By TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A group of Tennesseans who say they were intimidated into not voting in a primary election or were threatened with prosecution after they did vote have filed a challenge to two state laws that require primary voters to be “bona fide” members of the party they vote for. The laws are intended to discourage so-called crossover voting, where members of one party vote in another party’s primary in order to interfere. The lawsuit claims they actually intimidate otherwise legitimate voters from exercising their constitutional rights. Tennessee ..read more

By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Defense attorneys for a woman charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend are ramping up efforts to show that she was framed. Attorneys for Karen Read want to show that investigators were biased because of relationships with the owner of the house outside of which Officer John O’Keefe’s body was found. Karen Read has been charged with second-degree murder and other charges. Prosecutors say Read struck O’Keefe with an SUV in January 2022 and left him for dead in a snowbank. Read has pleaded not guilty. The post A woman accused of kill ..read more

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Ava Decker just turned 13 years old in Santa Barbara and her life is uniquely focused towards other kids who are facing a battle with cancer, just like she is. Her case was diagnosed in December of 2022. The bone cancer, osteosarcoma, is rare and is detected in children during their growing years. She’s had chemotherapy treatments, and a tumor removed at the UCLA medical centers in Santa Monica and Westwood. The cancer, however, has spread. At home, bundled up in a blanket, she said her goal is to raise funds to help other children with cancer and to assist their famil ..read more

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Prices in Argentina have surged so dramatically in recent months that the government has multiplied the size of its biggest bank note by five — to 10,000 pesos, worth about $10. The central bank announcement Tuesday promised to lighten the load for many Argentines who must carry around giant bags of cash for even the simplest transactions as prices rise and pesos lose value. Argentina’s annual inflation rate reached a staggering 287% in March, among the highest in the world. Across Argentina, hard currency — specifically, the country’s 1,000-peso note, worth some ..read more

By TARA COPP Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel over concerns that the country has not adequately taken civilian safety into account in its upcoming military operation in Rafah, and that the massive weapon would inflict additional civilian casualties. At a Senate hearing Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the bombs were on hold and that a smaller diameter bomb may be a better choice to conduct limited strikes on Hamas fighters still in Rafah. The post Why the US paused the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel ahead of ..read more

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Xavier University’s pick to deliver its undergraduate commencement address has sparked criticism among students who oppose past positions by the U.S. on the war in Gaza. The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reports U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. Saturday to graduates of Xavier’s College of Arts and Sciences. But soon after news of her appearance spread, students asked the administration to cancel her speech and created an online petition calling for the same, citing vetoes by the U.S. on three ceasefire re ..read more

GOLETA, Calif. – The City of Goleta announced its city facilities will move to 100% renewable energy. The City provided more information in the following press release: GOLETA, CA, May 8, 2024 – The City of Goleta is poised to meet and exceed municipal renewable energy goals earlier than expected following action by the Goleta City Council.  Last night, May 7th, the Council unanimously approved moving to powering all City facilities with 100% clean, renewable energy through the City’s Community Choice Aggregator Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), starting in July.  "Mo ..read more

By Alli Rosenbloom, CNN (CNN) — Kim Kardashian’s eldest daughter North West is heading to the Pride Lands as the latest performer to join the live concert production of “The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl.” West, according to a news release sent on Wednesday, will be performing alongside Broadway star Heather Headley – who originated the role of Nala in the 1998 “Lion King” Broadway production – Grammy winner Lebo M., and previously announced “Lion King” franchise performers Billy Eichner, Jeremy Irons, Bradley Gibson and Nathan Lane. Jennifer Hudson is also set to appear as a special guest ..read more

By Tim Mosier Click here for updates on this story     VAN BUREN COUNTY, Michigan (WBND-LD) — A man was trapped in his own burning bed in Van Buren County early Tuesday morning before a Van Buren County Sergeant was able to kick the door of his residence in, locate the man, and carry him from the smoldering bed to safety. Authorities say that the call came in around 2:30 a.m. on May 7 when a homeowner in the 50000 block of 29 1/2 Street in Antwerp Township, called 911 to report that he was in bed, the bed was on fire, and that he was unable to get himself off the bed and in ..read more

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Girsh Park announced it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. The park provided more information in the following press release: Goleta, CA - May 23, 2024 will mark a significant milestone as Girsh Park proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary. Opened to the public in May 1999, Girsh Park embarked on a revolutionary journey being owned and operated by a private, non-profit foundation, challenging the traditional norms of public park ownership and management. In the face of skepticism, The Foundation for Girsh Park dared to break the mold and crafted a unique ..read more