WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s economy slowed sharply last quarter to a 1.6% annual pace in the face of high interest rates, but consumers — the main driver of economic growth — kept spending at a solid pace. The gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods and services — decelerated from its brisk 3.4% growth rate in the final three months of 2023. A surge in imports, which are subtracted from GDP, reduced first-quarter growth by nearly 1 percentage point. Growth was also held back by businesses reducing their inventories. Both those categories tend to fluctuate sharply from ..read more

Authorities detain a protester on the campus of Emory University during a pro-Palestinian demonstration, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Associated Press) – The University of Southern California has canceled its main stage graduation ceremony under new safety measures being taken as the campus is roiled by protests stemming from the Israel-Hamas war. The university announced the move Thursday, the day after more than 90 protesters were arrested on campus. College officials across the U.S. are worried that ongoing campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war could ..read more

FILE - A sign for the Chipotle restaurant in Pittsburgh's Market Square is pictured Feb. 8, 2016. Last week, the Newport Beach, California-based Mexican chain asked its U.S. and Canadian employees to temporarily select another protein option for their meals to preserve its supply of chicken. But the chain said Thursday, April 25, 2024, that employees can go back to eating chicken again. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File) (Associated Press) – Chipotle says its employees can choose chicken again. Last week, the chain asked its U.S. and Canadian employees to temporarily select another protein for th ..read more

Alpha Media Library NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. births fell last year. It was the lowest count in more than 40 years. A little under 3.6 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2023, about 76,000 fewer than the year before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the provisional statistics on Thursday. Birth rates have long been falling for teenagers and younger women, but rising for women in their 30s and 40s. But last year, birth rates fell for all women younger than 40, and were flat for women in their 40s ..read more

FILE - The Marshall Steam Station coal power plant operates March 3, 2024, near Mooresville, N.C. A rule issued April 24, 2024, by the Environmental Protection Agency would force power plants fueled by coal or natural gas to capture smokestack emissions or shut down. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan says new rules that would force power plants fueled by coal or natural gas to capture smokestack emissions or shut down are targeting pollution that’s “pushing our planet to the brink.” The new limits unveiled Thursday on g ..read more

Harvey Weinstein arrives at a Manhattan courthouse as jury deliberations continue in his rape trial, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s highest court has overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial. The Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the judge at the disgraced movie mogul’s landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced him with improper rulings, including by letting women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case. The 72-year-old Weinstein is serving a 23-year sentence in New York. He’ll remain imprisoned b ..read more

The 40-yard line marker inside Cook Pavillion at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (Photo by Jeff Motz/KFOR Sports) LINCOLN–(NU Athletics Apr. 25)–Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule met with the media following Thursday’s practice. He spoke on his mindset about playing real football during the spring game and why he organizes it like that. “I just think it’s playing football, and we’re 5-7. I’ve said that from day one. We’re 5-7, we have to earn everything we get. I’ve never not done this. I think for a lot of our young players, what an unbelievable opportunity. They haven’t played in M ..read more

Lincoln Police cruiser. (Jeff Motz/KFOR News) LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 25)–A fight at Lincoln High Thursday resulted in one student allegedly stabbing another student. According to Lincoln Police, an LPD school resource officer called for backup around 12pm because of a fight, where two male students, 14 and 15-years-old, were fighting when the 14-year-old showed a knife and stabbed the 15-year-old in the arms and chest. Police say the school resource officer provided first aid to one of the students on the scene and other officers responded to a local urgent care about a patient that was stabbed. I ..read more

Photo courtesy of Jeff Motz/KFOR News. LINCOLN–(News Release Apr. 25)–Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and community representatives today announced plans to repurpose unspent funds from the City of Lincoln’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to address critical workforce needs and enhance childcare services in the community. “Together with our partners, we are using our American Rescue Plan funds to double down on key workforce needs in our community – and lift up the lives of our residents by increasing their economic mobility,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. Since ARPA funds were made ..read more

Governor Jim Pillen-(R)-Nebraska. (Courtesy of Governor's Office) LINCOLN–(KFOR Apr. 25)–Gov. Jim Pillen on Wednesday signed LB 1402, which provides the state a workaround to the “school choice” law, LB 753, that is already going to appear as a ballot initiative for Nebraska voters in November. Support Our Schools Nebraska submitted nearly double the amount of required signatures to put the issue in front of voters. Passed last year, LB753, known as the Opportunity Scholarships Act, diverted public funds to private schools by way of scholarships; LB1402 eliminates LB753 and instead allows the ..read more