MILWAUKEE — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker "Mr. Baseball" and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. The team announced Uecker died Thursday morning, calling it "one of the most difficult days in...
US Retail Sales Rose Modestly Last Month Amid Solid Holiday Shopping, Boosting Economy
Americans stepped up their spending at retail stores and restaurants last month in a clear sign that consumers are still able and willing to shop. Retail sales rose 0.4% in December from the previous month, the Commerce Department said Thursday, though down from November's upwardly revised 0.8% gain. Low Unemployment...
Some Immigrants Are Already Leaving the US in ‘Self-Deportations’ as Trump’s Threats Loom
TRACY — Michel Bérrios left the United States a few days before the new year, giving President-elect Donald Trump's campaign for mass deportations a small victory before they even started. A former leader of a Nicaraguan student uprising, Bérrios had been in the U.S. legally, with nearly a year remaining...
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Is Chosen To Fill Marco Rubio’s Open Senate Seat
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will take Marco Rubio ’s seat in the U.S. Senate, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday, making Moody only the second woman to represent Florida in the chamber. Elected as the state’s top law enforcement officer in 2018, Moody campaigned on a pledge...
Trump’s Outsider Cabinet Picks Are Rapidly Gaining Support for Confirmation
WASHINGTON — One by one, all the president-elect’ s men, and women, are falling into place in his Cabinet. While Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth's nomination was teetering toward collapse just weeks ago, he now appears on track for confirmation after a fiery Senate hearing that focused on his drinking, views of women in combat and lack of...
Winds, Arsonists Complicate Fight Against LA-Area Wildfires as Crews Report Progress
LOS ANGELES — Firefighters reported significant gains Wednesday against the two massive wildfires burning around Los Angeles, while also extinguishing smaller blazes set by arsonists in recent days as a final round of windy, flame-fanning weather moved through Southern California. A Particularly Dangerous Situation red-flag warning expired in the afternoon,...
Raiders Widen Field for Their General Manager Search With More Interview Requests
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders requested interviews with Los Angeles Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander and Pittsburgh Steelers pro scouting director Sheldon White for their general manager vacancy. Those are in addition to the club's initial requests to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manger John Spytek and...
California Pulls Back EPA Requests for Approval to Phase Out Diesel-Powered Trains and Big Rigs
SACRAMENTO — California's efforts to limit pollution from diesel-powered trains and big rigs were stalled in anticipation of pushback from the incoming Trump administration. The California Air Resources Board said Tuesday it withdrew its requests for federal approval to implement stricter emissions rules for locomotives and semi-trucks because the U.S....
California’s Newsom Will Join GOP Governors in Raising Flag for Trump Inauguration
SACRAMENTO — Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom will join Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and some GOP governors around the country in directing U.S. flags be raised to full height on Inauguration Day. Newsom's spokesperson Izzy Gardon confirmed Wednesday that the governor would temporarily direct the raising of flags at...
Biden Warns of Dangers of ‘Oligarchy’ of Ultra-Rich, ‘Tech-Industrial Complex’ Running Country
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden used his farewell address to the nation Wednesday to warn of an "oligarchy" of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a "tech-industrial complex" that is infringing on Americans' rights and the future of democracy. Speaking from the Oval Office as he prepares...