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AP-US-GI BILL-RACIAL INEQUALITY
Legislation targets historic GI Bill racial inequities
In honor of Veterans Day, a group of Democratic lawmakers is reviving an effort to pay the families of Black veterans who fought on behalf of the nation during World War II for benefits they were denied or prevented from taking full advantage of when they returned home from war. Legislation being introduced in the House and Senate would benefit surviving spouses and all living descendants of Black WWII veterans whose families were denied the opportunity to build wealth with housing and educational benefits through the GI Bill. Research shows that due to racism and uneven administration of the programs, Black veterans disproportionately faced discriminatory practices and did not realize the same value from the benefits as white veterans.
BC-US-MUSIC-CMA-AWARDS
Chris Stapleton takes 6 at CMA Awards, Combs wins top prize
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Stapleton won the most trophies, but Luke Combs won the biggest one at the Country Music Association Awards. Stapleton’s six trophies Wednesday night included album, single and song of the year. Combs, another of the night’s top nominees, won just one award but made it a big one with entertainer of the year. The Brothers Osborne won vocal duo of the year for the fourth time. Lead singer T.J. Osborne, who came out as gay this year, was emotional as he thanked the audience for its support. Jimmie Allen became the second Black performer to win best new artist.
KENOSHA PROTEST-SHOOTINGS-RITTENHOUSE TESTIMONY-HIGHLIGHTS
A look at key points in Kyle Rittenhouse’s testimony
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Kyle Rittenhouse took the stand in his murder trial, acknowledging he used deadly force when he shot three people during a protest against police brutality in Wisconsin last year. But he said Wednesday that he didn’t intend to kill anyone. Rittenhouse killed Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz during the protest in Kenosha in August 2020. He faces multiple charges, including homicide. Rittenhouse contends the three men attacked him and he fired in self-defense. He testified Wednesday that he did what he had to do to protect himself. Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger accused him on cross-examination of wanting to kill the men. Rittenhouse denied that, saying he didn’t intend to kill anyone and fired only to stop them as they attacked him.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TEXAS
Judge orders halt to Texas mask mandate ban in schools
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has ordered a halt to enforcement of the Texas mask mandate ban in the state’s schools. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled Wednesday in Austin that the ban ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott violated a federal law protecting disabled students’ access to public education. The nonprofit advocacy group Disabled Rights Texas argued that Abbott’s ban prohibited accommodations for disabled children particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Yeakel prohibited Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from suing school districts that require students to wear masks as a safety measure. Messages seeking comment from Abbott’s and Paxton’s offices were not immediately returned Wednesday.
AP-US-BIDEN-INFRASTRUCTURE
Biden: Infrastructure bill will ease economy woes, just wait
BALTIMORE (AP) — President Joe Biden is touting his $1 trillion infrastructure plan as an eventual fix for the nation’s inflation and supply chain woes — if Americans just have the patience to wait for the construction to begin. The president toured the Port of Baltimore Wednesday at the start of what is likely to be a national tour to showcase his signature legislation. The bill cleared Congress last week and he will sign it next Monday. He declared that the spending would improve transportation of products and supplies from overseas and within the U.S. — an important promise as Americans are coping with the highest annual inflation rate since 1990.
BC-FINANCIAL MARKETS
Asian shares mixed after US inflation report
TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares are trading mixed after a worrisome report on U.S. inflation that slammed into the bond market and knocked stocks lower on Wall Street. In Japan, where investors are awaiting an economic stimulus package from newly elected Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the benchmark Nikkei 225 and the Shanghai Composite index rose in morning trading. Indexes fell in Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong. On Wall Street, the sharpest inflation since 1990 forced investors to boost bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve will have to raise short-term interest rates more quickly off their record low. The yield on the 10-year Treasury jumped to 1.55%.
AP-US-CONSUMER-PRICES-EXPLAINER
EXPLAINER: Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease
WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation is starting to look like that unexpected — and unwanted — houseguest who just won’t leave. For months, many economists had sounded a reassuring message that a spike in consumer prices, something that had been missing in action in the U.S. for a generation, wouldn’t stay long. It would prove “transitory,’’ in the soothing words of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and White House officials, as the economy shifted from virus-related chaos to something closer to normalcy. Yet as any American who has bought a carton of milk, a gallon of gas or a used car could tell you, inflation has settled in.
MUSIC FESTIVAL-DEATHS
Security staffing at Travis Scott show unclear, chief says
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s police chief says organizers of the Astroworld music festival haven’t provided investigators with clear records about the private security that was working the grounds when a massive crowd surge led to at least eight deaths. Police Chief Troy Finner on Wednesday also forcefully defended his department’s ability to handle the criminal investigation and rejected early calls for an outside probe. At least two concertgoers remain in critical condition. Officials have not disclosed details about the injured fans who have been hospitalized since Friday. But the family of a 9-year-old boy who attended the concert with his father has said the child is in a medically induced coma.
CONGRESSMAN-VIOLENT ANIME
Dems call for censure of GOP congressman over violent video
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ten House Democrats say they will introduce a House resolution condemning Republican Rep. Paul Gosar for tweeting a video that included altered animation showing him striking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with a sword. The Democrats, led by the co-chairs of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, say Gosar’s posting “goes beyond the pale” and call it a “clear cut case for censure.” They will introduce the resolution Friday. Gosar, of Arizona, says the video wasn’t meant to depict harm or violence, calling it instead “a symbolic portrayal of a fight over immigration policy.” Ocasio-Cortez called Gosar “creepy.”
AP-US-ELECTION-2022-GOVERNOR-SOUTH-CAROLINA
Debate over explicit memoir becomes a focus of GOP gov races
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Debate over a memoir that contains explicit illustrations of sexual acts is surfacing in a handful of states where Republican governors are gearing up for reelection next year. It foreshadows a recurring theme for conservative leaders in the coming campaigns. The book in question, Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer,” has been the focus of ire from Republican governors in various states, including in the Virginia governor’s race. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Wednesday released a letter calling on Superintendent Molly Spearman to perform a systemic review of “inappropriate” materials in the state’s schools. The book in question has become a strategic GOP talking point over the past year.