To see stories that have already moved, please visit AP Newsroom. For text, photos, video, live and audio plans beyond the next 24 hours, please visit Coverage Plan
…
Join our family of readers for as little as $14.99 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Already a member? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
Please log in to continue |
To see stories that have already moved, please visit AP Newsroom. For text, photos, video, live and audio plans beyond the next 24 hours, please visit Coverage Plan
—————————----—
DELAWARE
———----———————
Trump pays respects to 2 Iowa National Guardsmen and interpreter killed in Syria as they return home
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has paid his respects to two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. civilian who were killed in an attack in Syria last weekend. Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday to watch the dignified transfer of their remains to their families. The Army says Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Iowa died in Saturday's attack. They were among hundreds of U.S. troops sent to eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting the Islamic State group. Also killed was Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a U.S. civilian interpreter from Macomb, Michigan.
WORDS: 1045 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 12:07 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TrumppaysrespectstoIowaNationalGuardsmenandinterpreterkilledinSyriaastheyreturnhome/06bc3fd83167c56b5db4be583987c4c9/text——————————
—————————----—
MARYLAND
———----———————
Trump's National Guard deployment in Washington can continue for now, an appeals court says
SUMMARY: A federal appeals court says the National Guard deployment in the nation's capital can continue for now. The decision Wednesday stays a lower-court ruling that had ordered an end to the troops' presence. The appeals court panel ruled that President Donald Trump may prevail in his argument that the president “possesses a unique power” to mobilize the Guard in Washington. The ruling reaffirms that residents and visitors to the District of Columbia will routinely see Guard members well into 2026.
WORDS: 640 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 11:57 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TrumpsNationalGuarddeploymentinWashingtoncancontinuefornowanappealscourtsays/62fba696935165659aa63b0c4dc3dea5/text——————————
Bit by bit, small US groups chip away at historic levels of social isolation
SUMMARY: Americans are disconnected from each other at historic levels, buffeted by what a former surgeon general calls an “epidemic of loneliness.” In cities and towns around the U.S., some groups are working to reconnect their communities. They range from cattle farmers supporting each other in Kentucky to neighbors along a Baltimore street committed to helping each other and hosting festivals, summer camps and food giveaways. Community groups in Akron, Ohio, are working to improve neighborhoods and neighborliness, while a ministry in Pittsburgh is seeking to bring “trauma-informed” healing to its neighborhood. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says they are part of a growing movement centered around connection.
WORDS: 1810 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 7:02 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BitbybitsmallUSgroupschipawayathistoriclevelsofsocialisolation/fd824e3daa93594e5f0d448afac45aa2/text——————————
PHOTO ESSAY: Grassroots groups tackle social isolation
WORDS: 416 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 7:11 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PHOTOESSAYGrassrootsgroupstacklesocialisolation/dffdd585dfde4059d90d0395041e074f/text——————————
—————————----—
NEW JERSEY
———----———————
What are the 10 largest US lottery jackpots ever won?
SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot is growing to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday night’s drawing after lottery officials said no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Wednesday night. The U.S. has seen more than a dozen lottery jackpot prizes exceed $1 billion since 2016. The record prize was $2.04 billion in November 2022. The winning ticket was purchased at a Los Angeles-area gas station. California has been the luckiest state, producing multiple huge winners, but other big wins have been recorded in Florida, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Maine, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon and New Jersey.
WORDS: 273 - MOVED: 12/11/2025 9:18 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WhatarethelargestUSlotteryjackpotseverwon/ec46e188305c9425cb555eef00a89d37/text——————————
—————————----—
PENNSYLVANIA
———----———————
Meet the 4 Republicans who defied House Speaker Mike Johnson on ACA subsidies
SUMMARY: Four moderate House Republicans have broken ranks with Speaker Mike Johnson by supporting a Democratic petition to extend health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. On Wednesday, members from Pennsylvania and New York sided with Democrats to force a vote on the Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions. This move comes after Republican leaders advanced a health care bill that doesn't address rising premiums. Johnson acknowledged that the GOP's narrow majority allows a few members to wield significant influence. The four Republicans involved are from battleground districts and face Democratic challenges in upcoming elections.
WORDS: 535 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 2:10 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MeettheRepublicanswhodefiedHouseSpeakerMikeJohnsononACAsubsidies/4601c4b607a2038a16c02bc8bf35492b/text——————————
Harvard morgue manager who sold body parts like 'baubles' gets 8-year prison term
SUMMARY: A former manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue in Boston has been sentenced to eight years in prison for stealing and selling body parts. A prosecutor says Cedric Lodge treated the parts “as if they were baubles.” Authorities say Lodge was at the center of a ghoulish scheme in which he shipped brains, skin, hands and faces to buyers in Pennsylvania and elsewhere after cadavers donated to Harvard were no longer needed. His wife, Denise Lodge, was sentenced to just over a year in prison for assisting him. They appeared Tuesday in federal court in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
WORDS: 334 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 3:32 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Harvardmorguemanagerwhosoldbodypartslikebaublesgetsyearprisonterm/726e338c67af684190d7fca1b98a5c56/text——————————
4 Republicans defy Speaker Johnson to force House vote on extending ACA subsidies
SUMMARY: Four centrist Republicans have broken with their party's leadership over health care. They've signed onto a Democratic-led petition that will force a House vote on extending for three years an enhanced pandemic-era subsidy that lowers health insurance costs for millions of Americans. The stunning move Wednesday comes the same day House Republican leaders pushed to passage a health care bill that doesn't address the soaring monthly premiums coming for those with insurance through the Affordable Care Act. A House vote on the subsidies could come as soon as early January. Even if it passed, it would face an arduous climb in the Republican-led Senate.
WORDS: 1111 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 10:34 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/RepublicansdefySpeakerJohnsontoforceHousevoteonextendingACAsubsidies/1087a9f64168d66b2acf9082af16c253/text——————————
Bit by bit, small US groups chip away at historic levels of social isolation
SUMMARY: Americans are disconnected from each other at historic levels, buffeted by what a former surgeon general calls an “epidemic of loneliness.” In cities and towns around the U.S., some groups are working to reconnect their communities. They range from cattle farmers supporting each other in Kentucky to neighbors along a Baltimore street committed to helping each other and hosting festivals, summer camps and food giveaways. Community groups in Akron, Ohio, are working to improve neighborhoods and neighborliness, while a ministry in Pittsburgh is seeking to bring “trauma-informed” healing to its neighborhood. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says they are part of a growing movement centered around connection.
WORDS: 1810 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 7:02 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BitbybitsmallUSgroupschipawayathistoriclevelsofsocialisolation/fd824e3daa93594e5f0d448afac45aa2/text——————————
PHOTO ESSAY: Grassroots groups tackle social isolation
WORDS: 416 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 7:11 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PHOTOESSAYGrassrootsgroupstacklesocialisolation/dffdd585dfde4059d90d0395041e074f/text——————————
Judge says he'll rule in May on Luigi Mangione’s fight to exclude evidence from NY murder trial
SUMMARY: Luigi Mangione’s pretrial hearing has wrapped up with a judge saying he plans to rule in May on what evidence prosecutors will be able to use in his New York trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Prosecutors rested their case Thursday after calling nearly 20 witnesses over three weeks, many of them police officers involved in Mangione’s December 2024 arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione’s lawyers opted not to call any witnesses. Carro gave Mangione’s lawyers until Jan. 29 and prosecutors until March 5 to make written submissions summarizing their arguments. The judge said he’ll rule on May 18.
WORDS: 338 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 10:39 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JudgesayshellruleinMayonLuigiMangionesfighttoexcludeevidencefromNYmurdertrial/1c5b61d3c160d48c9ad85b6c359203d8/text——————————
——————————
SPORTS
——————————
—————————----—
DELAWARE
———----———————
Delaware holds off Louisiana 20-13 for 68 Ventures Bowl win in first season of FBS play
SUMMARY: Jo Silver ran for 116 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, and Delaware wrapped up its first year in the FBS with a 20-13 victory over Louisiana in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The Fightin’ Blue Hens, who went 6-6 in their first year of FBS play, were granted a waiver to play in a bowl game after there were not enough six-win teams to fill all 42 of the FBS bowl games. After leading 20-3 in the third quarter, the Blue Hens had to defend in their own end zone in the final seconds after the Ragin' Cajuns drove from their own 7-yard line to the Delaware 7. On third down with two seconds left, Blake Matthews broke up a pass in the end zone.
WORDS: 350 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 12:15 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DelawareholdsoffLouisianaforVenturesBowlwininfirstseasonofFBSplay/786c819c0b423686a69498fb97bc51dc/text——————————
—————————----—
MARYLAND
———----———————
The Ravens need to rally to make the playoffs. Their poor home record is a big reason why
SUMMARY: The Baltimore Ravens wouldn’t make the playoffs if the season ended today. Their 3-5 home record is a big reason. A loss Sunday night against New England would make this the worst home season in franchise history. That distinction is currently held by Baltimore’s 2015 squad, which went 3-5. That was back before a team could have nine home games during a regular season. In John Harbaugh’s 18 seasons as coach, the Ravens are 22-5 in prime-time home games. But they're 0-2 this season.
WORDS: 659 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 5:38 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TheRavensneedtorallytomaketheplayoffsTheirpoorhomerecordisabigreasonwhy/72e7eeb3185286cae16537ae36ac3720/text——————————
US government admits role in causing helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 in Washington
SUMMARY: The U.S. government says the actions of an air traffic controller and Army helicopter pilot played a role in a fatal collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk near the nation’s capital. The government responded Wednesday to the first lawsuit filed by one of the victims’ families. It said it is partly liable but suggested others may have also played a role. Authorities had said the helicopter was flying higher than allowed when it collided with the American Airlines regional jet landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport. The crash killed all three soldiers aboard the helicopter and the plane's 60 passengers and four crew.
WORDS: 843 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 7:06 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/USgovernmentadmitsroleincausinghelicopterplanecollisionthatkilledinWashington/55684c08abd10ff78912fb54f8770ce0/text——————————
Ani Kilambi, 31, is joining the Washington Nationals as their general manager
SUMMARY: Ani Kilambi has joined the Nationals as their new general manager, making the 31-year-old who had been with the Philadelphia Phillies the latest young face to join president of baseball operations Paul Toboni in Washington. Kilambi has been an assistant general manager for the Phillies, working with that club since 2021. Before that, he was with the Tampa Bay Rays for more than five years. Kilambi takes over a job that was held for more than a decade and a half by Mike Rizzo, who became the GM in Washington in 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013.
WORDS: 340 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 6:47 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AniKilambiisjoiningtheWashingtonNationalsastheirgeneralmanager/9b9aa95bcb429ae01f9ec217a4721a10/text——————————
Dry needling is common around the NFL, and players aren't worried despite Watt's collapsed lung
SUMMARY: NFL players say they will continue with dry-needling sessions despite a recent incident involving the Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung during the procedure and is out indefinitely. Dry needling is used by physical therapists to treat pain and movement issues by inserting needles into muscles. It’s part of a larger pain management plan and can increase blood flow and release endorphins. NFL players like Trey McBride, Drew Dalman and Bobby Okereke use it for relief from muscle tension. Despite some concerns, many players plan to continue using the treatment.
WORDS: 886 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 11:32 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DryneedlingiscommonaroundtheNFLandplayersarentworrieddespiteWattscollapsedlung/72e2e0bb502c249e39812031005febf5/text——————————
—————————----—
NEW JERSEY
———----———————
Evan Neal practices with the Giants. He's still not sure he'll play for them again
SUMMARY: Offensive lineman Evan Neal practiced with the New York Giants on Wednesday for the first time in a month and could be activated off injured reserve before the end of the season. Neal has not played a single snap this season since being converted from a guard to a tackle. Neither he nor interim coach Mike Kafka expects Neal to play barring injuries to the starting unit. Neal has appeared in just 29 games since being selected with the seventh pick in the 2022 draft. He's expected to be a free agent this spring at age 25.
WORDS: 539 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 4:55 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/EvanNealpracticeswiththeGiantsHesstillnotsurehellplayforthemagain/51449aaf7a712708b3a11cab32e49940/text——————————
Jets' undrafted rookie Brady Cook will start again at quarterback against the Saints
SUMMARY: Brady Cook will start at quarterback for the New York Jets against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Coach Aaron Glenn announced the decision on Wednesday, saying he wants to continue evaluating the undrafted rookie. Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields missed last week's game against Jacksonville, giving Cook his first regular-season start. Cook had an uneven performance in the 48-20 loss, completing 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Glenn said the team will monitor injuries to Taylor and Fields this week to determine who will back up Cook.
WORDS: 854 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 2:34 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JetsundraftedrookieBradyCookwillstartagainatquarterbackagainsttheSaints/6b121e4d697abc7a01969dd9519ee47c/text——————————
American winger Cade Cowell back in MLS with Red Bulls on loan from Chivas
SUMMARY: American winger Cade Cowell returned to Major League Soccer when he was loaned to the New York Red Bulls from Chivas Guadalajara for one year. The Red Bulls say they have the option to purchase the 22-year-old’s rights at the end of the loan. They sent $50,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money to San Jose for Cowell’s MLS discovery priority. Cowell made his U.S. national team debut in 2021 and has one goal in 11 international appearances, against Trinidad and Tobago in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has both U.S. and Mexican citizenship.
WORDS: 166 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 11:33 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AmericanwingerCadeCowellbackinMLSwithRedBullsonloanfromChivas/293fb0a035ffc0c7c44eae48e97fcf9f/text——————————
Jesper Bratt notches winner in shootout as Devils top Golden Knights in Vegas, 2-1
SUMMARY: Jesper Bratt scored the winning goal in a shootout and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1. Pavel Dorofeyev, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner missed opportunities in the shootout for Vegas. Marner’s shootout attempt appeared to go in, but it was deemed a no goal because the puck went off his skate after the initial shot. Connor Brown scored in regulation for New Jersey while Jake Allen made 37 saves. Dorofeyev scored for Vegas, and Carter Hart made 32 saves. Vegas went to overtime for the 14th time in its 32 games.
WORDS: 321 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 1:20 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JesperBrattnotcheswinnerinshootoutasDevilstopGoldenKnightsinVegas/8aa30cfcab39733ec9671307fbbc9bbf/text——————————
—————————----—
PENNSYLVANIA
———----———————
Phillies add right-hander Brad Keller with a $22 million, 2-year contract, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person familiar with the deal confirms to The Associated Press that the Philadelphia Phillies have added Brad Keller to their pitching staff, agreeing to a $22 million, two-year contract with the right-hander. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a successful physical. Keller is coming off a terrific season with the Chicago Cubs, going 4-2 with a career-low 2.07 ERA in 68 appearances. He struck out 75 in 69 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old Keller worked out of the bullpen this year, but he also has 117 career starts.
WORDS: 298 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 2:30 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PhilliesaddrighthanderBradKellerwithamillionyearcontractAPsourcesays/6d66f9bb964229a8d9c9dccb3cbdb3c6/text——————————
Penn State players are encouraged by their first impressions of new coach Matt Campbell
SUMMARY: Penn State wideout Trebor Peña is one of about 22 Nittany Lions who are out of eligibility, while two players already have said they're entering the NCAA’s transfer portal. Meanwhile, the rest of the rest of the roster is not only preparing for the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson on Dec. 27 but also getting to know new coach Matt Campbell and the assistants he’s brought over from Iowa State. That includes offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, offensive line coach Ryan Clanton and secondary coach Deon Broomfield.
WORDS: 729 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 4:52 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PennStateplayersareencouragedbytheirfirstimpressionsofnewcoachMattCampbell/237d994eec8b8810567def2f7515f81b/text——————————
Reports: A Chicago-based investment group is nearing a deal to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins
SUMMARY: A Chicago-based investment company is close to buying the Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. Multiple outlets, citing anonymous sources, report that the Hoffmann Family of Companies is nearing a deal to buy the Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. Financial details haven't been released, though Forbes recently valued the team at around $1.7 billion. Any agreement would have to be approved by the NHL's Board of Governors. The sale would end FSG's brief ownership of the five-time Stanley Cup winners. FSG purchased the Penguins in late 2021.
WORDS: 499 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 8:25 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ReportsAChicagobasedinvestmentgroupisnearingadealtobuythePittsburghPenguins/2b330383af50400cd6735b7117c78fe0/text——————————
Ani Kilambi, 31, is joining the Washington Nationals as their general manager
SUMMARY: Ani Kilambi has joined the Nationals as their new general manager, making the 31-year-old who had been with the Philadelphia Phillies the latest young face to join president of baseball operations Paul Toboni in Washington. Kilambi has been an assistant general manager for the Phillies, working with that club since 2021. Before that, he was with the Tampa Bay Rays for more than five years. Kilambi takes over a job that was held for more than a decade and a half by Mike Rizzo, who became the GM in Washington in 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013.
WORDS: 340 - MOVED: 12/17/2025 6:47 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AniKilambiisjoiningtheWashingtonNationalsastheirgeneralmanager/9b9aa95bcb429ae01f9ec217a4721a10/text——————————
Dry needling is common around the NFL, and players aren't worried despite Watt's collapsed lung
SUMMARY: NFL players say they will continue with dry-needling sessions despite a recent incident involving the Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung during the procedure and is out indefinitely. Dry needling is used by physical therapists to treat pain and movement issues by inserting needles into muscles. It’s part of a larger pain management plan and can increase blood flow and release endorphins. NFL players like Trey McBride, Drew Dalman and Bobby Okereke use it for relief from muscle tension. Despite some concerns, many players plan to continue using the treatment.
WORDS: 886 - MOVED: 12/18/2025 11:32 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DryneedlingiscommonaroundtheNFLandplayersarentworrieddespiteWattscollapsedlung/72e2e0bb502c249e39812031005febf5/text——————————
If you have a coverage enquiry, please contact Editorial Support (available 24/7) via editorialsupport@ap.org
<END>
