U.S. crops ready for picking, but farm workers in short supply It’s nearly apple-picking time in Washington’s Yakima Valley. Cherry season will be around for a few more weeks, and a bounty of other fruits and vegetables are maturing on branches and in fields.
“The orchards are big and beautiful,” said Dan Fazio, executive director of the Washington Farm Labor Association. More
Ebola virus re-emerges in Congolese conflict zone KINSHASA, Congo — At least four new cases of the Ebola virus have emerged in Congo’s northeast, just a week after an outbreak in the northwest was declared over, the country’s health ministry said Wednesday.
There was no indication the two outbreaks, separated by more than 1,553 miles, are related, Health Minister Dr. More
Trump pressures China with threat to crank up size of proposed tariffs WASHINGTON — President Trump on Wednesday tried to increase pressure on China to change its trade practices by directing administration officials to consider more than doubling the size of proposed tariffs he has already threatened to slap on $200 billion in imports.
But the administration stopped short of actually making such a move, raising questions about whether it was a negotiating ploy in its widening trade war with China. More
Photographer joins bear hunt, but not to kill The largest grizzly hunt in the Lower 48 in more than 40 years is set to open next month in Wyoming, and more than 7,000 people applied for a chance to kill one of up to 22 bears. Among the tiny number of people who won the draw for permits is a wildlife photographer who has produced some of the most famous images of the area’s grizzlies.
Thomas Mangelsen, who has lived near Grand Teton National Park for four decades, said this week that he will use the permit to shoot bears as he’s always done – with a camera, not a gun. More
Sen. Collins says it’s ‘unbelievable’ that Trump wants to stop Russia probe Donald Trump called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to halt Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, ramping up his attacks on the probe as the president’s former campaign chairman goes on trial for unrelated criminal charges. More
By TARA COPP, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, COLLEEN LONG and TY ONEIL, Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The person who died when a Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosives burst into flames outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel was a highly decorated U. S. Army Green Beret who deployed twice to Afghanistan, officials said Thursday.
Two law enforcement officials identified the man inside the futuristic-looking pickup truck as Matthew Livelsberger.
TALLAHASSEE — After an investigative agency sided with the company, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office will urge an administrative law judge to find that Starbucks has improperly used race-based hiring practices.
Moody in May filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations alleging that Starbucks had policies that “appear on their face to be racial quotas.” But after an investigation, the commission’s executive director in November issued a determination that there was “no reasonable cause” to believe that the Seattle-based coffee company violated a state anti-discrimination law.
Moody’s office responded by filing a petition that led Monday to the case going to the state Division of Administrative Hearings, where a judge will consider it.
The case came as Moody and other Republican leaders in Florida and across the country have targeted diversity, equity and inclusion efforts by companies and at places such as colleges and universities.
Moody’s office alleges Starbucks violated the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, which says it is illegal to make hiring or other employment-related decisions based on factors such as race.
MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins are among four teams not to have a player named to the initial 2025 Pro Bowl squad. The Dolphins join the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints as teams that didn’t have a player selected.
Last season the Dolphins had six Pro Bowl selections, including five on offense: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, running back Raheem Mostert, fullback Alec Ingold, left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The new year brings some new oversight for Broward Schools, as the district makes final plans to become part of the county’s Office of Inspector General.
The office will start working in the school district in a couple of months, Marylin Batista, the school district’s general counsel, said in a recent meeting.
The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau and federal investigators raided the home of disgraced former NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey Thursday as a criminal investigation into accusations he swapped sex for overtime was launched, officials said.
Search warrants were also executed in “other locations” as the NYPD officially suspended Maddrey, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement.
Maddrey abruptly resigned and put in his retirement papers on Dec.
Tesla’s global annual sales fell for the first time in at least 9 years, with a 2.3% increase in the final quarter not enough to overcome a sluggish start to 2024 despite offers of 0% financing, free charging and low-priced leases.
The Austin, Texas, company delivered 495,570 vehicles from October through December, boosting deliveries to 1.79 million for the full year.