Author: The Associated Press

Founded in 1846, the AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business.

News

Government shutdown is longest on record as Trump meets with GOP senators

By The Associated Press
President Donald Trump speaks during a breakfast with Senate and House Republicans in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON — The government shutdown has entered its 36th day, breaking the record as the longest ever and disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks.

President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, particularly after the administration restricted SNAP food aid despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

Go to Government shutdown is longest on record as Trump meets with GOP senators Read more
News

UPDATED: Spanberger elected Virginia governor, Hashmi lieutenant governor, in historic firsts

By The Associated Press
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger speaks during a campaign event with former President Barack Obama, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

RICHMOND, Va — Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to give Democrats a key victory heading into the 2026 midterm elections and make history as the first woman ever to lead the commonwealth.

Spanberger’s win was the first in a big night for Democrats in Virginia and around the country, casting new doubts about President Donald Trump’s political strength less than a year into his second White House term.

Go to UPDATED: Spanberger elected Virginia governor, Hashmi lieutenant governor, in historic firsts Read more
News

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Virginia on Election Day

By The Associated Press
Campaign signs for Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones appear outside the elections office for the City of Fairfax, Va., Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert Yoon)

By ROBERT YOON Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Virginia will elect its first woman as governor Tuesday as Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger look to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Voters will also decide races for lieutenant governor, attorney general and the state House of Delegates.

Go to AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Virginia on Election Day Read more
News

Democrat Abigail Spanberger backs Virginia legislature’s redistricting push

By The Associated Press
FILE - Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks during an interview at Libbie Mill Library in Henrico County, Va., Nov. 25, 2024, after she announced she will run for Virginia governor. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

By STEVE PEOPLES and OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, said Monday that she would not oppose a push by the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature to redraw congressional districts ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

Go to Democrat Abigail Spanberger backs Virginia legislature’s redistricting push Read more
News

Virginia Democrats will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push

By The Associated Press
FILE - The state and U.S. flags fly over the Virginia State Capitol as the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly gets underway, Jan. 10, 2024, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

By OLIVIA DIAZ and DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Democrats are taking steps to redraw their state’s U.S. House districts, hoping to boost their party’s chances in next year’s midterm elections and counter President Donald Trump’s push for more partisan districts in Republican-run states.

Go to Virginia Democrats will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push Read more
News

Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown

By The Associated Press
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., holds a news conference on day 23 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday rejected dueling partisan bills to pay federal workers during the government shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats deflecting blame as many employees are set to miss their first full paycheck at the end of this week.

Go to Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown Read more
News

‘We need these people’: Alexandria’s Goodwin Living forced to lay off workers under Trump immigration crackdown

By The Associated Press
Jackie Conteh, an advanced care partner originally from Sierra Leone, helps Donald Goodness, 92, put on fresh socks in his apartment at Goodwin House Alexandria, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Alexandria, Va. (AP Photo/Eric Lee)

By PAUL WISEMAN and GISELA SALOMON Associated Press | Editor’s Note: This Associated Press story has been localized for Alexandria readers. Original headline: ‘Trump’s immigration crackdown threatens America’s job market and ability to recruit foreign talent.’

Maria worked cleaning schools in Florida for $13 an hour. Every two weeks, she’d get a $900 paycheck from her employer, a contractor. Not much — but enough to cover rent in the house that she and her 11-year-old son share with five families, plus electricity, a cellphone and groceries.

Go to ‘We need these people’: Alexandria’s Goodwin Living forced to lay off workers under Trump immigration crackdown Read more
News

Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy

By The Associated Press
FILE - A sign that reads "Closed due to federal government shutdown," is seen outside of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government shutdown is quickly approaching the second longest on record with no end in sight. Some lawmakers are predicting it could become the longest, surpassing the 35 days from President Donald Trump’s first term.

Go to Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy Read more
News

Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger

By The Associated Press
FILE - Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

By MIKE CATALINI and OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Barack Obama has endorsed the Democratic candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, seeking to boost Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger ahead of high-stakes elections next month.

Go to Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger Read more
News

Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, reject government funding bill for 10th time

By The Associated Press
With the government shutdown now in its third week, a sign turns away tourists at the entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center, in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By STEPHEN GROVES and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats rejected for the 10th time Thursday a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government, insisting they won’t back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits.

Go to Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, reject government funding bill for 10th time Read more
News

Judge temporarily blocks the Trump administration from firing workers during the government shutdown

By The Associated Press
Students from Columbus, Ohio, wait outside a barrier as U.S. Capitol Police watch over the East Plaza where congressional leaders will have a news conferences on the government shutdown at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By JANIE HAR Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration for now must stop firing workers during the government shutdown, a federal judge ordered on Wednesday.

Go to Judge temporarily blocks the Trump administration from firing workers during the government shutdown Read more
View More Stories