Republicans try to flip an Iowa Senate seat and reclaim a supermajority in year-end special election

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowans are ringing in 2026 with a special election on the final Tuesday of the year, casting ballots for a state senator in a race that offers Republicans an opportunity to
Texas man accused of trying to aid Islamic State group is charged with international terrorism

DALLAS (AP) — A 21-year-old Texas man who authorities say provided bomb materials and money to people he believed were affiliated with the Islamic State group has been federally charged with international terrorism, the U.S. Department of
Kennedy Center New Year’s Eve concerts canceled after addition of Trump’s name

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Dec 29 (Reuters) – A veteran jazz ensemble announced on Monday it was canceling its New Year’s Eve performances at the Kennedy Center, the latest group to withdraw from the Washington arts institution
Father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin dies after house fire, mother critically injured

The father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin died and his mother was critically injured after a weekend fire heavily damaged the North Carolina home where they lived, officials said Monday. Firefighters in Stanley arrived Sunday night at
National Guard to patrol New Orleans for New Year’s a year after deadly attack

NEW ORLEANS, La. (AP) — A National Guard deployment in New Orleans authorized by President Donald Trump will begin Tuesday as part of a heavy security presence for New Year’s celebrations a year after an attack on
US military carries out 30th strike on alleged drug boat

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that it had conducted another strike against a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people. The strike, which was announced by U.S. Southern
The Media Line: Trump Presses Hamas Disarmament in Mar-a-Lago Talks With Netanyahu

Trump Presses Hamas Disarmament in Mar-a-Lago Talks With Netanyahu US and Israeli leaders link progress on Gaza governance to security conditions while juggling tensions with Iran, Hezbollah, Turkey, and Syria By Steven Ganot/The Media Line President Donald Trump used a wide-ranging
US military says two men killed in strike on suspected drug vessel in Pacific
WASHINGTON, Dec 29 (Reuters) – The U.S. military said it killed two men in a strike on a boat suspected of carrying drugs in international waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday. “Joint Task Force Southern
Judge halts a Georgia execution over inmate’s concerns about the clemency process

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia judge on Monday ordered a temporary pause to a December execution that was already put on hold, saying questions about the state’s clemency process must be addressed before Stacey Humphreys ‘
Oklahoma man firing gun in yard fatally shoots neighbor sitting blocks away, authorities say

COMANCHE, Okla. (AP) — An Oklahoma man firing a gun he bought as a Christmas present has been charged with manslaughter after authorities say a stray bullet left his yard during target practice and fatally struck a