April 20, 2026 5:14 am
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Police say a Louisiana man who fatally shot seven of his children and another child used an assault-style weapon despite a 2019 felony firearms conviction. The attack early Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana, was one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings in recent years. The shooter, identified as Shamar Elkins, died after a police pursuit that ended with officers firing on him. Louisiana law says a person convicted of certain violent felonies are banned from having a gun for at least 10 years. Officials say the children who died ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old. Police say two people escaped by jumping from a roof.
April 20, 2026 5:12 am
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan is preparing for new talks between the U.S. and Iran, even as tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship over the weekend, accusing it of evading a blockade. Iran’s military has vowed to respond, calling U.S. actions disingenuous. With a ceasefire set to expire midweek, Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to resume talks on Tuesday. Iran remains undecided about attending. The conflict has also caused oil prices to soar, with Brent crude reaching about $95 a barrel. Iran warns of continued economic impact if tensions persist.
April 20, 2026 5:18 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs which the U.S. Supreme Court eventually struck down is scheduled to launch on Monday. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says importers and their brokers will be able to begin claiming refunds online beginning at 8 a.m. It’s the first step in a complicated process that also might eventually lead to refunds for consumers who were billed for some or all of the tariffs on products shipped to them from outside the United States. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in late February that President Donald Trump usurped Congress’ taxation authority when he set double-digit import tax rates on products from almost every other country.
April 20, 2026 4:51 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will hear from Catholic preschools that say it’s unconstitutional to exclude them from a state-funded program because they won’t admit kids from LGBTQ+ families. It’s the latest religious rights case for the conservative-majority court. The justices on Monday said they’ll hear from Colorado’s St. Mary Catholic Parish and the Archdiocese of Denver, which are supported by the Republican Trump administration. The schools argue Colorado is violating their religious rights by barring them from the taxpayer-funded universal preschool program over their faith-based admission policies. The state says religious schools are welcome to participate but are required to follow nondiscrimination laws. The case will be heard in the fall.
April 20, 2026 5:15 am
PARIS (AP) — Elon Musk has been summoned to Paris as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct on the social media platform X. French authorities are looking into the spread of child sexual abuse material and deepfake content. Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino have been invited for voluntary interviews. It’s unclear if they will attend. The investigation is still ongoing after a search at X’s French premises in February. French prosecutors have alerted U.S. authorities, but the Justice Department reportedly declined to assist. Reporters Without Borders has also filed a complaint against X for allowing disinformation.
April 19, 2026 5:11 am
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — (WPXI) – One of the eaglets at the U.S. Steel nest in West Mifflin ingested a fishing hook that was attached to a fishing line on the live stream. According to the Tamarack Wildlife Center, federal and state permissions were granted to remove the eaglet from the nest to be evaluated and receive treatment. It is best not to interfere with the nests, but TWC believed that the hook could cause severe injury or death to the eaglet. The eaglet was able to get emergency surgery less than 12 hours after swallowing the hook. Dr. Jesse Fallon, at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, said, “The most dangerous first hurdle has been cleared.” If the eaglet continues to recover, it could be returned to the nest in a week or so.
April 19, 2026 8:24 am
CAIRO (AP) — Iran has doubled down on its pledge to restrict ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. Mediators are scrambling to extend the ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday. The dueling blockades have complicated Pakistani-led mediation attempts and raised questions about whether the two-week truce can be extended. Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf criticized the U.S. blockade as a “naive decision made out of ignorance.” He said Iran still seeks peace despite deep-seated distrust of the United States.
April 19, 2026 8:27 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department has extended its pause on sanctions on Russian oil shipments to ease shortages from the Iran war, days after Secretary Scott Bessent ruled out such a move. The general license means U.S. sanctions will not apply for 30 days on deliveries of Russian oil that has been loaded on tankers as of Friday. It extended a similar 30-day license issued in March for Russian oil that had been loaded by March 11. The extension underscores how the fallout from the Iran war has boosted Moscow’s ability to profit from its energy exports, which had been restrained since the invasion of Ukraine. The administration did not immediately explain the reversal.
April 19, 2026 8:30 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI and Justice Department are scrambling to rebuild a depleted workforce after a wave of departures over the last year. In response, leaders are easing hiring requirements and accelerating recruitment in ways that some current and former officials see as a lowering of long-accepted standards. The FBI has turned to social media campaigns to attract applicants, while also condensing training for candidates from other federal agencies and relaxing internal requirements for support staff seeking to be agents. The Justice Department has opened the door to hiring prosecutors right out of law school to help fill vacancies in U.S. attorney’s offices.
April 19, 2026 8:25 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eddie Murphy has received the American Film Institute’s life achievement award at a star-studded ceremony. The event, held Saturday night at the Dolby Theatre, featured appearances from Spike Lee, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, and more. Murphy, known for his roles in “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Shrek” over a nearly 50-year career, expressed gratitude for his family and career. Spike Lee praised Murphy’s cultural impact, while Chris Rock and others highlighted his influence across generations. The tribute, which will air on Netflix, also included performances by Jennifer Hudson.
