State Department investigating website ‘prank’ involving Trump bio page
The State Department is investigating what appears to be a “prank” after its website suggested President Donald Trump’s term would end Monday evening.
Associated Press
Governor Tate Reeves signs bill for new Mississippi state flag
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has signed a bill that gives the state a new flag with a magnolia and the phrase, “In God We Trust.” The bill signing happened Monday,…
Analysis: Health care, education, incentives on 2021 agendas for Mississippi lawmakers
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — With the Mississippi legislative session just beginning, officials are starting to reveal their public policy wish lists, including proposals to increase teacher pay and improve the availability of health care…
Twitter bans President Donald Trump
By TALI ARBEL Twitter says it is banning President Donald Trump from its platform, citing “risk of further incitement of violence.” The social media giant said Friday: “After close review of recent Tweets from the realDonaldTrump account and the context…
Police officer pays for shoplifting suspects’ holiday dinner
SOMERSET, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts police officer declined to charge two women accused of trying to steal groceries for the children — and instead bought them Christmas dinner. Somerset Officer Matt Lima responded to a report of shoplifting Dec.…
On the llam: ‘Very chill’ llama found wandering off highway in Massachusetts
NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (AP) — A passerby spotted a wandering llama in a field off an interstate in Massachusetts and with the help of an animal control officer, brought it to a farm for safekeeping. Patrick Boddy was driving in Newburyport…
Study suggests Pfizer vaccine works against virus variant
By LAURAN NEERGAARD New research suggests Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine can protect against a mutation found in the two more-contagious variants of the coronavirus that have erupted in Britain and South Africa. The study was preliminary and did not look at…
With virus surging, Biden to speed release of COVID vaccines
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and ZEKE MILLER WASHINGTON (AP) - President-elect Joe Biden will be taking a new direction to speed release of coronavirus vaccines when he assumes office Jan. 20. His office said Friday Biden would curtail the current practice…
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos resigns after Capitol insurrection
WASHINGTON (AP)-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has become the second Cabinet secretary to resign a day after a pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In a resignation letter Thursday, DeVos blamed President Donald Trump for inflaming tensions in the violent assault…
AP PHOTOS: Scenes of violence at U.S. Capitol shock world
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pro-Trump protesters breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, violently clashing with law enforcement as lawmakers were gathered inside to formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in November’s presidential election. Law enforcement instructed lawmakers to retrieve masks from…
House rejects objection to Biden’s Arizona win
The House has voted overwhelmingly to reject an objection to President-elect Joe Biden’s win in Arizona, joining the Senate in upholding the results of the election there. The objection failed 303-121 on Wednesday night, with only Republicans voting in support.
Senate rejects challenge to Biden Arizona win
The Senate has overwhelmingly turned aside a challenge to President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona, guaranteeing the result will stand. The objection to the results in Arizona -- spearheaded by Rep. Paul Gosar and Sen. Ted Cruz -- was rejected…
Facebook joins Twitter in blocking President Trump from posting following the storming of the U.S. Capitol
By BARBARA ORTUTAY and DAVID KLEPPER In an unprecedented step, Facebook and Twitter suspended President Donald Trump from posting to their platforms Wednesday following the storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Twitter locked Trump out of his account for 12…
COVID vaccine available for those over 75 in Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Those ages 75 and older in Mississippi are now eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Officials said residents can get vaccinated at 18 high-volume drive-through sites and at private clinics throughout the state. Appointments can be…
UK judge refuses US extradition of WikiLeaks founder Assange
By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — A British judge has rejected the United States’ request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying it would be “oppressive” because of his mental health. District Judge Vanessa…
Mississippi could alter legislative session amid pandemic
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann says Mississippi legislators should consider delaying much of their 2021 session by several weeks. He says that could prevent the state Capitol from again becoming a super spreader…
House passes $900 billion COVID relief, catchall measure
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has easily passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package. It would deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19…
Prague zoo’s month-old Sumatran orangutan finally has a name
PRAGUE (AP) — He’s called Pustakawan, or Kawi, if you wish. Prague’s zoo said on Wednesday it has finally completed the process of naming a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan baby born on its premises on Nov 17. It took a…
Scene from ‘Elf’ comes to life as Buddy meets dad in Boston
BOSTON (AP) — Just like a real-life movie, the story of Buddy the Elf meeting his biological father has come to life, just in time for the holidays. Doug Henning wore a costume like the one actor Will Ferrell’s character…
Jupiter, Saturn merging in night sky, closest in centuries
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Jupiter and Saturn will merge in the night sky Monday, appearing closer to one another than they have since Galileo’s time in the 17th century. Astronomers say so-called conjunctions between the two largest planets in our solar…
Trump says Barr resigning, will leave before Christmas
Attorney General William Barr, one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest allies, is departing amid lingering tension over the president’s baseless claims of election fraud and the investigation into President-elect Joe Biden’s son.
Biden makes pitch for retired general to be Pentagon chief
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is making his case for retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to be secretary of defense. Biden urges Congress to waive a legal prohibition against a recently serving military officer running the Pentagon. With concern rising in Congress about maintaining civilian control of the military, Biden is suggesting he feels […]
Man pleads guilty to killing, putting victim in freezer
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi man has pleaded guilty to a murder charge after admitting he strangled his roommate and stuffed the body into an unplugged freezer in 2017. A Jackson County grand jury indicted Thomas Stafford on a…
Biden breaks foot while playing with dog, to wear a boot
President-elect Joe Biden will likely wear a walking boot for several weeks after breaking his right foot.