National News

By MARK SHERMAN and LISA MASCARO ,  Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh declared fervently at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday the court "must never, never be viewed as a partisan institution." But that was at the end of a marathon day marked by rancorous exchanges between Democrats and Republicans, including dire…

By STACEY PLAISANCE and KEVIN McGILL , Associated Press GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — Residents along the Gulf Coast prepared Tuesday for a sudden increase in heavy rain and winds from quick moving Tropical Storm Gordon, which forecasters said could strengthen and become the second hurricane to hit the region in less than a year. The…

PHOENIX, AZ (AP) — Prolonging the uncertainty over who will fill the late John McCain's U.S. Senate seat, the governor of Arizona on Tuesday announced the appointment of former Sen. Jon Kyl but said he has only committed to serve until the end of the year. Kyl, a Republican who retired from the Senate in…

(AP) An endorsement deal between Nike and Colin Kaepernick is prompting a flood of debate online as sports fans react to the apparel giant backing an athlete known mainly for starting a wave of protests among NFL players of police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues. The deal unveiled by Nike and the former…

By MARK SHERMAN and LISA MASCARO , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Quarreling and confusion marked the start of the Senate's confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday, with Democrats trying to block the proceedings because of documents being withheld by the White House. Protesters also disrupted the proceedings. In his opening…