides with an uneasy ceasefire and an interim deal with the U.S.
WORDS: 697 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 6:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSKhameneiFuneralWhatToKnow/5269a930c4a2263f788ebe893db86d61/text___
Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face a 'forceful response'
SUMMARY: Iran’s joint military command has warned that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response.” The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command was aired on Iranian state television Thursday. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the threat from Iran. Ship passage through the vital waterway is continuing to rebound, even after Iran attacked two commercial vessels last week that circumvented its routes. Shipping data firm Lloyd's List Intelligence says at least 258 ships transited the strait last week, a period that includes the Iranian strikes. That's up from 138 ships the previous week.
WORDS: 690 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 8:42 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSthLdWritethru/de981ef87afe8da617076fe494c37482/text___
Vatican excommunicates schismatic bishops and priests, and warns their followers
SUMMARY: The Vatican has responded aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent. The Vatican on Thursday declared that the Society of St. Pius X had formally broken with the Catholic Church and it excommunicated its bishops. It also warning its faithful they also could face the harsh sanctions. The Vatican went above and beyond the minimal sanctions foreseen by the church’s canon law to respond to the consecrations Wednesday of four new bishops at the society’s seminary in Switzerland. The Vatican has excommunicated the four new bishops and the two bishops that participated in the ceremony. It declared that the society had created a schism, or intentional rupture with the church.
WORDS: 1310 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 7:32 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURELVaticanTraditionaliststhLdWritethru/6570c6bcc0784f4b9229e20bdec4e5aa/text___
Rescue teams in Venezuela cling to hope as US rebuffs criticisms of government earthquake response
SUMMARY: Black smoke from fires in flattened buildings and the smell of decomposition have spread across ruins, one week after Venezuela’s devastating earthquakes, while rescue teams pulled on a thread of hope that they might still rescue the few remaining souls trapped beneath the rubble. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez continued to face mounting criticisms from Venezuelans over the government’s inadequate handling of the devastation. It comes just a day before the extension of Rodríguez’s 180-day mandate as acting leader was set to expire.
WORDS: 628 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:10 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaEarthquakestLdWritethru/7e9964076f51a68d656f5727551f1f72/text___
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RACE AND ETHNICITY
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The Supreme Court tackled race, history and the law in fraught and reflective major rulings
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has wrapped up a term with significant rulings on race and discrimination. Justices were divided on cases affecting voting rights, immigration, and birthright citizenship. They narrowed key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, arguing that partisan gerrymandering isn't necessarily racist. The court also upheld birthright citizenship for all born in the U.S., rejecting attempts to limit it. In another case, they found that Trump's anti-immigrant comments weren't racist. These decisions have deep implications for American politics and society, especially as debates over race and identity continue to evolve.
WORDS: 1068 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 2:05 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtRaceAnalysis/7406d3ffbcc509c8683ec43a1ab7eede/text___
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BUSINESS
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Egg producers will pay $3.3M and donate 53 million eggs to settle price-fixing claims
SUMMARY: The U.S. Justice Department and 17 states have reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers over allegations of that the companies illegally colluded in a multiyear scheme to raises prices. The companies — Cal-Maine Foods, Versova, and Hickman's Egg Ranch — are accused of colluding between June 2022 and March 2025 to inflate egg prices. To resolve the states' claims, the settlements require the companies to collectively pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs. They must also adopt antitrust compliance programs and stop communicating with competitors about pricing. The settlements still require court approval. Critics criticized the terms, saying they're too lenient.
WORDS: 816 - MOVED: 06/30/2026 8:42 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEggPricesSettlementthLdWritethru/d32b05892541613df3f4e4932109ee0c/text___
World shares are mixed after Dow hits a new record, as some AI shares bounce back
SUMMARY: Shares are mixed in Europe after a rally in Asia following the Dow Jones Industrial Average's latest record. U.S. futures wavered ahead of Friday's holiday, with markets due to remain closed on Wall Street for Independence Day. On Thursday, the S&P 500 finished basically unchanged, though seven out of every 10 stocks within the index rose. The Dow rallied 1.1%, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 0.8%, erasing an early gain. Stocks broadly got help from data showing U.S. hiring slowed last month. That pushed traders to trim bets on a possible hike to interest rates later this month.
WORDS: 724 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 4:22 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsndLdWritethru/de7c9db96ce4d502079892d3ecef88cf/text___
US employers still reluctant to add many jobs as hiring slows in June
SUMMARY: U.S. employers pulled back on hiring last month and added only 57,000 jobs, less than half the previous month’s total and a sign companies still have a cautious economic outlook. The Labor Department said Thursday that the unemployment rate declined to a low 4.2% from 4.3% in May, though the decline mostly occurred because many people out of work gave up looking and were no longer counted as unemployed. The figures suggest companies remain wary of the economy’s health, with inflation at a three-year high and consumer confidence near post-pandemic lows.
WORDS: 1125 - MOVED: 07/01/2026 7:55 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEconomyJobsReportthLdWritethru/49c7a993b394e6ae3f801c8e3c0d39dd/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that's falling back to Earth
SUMMARY: A three-armed spacecraft is rushing to the rescue of a NASA telescope that’s in danger of crashing back to Earth. Northrop Grumman launched Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft on Friday from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. The Pegasus rocket blasted off from the belly of a modified airplane, putting Link on course to reach NASA’s Swift Observatory in about a month. Launched in 2004, Swift is sinking faster than ever because of recent solar storms. NASA is paying $30 million for Katalyst to capture the telescope and boost its orbit so it can continue tracking the universe’s biggest explosions.
WORDS: 372 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 10:32 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSCISatelliteRescueMission/a7ddd740ca099587c58865f583c7245a/text___
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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT
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Finding freedom from the heat on July 4th will be a challenge in eastern US
SUMMARY: Gaining freedom from the heat will be a challenge this Independence Day in the eastern U.S., and it's already starting ahead of the holiday weekend. The National Weather Service says dangerous, record-breaking heat will continue across much of the central and eastern United States on Thursday and Friday and will continue along the East Coast through the weekend. With humidity making it feel hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, sweat will be dampening spirits at many celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. In Philadelphia, officials shortened the route of a Thursday morning parade, canceled an afternoon all-American Block Party, and pushed back the start times of an evening picnic and concert at Independence Mall.
WORDS: 1246 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 3:17 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSExtremeWeatherHeatthLdWritethru/95b2bf4bcfcd7b1444bf2f5085e01947/text___
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Madison Square Garden is abuzz with eager Swifties ahead of Swift-Kelce wedding
SUMMARY: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding has fans buzzing in New York City. Many fans and curious onlookers gathered around Madison Square Garden on Thursday, eager to catch a glimpse of what some are calling the wedding of the century. A law enforcement official confirmed the wedding will take place Friday night, with a smaller rehearsal dinner on Thursday. Despite the couple's silence on details, fans are excited to be part of the atmosphere. The area is bustling with increased police presence and busy preparations.
WORDS: 772 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 8:28 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTTaylorSwiftTravisKelceWeddingScenerdLdWritethru/75ca26c753396d9482125084236232cb/text___
Permit obtained by AP shows schedule for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding
SUMMARY: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding is set to begin at New York's Madison Square Garden at 5 p.m. Friday. The event could last until 4 a.m. the next morning. A city permit obtained by The Associated Press confirms the details. The application for a “special event” was approved Wednesday night by New York City’s permitting office. Several people familiar with the matter have confirmed the permit is tied to the wedding. A pre-party celebration for 100 guests is planned for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Swift’s representative has not responded to requests for comment.
WORDS: 660 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:24 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTTaylorSwiftTravisKelceWeddingthLdWritethru/fe8b13f27f8f896a97ae200005b1ecc4/text___
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SPORTS
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Mikel Oyarzabal's 2 goals send dominant Spain past Austria 3-0 and into round of 16 at the World Cup
SUMMARY: Mikel Oyarzabal scored two goals and Spain beat Austria 3-0 for its first World Cup victory in a knockout match since winning the title in 2010. Pedro Porro added a goal in the second half for Spain, which put on its most impressive performance of the tournament while dominating possession and demonstrating the offensive creativity across its vaunted lineup. Spain also has yet to allow a goal at this year's World Cup, with Unai Simón keeping his fourth consecutive clean sheet. La Roja will next face Portugal, a 2-1 winner over Croatia, in Dallas in the round of 16.
WORDS: 901 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 9:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APSOCWCupSpainAustriardLdWritethru/e5d701b4628f62556d18bdf565081c79/text___
Alex Ovechkin declares 'I'm back!' and re-signs with Capitals to return for a 22nd NHL season
SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin is returning for a 22nd NHL season after re-signing with the Washington Capitals. The league's career goal-scoring record holder inked a deal with a $1 million salary and bonuses worth an additional $8 million. Ovechkin turns 41 in September. He has 929 goals after scoring 32 in his 40-year-old season. The Russian superstar broke Wayne Gretzky's mark of 894 goals in April 2025. He had said in recent months he was waiting until the offseason to decide whether to return or retire. Ovechkin in a news release sent out by the Capitals declared, “I'm back.”
WORDS: 736 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:42 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APHKNCapitalsOvechkinrdLdWritethru/2f1410cc72e150169fe3b07cc51eb574/text___
What polling shows about Americans’ interest in the World Cup and USMNT
SUMMARY: New polling from Ipsos Sports, provided exclusively to The Associated Press, shows that the World Cup has excited soccer fans and piqued many Americans’ interest, even as the sport continues to face an uphill climb to reach mainstream popularity in the United States. The poll was conducted June 26-28, after the U.S. advanced from the group stage but before they won against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the knockout round. About 6 in 10 soccer fans were “extremely” or “very” excited about the U.S. advancing to the knockout round, much higher than the 25% of Americans overall who said the same. About half of soccer fans say the U.S.'s role in co-hosting the World Cup is going at least “very” well, but there’s less enthusiasm for FIFA’s role.
WORDS: 902 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 2:03 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWCupPollndLdWritethru/4698128b1de4ac4e08d07ceb982f3607/text___
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