Nation

Pence tries to project calm as U.S. virus response coordinator

By Zeke Miller, Darlene Superville, Associated Press

Pence convened his first meeting of the Coronavirus Task Force on Thursday, one day after President Donald Trump made him the government's point-person for the epidemic.

Court denies Joe Arpaio’s bid to remove criminal conviction, citing pardon

By Jacques Billeaud, Associated Press

Arpaio argued the misdemeanor contempt of court conviction should be removed so it can't be raised against him in future court cases.

How a WWI war helmet outperformed modern gear in a new study

By Vika Aronson, Gretchen Frazee

Your great-grandfather’s World War I helmet that’s stuffed in the back of the closet could be just as effective at preventing brain injury from some blasts as a modern-day military helmet, a recently published study from Duke University researchers suggests.

Steyer courts voters that Biden needs for decisive South Carolina win

By Meg Kinnard, Associated Press

While many of the remaining Democrats competing for their party's nomination have spent the past few months spread out across the early-voting states, Tom Steyer has had a fairly singular focus: South Carolina.

Sanders pitches black voters on ideas and history, not faith

By Elana Schor, Associated Press

While he's not as vocal as some Democratic rivals who tout their faiths as influencing their agendas, Sanders has talked more about his Jewish identity recently and tied it to his vow to fight discrimination in all forms.

Guam residents who suffered 1940s war atrocities to receive compensation

By Anita Hofschneider, Associated Press

The United States' 1951 peace treaty with Japan forgave Japan of the responsibility to pay Guam reparations. Instead, the compensation program is being funded with federal tax money normally reserved for Guam's government.

About 40 percent of U.S. adults are obese, government survey finds

By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

A half-century ago, about 1 in 100 American adults were severely obese. Now it's 10 times more common.

MLB appoints 1st black umpire crew chief

By Ben Walker, Associated Press

Kerwin Danley became the first African American umpire crew chief in Major League Baseball when a series of promotions, additions and retirements were announced Thursday.