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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Texas Hill Country floods test new warning systems after last year’s deadly disaster
SUMMARY: Officials in Texas have implemented major changes to improve flood warnings after last year's deadly floods in Hill Country. They passed laws for better early warning systems and infrastructure improvements. This week, slow-moving storms triggered flash floods, but only two deaths have been confirmed so far. Some agencies have been more proactive with alerts, and some new sirens have been installed. Private companies are also creating warning systems. But some residents were also left with no warning, or were only alerted to the rising water by calls from friends. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says the changes have saved lives, as the state was better prepared for this year's floods.
WORDS: 1151 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 11:15 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTexasFloodsEarlyWarning/d949081a5f152b93b9d458a9cc69b7af/text___
License revoked for boarding school in Utah where Paris Hilton says she was abused as a teen
SUMMARY: Utah revoked another campus license on Friday for the boarding school where Paris Hilton said she was abused as a teenager. The announcement Friday marks a major victory in the hotel heiress’ yearslong effort to get the school shut down. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services’ decision cites a multitude of noncompliance citations in 2026 for the Provo Canyon School’s Provo campus, including not protecting “a client from potential harm or acts of violence." The school’s director of business development says they do not agree with the decision. Earlier this month, the state revoked the license for the school's other campus in Utah.
WORDS: 483 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 12:11 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSParisHiltonBoardingSchoolrdLdWritethru/aa4c287427144bb7b0f1e722c17aac0f/text___
Off-duty employee arrested in shooting near ICE detention center in Colorado that injured a woman
SUMMARY: An off-duty employee at an immigration detention center in Colorado has been arrested for allegedly firing a gun as a protest was wrapping up outside. Aurora police say one woman suffered a gunshot wound Thursday night and is recovering. The man was booked on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and other charges. He is employed by private-prison operator Geo Group, which is contracted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to run the 1,500-bed detention center. Police say the shooting followed a confrontation in which two women started an argument and took pictures of employee vehicles as the workers were waiting to start their evening shifts. Geo Group says the employee was placed on unpaid administrative leave.
WORDS: 281 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 10:23 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSICEProtestShootingColoradordLdWritethru/8d406bfcc4618d9f0af5b29f90c9fa44/text___
A Texas prosecutor reveals new details in an ICE killing of a Houston father
SUMMARY: A federal prosecutor in Texas has shared new details about the shooting of Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE officer in early July. The incident occurred while Salgado Araujo was driving to a construction site with co-workers. U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz says ICE officers were targeting two Guatemalan men driving a similar van. Salgado Araujo's family claims he was close to obtaining legal status after 35 years in the U.S. The officers reportedly believed Salgado Araujo and his passengers fit the suspects’ description. The shooting has sparked protests and demands for transparency.
WORDS: 623 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 12:24 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationEnforcementHouston/fab45a4f012ff844c3e93749245eb454/text___
Texas floods have left high waters and a big cleanup job after hundreds of people are rescued
SUMMARY: First responders in storm-battered Texas are again rushing to people trapped in high waters after more heavy rain widened the danger from floods that have killed at least two people and left hundreds more in need of rescue. A week of punishing downpours dumped more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) in some areas as of Friday. The latest round of showers worsened already swollen rivers and flooded rural communities near the border with Mexico that had largely been spared major damage. Gov. Greg Abbott said emergency personnel across a wide swath of southern and central Texas have rescued more than 570 people, including stranded drivers and people trapped in homes.
WORDS: 908 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 2:36 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTexasFloodsthLdWritethru/2f17c4d45a7189d7a7c404fdadac545a/text___
Lawmakers demand answers after 'bombshell' report about ICE officer shooting in Maine
SUMMARY: Democratic members of Congress are demanding answers about Homeland Security’s vetting and training of immigration enforcement officers. The reaction comes after it was disclosed that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer involved in a deadly shooting this week in Maine had a history of mental health issues and violent behavior. Several close relatives of the ICE officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week say he is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since childhood. The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee says the senseless tragedy must be investigated.
WORDS: 735 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 5:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSICEShootingMaineOfficerReactionstLdWritethru/788167305f5564df14ce1b2774035c7b/text___
Innovation, data fixes fuel Native American graduation gains at federally funded schools
SUMMARY: The U.S. agency that oversees dozens of schools serving Native Americans is reporting more on-time high school graduations than ever. The Bureau of Indian Education says nearly 80% of high schoolers are graduating within four years. That's up from only half a decade ago. The Trump administration says it's committed to Native students. There's also been a push to correct how graduation rates are tabulated. Some BIE educators attribute the boost to local innovations. Still, tribal leaders fear that progress could be undermined by budget cuts and the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.
WORDS: 1173 - MOVED: 07/12/2026 12:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSNativeAmericanGraduationRatesthLdWritethru/35e798ad1f75bd20d723aaa30dd729ee/text___
AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say
SUMMARY: The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood, according to close relatives who spoke to The Associated Press. Several of David Brouillette's close relatives say he told them he was the ICE officer who shot 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero on Monday. They say Brouillette never should have been given a badge and gun, and they accuse him of attacking women in his life over the years. His troubling past further challenges how thoroughly the Department of Homeland Security has vetted recruits as it went on a hiring spree to help carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
WORDS: 1893 - MOVED: 07/16/2026 10:58 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSICEShootingMaineOfficerthLdWritethru/dbc30d6d59e2a95fb470afc188e125c6/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Sen. Ossoff fuels reelection campaign with attacks on Trump
SUMMARY: Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff has attracted national attention and praise from across the political left with his sweeping indictments of President Donald Trump. It's a notable turn in Ossoff's arc since first running for Congress in 2017. He's always been a vessel for Trump opposition. But he lost a congressional race and won his Senate seat with less emphasis on Trump. Now he's viewed as setting an example for Democrats even as he seeks reelection in a state Trump won in 2024. Ossoff faces Republican Rep. Mike Collins in November. The seat is critical to determining Senate control for the final two years of Trump's second presidency.
WORDS: 1349 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 2:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionSenateGeorgia/b35cc90ec52f00194333aa47e093e8bd/text___
Trump shifts his tone on Jimmy Carter while grappling with Iran, inflation and his own legacy
SUMMARY: Donald Trump has shifted his tone on former President Jimmy Carter, whom he once sharply criticized. Trump now faces similar challenges, like inflation and the war in Iran, which has led to comparisons between their presidencies. Last month, Trump mentioned Carter while discussing Iran, reflecting on Carter's failed 1980 hostage rescue mission. Although Trump still criticizes Carter, he has expanded his comments on past presidents, including Democrats, as he mulls his own historical legacy. While Trump has somewhat softened his rhetoric, major differences remain between the two leaders, especially in their personal lives and their approach to most major policy issues.
WORDS: 1277 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 1:15 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpCarterstLdWritethru/71fab887b88febc073c89a8c8db595f3/text___
Takeaways from the AP-NORC poll of more than 1,000 Jewish Americans
SUMMARY: The Associated Press has surveyed more than 1,000 Jewish adults in the U.S. to better understand their views on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, their opinions of the political parties and their experiences with prejudice. The survey of 1,022 Jewish adults offers a rare detailed accounting of a key demographic that sits at the very center of some of the nation’s most divisive political debates. The survey found that Jewish adults have complicated views about Israel and the war in Gaza, and that most American Jews don’t feel politicians are supporting Jewish people. At the same time, many Jewish adults feel unsafe in the United States.
WORDS: 1011 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 1:12 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAPPollJewishAdultsTakeaways/7c5cf25033917f17a93e14f184cf1320/text___
Trump urges Darline Graham to run for full Senate term as funeral scheduled for Lindsey Graham
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham, has his support to run for a full term to replace her brother in the U.S. Senate. Graham is serving the remaining months of her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate term, but she's weighing a possible run for a full term. Lindsey Graham's funeral services will include services in Washington on July 28 and in South Carolina on July 29. Filing for a special Republican primary opens next week. Several people familiar with the deliberations said she has started having conversations about a potential campaign. Her current appointment runs until January. Lindsey Graham died last weekend.
WORDS: 768 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 4:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionSouthCarolinaSenatethLdWritethru/fee07e7991d764bffe91dffb161927ca/text___
Trump doubles down on US election attacks in his primetime speech
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has used a primetime address to question the legitimacy of U.S. elections and push for more restrictive voting laws. The Republican president on Thursday revisited debunked theories about his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden, despite ongoing voter concerns about other pressing issues. Trump claimed election interference but provided no evidence of manipulated votes. Former intelligence official Sue Gordon calls Trump's speech "dangerous." Some networks choose not to air the address live. Democrats accuse Trump of trying to discredit the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Democrats argue Trump's claims are baseless and aim to sow confusion.
WORDS: 1286 - MOVED: 07/16/2026 4:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpSpeechstLdWritethru/5c84a59dffc20c12ed2fcb822fa950c9/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Safety fears limit Ebola response in Congo, with more than 12 attacks recorded
SUMMARY: Authorities report at least a dozen attacks on health facilities and workers during Congo's Ebola outbreak. Safety fears are restricting the response in Ituri province. Many unpaid health and frontline workers have gone on strike, complicating efforts. This outbreak is the fastest growing on record, with 2,181 cases and 864 deaths recorded. Many attacks have been carried out by angry mobs. They have stormed treatment centers or targeted response teams in the field. Pierre Akilimali, incident manager for the Ebola response, shared these details at a press briefing in Bunia, the capital of Ituri.
WORDS: 448 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 4:10 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolandLdWritethru/b9facfc24d2da221105f76a5ad2fc2c4/text___
Rescuers race to find survivors in the rain after a landslide in China kills at least 8
SUMMARY: Rescue crews are racing against the clock to find survivors after a landslide in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing killed at least eight people and left 34 missing. The landslide hit Pengshui County on Friday morning on the outskirts of Chongqing municipality. Massive amounts of rocks and soil washed down a slope, burying more than 10 residential buildings. One of the fallen rocks appeared larger than a multistory building, standing near the ruins scattered across the steep terrain. Crews are monitoring the landslide mass on Saturday and formulating rescue plans to prevent secondary disasters.
WORDS: 441 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 5:09 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaLandslidethLdWritethru/270b9a953c7e9daa09ccc955bef34e5e/text___
Massive fire becomes Norway's largest in modern times after destroying more than 100 homes
SUMMARY: Authorities say the largest residential fire in modern Norwegian history has destroyed over 100 homes. The fire started Friday in a townhouse in Drammen and spread to nearby forests. Firefighters continued to work on controlling the blaze on Saturday. The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection confirmed that this is the largest fire of its kind in modern times. Hundreds of people have evacuated to a center, but no residents are reported missing. The cause of the fire remains unclear. Drammen is located about 21 miles southwest of Oslo.
WORDS: 132 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 9:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUNorwayFirerdLdWritethru/50b5e38bb46051faf8cb98a477127d86/text___
Iran’s supreme leader in a new statement warns of ‘unforgettable lessons’ if US continues attacks
SUMMARY: Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in a new statement warns of ‘unforgettable lessons’ if U.S. continues attacks. The statement attributed to Khamenei, still unseen since the war began, was read out on state television. He also called U.S. President Donald Trump’s signature “worthless and invalid,” after an Iranian negotiator earlier Saturday said Tehran was suspending its commitments to the interim deal signed by both countries about a month ago. The deal was aimed at permanently ending the war.
WORDS: 951 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 7:31 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSthLdWritethru/5adfef67554652580963684d9a663af2/text___
Ukrainian drones hit warehouses and other sites across Russia, killing 9 and wounding over 60
SUMMARY: Russian officials report that Ukrainian drone attacks overnight and later on Saturday have killed nine people and wounded more than 60 others. Kyiv's forces continue targeting energy infrastructure and military sites in Russia to undermine Moscow’s war efforts. Two warehouses of Russia's major online retailer, Wildberries, were hit in the Tambov region and near Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed strikes on logistical facilities that he said supplied components for drone production. An oil facility was also targeted. A drone attack on the Belgorod region later on Saturday killed one and injured one more. Russia's Defense Ministry claims to have intercepted 379 drones overnight.
WORDS: 575 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 8:56 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/c2d0d713643288b81dbbea714d5db5ac/text___
Venezuela earthquakes death toll surpasses 5,000
SUMMARY: The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that shook Venezuela last month rose to 5,069 late on Friday, local authorities said. The interim government of President Delcy Rodriguez added in a statement that the number of injured has remained unchanged at 16,740, as in the past 11 days. Ongoing recovery and debris-clearing operations have led to the increase in the death toll, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira, the hardest hit by the quakes close to the Caribbean Sea. A total of 1,331 aftershocks had been recorded by Friday.
WORDS: 152 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 1:24 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaEarthquakes/d32eecaceabe88b93670e27accabfea2/text___
Indian police forcibly hospitalize a prominent Cockroach Party activist on hunger strike
SUMMARY: Authorities have forcibly transferred activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital in New Delhi after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike. The strike is part of the Cockroach Janta Party movement for education reform. Wangchuk and others demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over leaked exam papers. The movement also seeks reforms to the exam system and compensation for families affected by related suicides. Police say Wangchuk's hospitalization followed medical advice and a court directive. The founder of the Cockroach Party, Abhijeet Dipke, announced he would also begin a hunger strike.
WORDS: 524 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 5:20 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASIndiaCockroachPartyndLdWritethru/0bb7c16a58f21649fb5df72db9714c31/text___
The US and Iran have blown past red lines as they lurch back toward all-out war
SUMMARY: The United States and Iran are crossing each other's red lines, one after the other. The latest hostilities began with an Iranian drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25, a week after they had signed an interim deal aimed at ending the war. Iran claims that agreement gave it the right to manage traffic through the strait, while the U.S. and others say it should be fully reopened. Iran's attacks on shipping have since led to U.S. airstrikes, Iranian retaliation against Gulf states and the collapse of the agreement. A return to full-scale war appears increasingly likely.
WORDS: 913 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 9:35 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSHowWeGotHerendLdWritethru/179973cfe1fb3fa1b7ea7b816648ad9c/text___
Women are dying in Africa as US ramps up its global battle against abortion
SUMMARY: The Trump administration's new, sweeping restrictions on U.S. funding for nongovernmental organizations, foreign governments and U.N. agencies that promote access to abortion overseas is delivering new momentum to U.S. anti-abortion groups. It builds on their advocacy work abroad — especially in Africa, where healthcare is highly dependent on foreign aid and which has the world’s highest maternal mortality rates. It’s hard to pinpoint how much money these conservative U.S. nonprofits spend in Africa, but the funding has been steadily increasing over the last decade. Even as the stated aim of U.S., international and Africa-based anti-abortion groups is to protect life, activists and healthcare providers say the result on the ground is more unsafe abortions and women dying.
WORDS: 2307 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 5:14 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFAfricaAbortionDyingMothersstLdWritethru/dd846b875555e8f76dcacb61cf1d3907/text___
Mount Olympus, home of the ancient Greek gods, is a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage List
SUMMARY: Mount Olympus, the mythological home of ancient Greece’s 12 Olympian gods, may soon join UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Greeks hope the mountain's blend of myth, culture and natural beauty will secure it a place when the World Heritage Committee meets in South Korea starting Sunday. Mount Olympus is central to Greek mythology. It was where Zeus, king of the gods, was believed to have ruled from, with his throne on its highest peak. The mountain also boasts rich biodiversity. Locals emphasize the need for protection, as increased tourism could impact the environment. Despite its allure, Mount Olympus is challenging, with treacherous terrain claiming lives.
WORDS: 1096 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 5:26 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUGreeceUNESCOMountOlympus/62f9489539bf2d211957d3e106c327c6/text___
A 7.3 earthquake hits Mexico-Guatemala border with no immediate damage reported
SUMMARY: A strong earthquake has struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast, right on the border with Guatemala. The U.S. Geological Survey reports it had a magnitude of 7.3. The epicenter was southwest of Aquiles Serdan, near Chiapas. Authorities have not reported any severe damage or casualties. In Tapachula, the tremor began mildly but intensified, prompting evacuations. In Guatemala City, the quake frightened residents during rush hour. In Mexico City, buildings shook, but the earthquake alert did not sound. Coastal areas near Suchiate are being monitored for tsunami risk, according to local officials.
WORDS: 564 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 4:10 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTMexicoEarthquakethLdWritethru/5fd814654cc71416982a2b3b5e85aea6/text___
Landslide in China's Chongqing kills at least 8 and leaves 34 missing
SUMMARY: A landslide Friday on the outskirts of Chongqing, China, has killed at least eight people and left 34 missing. The disaster buried residential buildings and forced over 1,100 people to evacuate. The landslide occurred in Pengshui County, where massive amounts of rocks and soil washed downslope, burying more than 10 buildings. Ten people were rescued, including two seriously injured. Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked authorities to determine the cause. Over 800 rescuers are working on-site, using drones to survey the area. Rescue efforts are hindered by unstable terrain and the risk of another landslide.
WORDS: 469 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 5:26 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaLandslidethLdWritethru/127e504babcf9d70773e4ec67af34952/text___
An Israeli strike on a funeral in Gaza kills 7 people and wounds 22, a local hospital says
SUMMARY: An Israeli strike on a funeral in the Gaza Strip has killed at least seven people and wounded another 22. That's according to a local hospital. The Israeli military said it targeted a “terrorist cell” in the area. The Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp confirmed the number of casualties, saying people were struck at the funeral for a Palestinian killed in a strike earlier on Friday.
WORDS: 419 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 3:25 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastWarsGazandLdWritethru/9b0b91dca3ee1950bc0c5ff96d4a5259/text___
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BUSINESS
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Foodborne illnesses at restaurant chains are rare but can sicken customers
SUMMARY: Big U.S. restaurant chains don’t get linked to foodborne illness outbreaks often. But the number of meals they serve causes a lot of concern when contamination of some kind sickens customers. Federal health officials have identified iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five states as a source of widespread infections from the diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora. Cases have been reported in more than 30 states. Other recent outbreaks at Chipotle, McDonald's, Wendy's, Jack in the Box and Taco Bell roiled the restaurant companies and sometimes changed how food safety is regulated in the U.S.
WORDS: 911 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 4:43 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCyclosporaOutbreakHistorystLdWritethru/0836ce7e4d641035a80e847b23882369/text___
The sell-off for AI stars worsens, while oil prices keep jumping
SUMMARY: The sell-off for AI winners deepened and yanked stock markets lower worldwide. The S&P 500 fell 1% Friday to finish its first losing week in the last three and only its third since March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.4%. Nvidia was the heaviest weight on the market and briefly gave up its status as the most valuable stock on Wall Street. The worries about whether AI stocks have shot too high dragged down Asian markets even more sharply. Oil prices jumped again on worries about the war with Iran, but longer-term Treasury yields eased.
WORDS: 852 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 4:34 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/65449e9565fba441a617f9517e097f5a/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 states confirmed as a source of diarrhea-causing parasite
SUMMARY: Federal health officials have identified lettuce from Mexico served by Taco Bell locations across five U.S. states as a source of the widespread outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Thursday confirmed the source and warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Officials have identified a single supplier of the lettuce. The federal warnings to consumers did not identify the company, but Taylor Fresh Foods, of Salinas, California, said FDA testing indicated it was “a specific independent farm” affiliated with the company.
WORDS: 1005 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 11:46 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMEDCyclosporaOutbreakthLdWritethru/13d9e9ebdc46a4d05a58da2ae8e8d0de/text___
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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT
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Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota pushes farther into the US and engulfs DC in haze
SUMMARY: Millions of people in the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are muddling through another day of unhealthy air from uncontrolled wildfires in Minnesota and Canada. The nation’s capital was enveloped in an eerie haze Friday. And Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians postponed their game against Pittsburgh Pirates in Ohio. Air quality warnings are expected to remain in effect at least through Saturday in parts of the U.S. There’s potential for temporary relief with storms forecast over the weekend. But a forecaster at the National Weather Service says smoky conditions are expected to last as fires continue to burn largely unchecked.
WORDS: 986 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 8:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSClimateWildfiresSmokerdLdWritethru/251365af55a5111d8178b24a4d15e0af/text___
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SPORTS
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US must learn to navigate its pay-for-play world to find a pipeline to World Cup competitiveness
SUMMARY: America’s early departure from the 2026 World Cup raised a question that arises every four years: What would it take to produce a global soccer superpower in the United States? This time around, most of the answers appear to lie in retooling the so-called “pay-for-play” system that is largely a U.S. phenomenon. The majority of youth soccer organizations in America stay in business by developing players for a fee, then keeping them in the program for as long as their family is willing to pay. Leaders in U.S. soccer hope to leverage that and add elements of a well-developed club system that reaches into the grassroots in places like Argentina where Lionel Messi and company play Spain on Sunday for the country's fourth World Cup title.
WORDS: 1680 - MOVED: 07/17/2026 10:07 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APSOCWorldCupUSFuture/e8a0d22d05b99b5b84c61c09bf86686a/text___
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