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The nation’s next big voting battle is underway in Texas. Legislation advancing in the GOP-controlled Texas Capitol could outlaw 24-hour polling places, eliminate drive-thru voting and make it a crime for elections officials to mail unsolicited absentee ballot applications. Put another way, Republicans would ban everything Democratic Houston did to expand ballot access last year, when the threat of the coronavirus made voting in-person more hazardous. Republicans have angrily rejected accusations that they are trying to suppress minority turnout, saying the measures only rein in powers county leaders never had in the first place. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott supports the measures.

The California Legislature has passed a bill requiring some hotels and event centers to offer laid-off workers their jobs back. The bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday applies to employees who had their jobs at least six months before the pandemic started and who lost their jobs because of coronavirus-related reasons. Many Republicans opposed the bill, arguing it puts a burden on businesses by making them susceptible to fines of $500 per employee per day. Newsom has not said if he will sign the bill. He vetoed a similar bill last year because he said it was too broad.

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature has approved stiffer penalties against violent protesters. It delivers a major legislative victory to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who began campaigning for the measure following a summer of turmoil across the country over the killings of Black people by police. A divided Florida Senate approved a so-called anti-riot bill as the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was underway for the death of George Floyd. Floyd's killing triggered waves of protests under the banner of the Black Lives Matter movement. Supporters say tougher laws are need to deter violent protests, but opponents say it would curtail the right to free speech and to peaceably assemble. 

Delta Air Lines says it lost $1.2 billion in the first quarter, but the airline thinks it can be profitable by late summer unless there's a resurgence of COVID-19. Delta reported the results on Thursday. CEO Ed Bastian says ticket sales have been stronger in the last two weeks than at any time since the pandemic hit the U.S. last year. Right now it’s mostly vacationers booking trips to mountains, beaches and resorts. Delta and other airlines are adding flights for summer in the expectation that passengers will show up. Delta will also stop blocking off middle seats on May 1. 

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — A Canadian Parliament member was caught stark naked in a virtual meeting of the House of Commons. William Amos, who has represented the Quebec district of Pontiac since 2015, appeared on the screens of his fellow…

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft left a mess at an asteroid when it grabbed a load of rubble last year for return to Earth, new pictures revealed Thursday. The Osiris-Rex spacecraft made one final flyby of asteroid…

The NHL has delayed the Vancouver Canucks’ return to competition. The Canucks have not played a game since March 24 due to a COVID-19 outbreak. They were previously scheduled to host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night. The league says the team won't play that game and it did not immediately set a new date for Vancouver's return. The league says the decision was made with input from the NHL Players’ Association and medical staff from teams. The NHL plans to announce additional changes to the schedule for North Division teams on Friday.

Records show that an Ohio officer who missed a gun during a pat-down of Miles Jackson had been previously encouraged to not rush his job responsibilities, records show. Jackson died Monday after a struggle with officers over the weapon in a hospital room. Police Officer Eric Everhart is with the Westerville Police Department in suburban Columbus. Body camera footage shows Everhart conducting a pat-down on Jackson and asking if he has any weapons. Everhart's personnel file includes references to supervisors encouraging him to slow down and think things through. A police union official commended Everhart's actions as professional and compassionate.

House Democrats has approved legislation that they say would help close the gap between what men and women are paid in the workplace, though the measure faces little chance of overcoming Republican opposition in the Senate. The bill passed Thursday on a 217-210 vote. It would make it easier to sue employers over pay discrimination, curb the ability of companies to retaliate and beef up enforcement of existing laws. It would also ban employers from prohibiting employees from discussing their salaries. But Republicans counter it would largely be a boon for trial lawyers looking to sue.

Diane Warren would be overjoyed to win a best original song Oscar for her work in “The Life Ahead” starring Sophia Loren. A trophy for the Italian-language film’s song would be Warren’s first after 11 previous Academy Award nominations came up short. Warren says that winning would be “awesome,” comparing her experience to that of a baseball team that keep losing the World Series. A triumph would mean even more this year for the veteran songwriter. The Oscars were originally set for February but were moved back by the pandemic to April 25 — her late father's birthday. The show will air on ABC.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has undergone surgery to have a pacemaker implanted. His office says that Wednesday's operation in Virginia went well and that Pence “is expected to fully recover and return to normal activity in the coming days.” The 61-year-old former vice president had previously been diagnosed with a heart condition called asymptomatic left bundle branch block. His office says he experienced symptoms over the past two weeks that are associated with a slow heart rate. Pence is considered a likely 2024 presidential candidate if former President Donald Trump declines to run.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s top court ruled Thursday that the country's human rights commissioner can't remain in the job indefinitely after the end of his term until a successor is chosen. The ruling by the government-controlled Constitutional Tribunal paves…

NEW YORK (AP) — Members of the Monkees, R.E.M., Dashboard Confessional and The Black Keys are turning out for a virtual tribute concert next month for Adam Schlesinger, who died of COVID-19 a year ago. “Adam Schlesinger, A Musical Celebration,…