Trump pardons Flynn, taking direct aim at Russia probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn, taking direct aim in the final days of his administration at a Russia investigation that he has long insisted was motivated by political bias. Trump announced the pardon on Wednesday, calling it his “Great Honor.” Flynn is the second Trump associate…

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty in criminal case

BC-US–Opioid Crisis-Purdue, 3rd Ld-Writethru Nov 24, 2020 1:53PM (GMT 19:53) Purdue Pharma says its guilty plea over its role in the opioid crisis is “an essential step to preserve billions of dollars” for the settlement it is pursuing in bankruptcy court. The Stamford, Connecticut-based maker of OxyContin also said in a statement Tuesday after a federal…

Millions stick to Thanksgiving travel plans despite warnings

AP-US-Virus-Outbreak, 2nd Ld-Writethru Nov 23, 2020 12:39PM (GMT 18:39) Despite emphatic warnings from public health authorities to stay home for Thanksgiving, millions of Americans are crowding the nation’s airports ahead of the holiday, many of them unwilling to miss out on seeing family and convinced they can do it safely. More than 3 million people…

Trump makes late-term bid to lower prescription drug costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is trying to close out major unfinished business on lowering prescription drug costs. Two regulations issued Friday promise savings for Medicare recipients. One would tie payments for drugs administered in a doctor’s office to lower prices paid abroad. The second would require that drugmaker rebates for pharmacy medications…

Catholics divided as bishops examine Biden’s abortion stance

(AP)   Catholics split almost evenly between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the presidential election. Now they’re divided over a declaration by the head of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference that Biden’s support for abortion rights presents the church with a difficult dilemma. Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez made that statement near the close of…

Trump Targets Vote Certification in Late Bid to Block Biden

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s scattershot effort to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory is shifting toward obscure election boards that certify the vote count. It’s part of an unprecedented effort by Trump and his allies to upend the electoral process, sow chaos and perpetuate unsubstantiated doubts about the election’s result. The battle is centered…