National News

By CATHERINE LUCEY, LISA MASCARO and JILL COLVIN , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump declared Friday he could keep parts of the government shut down for "months or even years" as he and Democratic leaders failed in a second closed-door meeting to resolve his demand for billions of dollars for a border…

By JUAN A. LOZANO , Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — It was still dark outside when LaPorsha Washington drove her four daughters, including 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, in the family's silver car at 6:30 a.m. Sunday to a grocery store on the eastern outskirts of Houston. Each daughter was in her assigned seat in the family…

By JOSH BOAK , AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers dramatically stepped up their hiring in December, adding 312,000 jobs in an encouraging display of strength for an economy in the midst of a trade war, slowing global growth and a partial shutdown of the federal government. The Labor Department said Friday that…

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Two big rigs and two passenger vehicles collided and spilled diesel fuel across a Florida highway Thursday, sparking a massive fire that killed six people, authorities said. The wreck happened on Interstate 75 about a mile (1.6 kilometers) south of Alachua, near Gainesville. The flames were fed by about 50 gallons…

By LISA MASCARO , AP Congressional Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — Nancy Pelosi knew this moment would come, even if others had their doubts — or worked to stop her. Pelosi was elected Thursday as House speaker, the only woman who has held the office and now one of few elected officials who will be returning…