AP National News

Prototype of first US dollar coins going up for auction

SHAWN MARSH

A piece of copper that was struck by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia in 1794 and was a prototype for the fledgling nation’s money will go up for auction Friday. Businessman and Texas Rangers co-chairman Bob Simpson owns the item, which is known as the “No Stars Flowing Hair Dollar.” While it closely resembles silver dollars that were later minted in Philadelphia, it gets its name because it is missing stars. Simpson says the pattern was part of a large collection that he purchased in 2008. Heritage Auctions estimates the prototype will sell for between $350,000 and $500,000 when it goes on the block online in Dallas on Friday.

The Latest: New Mexico preparing for ‘vaccine hesitancy’

By The Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico health officials say they are preparing to respond to pockets of vaccine hesitancy in some communities as overall interest increases in receiving the vaccine for COVID-19. State Health Secretary Tracie Collins said Wednesday that statistics on those trends are being reviewed this week. New Mexico is among the top states for immunization rates with…

Man pumping gas at convenience store killed, shooter dead

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM - Associated Press

Authorities say a gunman took his own life after fatally shooting a man who was pumping gas and wounding another person at a convenience store in eastern Pennsylvania. Officials were trying to determine a motive for the shooting on Wednesday at the Wawa store in Upper Macungie Township. Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin says a man fatally shot a truck driver pumping gas, and shot and wounded the driver of a Jeep. Martin says the gunman then killed himself. The same man shot out of his moving car at the vehicle of another woman before he arrived at the Wawa. She was not injured.

The Latest: Elation and wariness after verdict in Floyd case

AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on the murder trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd (all times local): 9 p.m. Crowds nationwide are reacting with jubilation but also with deep awareness of the progress left to be made after a jury convicted former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin of murder in the killing…

The Latest: Hawaii eases virus rules for inter-island travel

By The Associated Press

HONOLULU — Hawaii officials are moving forward with a plan to allow people who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to skip pre-travel testing and quarantine requirements for flights between islands. The rule, for now, is only for people who have received vaccinations in Hawaii and for travel within the state. The plan does not change anyone’s ability to…