Founded in 1846, the Associated Press (AP) is a global, independent news organization committed to delivering unbiased, factual reporting. AP’s news reaches over half the world’s population daily, maintaining its position as a leading source for accurate and timely information. The organization provides essential technology and services to the news industry, solidifying its role as a trusted provider across all media formats. This commitment to quality and global reach ensures AP’s continued relevance in the ever-evolving news landscape.
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Elon Musk’s speech at Donald Trump’s inauguration has been edited to remove a gesture that resembled a Nazi salute. The altered video, posted on X, omits the hand motion that occurred twice during his remarks praising Trump’s Mars colonization plans. The unedited footage, widely circulated online and shown on major news networks, sparked considerable controversy and speculation regarding Musk’s intentions. Musk himself has not commented on the alteration.
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The Department of Labor announced three settlements this week involving child labor violations at meatpacking plants, totaling over $8 million in penalties. These agreements, with QSI, Perdue Farms, and JBS Foods, follow a pattern of underage workers being employed in dangerous conditions, often by cleaning contractors. While companies like QSI dispute the findings, the Labor Department emphasizes the responsibility of all entities in the supply chain to prevent child labor exploitation. This recent flurry of settlements underscores the ongoing problem and the administration’s commitment to combating it, while also highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
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In Alabama and Mississippi, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is jointly observed with Robert E. Lee Day, a legacy from early 20th-century state legislation honoring Confederate leaders. This juxtaposition of figures with opposing legacies persists despite repeated legislative efforts by Black lawmakers in both states to separate the holidays. Recent attempts to either remove Lee’s recognition or reschedule his observance have failed to gain sufficient support. While other Southern states have removed or altered similar Confederate holidays, Alabama and Mississippi remain the only two states that continue this practice.
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Cecile Richards, former Planned Parenthood president and prominent feminist activist, passed away at age 67 from brain cancer. A lifelong advocate for reproductive rights, Richards remained politically active even after her diagnosis, actively campaigning for Democratic candidates and working to expand access to abortion after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Her career spanned decades of activism, including leadership roles at Planned Parenthood and co-founding Supermajority. Richards’ legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to women’s health and reproductive freedom.
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A 19-year-old Menasha man was arrested and is facing arson charges for allegedly setting fire to the Fond du Lac office of U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman early Sunday morning. The fire was contained by police before firefighters arrived, and no injuries resulted. The suspect reportedly confessed to starting the fire in response to discussions surrounding a TikTok ban. The investigation is ongoing.
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A 19-year-old Menasha resident was arrested and faces arson charges for a fire at Representative Glenn Grothman’s office early Sunday morning. The suspect allegedly confessed to starting the fire in protest of proposed TikTok bans. Fortunately, no injuries occurred as the office was unoccupied at the time. The incident remains under investigation by local police and fire departments.
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Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled that Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri can proceed with a lawsuit aiming to restrict access to mifepristone. The states seek to limit telehealth prescriptions, shorten the gestational limit for use, and mandate in-person visits, arguing these measures are necessary to uphold state abortion laws. The ACLU criticized the decision, viewing it as an attack on medication abortion. This case follows a previous ruling by Kacsmaryk against mifepristone and comes amidst ongoing efforts by multiple states to further restrict access to abortion pills. The outcome could significantly impact abortion access nationwide.
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Oxfam’s latest inequality report reveals the world’s billionaires earned an average of $3.2 million daily in 2023, with the top ten exceeding $150 million daily. This extreme wealth accumulation, totaling a $3 trillion increase globally, far outpaces the growth of average incomes and highlights the widening gap between the rich and poor. The report, released during the World Economic Forum in Davos, criticizes the disproportionate influence of wealthy nations in global financial institutions and argues that historical colonialism continues to fuel this inequality. Oxfam advocates for wealth taxes as a means to address this disparity, suggesting even a small tax on the ultra-wealthy could significantly benefit the public.
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Laura Caron, a 34-year-old elementary school teacher, was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from a relationship with a former student that began when he was 11 and resulted in a child born in 2019. The investigation was initiated following a Facebook post by the victim’s father and corroborated by statements from the victim’s siblings. Caron is currently being held without bail, and the Middle Township School District has placed her on paid administrative leave.
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John Q. Hosedrinker