Chinese spy balloon spotted over Western US, Pentagon says

The U.S. says it is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days.

Joe Biden, Bill Clinton mark 3 decades of Family and Medical Leave Act

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guaranteed many American workers up to 12 unpaid weeks off to recover from a major illness or childbirth or to take care of sick family members.

Oregon shooting suspect surrounded in his house, police say

Gunshots broke out as police responded to a call at a home in the scenic vacation town of Hood River, Oregon, prompting an hourslong lockdown of schools and businesses Thursday.

Sayreville councilwoman shot, killed outside her home

Sayreville, New Jersey councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot and killed Wednesday night outside her home, authorities said.

‘Yes, there is a Santa Claus’: Police close books on weeks-long investigation

Scarlett Doumato sent partially eaten cookies and carrots to the Cumberland Police Department and requested a DNA analysis to find out if Santa was real. They investigated, and the findings were revealed at a press conference Wednesday.

Proposed Massachusetts bill would reduce inmate sentences if they donate organs

If passed, eligible individuals who are behind bars in Massachusetts could receive 60 days to one year off of their sentences in exchange for donating organs or bone marrow.

Democratic-backed Connecticut bill would ban 'Latinx' term

A group of Hispanic lawmakers in Connecticut has proposed that the state follow Arkansas' lead and ban the term "Latinx" from official government documents, calling it offensive to Spanish speakers.

Alex Murdaugh trial: Prosecutors play video that could undermine claim he wasn't at scene of killings

The key evidence for prosecutors introduced Wednesday is a video from the son’s phone of a dog at the kennels near where Murdaugh’s son Paul was killed and wife Maggie was shot several times.

Human penis found at Alabama gas station

Police were investigating the discovery of a human penis in the parking lot at a gas station.

Impassioned calls for police reform at Tyre Nichols' funeral

Tyre Nichols' family and friends remembered him with songs of faith and emotional tributes Wednesday, blending a celebration of his life with outraged calls for police reform after the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis police.

12 squirrel monkeys were stolen from Louisiana zoo, officials say

According to the Zoosiana, located in Broussard, the individual targeted facilities of smaller primates and specifically compromised the squirrel monkey exhibit.

Florida woman helps identify father as murder victim, 37 years later

“I can’t even imagine wondering and worrying about a lost family member for even a day, let alone for 37 years. That wait is now over for Mr. Alt’s family,” Bucks County District Attorney Weintraub said in a statement.

$4M winning Mega Millions ticket sold in New Jersey

A $4,000,000 second-tier prizewinning Mega Millions ticket was sold for Tuesday's drawing.

Satanic Temple launches telehealth abortion care in New Mexico, hopes to expand

The Satanic Temple, which doesn’t believe in a literal Satan, has claimed its abortion ritual is exempt from bans because it’s part of religious practice.

Girl, 5, killed in Newark hit-and-run crash; father and sister injured

A 5-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Newark that also left her father and younger sister with injuries, authorities said.