Putin Seeks to Defuse Downing of Russian Plane Off Syria

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by Syrian forces responding to an Israeli airstrike, killing all 15 people aboard, in what President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday was “a chain of tragic accidental circumstances.” The downing of the Il-20 highlighted the dangers posed by the conflicting interests of various powers in the…

Illinois State Fair Takes Loss Over Grandstand Concerts

SPRINGFIELD, IL (AP) — The Illinois State Fair lost nearly $210,000 on its Grandstand concerts in Springfield last month after seeing record ticket sales a year ago. Figures released by fair officials show it took a big hit over country star Thomas Rhett’s weather-canceled show. The State Journal-Register reports the fair would’ve lost only about $75,000 loss…

McDonald’s Workers Strike Against Sexual Harassment, Low Wages

St. Louis, MO (KTRS) Local McDonald’s workers are striking. Tuesday, out-of-town activists and union workers organized a group of local employees in a walk-out style protest of McDonald’s alleged failure to address sexual impropriety and low wages. People gathered outside the McDonald’s on St. Charles Rock Road in St. John during the busy lunch rush. A…

Wilmington Isle: Food, Water Handouts Set In Isolated City

By CHUCK BURTON and MARTHA WAGGONER , Associated Press WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — With one of North Carolina’s largest cities still mostly cut off by floodwaters from Hurricane Florence, officials prepared to begin distributing food, water and tarps to Wilmington residents as yet more people were rescued from submerged inland neighborhoods. Workers will begin handing…

Japanese Billionaire Invites Artistic Guests To Outer Space

CHRISTOPHER WEBER ,  Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — After announcing that he’ll take the first-ever commercial rocket trip around the moon, Yusaku Maezawa said he wants company for the week-long journey. The Japanese billionaire said he plans to invite six to eight artists, architects, designers and other creative people to join him on board the…