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DELAWARE
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Conservative network Newsmax agrees to pay $67M in defamation case over bogus 2020 election claims
SUMMARY: The conservative network Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of defaming a voting equipment company by spreading lies about President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. The settlement announced Monday comes after Fox News Channel paid $787.5 million to settle a similar lawsuit in 2023 and Newsmax paid what court papers describe as $40 million to settle a libel lawsuit from a different voting machine manufacturer, Smartmatic, which also was a target of pro-Trump conspiracy theories on the network. Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled earlier Newsmax defamed Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems by airing false information about the company and its equipment. Dominion says it's pleased to have settled.
WORDS: 800 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 11:46 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ConservativenetworkNewsmaxagreestopayMindefamationcaseoverboguselectionclaims/3b2366dfdae3a8432afe822bf14fe1ef/text——————————
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MARYLAND
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Maryland tax on digital ads violated Big Tech's free speech, judges say
SUMMARY: A federal appeals court has ruled that part of a first-in-the-nation tax on digital advertising in Maryland aimed at Big Tech is unconstitutional. The ruling on Friday by a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says a ban on identifying the tax as a way of passing it along to customers violates free speech. The ruling reverses a decision by U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby and sends the case back to her with instructions to consider an appropriate remedy in light of the panel’s decision. Big Tech has argued the 2021 law unfairly targets companies like Meta, Google and Amazon.
WORDS: 453 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 12:29 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MarylandtaxondigitaladsviolatedBigTechsfreespeechjudgessay/58a9b6522ec0f909946f3cbc059c629c/text——————————
What states are doing in the battle over congressional maps as Texas pursues plan Trump sought
SUMMARY: Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump are pushing to redraw congressional maps to secure more GOP seats in the U.S. House next year. That has sparked an uproar across multiple statehouses, with each major party considering redrawing maps in states that they control. Texas Democrats had left the state to halt a vote on redistricting. But they returned Monday, clearing a path for the Republican plan. In California, Democrats are moving forward with their own new maps. Missouri, New York, Wisconsin, Maryland, Florida, Ohio and Indiana are also responding in various ways, highlighting the growing national conflict over gerrymandering and redistricting strategies.
WORDS: 962 - MOVED: 08/05/2025 8:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WhatstatesaredoinginthebattleovercongressionalmapsasTexaspursuesplanTrumpsought/4e82c473c22907538615991925425167/text——————————
Jules Witcover, reporter best known for 'Politics Today' column, dies at 98
SUMMARY: Jules Witcover, who cowrote one of the nation’s leading political columns for nearly three decades, died Saturday at the age of 98. Witcover’s widely syndicated daily column “Politics Today” was written jointly for 24 years with the late Jack Germond, and he continued writing it solo for another five years after his partner retired in 2001. Witcover had a remarkable front seat to history, some of it tragic. He watched Robert F. Kennedy steady first lady Jackie at President John F. Kennedy’s grave in 1963. In 1968, he pushed his way through a crowded hotel kitchen in Los Angeles after hearing shots and saw Robert F. Kennedy bleeding on the floor.
WORDS: 728 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 8:39 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JulesWitcoverreporterbestknownforPoliticsTodaycolumndiesat/66590a909c4e47a785243983538f46dc/text——————————
Explosion on cargo ship closes Baltimore shipping channel near site of 2024 bridge collapse
SUMMARY: Authorities are investigating the cause of an explosion aboard a cargo ship that was leaving the Port of Baltimore when it issued a mayday call. Officials say no injuries were reported. The ship W-Sapphire was transporting coal en route to East Africa when the explosion occurred near the site of last year’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The Port of Baltimore’s main shipping channel was closed Tuesday morning after the Coast Guard established a safety zone around the incident site. Officials didn't provide a timeline for when the channel was expected to reopen.
WORDS: 357 - MOVED: 08/19/2025 11:11 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ExplosiononcargoshipclosesBaltimoreshippingchannelnearsiteofbridgecollapse/ab2bcbe4d837e31f1852844726a0a2c0/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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Man convicted of fatally shooting New Jersey pastor is sentenced to life in prison
SUMMARY: A Virginia man convicted of shooting a New Jersey pastor to death outside her home in 2023 has been sentenced to life in prison. Rashid Ali Bynum, of Portsmouth, Virginia, appeared Monday in a county courtroom in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that was filled with relatives and friends of the victim, Eunice Dwumfour. His lawyer, Michael Ashley, has said an appeal of the murder and weapons convictions is planned. Dwumfour was ambushed in her vehicle on Feb. 1, 2023, as she arrived home at an apartment complex in Sayreville, a central New Jersey town where she also served as a council member. She was 30 years old.
WORDS: 258 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 5:45 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ManconvictedoffatallyshootingNewJerseypastorissentencedtolifeinprison/fd8ef532c74596d1a7ed38adeb166ce0/text——————————
Oklahoma ideology test for teachers from New York and California draws criticism
SUMMARY: Oklahoma will require applicants for teaching jobs from California and New York to pass an exam that the state’s top education official says is designed to safeguard against “radical leftist ideology.” Opponents decry the exam as a “MAGA loyalty test.” Ryan Walters, the state public schools superintendent, said Monday that any teacher coming from the two blue states will be required to pass Oklahoma’s PragerU assessment test before getting a certification. PragerU is short for Prager University and promotes itself as a leading conservative nonprofit. State education officials say the 50-question test is finalized and will be rolling out “very soon.”
WORDS: 721 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 7:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OklahomaideologytestforteachersfromNewYorkandCaliforniadrawscriticism/1d08d0ef4e6e3dc71d8537601d8455e9/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Beshear bans drug in Kentucky that's being targeted by attorneys general across the nation
SUMMARY: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has taken emergency action to ban the sale of a synthetic drug known as “designer Xanax” in his state. The Democratic governor's action came Monday after a request from his state’s Republican attorney general. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a broader effort to combat the highly potent drug linked to dozens of overdose deaths last year in Kentucky. A coalition of 21 attorneys general has urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take emergency action banning the drug. They warn the dangerous drug is being passed off as prescription pills commonly used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders and seizures.
WORDS: 556 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 6:51 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BeshearbansdruginKentuckythatsbeingtargetedbyattorneysgeneralacrossthenation/e8a49e9cca5de545968556b2eaf31023/text——————————
Oklahoma ideology test for teachers from New York and California draws criticism
SUMMARY: Oklahoma will require applicants for teaching jobs from California and New York to pass an exam that the state’s top education official says is designed to safeguard against “radical leftist ideology.” Opponents decry the exam as a “MAGA loyalty test.” Ryan Walters, the state public schools superintendent, said Monday that any teacher coming from the two blue states will be required to pass Oklahoma’s PragerU assessment test before getting a certification. PragerU is short for Prager University and promotes itself as a leading conservative nonprofit. State education officials say the 50-question test is finalized and will be rolling out “very soon.”
WORDS: 721 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 7:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OklahomaideologytestforteachersfromNewYorkandCaliforniadrawscriticism/1d08d0ef4e6e3dc71d8537601d8455e9/text——————————
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SPORTS
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MARYLAND
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One game after career night (4H, 5RBI), Orioles 3B Westburg leaves game in Boston with sore ankle
SUMMARY: Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg has left Monday night's game against the Red Sox with a sore right ankle. This comes just one night after a standout performance where he tied his career high with four hits and set a career-best with five RBIs, including a three-run homer, against the Houston Astros. Westburg, who is batting .276 with 15 homers this season, reached on a fielder's choice and took second on a single before being replaced by a pinch runner. He previously missed all of May due to a left hamstring strain.
WORDS: 137 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 8:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OnegameaftercareernightHRBIOriolesBWestburgleavesgameinBostonwithsoreankle/e590fa8fd5fef2fa0a60bf1f73312f08/text——————————
Trevor Rogers helps Orioles beat Red Sox. Gunnar Henderson homers, Samuel Basallo has 2 hits, 2 RBIs
SUMMARY: Trevor Rogers took a shutout into the seventh inning, helping the Baltimore Orioles secure a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. Gunnar Henderson contributed with a solo homer and an RBI triple. Top Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo, who made his major-league debut on Sunday, doubled off the Green Monster for his first extra-base hit and added a two-run single in the ninth. Ryan Mountcastle chipped in with three singles. Rogers allowed one run, four hits and a walk, striking out seven. Boston starter Dustin May gave up two runs, eight hits and two walks over six innings.
WORDS: 333 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TrevorRogershelpsOriolesbeatRedSoxGunnarHendersonhomersSamuelBasallohashitsRBIs/7964990c5179dbfa62d62539af71ab6e/text——————————
Joe Burrow directs two touchdown drives, Bengals outlast Jayden Daniels' Commanders for 31-17 win
SUMMARY: Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks from LSU, headlined the “Monday Night Football” matchup in the second preseason game for each team. Daniels scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown, but Burrow led two touchdown drives in the Bengals’ 31-17 win over the Commanders. Both teams have high-profile players out amid contract disputes, Cincinnati DE Trey Hendrickson and Washington WR Terry McLaurin.
WORDS: 733 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 11:14 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JoeBurrowdirectstwotouchdowndrivesBengalsoutlastJaydenDanielsCommandersforwin/7dcb0c9968ddb5227e96a157236690aa/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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Jets special teams ace Kris Boyd out for season with shoulder injury after getting hurt in practice
SUMMARY: The New York Jets placed cornerback Kris Boyd on the season-ending injured reserve list with a shoulder injury. Boyd, who joined the Jets as a free agent in March, was injured during practice on Aug. 2. He was carted off the field after trainers examined his left shoulder. Boyd has been a special teams standout during his six NFL seasons, spending most of the past two with Houston. He made headlines during a playoff game with the Texans for ripping off his helmet during a celebration and nearly shoving his special teams coach to the ground. Boyd was a seventh-round pick by Minnesota in 2019.
WORDS: 177 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 4:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JetsspecialteamsaceKrisBoydoutforseasonwithshoulderinjuryaftergettinghurtinpractice/2e3c465a95c41ccd4b1ff086bbfcb552/text——————————
NFL stars under pressure: Which players have the most to prove this season?
SUMMARY: Several big-name NFL players are under pressure this season, with their futures and their teams' success on the line. New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is on his third team in five years. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence, who signed a massive contract, has struggled with injuries. Young quarterbacks such as Minnesota's J.J. McCarthy, Indianapolis' Anthony Richardson, Carolina's Bryce Young and Chicago's Caleb Williams are also in the spotlight. It's not just quarterbacks feeling the heat; players such as Buffalo's James Cook and San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey need to prove themselves because of injuries or big contracts.
WORDS: 1359 - MOVED: 08/19/2025 12:23 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NFLstarsunderpressureWhichplayershavethemosttoprovethisseason/86197e455fbcd66914601946d6292bc7/text——————————
Giancarlo Stanton is back in the Yankees' lineup while Aaron Judge's status remains unchanged
SUMMARY: The New York Yankees will have Giancarlo Stanton back in the lineup after he missed three games with general soreness. Stanton will play right field on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Aaron Judge, limited to designated hitter duty since returning from the injured list on Aug. 5, is not expected to play the outfield in the two-game series. Judge is batting .333 with 39 home runs and 91 RBIs. Manager Aaron Boone told radio station WFAN there is no timetable for when Judge can return to the field. The Yankees are 67–57 and hold the final American League wild-card spot.
WORDS: 371 - MOVED: 08/19/2025 12:34 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/GiancarloStantonisbackintheYankeeslineupwhileAaronJudgesstatusremainsunchanged/a7b15c4f475a35d78ab0ecde696ba4c2/text——————————
The new US Open mixed doubles tournament begins with the defending champions showing how it's done
SUMMARY: The U.S. Open overhauled its mixed doubles tournament in hopes of drawing the top singles players. The defending champions don’t intend to move out of the way so easily. Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori earned the first win in the tournament on Tuesday, beating the No. 2-seeded team of Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina 4-2, 4-2. Now a 16-team event played over two days, the mixed doubles starts well before the singles tournaments begin on Sunday, with organizers believing singles stars would be more interested in playing if it didn’t interfere with their rest and recovery during that event.
WORDS: 371 - MOVED: 08/19/2025 12:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ThenewUSOpenmixeddoublestournamentbeginswiththedefendingchampionsshowinghowitsdone/3880c250e04f7a61f9aadb928c10a474/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Penn St each place 3 players on Associated Press preseason All-America first team
SUMMARY: No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Penn State each had three players selected for the preseason AP All-America team. The Southeastern Conference had 12 players on the 27-man first team determined by media members on the AP Top 25 voting panel. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Pittsburgh each had two players on the first team. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Florida center Jake Slaughter are returning first-team AP All-Americans. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik was the overwhelming preseason choice for first-team quarterback after throwing for 3,639 yards with 39 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
WORDS: 729 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 12:00 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NoTexasNoPennSteachplaceplayersonAssociatedPresspreseasonAllAmericafirstteam/35afa7cb3f15918ad16d7d52d9b2cb51/text——————————
Phillies' Zack Wheeler has surgery to remove blood clot in upper right arm
SUMMARY: Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler had surgery Monday to remove a blood clot in his upper right arm, and the team says a timeline for his recovery remains uncertain. The Phillies say Wheeler underwent a thrombolysis procedure by Dr. Paul DiMuzio at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The 35-year-old Wheeler was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a blood clot after experiencing worsening shoulder soreness. Wheeler, who made his third All-Star team last month, is 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA in 24 starts this season. He has a major league-high 195 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings. He has thrown at least 192 innings in three of the previous four seasons.
WORDS: 362 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 4:15 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PhilliesZackWheelerhassurgerytoremovebloodclotinupperrightarm/3996a4d943ede86981eab04c28e1c682/text——————————
Skenes shines as Pirates capitalize on Blue Jays' errors for 5-2 win
SUMMARY: Paul Skenes kept the American League-leading Toronto Blue Jays in check for six innings, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates secure a 5-2 victory. Skenes bounced back from a shaky performance to allow just two runs, striking out eight. Evan Sisk earned his first big league win with a scoreless seventh inning, and Dennis Santana got his eighth save. The Pirates capitalized on Toronto's three errors, including a wild pitch that allowed Henry Davis to score. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited in the fifth with hamstring tightness. The Pirates' win was just their second in their last nine games.
WORDS: 375 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SkenesshinesasPiratescapitalizeonBlueJayserrorsforwin/9c2b1c86fa8166a476d145497622c82f/text——————————
Turner, Harper power Phillies to 12-7 rout of Mariners
SUMMARY: Trea Turner recorded four hits, including his 1,500th career hit, while Bryce Harper went deep twice to lead the Phillies past the Mariners 12-7. Philadelphia exploded for 21 hits, highlighted by a six-run second inning, and J.T. Realmuto also added a homer. Ranger Suárez struck out 10 over 6 2/3 innings for the win, as the Phillies handed Seattle its third straight loss.
WORDS: 326 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:57 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TurnerHarperpowerPhilliestoroutofMariners/ad153de89f901dd86db3293fcc4dcd0f/text——————————
Pirates ace Paul Skenes is having a Cy Young-worthy season everywhere but the win-loss column
SUMMARY: Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is putting together a Cy Young-worthy season everywhere but in the win-loss column. The 23-year-old Skenes' record still sits at 7-9 following a no-decision in Pittsburgh's 5-2 win over Toronto. Skenes has recorded a no-decision 10 times this season. He's allowed two runs or less in nine of those games. Skenes says he doesn't get caught up in his win total as long as the Pirates have more runs than the opponents at the end of every game he plays.
WORDS: 888 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 11:31 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PiratesacePaulSkenesishavingaCyYoungworthyseasoneverywherebutthewinlosscolumn/e795376c5add5420da760fe0dd743f28/text——————————
Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to have MRI on hamstring after leaving game
SUMMARY: Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left Monday night's 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh due to hamstring tightness. Guerrero exited in the fifth inning after making two impressive defensive plays, including a split to snag a throw from shortstop Bo Bichette. Guerrero initially returned to play in the fourth before being replaced by Ty France. Blue Jays manager John Schneider says Guerrero is doing “all right” and an MRI is scheduled. Guerrero is hitting .298 with 21 home runs this season for first-place Toronto.
WORDS: 258 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BlueJaysstarVladimirGuerreroJrtohaveMRIonhamstringafterleavinggame/733f17336195e3775015542d8d6c2c07/text——————————
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