More ‘Hunger Games’ attractions coming to US, China

NEW YORK (AP) – “Hunger Games” fans in the U.S. and China may get to find out for themselves if the odds are forever in their favor. Lionsgate confirmed Monday that the blockbuster movie franchise has been licensed for development in a theme park in Atlanta and an indoor entertainment center in Hengqin, China. The […]

Murder trial starts in South By Southwest fatal crash case

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – An Austin police officer who worked security at last year’s South By Southwest festival on Monday described the chaotic scene when a speeding car plowed into a crowd of people, leaving four dead and more than 20 hurt. Michael Hankemeier was the first witness called by Travis County prosecutors Monday as […]

SeaWorld, Busch Gardens ticket prices increase

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa are increasing their single-day admission prices. Adult admission for both parks rose by $2 to $99 on Monday. Tickets cost $94 for children younger than 10. Discounts are available when purchasing advance tickets online. SeaWorld also announced that parking costs will increase by $1 to […]

Federal jury to settle bitter battle between sweeteners

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Big Sugar and Big Corn face off in court this week in a bitter, multibillion-dollar battle of sweeteners that boils down to a mix of science, semantics and marketing. Jurors in the case between sugar processors and corn manufacturers will take up one of nutrition’s most vexing debates and confront a […]

Florida GOP congressman who clashed with Boehner to retire

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Florida Republican congressman who clashed with former House Speaker John Boehner said Monday that he will not run for re-election next year. Rep. Rich Nugent, part of the tea party wave of GOP lawmakers elected in 2010, cited the amount of time he said the job has forced him to spend […]

E. coli in Northwest marks Chipotle’s 3rd outbreak this year

SEATTLE (AP) – An E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle restaurants in Washington state and Oregon has sickened nearly two dozen people in the third outbreak of foodborne illness at the popular chain this year. Cases of the bacterial illness were traced to six of the fast-casual Mexican food restaurants, but the company voluntarily closed […]

Health law’s 3rd sign-up season faces challenges from prices

WASHINGTON (AP) – The government’s insurance website is faster and easier to use, but as a third sign-up season gets underway, President Barack Obama’s health care law is approaching limits. Enrollment on the federal and state exchanges began Sunday. While the law’s expanded coverage has reduced the uninsured rate to a historic low of about […]

Frustrated Republicans agree on push for debate changes

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican presidential candidates have agreed on a series of demands to give them greater control of debates, as the GOP’s frustrated 2016 class works to inject changes into a nominating process that was supposed to create a smoother path to the White House. The dynamics of the extraordinarily crowded contest, which has […]

Federer still having too much fun to think about retiring

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Like many dads, Roger Federer is talking with his family about how to spend Christmas. But unlike most, the father-of-four has the 2017 holidays on his mind — on the eve of the tennis season when he will turn 36. It is an age few reach while still on tour. Yet […]

Vatican arrests 2 people in latest probe of leaked documents

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A Spanish priest and an Italian laywoman who had served on a financial reform commission set up by Pope Francis have been arrested in the probe into yet another leak of confidential information and documents, the Vatican said Monday. A statement from the Holy See’s press office said that Vatican prosecutors […]