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NEW JERSEY
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Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently
SUMMARY: Americans are waiting longer for disaster aid under President Donald Trump, with delays often lasting weeks or months. An Associated Press analysis shows Trump is taking longer to approve major disaster declarations than any other president since 1989. Trump also has been denying more requests during his second term. The AP's analysis shows those denials are disproportionately hitting states that didn't support Trump politically. Trump has nominated Cameron Hamilton to become director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Cameron has said he wants to speed up disaster declaration decisions and ensure that reviews are objective and fair.
WORDS: 1041 - MOVED: 07/16/2026 12:05 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TrumpistakinglongertoapprovedisasteraidanddenyingDemocraticstatesmorefrequently/cf3f78f5c10d431340a638f6ced9746a/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Lawmakers break without addressing unconstitutional murder sentences, leave 1K Pa. lifers in limbo
SUMMARY: Pennsylvania lawmakers have recessed without fixing the state's unconstitutional sentencing for second-degree murder. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in March that mandatory life without parole for such cases is unnecessarily cruel. Lawmakers have until July 24 to rewrite the sentencing laws. The state Senate has proposed a 35-year mandatory minimum sentence, but some lawmakers find it too punitive. If no compromise is reached, the Supreme Court's decision will take effect, leaving judges to decide sentences without legislative guidance. This could lead to mass resentencings and legal challenges for over 1,100 people already serving life sentences.
WORDS: 2029 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 2:08 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LawmakersbreakwithoutaddressingunconstitutionalmurdersentencesleaveKPalifersinlimbo/39d47a51f050ccc8910ad31aaa896b55/text——————————
Trump drifts into campaign topics while addressing defense technology gathering
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has addressed a defense summit at the U.S. Army War College, but he focused more on political themes than battlefield issues. The summit, held Wednesday, included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Republican Pennsylvania Sen. David McCormick. Trump said the gathering will generate $10 billion in promised investments from defense and tech companies, but didn't provide many details. He briefly mentioned the war in Iran and the military operation in January in Venezuela. Trump also discussed topics like windmills and ship catapults. The event featured prominent business leaders, including JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon. Concerns about missile shortages and defense spending weren't mentioned.
WORDS: 956 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 12:01 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Trumpdriftsintocampaigntopicswhileaddressingdefensetechnologygathering/b848f9a016d6ffd9c8b9ada45f120a8d/text——————————
Federal government replaces slavery exhibition at Washington's home in Philadelphia
SUMMARY: The Trump administration has replaced an exhibit on slavery at the site of President George Washington’s home in Philadelphia with a version that historians say whitewashes the nation’s history. The new exhibit was installed Wednesday morning in the same area where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. It comes as President Donald Trump has made dismantling diversity and inclusion initiatives a priority and in the midst of his aggressive campaign to overhaul some of Washington’s most sacred cultural and historic institutions. The original panels were put in place in 2010 and told the story of how nine slaves lived in the home along with George and Martha Washington in the 1790s.
WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 1:13 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FederalgovernmentreplacesslaveryexhibitionatWashingtonshomeinPhiladelphia/6f6ffa3b3dab11636b63899d82e0908e/text——————————
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SPORTS
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NEW JERSEY
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Tom Cruise, IShowSpeed and Post Malone join the World Cup closing ceremony's cast
SUMMARY: FIFA has announced a star-studded lineup for the closing ceremony of the World Cup. The event is set for 90 minutes before Sunday's final and will feature performers like Tom Cruise, Post Malone and streamer IShowSpeed. The ceremony aims to celebrate the journey of 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries. Other performers include Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams. Jennifer Hudson will sing the U.S. national anthem. FIFA promises fans an active role. It starts at 1:30 p.m. at a stadium just outside New York in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kickoff at 3 p.m.
WORDS: 354 - MOVED: 07/14/2026 1:13 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TomCruiseIShowSpeedandPostMalonejointheWorldCupclosingceremonyscast/ad12d79439cbf063d3462eea183ca657/text——————————
Messi and Argentina have been kings of late-game heroics at this World Cup
SUMMARY: In this World Cup, Lionel Messi and Argentina have owned the final minutes. Wednesday’s rally past England in the World Cup semifinals only added another entry on the long list of late-game dramatics by the defending champions. Argentina trailed 1-0 late before winning 2-1 and will now play Spain in Sunday’s final. Among the memorable moments: A pair of rallies from late-game deficits in the knockout stage, coming back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt and then 1-0 down to beat England.
WORDS: 563 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 6:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MessiandArgentinahavebeenkingsoflategameheroicsatthisWorldCup/0273045f74fde81b745122386f3255e7/text——————————
The World Cup final is set, with Messi and Argentina facing Yamal and Spain for the title on Sunday
SUMMARY: The World Cup final is set for Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featuring a clash between Argentina and Spain. Argentina is led by Lionel Messi., the tournament's all-time leading scorer. Spain, led by Lamine Yamal, has the best defense. Argentina seeks its fourth title and aims to be the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Spain is after its second title, having won in 2010. Both teams have impressive unbeaten streaks, with Spain unbeaten in 37 matches overall and Argentina in 13 World Cup games.
WORDS: 652 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 5:48 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TheWorldCupfinalissetwithMessiandArgentinafacingYamalandSpainforthetitleonSunday/55077ce5c4728c4207a39cc4aa8a41a1/text——————————
Lavelle scores, Gotham beats the Spirit 1-0 at Citi Field with record crowd of 42,175
SUMMARY: Rose Lavelle scored in the first half and Gotham FC beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 in a match at Citi Field that was dubbed the Queens Classic. The game was a rematch of the last year’s National Women’s Soccer League championship game, which Gotham also won 1-0 on a goal from Lavelle. Gotham announced that the game was a sellout with 42,175 tickets sold, setting a record for a women’s sporting event in New York City.
WORDS: 513 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 11:13 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LavellescoresGothambeatstheSpiritatCitiFieldwithrecordcrowdof/de87d946c20305da7029d3f2ae89b49b/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Patrick Surtain II is voted the NFL's top cornerback by AP panel for the second straight year
SUMMARY: Denver's Patrick Surtain II has been voted the top NFL cornerback for the second straight year by The Associated Press in a preseason survey. Surtain received seven first-place votes from a panel of eight AP pro football writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. Derek Stingley Jr. got the other first-place vote and finished second. Quinyon Mitchell and Devon Witherspoon tied for third, and Trent McDuffie and Sauce Gardner tied for fifth.
WORDS: 592 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 2:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PatrickSurtainIIisvotedtheNFLstopcornerbackbyAPpanelforthesecondstraightyear/884657d38524ad30723f71230b0500bf/text——————————
Miami hopes Duke QB transfer Darian Mensah can keep 'Canes playing college football's highest level
SUMMARY: The Miami Hurricanes have gained attention in college football by acquiring top transfer quarterbacks. Darian Mensah from Duke is the latest to join, inspired by the success of Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Ward became the top NFL draft pick in 2025, and Beck led Miami to the College Football Playoff championship game last season. Mensah moved to Miami after a legal dispute with Duke, where he excelled last season. He aims to win a national title and boost his NFL prospects. Mensah feels at home in Miami and is focused on the upcoming season, downplaying the role of NIL money in his decision.
WORDS: 803 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 3:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MiamihopesDukeQBtransferDarianMensahcankeepCanesplayingcollegefootballshighestlevel/72ce75ce3c2e65152d538d9d8b1fd7c2/text——————————
ACC looks to corporate sponsorships as a way to boost the bottom line of league revenue
SUMMARY: Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips looks at corporate sponsorships as a way for his league's schools to boost their bottom lines. In an interview with The Associated Press, Phillips said at least some of the ACC's financial gains in recent years have come through increased emphasis on finding corporate sponsorship revenue. The league is generating record revenue totals but is continuing to chase more revenue streams while facing a significant gap behind the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference. Phillips said the corporate sponsorships add up to supplement the money coming primarily from the ACC's media rights deal with ESPN.
WORDS: 962 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 5:26 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ACClookstocorporatesponsorshipsasawaytoboostthebottomlineofleaguerevenue/251064638258ee81afd68255e6cc837d/text——————————
Expanded playoffs make it hard to predict whether Skubal, Chapman, Gray get dealt
SUMMARY: Expanded playoffs in baseball make trade predictions tricky, especially for players like Detroit's Tarik Skubal. Twenty-three of the 30 teams are within four games of a playoff spot as the season's second half begins Thursday. Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is a major trade possibility. The 29-year-old left-hander returned to the mound in June after elbow surgery. The Tigers, who have improved since June, are close to a wild-card spot. Their performance in upcoming games will decide their trade strategy. Other pitchers like Joe Ryan and Freddy Peralta might be dealt.
WORDS: 824 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 7:32 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ExpandedplayoffsmakeithardtopredictwhetherSkubalChapmanGraygetdealt/8503082b4ebeeedebeb43b24a6d0c206/text——————————
Flyers lock up Trevor Zegras with a 4-year deal worth $9.125M per year
SUMMARY: The Philadelphia Flyers have reached a four-year contract agreement with forward Trevor Zegras with an average annual value of $9.125 million. Zegras had a career-high 26 goals and 67 points last season, good enough for the second-most on the team. He added two more goals and four assists in the playoffs. Selected ninth overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2019 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 185-pound Boston University product has played in 349 career NHL games, and has 93 goals and 160 assists for 253 points.
WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 07/15/2026 11:33 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FlyerslockupTrevorZegraswithayeardealworthMperyear/292886e12c807784438bb318eac246f3/text——————————
LeBron James scheduled to speak Thursday at Fanatics Fest in NYC, as NBA waits to hear his plans
SUMMARY: LeBron James is set to speak publicly Thursday, sparking speculation about his future plans. The NBA's career scoring leader and free agent will record an episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast in New York. This appearance is part of the opening day of Fanatics Fest, a four-day event featuring athletes and celebrities. James, the NBA’s oldest active player at 41, has been the subject of rumors since May when the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs. He announced in June that he would play this season but leave the Lakers. Fans are eager to hear what comes next.
WORDS: 530 - MOVED: 07/16/2026 12:58 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LeBronJamesscheduledtospeakThursdayatFanaticsFestinNYCasNBAwaitstohearhisplans/4830424fd75efcf80d4462f4d6b1f829/text——————————
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