AP-Newswatch

Republicans win 218 US House seats, giving Donald Trump and the party control of government

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on U.S. government alongside President-elect Donald Trump. A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier Wednesday, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority. Republicans earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats. With hard-fought yet thin majorities, Republican leaders are envisioning a mandate to upend the federal government and swiftly implement Trump’s vision for the country.

Gaetz pick shows value Trump places on loyalty — and retribution — as he returns to Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has had few defenders in Congress as reliable as Matt Gaetz. That kinship was rewarded Wednesday when Trump named Gaetz as his pick for attorney general, turning to a conservative loyalist in place of more established lawyers who’d been seen as contenders. In announcing the selection, Trump underscored the premium he places on loyalty, citing Gaetz’s support during the Russia investigation as central to his qualifications and signaling his view that government leaders should function not only as a president’s protector but also as instruments of retribution.

2 Israeli airstrikes hit Syria’s capital and a suburb, killing 15 people, Syrian state media says

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria’s state news agency says Israel has carried out two airstrikes on a western neighborhood of Damascus and one of the capital’s suburbs. At least 15 people have been killed. One of the strikes on Thursday targeted an office of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. Syrian state news agency SANA said that 16 people were also wounded in the airstrikes. SANA said that the airstrikes on the Mazzeh neighborhood in Damascus and the suburb of Qudsaya northwest of the capital struck two buildings. An Associated Press journalist at the scene in Mazzeh said a five-story building was damaged by a missile that hit the basement.

Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones’ Infowars at auction with Sandy Hook families’ backing

The satirical news publication The Onion has bought Alex Jones’ Infowars at a bankruptcy auction with the backing of families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The announcement was made Thursday. Jones owes the families more than $1 billion in defamation judgments for calling the 2012 massacre a hoax. The sale price was not immediately disclosed. The Onion says its “exclusive launch advertiser” will be the gun violence prevention organization Everytown for Gun Safety. Jones criticized the sale and vowed to challenge it in court. Infowars’ website was down Thursday. Jones was defiant and angry on his live broadcast before announcing his show was being shut down and signing off.

Suicides in the US military increased in 2023, continuing a long-term trend

WASHINGTON (AP) — Suicides in the U.S. military increased in 2023, continuing a long-term trend that the Pentagon has struggled to abate. The increase is a bit of a setback after the deaths dipped slightly the previous year. The number of suicides and the rate per 100,000 active-duty service members went up, as did the number of suicides among the Reserves. Suicides in the National Guard decreased a bit. The overall increase comes as top leaders have worked to develop programs both to increase mental health assistance for troops and beef up education on gun safety, locks and storage. The latest figures are in a Defense Department report released on Thursday.

Ford agrees to pay up to $165 million penalty to US government for moving too slowly on a recall

DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. will pay a penalty of up to $165 million to the U.S. government for moving too slowly on a recall and failing to give accurate recall information. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday that the civil penalty is the second-largest in its 54-year history. Only the fine Takata paid for faulty air bag inflators was higher. The agency says Ford was too slow to recall vehicles with faulty rearview cameras, and it failed to give the agency complete information, which is required by the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford said it is committed to continuously improving safety.

New FDA rules for TV drug ads: Simpler language and no distractions

WASHINGTON (AP) — New rules require drugmakers to be clearer about explaining the risks and side effects of prescription drugs. The new guidelines from the the Food and Drug Administration are designed to do away with pharmaceutical industry practices that downplay or distract viewers from risk information. FDA officials spent more than 15 years crafting the rules, which apply to both TV and radio ads. But while regulators were drafting them, a new trend has emerged: pharmaceutical influencers pushing drugs online with little government oversight. A new congressional proposal would compel FDA to police those social media promotions.

Veteran NBC host Craig Melvin tapped to replace Hoda Kotb for the first hours of ‘Today’ show

NEW YORK (AP) — Veteran NBC host and news anchor Craig Melvin has been tapped to replace Hoda Kotb as co-host of the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours of “Today.” Melvin is a familiar face to “Today” show viewers. He currently hosts the show’s third hour and is the news anchor during the first two hours. He will continue hosting the third hour with Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer and Sheinelle Jones. Kotb’s last official day at the show will be Jan. 10. NBC News hasn’t revealed the pick for Kotb’s other role, co-anchoring the 10 a.m. hour, which she does with Jenna Bush Hager.

Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field in Tampa

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 home games at the New York Yankees’ nearby spring training ballpark amid uncertainty about the future of hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field. Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg told The Associated Press that Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is the best fit for the team and its fanbase. At about 11,000 seats, it’s also the largest of the spring training sites in Florida. The Rays’ home since 1998, the domed Tropicana Field, was heavily damaged by Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, with most of its fabric roof shredded. It likely cannot be repaired before the 2026 season.