Headline News from The Associated Press
AP Headline News - Feb 28 2024 14:00 (EST)
A.P. News, Simon Dunne. Mitch McConnell says he is ending a record run in the Senate. The A.P. Sager McGonney has the story. The Republican leader. McConnell is the longest serving leader in history, and that will soon end. This will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate. His announcement comes amid the GOP's powerful ideological shift from the Reagan conservatism under which McConnell began his Senate career in 1985 to the Trump era. McConnell's been estranged from the ex-president and under growing pressure from Trump backers while he did not give a specific reason for the timing of his decision. I have many faults. This understanding politics is not one of. Sager McGonney at the White House. President Biden's son Hunter appeared before a defiant closed-door deposition with lawmakers, part of the Republican impeachment inquiry into his father and the family business. Hunter Biden said his father was not involved in his business. Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin says it's a GOP comedy of errors. I think this investigation is over. At this point, there's really nothing left to pursue. Republicans have yet to produce direct evidence of misconduct by the president. A wildfire in Texas keeps growing, and has now jumped into Oklahoma. Christian Rangel at the National Weather Service says it's not clear how the fires started. They just took off. We have extremely high winds and very low relative committees and lots of fuel, so to speak, and the fuel that we speak of is lots of dry grass. Idaho delayed the execution of serial killer Thomas Creech, one of the longest-serving death row inmates in the country, after a failed attempt at lethal injection. The medical team could not establish an IV line to administer the fatal drug. Days before a partial government shutdown, negotiators in Congress are working to finish up a federal spending plan. This is AP News. It's getting more affordable to buy some cars. American car buyers are finally getting a break. Price increases for cars and trucks in the United States are slowing, and in some cases falling. That's hoping to cool overall inflation, and is giving frustrated Americans more hope of finding an affordable vehicle. Higher prices for autos had helped drive overall inflation in the economy for nearly three years. Random prices comes as the number of vehicles on dealer lots expanded greatly after years of severe shortages. With more cars available, the pressures that had sent prices surging have eased. While inventories are still below the levels that prevailed before the pandemic, the rising availability of cars and trucks suggests that 2024 will be the most affordable year of the past five in which to buy a new vehicle. Seth Zutel, New York. The Vatican didn't give any details, but Pope Francis was brought to a hospital in Rome for diagnostic testing after the papal audience, the pontiff recently had the flu. I'm Ed Donahue, AP News. Hey there! Did you know King Super's always gives you savings and rewards on top of our lower than low prices? And when you download the King Super's app, you'll enjoy over $500 in savings every week with digital coupons. And don't forget fuel points to help you save up to $1 per gallon at the pump. Want to save even more? With a boost membership, you'll get double fuel points and free delivery. No shop and save big at King Super's today! King Super's, fresh for everyone! Savings may vary by state. Restrictions apply. See site for details. Hello, Saver! Whether you're saving for that trip to the tropics or saving for an emergency, now is the time to take advantage of Wells Fargo's savings options. Wells Fargo offers savings accounts that can help you save towards your goals. So, what are you saving for? Visit a Wells Fargo branch or Wells Fargo.com/save to open a savings account today. Wells Fargo Bank, NA member FDIC. Get ahead of postage rate increases this year with Stamps.com. It's like your own personal post office. Sign up with promo code program for a four-week trial plus free postage and a free digital scale. No long-term commitments or contracts, that's Stamps.com code program. Hello, Saver! Whether you're saving for that trip to the tropics or saving for an emergency, now is the time to take advantage of Wells Fargo's savings options. Wells Fargo offers savings accounts that can help you save towards your goals. So, what are you saving for? Visit a Wells Fargo branch or Wells Fargo.com/save to open a savings account today. Wells Fargo Bank, NA member FDIC. (upbeat music)