Oakland officials have voted in favor of changing the name of the city’s airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, despite San Francisco threatening a lawsuit over what it says is a trademark violation. The Board of Commissioners for the Port of Oakland voted unanimously Thursday to move forward...
Several Writers Decline Recognition From PEN America in Protest Over Its Israel-Hamas War Stance
NEW YORK — Several authors have turned down awards and awards nominations from PEN America, citing unhappiness with the literary and free expression organization's stance on the war in Gaza. This week, PEN announced its long lists in categories ranging from the $75,000 Jean Stein Award for best book to...
US Consumer Sentiment Falls Slightly as Outlook for Inflation Worsens
WASHINGTON — Consumer sentiment about the U.S. economy has ticked down but remains near a recent high, with Americans' outlook largely unchanged this year. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, released Friday in a preliminary version, slipped to 77.9 this month, down from March's figure of 79.4. Sentiment is...
A Near-Total Ban on Abortion Has Supercharged the Political Dynamics of Arizona, a Key Swing State
PHOENIX — Arizona was already expected to be one of the most closely contested states in November's U.S. presidential election. But a ruling this week instituting a near-total abortion ban supercharged the state's role, transforming it into perhaps the nation's most critical battleground. This Sunbelt state with a fierce independent...
Convicted Killer of College Student Kristin Smart Attacked at California Prison for Second Time
COALINGA — Paul Flores, the convicted killer of college student Kristin Smart, was stabbed Wednesday at a California prison, the second time he has been attacked by a fellow inmate in the past year, officials said. Staff witnessed the stabbing shortly before 3:30 p.m. in the recreation yard at Pleasant...
House Advances Reauthorization of US Spy Program as GOP Upheaval Threatens Final Passage
WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Friday advanced a bill that would reauthorize a crucial national security surveillance program, a second attempt just days after a conservative revolt prevented similar legislation from reaching the floor. Speaker Mike Johnson brought forward a Plan B that, if passed, would reform and extend a...
Tennessee Lawmakers Send Bill to Ban First-Cousin Marriages to Governor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Republican-led Tennessee Legislature has overwhelmingly voted to send GOP Gov. Bill Lee a proposal that would ban marriage between first cousins. The House cast a 75-2 vote Thursday on the bill after the Senate previously approved it without any opposition. Opposition to the Bill But a...
Instagram Blurs Nude Messages to Protect Teens, Fight Sexual Extortion
LONDON — Instagram says it's deploying new tools to protect young people and combat sexual extortion, including a feature that will automatically blur nudity in direct messages. The social media platform said in a blog post Thursday that it's testing out the features as part of its campaign to fight...
Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Charged With Stealing $16M in Betting Case
LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities charged the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling debts. Ippei Mizuhara served as Ohtani’s interpreter after Ohtani came to the...
US Measles Cases Are up in 2024. What’s Driving the Increase?
Measles outbreaks in the U.S. and abroad are raising health experts' concern about the preventable, once-common childhood virus. One of the world's most contagious diseases, measles can lead to potentially serious complications. The best defense, according to experts? Get vaccinated. Here's what to know about the year — so far...