AP-Newswatch

Trump recommits to a Sept. 10 debate at news conference and lashes out at Harris

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump has given an hourlong news conference in which he recommitted to debating Vice President Kamala Harris and taunted her. Trump also repeated old falsehoods and lashed out at questions about the enthusiasm her campaign is receiving. As he addressed reporters at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, ABC announced that Trump and Harris have agreed to a Sept. 10 presidential debate. In taking more than a dozen questions from reporters, Trump tried to draw a contrast with Harris, who has not held a news conference since she became the likely Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race.

Harris and Walz are showing their support for organized labor with appearance at Detroit union hall

WAYNE, Mich. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are showing their support for organized labor by appearing at a Detroit-area union hall. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and Walz are set to speak Thursday to several dozen United Auto Workers members. Harris and Walz are making joint campaign appearances this week in some of the most closely contested states that will decide the November election against Republican Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. Michigan is one of those states and organized labor is a crucial base of support for Democrats.

Walz’s military record under scrutiny as Vance, GOP question his service

CINCINNATI (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s military record has come under scrutiny since he was named as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket. Republicans are questioning both Walz’s characterization of his time in uniform and his departure from service. Walz served a total of 24 years in the Army National Guard before retiring in 2005. As he ramped up for a congressional bid in 2005, Walz’s campaign in March issued a statement saying he still planned to run despite a possible mobilization of Minnesota National Guard soldiers to Iraq. Walz retired from service in May of that year, according to the Guard. A mobilization order for his unit was issued in August 2005. The unit mobilized in October and was deployed to Iraq in March 2006.

Tropical Storm Debby spins up tornadoes, dumps rain in North Carolina

LUCAMA, N.C. (AP) — Tornadoes spawned by Tropical Storm Debby have leveled homes, damaged a school and killed one person. At least three tornadoes were reported overnight in North Carolina. Perhaps the worst has been in Lucama, a small town about 40 miles east of Raleigh. A person was found dead in a home damaged by the tornado. Other residents recounted hunkering down in their homes as the tornado ripped through overnight. Businesses about 100 miles away in the small town of Bladenboro flooded from heavy rains from Debby. The tropical storm made landfall in South Carolina early Thursday morning.

COVID-stricken Noah Lyles finishes 3rd in 200 meters won by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles lost the Olympic 200 meters, falling to Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, then being tended to by medics who carted him off the track in a wheelchair. Later, wearing a mask as he spoke with reporters, Lyles said he had COVID. After crossing the line third, Lyles fell to his back and writhed around in pain, staying down for nearly 30 seconds before getting up, asking for water and getting to the wheelchair. It’s the second straight Olympics the virus has played a major role in Lyles’ trip to the Games. He also won the bronze in the Tokyo Olympics.

Suspects in foiled attack on Taylor Swift shows were inspired by Islamic State group, officials say

VIENNA (AP) — Austrian authorities say both suspects in a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift shows in Vienna appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. They said Thursday that investigators found bomb-making materials at one of their homes. Officials said one of the two confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.” Three sold-out concerts were canceled a day earlier because of the plot, devastating Swifties from across the globe, many of whom had dropped thousands of euros (dollars) on travel and lodging to attend the Eras Tour shows.

DNA on weapons implicates ex-U.S. Green Beret in attempted Venezuelan coup, federal officials say

MIAMI (AP) — Federal investigators say they have uncovered the DNA of a former U.S. Green Beret on some of the 60 automatic weapons he allegedly smuggled from Florida to South America as part of a failed 2020 coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The allegations in court papers filed days after Jordan Goudreau’s arrest last week marked the strongest evidence yet linking him to illegal arms trafficking related to the failed raid. The attempted coup ended with several fighters killed and two of Goudreau’s former U.S. Special Forces colleagues locked away for years in Venezuela.

How horses at the Spirit Horse Ranch help Maui wildfire survivors process their grief

KANAIO, Hawaii (AP) — One year after the Maui fires, thousands of residents struggle with grieving the losses of loved ones and generational homes. They are haunted by their traumatic escapes and even by the guilt of surviving. They’ve endured months of instability — switching hotel rooms, schools and jobs. More than 1,500 families have left Maui, forced to start over thousands of miles from home. And many are just beginning to confront their grief. Some, however, are enjoying moments of relief, thanks to an equine-assisted therapy program at the Spirit Horse Ranch in Kanaio, Hawaii.

Third person dies in listeria outbreak tied to Boar’s Head deli meats

Federal food safety officials say three people have now died in a listeria food poisoning outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats. The overall number of people sickened has risen to 43. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release Thursday that the additional death happened in Virginia. The other two deaths were in New Jersey and Illinois. The CDC also said nine more cases were reported since a July 31 release about the outbreak, which started in late May. Boar’s Head recalled 7 million pounds of deli meats on July 30.

White Sox fire manager Pedro Grifol after end of 21-game losing streak that tied AL record

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have fired manager Pedro Grifol, two days after the team ended a 21-game losing streak that tied the American League record. The White Sox began Thursday 28-89. They ended the losing streak with a 5-1 victory at Oakland on Tuesday night, then wasted a two-run lead in a 3-2 loss on Wednesday. White Sox general manager Chris Getz said the team’s “performance this season has been disappointing on many levels.” Major league coach Grady Sizemore will take over as interim manager. Chicago also fired bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third base coach Eddie Rodriguez and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar.