US commander: More US, coalition forces likely to fight IS

WASHINGTON (AP) – There is a “good potential” that more U.S. and coalition forces will be needed to fight the Islamic State group, the top commander of military operations in Iraq and Syria said Monday. Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland told Pentagon reporters that he is working on ways to increase pressure on the Islamic […]

Price tag for Biden cancer ‘moonshot’ at $1B in Obama budget

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama will ask Congress for $755 million for cancer research in his upcoming budget, the White House said Monday, bringing the total price tag for Vice President Joe Biden’s cancer “moonshot” to $1 billion. Research into immunotherapy, combination therapy and early detection techniques will be at the center of new […]

Strip clubs team up with authorities to bust sex traffickers

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Dwayne Angebrandt wasn’t all that surprised when his bosses at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security asked their expert on sex trafficking to put together a public presentation on how to spot its signs. What really took him aback was the audience he was asked to deliver it to: a group […]

Police say Chicago homicides climbed dramatically in January

CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago police are reporting a dramatic spike in the number of homicides and shootings in the city’s bloodiest January for at least 16 years. It’s another blow to a department that has struggled to regain public trust following the damning release of a video showing an officer fatally shooting a teenager. In statistics […]

Man accused of ‘looking to kill a cop’ charged with murder

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (AP) – A man whose ex-girlfriend told police he left her house “looking to kill a cop” was indicted Monday in last month’s fatal shooting of an officer and could face the death penalty if convicted, prosecutors said. The 10-count indictment issued in Knox County included charges of aggravated murder against 32-year-old […]

Man shot by Florida deputy concedes his testimony changed

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – A 22-year-old man conceded Monday that his testimony has changed about where on his body he was shot by a sheriff’s deputy and left paralyzed, and the deputy stood by his decision. Dontrelle Stephens told a federal jury under cross-examination that he testified during a 2014 deposition that he was […]

Airlines restore tiny perks, like pretzels, to pacify fliers

NEW YORK (AP) – After 15 years of near austerity, U.S. airlines are restoring some small perks for passengers crammed into coach. Don’t expect ample legroom or free checked bags. But fliers will find improved snacks, a larger selection of free movies and – on a few select routes – the return of free meals. […]

CDC says Chipotle-linked outbreak of E. coli appears over

WASHINGTON (AP) – The federal agency that monitors public health says the outbreak of E. coli illness linked to Chipotle restaurants that sickened 60 people appears to be over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday the most recent illness reported to the agency started on Dec. 1. Although the CDC closed its […]

Mr. Food: Raspberry streusel muffins

What You’ll Need: 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted butter 1/2 cup milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup fresh raspberries What To Do: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. […]

Va Tech students get lawyers as police probe teen’s death

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) – Two Virginia Tech students charged in the death of a 13-year-old girl who apparently climbed out her bedroom window obtained lawyers and appeared in court on Monday, but the events that led to her killing remained a mystery. David Eisenhauer, 18, has been charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the […]