Author: Associated Press

Pipeline operator says “normal operations” have resumed

ATLANTA (AP) — The operator of the nation’s largest gasoline pipeline that was hit with a ransomware cyberattack says it has resumed normal operations and is now delivering millions of gallons of fuel per hour. The Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline had…

Tennessee Rep. Mike Carter dies of pancreatic cancer at 67

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (AP) — A Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives has died of pancreatic cancer at age 67. Representatives of Mike Carter’s family announced his death Sunday on his Twitter account. Carter announced his cancer diagnosis in…

Active Duty Marine charged in U.S. Capitol Riot

UNDATED (AP) - An active-duty Marine Corps officer seen on camera scuffling with a police officer and helping other members of the pro-Trump mob force their way into the Capitol on Jan. 6 has been charged in the riot. Federal…

Israeli strike destroys Gaza building with AP, other media

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - An Israeli airstrike on Saturday targeted and destroyed a high-rise building in Gaza City that housed offices of The Associated Press and other media outlets. Hours later, Israel bombed the home of Khalil al-Hayeh,…

Ex-Border agent admits illegally bringing woman into US

LAREDO, Texas (AP) — A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent in Texas has pleaded guilty to illegally bringing a Mexican woman into the U.S. to work as her nanny. Court documents show 40-year-old Rhonda Lee Walker pleaded guilty…

Walmart to allow vaccinated shoppers, workers to go maskless

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, says that it won’t require vaccinated shoppers or workers to wear a mask in its U.S. stores unless state or local laws say otherwise. The Arkansas-based company says vaccinated shoppers can…

Disney hails new rules on vaccinated people

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Disney’s top executive says the federal move to ease mask-wearing for fully vaccinated people is “very big news." CEO Bob Chapek says the new federal guidelines could prompt Disney to change mandatory mask rules at its…

Inventor of adhesive used in Post-It notes dies

CYBERSPACE (AP) - If you've ever seen a Post-it note, you should note the fact that the man who helped create them has died. Spencer Silver invented the stick-um used on the pads. His family says he died this month…

Fauci urges Vanderbilt graduates to serve their country

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Dr. Anthony Fauci wants Vanderbilt University graduates to get involved in public service and to help heal the country’s destructive political divisiveness. Speaking virtually for the school’s annual Graduation Day address on Friday, Fauci recalled coming…

Former Titans employee sues, claims fired over positive test

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A former Tennessee Titans employee is suing the NFL franchise for firing him after he was told to quarantine for a positive COVID-19 test in violation of federal law. Paul Miller says in the lawsuit filed…

TN guidance counselor charged for changing student records

DOVER, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says a former high school guidance counselor has been charged for improperly altering students’ transcripts. Gayla Grise was indicted Monday on two counts of falsifying educational academic records at Stewart County…

One state offers $1M weekly prize as vaccine incentive

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Gov. Mike DeWine's announcement of a weekly $1 million prize to entice Ohioans to get coronavirus vaccines is raising questions and objections. Some Republican and Democratic lawmakers say it isn't appropriate to use federal pandemic dollars…

Desperate for workers, US restaurants and stores raise pay

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. restaurants and stores are rapidly raising pay in an urgent effort to attract more applicants and keep up with a flood of customers as the pandemic eases. McDonald’s, Sheetz and Chipotle are just some of the…

CDC: Fully vaccinated people can largely ditch masks indoors

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and inside in most places. The new guidance is a major…

Colonial Pipeline restarts operations days after major hack

CLEMMONS, N.C. (AP) — The nation’s largest fuel pipeline restarted operations, days after it was forced to shut down by a gang of hackers. The disruption caused long lines at gas stations in the Southeast due to distribution problems and…

Suit challenges restaurant aid priority to women, minorities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A conservative legal outfit has filed suit against President Joe Biden’s administration for its prioritization of restaurants and bars owned by women and certain minorities in its COVID-19 relief package. The lawsuit filed Wednesday argues white…

Scramble on for new fuel routes after Colonial Pipeline hack

CLEMMONS, N.C. (AP) — Drivers are waiting in long lines at gas stations in the Southeast after a hack of the nation’s largest fuel pipeline led to distribution problems and panic-buying, draining supplies at thousands of gas stations. There is…

Ellen DeGeneres to end long-running TV talk show next year

NEW YORK (AP) — Ellen DeGeneres is calling time on her long-running talk show. The daytime host, who has seen a ratings hit after allegations of running a toxic workplace, has decided that her upcoming season will be the last.…

Tennessee’s flag flies atop Capitol — in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Tennessee’s flag could be seen waving from atop the Capitol — but the one in North Carolina. The flag was unfurled from the building in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday for a movie being filmed this week…

Judge dismisses NRA bankruptcy case in blow to gun group

DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed the National Rifle Association’s bankruptcy case. Judge Harlin Hale announced his decision Tuesday in the case over whether the powerful gun-rights group should be allowed to incorporate in Texas instead of New…

Tennessee to require fetal remains be buried or cremated

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will soon become the latest state to require certain medical providers to cremate or bury fetal remains from surgical abortions under legislation recently signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. Roughly 10 other Republican-majority states have…

TN mother seeks $20M in son’s fatal shooting by deputy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — The mother of a Tennessee man who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. News outlets report Deborah Lilly is asking for $20 million in damages in a…

Tennessee to rebid $123M contract amid rigging accusations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Correction says it will rebid a $123 million contract for behavioral health services after a lawsuit accused a state official of rigging the bidding process. In a complaint filed in federal court,…

FBI names pipeline cyberattackers as company promises return

WASHINGTON (AP) — The operator of a major U.S. pipeline hit by a cyberattack says it hopes to have service mostly restored by the end of the week. Colonial Pipeline offered that update Monday after revealing that it had halted…

Tennessee to rebid $123M contract amid rigging accusations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Correction says it will rebid a $123 million contract for behavioral health services after a lawsuit accused a state official of rigging the bidding process. In a complaint filed in federal court,…

Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to US children as young as 12

The U.S. is expanding use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. The Food and Drug Administration said Monday the shot is safe and offers strong protection for younger teens based on testing of more than 2,000…

US restores transgender health protections denied by Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration says the government will protect gay and transgender people against sex discrimination in health care, reversing a Trump-era policy. It's the latest step by President Joe Biden to advance the rights of gay and…

Blake Shelton joins drive to help feed out-of-work musicians

The Country Music Association will provide 4 million meals in cities with large populations of musicians and music industry professionals in its new partnership with Feeding America. The trade organization will also launch a donation challenge to fund an additional…

New White House panel aims to separate science and politics

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new White House task force is looking back at instances when politics interfered with science and trying to come up with ways to prevent that from happening again. The Biden White House will unveil more information…

Man kills 6, then self, at Colorado birthday party shooting

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A gunman opened fire at a birthday party in Colorado, slaying six adults before killing himself Sunday. Police say the shooting happened just after midnight in a mobile home park on the east side of…

Tawny Kitaen, star of ’80s rock music videos, dies at 59

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Tawny Kitaen, the sultry red-haired actress who appeared in rock music videos during the heyday of MTV, has died. She was 59. Authorities in Orange County, California, say she died at her home in Newport…

Ky. Derby winner could be disqualified; track bans Baffert

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Medina Spirit’s victory in the Kentucky Derby is in serious jeopardy because of a positive postrace drug test. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert called a news conference Sunday to announce that Medina Spirit was found…

Authorities: 4 dead, 1 hurt after shooting, fire in Maryland

WOODLAWN, Md. (AP) — Authorities say four people are dead, including a suspect, and at least one more is injured after a shooting and fire in Maryland. Baltimore County police spokeswoman Joy Stewart said at a news conference that officers…

Fake vaccination cards sold at California bar

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say they have arrested the owner of a Northern California bar where made-to-order fake COVID-19 vaccination cards were being sold to undercover state agents for $20 each.   Officials said Friday they're unaware of any…

Pandemic gives boost as more states move to digital IDs

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The card millions of people have used to prove their identity to everyone from police officers to liquor store owners may soon be a thing of the past as a growing number of states develop…

Expedia creates art base on hand of Joe Jonas

SEATTLE (AP) - The next time you travel, you could hold Joe Jonas’ hand to make you feel better. Expedia has created 250 replicas of Jonas’ right hand as a piece of art created with a 3D printer. Each one…

Law enforcement help capture loose zebra in middle Tennessee

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Law enforcement officials helped capture a loose zebra in middle Tennessee after it escaped from an exotic livestock auction. According to news outlets, Cookeville Police Department and Putnam County Sheriff's office assisted Triple W employees capture…

Tortilla equipment manufacturer plans 210 jobs in Tennessee

COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) - A company that specializes in equipment to make tortillas is investing $30 million to set up shop in Tennessee and create 210 jobs. The state Department of Economic and Community Development says JC Ford Company plans…

Tennessee woman charged with stealing from tech college

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (AP) — A former Tennessee College of Applied Technology employee has been charged with stealing more than $60,000 from the school. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says Valerie Carrier was indicted Monday on a theft charge in Carter…

Tennessee gov: Race shouldn’t be taught in ‘divisive’ way

FAIRVIEW, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has echoed arguments for a bill that would restrict what concepts on institutional racism can be taught in school, saying students should learn “the exceptionalism of our nation,” not things that “inherently…

Sheriff: Girl shoots 3 at Idaho school; teacher disarms her

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say a sixth-grade girl brought a gun to her Idaho middle school, shot two students and a custodian and then was disarmed by a teacher. Officials said at a news conference Thursday that the three…

What did lawmakers pass this year? A look at the top bills

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers have adjourned their annual legislative session, signing off on a $42.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming year. The budget includes a one-week sales tax holiday on restaurants, bars and groceries, an infusion of…

Tennessee stalls bill to protect drivers who hit protesters

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee proposal to provide legal immunity to drivers who hit protesters and increase penalties for demonstrators who obstruct major roads has stalled for the year. The bill was among the dozen proposals Republicans across the…

US backs waiving intellectual property rules on vaccines

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is joining calls for more sharing of the technology behind COVID-19 vaccines to help speed the end of the pandemic. It's a shift that puts the U.S. alongside many in the developing world who…

Former Tennessee prison officer sentenced for beating inmate

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former Tennessee corrections officer has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for taking part in the beating of an inmate along with other officers. Jonathan York is one of six…