February 2023

Winter storms ravage US from California to northern plains

(AP) — Dangerous winter weather trapped drivers on icy roads, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands and grounded multiple flights from California through the northern Plains on Thursday.

Dems consider break with tradition to get Biden more judges

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even as Democrats celebrated the 100th judicial confirmation of Joe Biden’s presidency, they are clamoring for more — and some are flirting with ending a century-long Senate practice to help make it happen.

US revises down last quarter’s economic growth to 2.7 percent rate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.7 percent annual rate from October through December, a solid showing despite rising interest rates and elevated inflation, the government said Thursday in a downgrade from its initial estimate.

Toxic wastewater from Ohio train derailment headed to Texas

DEER PARK, Texas (AP) — Toxic wastewater used to extinguish a fire following a train derailment in Ohio is headed to a Houston suburb for disposal.

Buttigieg visits East Palestine, Ohio derailment site

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited East Palestine, Ohio, on Thursday to tour the site where a train wrecked nearly three weeks ago as the government faces growing criticism over the federal response to the derailment.

Alex Murdaugh testifies in his own defense at murder trial

(AP) — Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh took the stand in his own defense at his double murder trial Thursday to present his version of events.

Authorities: TV reporter, girl fatally shot in Florida

(AP) — A central Florida television journalist and a little girl were fatally shot Wednesday afternoon near the scene of a fatal shooting from earlier in the day, authorities said.

Holmes scores 22, Dayton downs UMass 72-54

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Daron Holmes scored 22 points as Dayton beat UMass 72-54 on Wednesday night.

‘No criminal conduct’ found in Mississippi police shooting

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi grand jury has found “no criminal conduct” by a law enforcement officer who fatally shot a Black teenager last fall outside a discount store in Gulfport, state Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced Wednesday An officer shot 15-yearold Jaheim McMillan in the head Oct. 6 after Gulfport police pulled over a car carrying the teen and other minors. McMillan, a Gulfport High School freshman, died two days later at a hospital in Mobile, Alabama.

Flights canceled, highways closed as winter storm wallops US

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A brutal winter storm closed interstate highways from Arizona to Wyoming Wednesday, trapped drivers in cars, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people and prompted the first blizzard warning in Southern California in decades — and the worst won’t be over for several days.