February 9, 2026 5:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading U.S. health official is urging people to get inoculated against the measles at a time of outbreaks across several states. The appeal is from Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator. And it comes as the United States is at risk of losing its measles elimination status and as Oz’s boss, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has raised suspicion about the safety and importance of vaccines. Oz was interviewed Sunday on CNN and he said, “Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem.”
February 8, 2026 5:16 am
MIAMI (AP) — Prolonged detention has become more common in President Donald Trump’s second term, at least partly because a new policy generally prohibits immigration judges from releasing detainees while their deportation cases wind through backlogged courts. The number of people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention has topped 70,000 for the first time. The agency said there were 7,252 people in custody at least six months in mid-January, including 79 held for more than two years. That’s more than double the 2,849 who were in ICE custody at least six months in December 2024, the last full month of Joe Biden’s presidency.
February 8, 2026 5:15 am
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a political crisis as he tries to persuade Labour Party lawmakers not to oust him. Starmer lost his chief of staff on Sunday and is losing support after revelations about former British ambassador Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer fired Mandelson in September after emails showed he maintained a friendship with Epstein. Critics say Starmer should have known better than to appoint Mandelson. Police are investigating Mandelson for potential misconduct. Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned, taking responsibility for the appointment. Some hope his departure will allow Starmer to rebuild trust.
February 9, 2026 5:14 am
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Super Bowl 60 was a star-studded event with Chris Pratt and Jon Bon Jovi introducing the teams. Bad Bunny’s halftime show celebrated Puerto Rican culture with appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. The performance featured Puerto Rican imagery and a real-life wedding. Green Day delivered a tribute to the NFL championship’s 60th anniversary with a mix of hits. Brandi Carlile and Charlie Puth performed patriotic songs, while Coco Jones opened with “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Celebrities like Travis Scott, JAY-Z and Brad Pitt were spotted at Levi’s Stadium, adding to the excitement of the event.
February 8, 2026 8:27 am
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Savannah Guthrie has told the potential kidnappers of her mother Nancy Guthrie that the family is prepared to pay for her safe return. The “Today” show host appeared in a video on Instagram on Saturday while flanked by her two siblings. She said: “We received your message and we understand. … This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.” The FBI says Savannah Guthrie was referencing a message that was sent to the Tucson television station KOLD on Friday. The frantic search for the 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has entered a seventh day. Authorities have not identified any suspects or ruled anyone out.
February 8, 2026 8:13 am
Approximately 95,000 Pennsylvania American Water customers in Washington and parts of Allegheny County are under a boil water advisory. According to the water company, a power surge early Saturday morning caused a depletion of storage at a tank near the Aldrich Water Treatment Plant in Elrama, Washington County. which resulted in a loss of positive pressure within the distribution system, which the water company says signals the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system. As a result, Pennsylvania American Water is issuing a boil water advisory for around 95,000 customers in Allegheny and Washington counties. Officials say some ninety homes were also without service after a 48-inch main water line break in front of the Elrama Volunteer Fire Company. Water buffaloes were brought in for those who need them. The company will inform its customers when repairs have been completed and the advisory is lifted. While under this advisory, all water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least a minute, then cooled, before using. Pennsylvania American Water says impacted customers should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms, like bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms persistently, you are advised to seek medical advice. The following communities in Washington County are affected:
Amwell/Buffalo/Canonsburg/Canton/Caroll Township/Cecil Township/Chartiers/City of Washington/Claysville/Cross Creek/Donegal Township/East Washington/Fallowfield/Finleyville/Forward Township/Green Hills Borough/Houston/Jefferson/Monongahela/Mount Pleasant/New Eagle/North Franklin/North Strabane/Nottingham/Peters Township/Somerset Township/South Franklin/South Strabane/Union Township and West Middletown.
February 8, 2026 8:25 am
One person was killed in a wrong-way crash on the Parkway West early Sunday morning. The crash was reported just before 4 a.m. on I-376 near Campbell Run Road (Exit 62). State Police say a Toyota Prius was traveling east in the westbound lanes and collided head-on with a gray Mercedes SUV. Troopers say the driver of the Prius died on scene. The driver of the Mercedes was taken to an area hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.
February 8, 2026 8:20 am
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn’s pursuit of a second Olympic downhill gold medal is over. The 41-year-old American, skiing with a badly injured left knee, crashed early in Sunday’s race in Italy. She was taken off the course by helicopter after receiving medical attention. Vonn lost control early in the race and was heard screaming as she was surrounded by medical personnel. Vonn returned to elite ski racing last season after a long break and was a race favorite. The crash may end her storied career. Teammate Breezy Johnson won the gold. (Photo: AP)
February 8, 2026 8:28 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is facing rare criticism from his Republican Party over a racist video. Trump’s White House removed a video that contained a racist image of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama after a bipartisan blowback from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The condemnation from congressional Republicans marked a rare moment of pushback from GOP lawmakers, who otherwise rarely criticize Trump in public. Trump said that he did not support the racist parts of the video and declined to apologize. Democrats and supporters of the Obamas rallied to the former first couple’s defense
February 8, 2026 8:29 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a peace deal, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said the U.S. plans to pressure both sides to meet this timeline. Zelenskyy spoke to reporters on Friday, with comments released on Saturday. Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have forced nuclear power plants to cut output. Over 400 drones and about 40 missiles targeted the energy grid. The strikes have increased power deficits, leading to extended outages. U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi failed to produce a breakthrough, with both sides holding firm on key issues.
