US escalates involvement in Syria amid talks on Assad future

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States escalated its fight against the Islamic State in Syria on Friday, pledging the first open deployment of military boots on the ground, even as U.S., Russian and other diplomats pressed a new peace effort that America hopes will hasten the departure of Bashar Assad.

House GOP, eager to mend wounds, elects Ryan as new speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) — Splintered House Republicans elected Rep. Paul Ryan to be the chamber’s 54th speaker on Thursday, turning to the youthful but battle-tested Wisconsin lawmaker to mend the party’s self-inflicted wounds and craft a conservative message to woo voters in next year’s elections.

Cruz and Rubio score points by bashing media during debate

It was not a good night for the media at the CNBC Republican presidential debate.

Cueto's 2-hitter gives Royals 2-0 Series lead

Corey Jones death: New questions about the latest police shooting in Florida

A plainclothes police officer who fatally shot a stranded motorist in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 10 days ago, apparently wasn’t qualified for his undercover surveillance assignment, according to documents obtained by Yahoo News.

Republican Paul Ryan elected as House speaker, replacing Boehner

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted to install Republican Representative Paul Ryan as its new speaker, replacing John Boehner following a revolt by conservative lawmakers who forced his retirement. Ryan won 236 votes among the 247 Republicans in the chamber, indicating that the Wisconsin congressman was deserted by only a handful of the conservatives who pushed out Boehner. Ryan now moves to the number two succession spot for

Sheriff: School officer fired after tossing student in class

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A deputy was fired Wednesday after video showed him flipping a teen backward out of her desk and tossing her across a classroom, with the sheriff saying the officer did not follow proper procedures and training.

Former House Speaker Hastert pleads guilty to lying to FBI

CHICAGO (AP) — Dennis Hastert pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to the FBI in a hush-money scheme, agreeing to a deal with federal prosecutors that recommends he serve no more than six months in prison and averting a trial in the case.

Sheriff: School officer fired after tossing student in class

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A deputy was fired Wednesday after video showed him flipping a teen backward out of her desk and tossing her across a classroom, with the sheriff saying the officer did not follow proper procedures and training.