AP-Newswatch

Senate labors to prevent a government shutdown as Democrats divide before the midnight deadline

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is nearing a key test vote as lawmakers work to avoid a partial government shutdown with just hours to spare. At least eight Democrats will need to join with Republicans to get to a 60-vote threshold and advance the measure forward. Democrats confront two painful options Friday as a midnight deadline looms. They can allow passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions. Or they can vote no and let funding lapse. The top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer, said Democrats really didn’t have a choice because a shutdown would have far worse consequences for Americans. 

More than 50 universities face federal investigations as part of Trump’s anti-DEI campaign

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs his officials say exclude white and Asian American students. The Education Department announced the new investigations Friday, a month after issuing a memo warning schools and colleges they could lose federal money over “race-based preferences” in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life. Most of the inquiries focus on colleges’ partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business. The PhD Project hasn’t responded to a message seeking comment.

The Justice Department is investigating whether Columbia University hid students sought by US

NEW YORK (AP) — A top U.S. Justice Department official says the department is investigating whether Columbia University concealed “illegal aliens” on its campus. Agents with the Department of Homeland Security searched two university residences with a warrant Thursday evening. No one was arrested, and it was unclear whom the authorities were searching for. But by Friday afternoon U.S. officials had announced developments related to two people they had pursued in connection with the demonstrations. A Columbia doctoral student from India whose visa was revoked by the Trump administration fled the U.S. on an airliner. And a Palestinian woman who had been arrested during the protests at the university last April was arrested by federal immigration authorities in Newark, New Jersey.

USPS agrees to work with DOGE on reform, planning to cut 10,000 workers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has agreed to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the U.S. Postal Service budget. He’ll do that working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. A letter sent to members of Congress on Thursday says DOGE will assist the U.S. Postal Service with addressing “big problems” at the agency. USPS has sometimes struggled in recent years to stay afloat. The agency listed such issues as mismanagement of the agency’s retirement assets and Workers’ Compensation Program. USPS employs about 640,000 workers. 

Big March storm system threatens US with tornadoes, blizzards and wildfire risk

A sweeping storm system moving across the U.S. threatens to bring tornadoes, blizzards and possibly wildfires to different regions of the country. The National Weather Service says an outbreak of severe storms ramping up Friday afternoon could spawn tornadoes, with the greatest risk in Missouri and Illinois as well as portions of Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Heavy snow and high winds in the Great Plains could make travel treacherous in the Dakotas and parts of Minnesota. Forecasters say strong winds and warm, dry weather farther south pose a critical risk of wildfires in northwest Texas, Oklahoma and a portion of southeast Kansas. Tornado threats will push into the South on Saturday.

Hamas says it will release a US-Israeli hostage and 4 bodies, but Israel expresses immediate doubt

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas says it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual nationals who had died in captivity. The militant group didn’t immediately specify Friday when the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four bodies would occur or what it expected to receive in return. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office immediately cast doubt on the offer. The office accused Hamas of using manipulation to sabotage the ongoing talks in Qatar on the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Its first phase ended two weeks ago.

Hip-hop artist Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleads not guilty ahead of May sex trafficking trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has returned to federal court in New York City to face the latest iteration of an indictment charging him with two decades of sex trafficking crimes. The 55-year-old Combs stood as he pleaded not guilty Friday. He has been held without bail since his September arrest. His trial is scheduled for May 5 and lawyers came to court Friday to work out some of the details of how that trial will be conducted. Judge Arun Subramanian said questionnaires will be distributed to prospective jurors in late April with would-be jurors being interviewed in court starting May 5. Opening statements will begin the week after.

Aircraft catches fire after landing in Denver, sending passengers onto wing as smoke engulfs plane

DENVER (AP) — A fire on an American Airlines plane after it diverted mid-flight and landed at Denver International Airport sent fleeing passengers to a wing amid billowing smoke. Airport officials say 12 people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries. The incident Thursday is the latest in a spate of aviation disasters and close calls stoking fears about air travel, though flying remains a very safe mode of transport. The Federal Aviation Administration says Flight 1006 was headed from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth but diverted to Denver after the crew reported engine vibrations. The FAA says that while taxiing to the gate, an engine caught fire. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

Gold rises to new heights as anxiety grips markets. Here’s what you need to know

NEW YORK (AP) — Amid widespread economic turmoil, the price of gold has soared to another record high. Gold futures surpassed the $3,000 per troy ounce mark for the first time this week, per FactSet. And the cost of New York spot isn’t far behind — closing at about $2,988 Thursday. Interest in buying gold often comes at times of uncertainty, as some anxious investors look for alternative places to park their money. If trends continue, analysts say gold’s price could continue to climb in the months ahead. But precious metals are also volatile assets — and so the future is never promised.