National News

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…

By MARK SHERMAN , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh promised Tuesday to be a "team player" if confirmed to the closely divided court, declaring that he will be a "pro-law judge" who won't decide cases based on his personal views. With Republicans hoping to move the Supreme Court to the…

By JENNIFER KAY , Associated Press MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Coastal residents from Florida to Louisiana hustled to prepare for a deluge as Tropical Storm Gordon grew stronger on a path to hit the central U.S. Gulf Coast as a hurricane Tuesday night. Boaters evacuated to safe harbors, motorists left barrier islands and homeowners…

By CATHERINE LUCEY ,  Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Showing his disregard for the Justice Department's independence, President Donald Trump tweeted that federal indictments against two Republican congressmen placed the GOP in midterm election jeopardy. Trump again attacked Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the tweet suggesting that the Justice Department consider politics when making decisions: "Obama…

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard intercepts more and more boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die during the Mediterranean journeys. That's one of the key findings from the latest UNHCR…