US stocks rise as energy stocks rally following big slump

NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. stocks are closing higher, led by a rebound in oil and gas companies as energy prices recovered from a steep drop the day before. Many of the top gainers in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index Thursday were energy companies. Consol Energy and Southwestern Energy each soared 19 percent. Railroad […]

Court orders return of $1.6 million in oil spill claim money

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – A federal court has ordered repayment of more than $1.6 million in claim money paid to an Alabama couple’s business after BP’s 2010 Gulf Oil Spill. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier’s order says the payment to Vision Design Management “was nearly entirely based on fraud.” The ruling issued this week identifies […]

LCSO flooded with calls of residents reporting IRS scam

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Hundreds of residents are reporting they’ve received calls from scammers pretending to be from the IRS, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said on Thursday. LCSO’s Fraud Line has received nearly 400 phone calls from residents within the last 36 hours. The sheriff’s office says it received about 7,000 calls in 2015 regarding the scam. […]

Florida may penalize those who don’t enforce immigration law

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida could penalize cities, counties and sheriffs who don’t fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. A House panel on Thursday voted along party lines for a sweeping measure sponsored by Rep. Larry Metz. The measure heads next to the full House for a vote. Metz says he sponsored the bill (HB […]

UK judge: Putin probably approved plan to poison ex-spy

LONDON (AP) – President Vladimir Putin probably approved a plan by Russia’s FSB security service to kill a former agent-turned-Kremlin critic who died after drinking tea laced with radioactive poison, a British judge said Thursday in a strongly worded report that led Moscow to accuse Britain of a politically motivated attack. Judge Robert Owen, who […]

US announces plan for new visa rules for some Europeans

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is easing new visa requirements for certain European travelers who have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan in the last five years, a move certain to anger some in Congress who pushed for new travel restrictions. The announcement by the Homeland Security and State departments comes as the administration […]

Amazon offering hoverboard refunds

(CNN Money)- Amazon is now offering full refunds on any hoverboards sold on the site, including in the U.S. and Canada. The refunds are a response to the rash of fires and falls that have plagued the popular two-wheeled balance boards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission praised Amazon’s decision on Wednesday and said it expects […]

Bills owner credits Kathryn Smith for earning her promotion

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula congratulated Kathryn Smith for becoming the NFL’s first full-time female assistant coach by saying she earned the promotion. “Kathryn has been a part of Rex (Ryan’s) staff for the past seven years and has proven that she does excellent work,” Pegula said in a statement released […]

Mr. Food: Shortcut Amish friendship bread

What You’ll Need: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (4-serving-size) package instant vanilla pudding mix 1 1/4 cups milk 1 cup vegetable oil 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract What To Do: Preheat oven to […]