National News

Sessions Challenges Tuberville to Debate

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Jeff Sessions on Tuesday challenged Tommy Tuberville to a series of five debates ahead of their July runoff in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. “It is time for you to stop running away, and face me and the voters of Alabama,” Sessions wrote in the challenge to Tuberville. Sessions is trying to reclaim the seat…

Smaller Classes, Online Reservations New Norm As Gyms Reopen

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – Big box gyms and local fitness studios are reopening under a patchwork of protocols based on state and local guidance, and others are following basic protocols. including: spacing out cardio machines, using touchless entry, reducing class sizes, and requiring users to clean equipment before and after each use. Even though gym users are required to…

Sessions, Running for Senate, rejects Trump’s criticism

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Jeff Sessions is pushing back at President Donald Trump’s criticism, telling Trump that he was “damn fortunate” Sessions recused himself from the Russian investigation. Sessions responded pointedly on Twitter after Trump called Sessions untrustworthy and reiterated his endorsement of Sessions’ Republican primary rival for U.S. Senate, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville. “Look, I know…

President Trump Deems Churches ‘Essential,’ Calls for Them to Reopen

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that he has deemed churches and other houses of worship “essential” and called on governors across the country to allow them to reopen this weekend, even as some parts of the nation remain under Coronavirus lockdown. “Today I’m identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential places that…

Alabama Lawyer Named to Federal Bench

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s solicitor general has been nominated to serve as a judge on the federal bench. President Donald Trump named Edmund G. LaCour Jr. to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District, The White House announced in a news release Wednesday. Before joining the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in 2018, LaCour was…

Johnson & Johnson Set To Discontinue Talc-Based Baby Powder in North America

Consumer giant Johnson & Johnson has announced it will soon be removing talc-containing baby powder from store shelves. The move comes after numerous lawsuits against the company from women who say they developed ovarian cancer after using the product. “Yesterday, J&J took a step in the right direction,” Ted Meadows of the Beasley Allen Law Firm said. Only the United…

Fred Willard, The Comedic Improv-Style Actor, Has Died at 86

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fred Willard, the comedic actor whose improv style kept him relevant for more than 50 years in films like “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best In Show” and “Anchorman,” has died. He was 86. Willard’s daughter, Hope Mulbarger, said in a statement Saturday that her father died peacefully Friday night. The cause of his death has not…

Jay-Z’s Team Roc Calls for Fast Action in Ahmaud Arbery Case

ATLANTA (AP) – The social justice arm of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation entertainment company is calling on Georgia officials to take quick action in the case of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who authorities said was killed by two white men as he ran through a Georgia neighborhood. Musicians Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Alicia Keys, Mario “Yo Gotti” Mims, and others signed…

Rock and Roll Pioneer Little Richard Dies at 87

(AP Photo/Michele Limina) Rock and roll pioneer “Little Richard” Penniman died this morning. He was 87 years old. The cause of death hasn’t been released. Little Richard’s piercing wail, pounding piano and towering pompadour helped introduce black R&B to white America. Little Richard, who was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1932, was one of rock ‘n’ roll’s founding fathers who…

Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy dies from coronavirus at 75

Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy, the duo whose extraordinary magic tricks astonished millions until Horn was critically injured in 2003 by one of the act’s famed white tigers, has died. He was 75. Horn died of complications from the coronavirus on Friday in a Las Vegas hospital, according to a statement released by publicist Dave Kirvin. “Today, the world…