AP National News

Morgan Wallen tells fans not to defend his racist language

By KRISTIN M. HALL - AP Entertainment Writer

Country star Morgan Wallen has told his fans on social media not to downplay the racist language he was caught saying on camera. The celebrity website TMZ last week posted a video of Wallen saying a racial slur and Wallen apologized at the time. After a week of silence, Wallen posted a longer message on Instagram on Wednesday night. He said there was no reason to downplay what he did and that his actions and his words matter. He said he has accepted invitations to speak to Black organizations and leaders. Radio stations removed his music and streaming services took his songs off their top playlists. His record label suspended him. 

The Latest: Jump in cases worries S. Korea as holiday starts

By The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported 504 new coronavirus cases for the latest 24-hour period. It is the highest daily jump in about two weeks and raising worries about a potential surge as the country begins the Lunar New Year’s holidays. Health officials said Thursday the newly reported cases took the country’s total for the pandemic to 82,434,…

AP-NORC poll: A Third of US Adults Skeptical of COVID Shots

NEW YORK (AP) – About 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s according to a new poll that some experts say is discouraging news if the U.S. hopes to achieve herd immunity and vanquish the outbreak. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while 67% of…

The Latest: N.C. senators OK bill to force schools to reopen

By The Associated Press

RALEIGH, North Carolina — North Carolina state senators have approved a bill that would require K-12 public schools to reopen with at least partial in-person instruction for the state’s 1.5 million pupils. The bill passed 29-15 on Tuesday and moved to the House. Gov. Roy Cooper opposes the measure. He favors local control for deciding on school reopening. Supporters of…