BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. government officials on Thursday finalized an overhaul of how they plan for oil and gas drilling, mining, grazing and other activities across public lands in the West. The move by the Bureau of Land Management aims to address longstanding criticism of an often-cumbersome process that dictates development across almost 250 … Continue reading
Author Archives: Jonathan Phelps
Truck smashes into Iowa Wal-Mart store killing 3 people
PELLA, Iowa (AP) — A pickup truck smashed through the front doors of an Iowa Wal-Mart store on Thursday, killing three people and scattering merchandise on the floor before it came to a stop at the fresh produce section in what authorities believe was a tragic accident. A photograph posted by the Des Moines Register … Continue reading
Russia: Space ship malfunctions, breaks up over Siberia
MOSCOW (AP) — An unmanned Russian cargo spaceship heading to the International Space Station broke up in the atmosphere over Siberia on Thursday due to an unspecified malfunction, the Russian space agency said. The Progress MS-04 cargo craft broke up at an altitude of 190 kilometers (118 miles) over the remote Russian Tuva region in … Continue reading
Treasury nominee Mnuchin was Trump’s top fundraiser
WASHINGTON (AP) — Steven Mnuchin, President-elect Donald Trump’s expected choice to be the nation’s 77th treasury secretary, has had a long history as a successful financial executive and a shorter but significant period in a job that ushered him into Trump’s inner circle: head of Trump’s campaign finance operation. When Mnuchin, 53, was chosen by … Continue reading
Carrier says it has deal with Trump to keep jobs in Indiana
WASHINGTON (AP) — Air conditioning company Carrier said Tuesday that it had reached a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to keep nearly 1,000 jobs in Indiana. Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence planned to travel to the state Thursday to unveil the agreement alongside company officials. Trump spent much of his campaign pledging to keep … Continue reading
Trump victory increases uncertainties for global economy
The election of Donald Trump as U.S. president creates new uncertainties for a world economy that’s already fragile, say investors and economists who wonder how far he will take his promises to tear up trade deals and restrict immigration. The real estate billionaire struck a conciliatory tone in his victory speech, arguing he would seek … Continue reading
Philadelphia transit strike ends, avoiding election impact
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The city’s crippling weeklong transit strike ended early Monday, ensuring that all buses, trolleys and subways will be up and running by Election Day. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the union representing about 4,700 transit workers announced a tentative agreement before daybreak. By 9 a.m., subways were operating again, though on … Continue reading
Vegas Strip resort reopens after power outage, evacuation
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Electricity was restored and a major hotel at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip reopened Friday after a complete blackout and overnight evacuation blamed on damage to the main basement electric line. The 2,900-room Paris Las Vegas was declared open shortly before daybreak — nearly 20 hours after the hotel, … Continue reading
UK’s May seeks to keep Brexit plan going despite setback
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May sought Friday to reassure European Union leaders that her timetable for Britain to leave the EU remains intact despite a court ruling requiring British lawmakers to have more of a say in the process. She telephoned Jean-Claude Juncker, the EU’s top official, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel … Continue reading
Paris climate change deal becomes international law
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Paris Agreement to combat climate change became international law on Friday — a landmark deal about tackling global warming amid growing fears that the world is becoming hotter even faster than scientists expected. So far, 96 countries, accounting for just over two-thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, have formally … Continue reading
2017 Acura MDX scales up in looks, standard safety features
Acura’s most popular vehicle, the MDX luxury sport utility, has a more upscale look and more standard safety features for 2017. The roomy MDX, which is the only Acura with three rows of seats, offers new amenities, too, such as two captain’s chairs for seating in the second row instead of a bench seat or … Continue reading
Some buyers call classes by ‘Flip or Flop’ stars misleading
NEW YORK (AP) — For Doug Stephens, the free event seemed like a good way to learn how to flip homes. An online ad for the December gathering sported pictures of Tarek and Christina El Moussa, the stars of HGTV’s “Flip or Flop” who buy rundown homes, renovate them and try to sell them for … Continue reading
13.8M goal set for Obama’s final health care sign-up season
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing new challenges to a legacy law, the Obama administration on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, set its goals for the president’s final health care sign-up season. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said she expects 13.8 million people to sign up. This is shaping up to be the most difficult sign-up … Continue reading
Medicare unveils far-reaching overhaul of doctors’ pay
WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare on Friday, October 14, 2016, unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of how it compensates doctors and other clinicians. The goal is to reward quality, cost-effective care instead of just paying piecemeal for services. The complex regulation is nearly 2,400 pages long and will take years to fully implement. It’s meant to carry … Continue reading
‘Economic bubble’? Spain nears 300 days without a govt
MADRID (AP) — Spain is about to pass 300 days without a government. But guess what? Few Spaniards seem bothered by that as the country’s economy roars ahead. Spanish cities are boasting of packed cafes and restaurants, thriving fashion shops and art galleries, plenty of tourists. The overall impression is of a bustling, vibrant country. … Continue reading