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Harvick, Hamlin still looking for a win heading to Kansas

Brad Keselowski made it nine different winners through the first 10 races of the NASCAR Cup Series season last week at Talladega. Now, as the series shifts to Kansas Speedway, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are among the stars trying to make it 10 of 11 on Sunday. Both have three wins at the speedway just west of downtown Kansas City. Also searching for their first wins this season are reigning series champion Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch, whose six wins across all series are the most in the 20-year history of the speedway.

More perilous phase ahead for Biden after his 1st 100 days

Joe Biden’s presidency is entering a new and more perilous phase. He's past the 100-day mark in office, and he'll have to overcome stiffer Republican opposition to his agenda and keep Democrats united as he pushes for $4 trillion on programs that have echoes of the New Deal and the Great Society. Biden is racing against the calendar while governing with the most slender of congressional majorities. He knows that historically the party in the White House loses seats in midterm elections, and that could happen in 2022. His next 100 days will feature his first foreign trip but will be dominated by efforts to pass his proposals on infrastructure and children, families and education.

The Latest: Dodgers to have more vaccinated-only sections

The Los Angeles Dodgers will offer fully vaccinated-only sections for each game during their upcoming nine-game homestand against the Mariners and Diamondbacks starting May 11. Seats will be located on the right field side in the loge and reserve levels, and to encourage area residents to get vaccinated the Dodgers are offering a 20% discount. The special sections will not require social distancing, but masks will be required when not eating or drinking, and fans will be seated directly next to other parties. The Dodgers previously hosted fans in a fully vaccinated-only section on April 24, and it sold out.

States see potential federal windfall, go slow on road taxes

Efforts to raise gas taxes for roads and bridges are slowing in states as discussions are picking up in Washington about a big transportation funding boost. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association says the number of transportation funding plans being proposed in states is down by nearly half. So far, not a single state transportation tax increase has passed. But states could be in line for more federal money. President Joe Biden and Republican members of Congress have proposed separate infrastructure spending bills. Part of a coronavirus relief act signed by Biden also could potentially go toward transportation projects.

Florida casts itself as elections model, but clashes remain

In a state famous for election night fiascoes, Florida’s handling of the November presidential election is being hailed as a sign it finally got things right. Even so, Florida Republicans are placing new rules on voting by mail, drop boxes and ballot-handling. And that's causing an outcry among Democrats and voting rights advocates. A GOP-drafted election bill passed the legislature on Thursday and GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will soon sign it into law. Fellow Republicans call the legislation “guardrails” against election fraud. But Democrats complain it's the latest in a wave of GOP-backed election bills that would disproportionately disenfranchise voters of color and discourage certain voters.

Hungary reopens for people holding COVID-19 immunity cards

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary on Saturday loosened several COVID-19 restrictions for people with government-issued immunity cards, the latest in a series of reopening measures that have followed an ambitious vaccination campaign. As of Saturday, individuals with the plastic cards…

Black Freedmen struggle for recognition as tribal citizens

As the U.S. faces a reckoning over its history of racism, some Native American tribal nations that once owned slaves also are grappling with their own mistreatment of Black people. When Native American tribes were forced from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to what is now Oklahoma in the 1800s, thousands of Black slaves owned by tribal members also were forced to make the journey. Nearly 200 years later, many of the thousands of descendants of those Black slaves, known as Freedmen, are still fighting to be recognized by the tribes that once owned their ancestors.

Deputy shooting becomes part of city's long history on race

The fatal shooting of a Black man by sheriff’s deputies has sent shock waves through North Carolina's Elizabeth City. The majority Black city in the state’s rural northeastern corner holds an important place in African American history in the 19th and 20th centuries. But some residents say it seemed too close-knit and too out-of-the-way to become a flashpoint in the 21st. Andrew Brown Jr., was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff’s deputies serving warrants at his house on April 21. An independent autopsy commissioned by his family said Brown was behind the wheel of his car when he was shot in the back of the head. The killing has sparked protests and calls for police body camera footage to be released. 

Charged in Jan. 6 riot? Yes, but prison may be another story

More than 400 people have been charged with federal crimes in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, but prison time may be another story for many of them. With riot cases flooding into Washington’s federal court, the Justice Department is under pressure to quickly resolve the least serious cases. Defendants charged with crimes such as conspiracy and assaulting officers are looking at hefty sentences. Others who were in mob but didn’t join in any violence or destruction could see little to no time behind bars. Only one defendant has pleaded guilty so far, but prosecutors have said more plea offers are coming. 

Momentum grows for closing gaps in US vaccine requirements

A law adopted this week in Connecticut adds momentum to the push to strengthen vaccination requirements for schoolchildren, but efforts to give families more leeway are brewing in statehouses around the country in debates that go back more than a century. The arguments over mandates, and when to allow exceptions, are only expected to become more heated as authorities decide what expectations should be for COVID-19 vaccinations once they are approved for young children. Religious exemptions like the one eliminated by Connecticut’s new law are facing particular scrutiny amid fears of new measles outbreaks. 

China's Lin Xiyu has 1-stroke 54-hole lead at LPGA Singapore

China’s Lin Xiyu tapped in on the 18th hole for her fourth birdie of the back nine and a 5-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the LPGA Tour’s HSBC Women’s World Championship. Lin had a 54-hole total of 14-under 202 at Sentosa Golf Club. Hannah Green shot her second consecutive 66 to move into a share of second place with world No. 2-ranked Inbee Park, who shot 70 with a birdie on the 18th after a double-bogey 7 on the 16th cost her the lead. Park led by one stroke after the first round and was tied for the lead after two.

Kings rally to spoil James' return to the Lakers' lineup

LeBron James scored 16 points in his return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup, but it wasn’t enough as the Sacramento Kings rallied for a 110-106 victory. James suffered a high right ankle sprain on March 20 against the Atlanta Hawks and missed 20 games, which was the longest absence of his career. He played 32 minutes and was 6 of 12 from the field. He missed what would had been a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining as Los Angeles lost for the fifth time in six games. Tyrese Haliburton led Sacramento with 23 points and 10 assists, and Richaun Holmes added 22 points. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Andre Drummond had 17 points.

LEADING OFF: Harper, Gregorius out, Tigers hitting just .199

Slugger Bryce Harper and shortstop Didi Gregorius are out of Philadelphia’s lineup for now. Harper has a sore wrist, the result of that 97 mph fastball that also hit his face Wednesday night in St. Louis. The pitch from Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera left Harper bloodied, but the star outfielder considered him fortunate he wasn’t hurt worse. Gregorius was put on the COVID-19 injured list.

NFL Draft: Nixon, Hufanga, Book among possible Day 3 steals

Two days down, but the NFL Draft is only half done and there are still plenty of celebrated college players available to be picked. The defensive players of the year in both the Big Ten and Pac-12 are still available heading into Saturday's fourth through seventh rounds. Looking for a quarterback? There are multiyear starters from which to choose. And several decorated offensive playmakers are still left to fill the remaining 154 picks.

Analysis: Known Agenda to start, and finish, No. 1 in Derby

From a betting standpoint, Saturday's Kentucky Derby could be wide open. Essential Quality will be the favorite and seems like the best horse on paper, plus comes in with a perfect career record of 5 for 5. Even with a horse that good, there are plenty of other contenders. And if Known Agenda can handle the inside post, something that will scare many bettors away, he might just be the one to prevail in the Run for the Roses.

Counting the costs of America's 20-year war in Afghanistan

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — America’s longest war, the two-decade-long conflict in Afghanistan that started in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, killed tens of thousands of people, dogged four U.S. presidents and ultimately proved unwinnable despite…

Mapping the Afghan war, while murky, points to Taliban gains

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Trying to map the long war in Afghanistan has become an increasingly challenging task ahead of the planned withdrawal of all U.S. forces. Since the U.S.-led invasion of 2001 and subsequent overthrow of Afghanistan's…

Formal start of final phase of Afghan pullout by US, NATO

It's official: America and NATO have begun their final withdrawal from Afghanistan ending America's ‘forever war" after nearly 20 years. In mid-April, President Joe Biden had announced the final withdrawal would begin May 1. Diplomatic and military officials say the packing up began almost one month ago. The last 2,500-3,500 U.S. troops and about 7,000 allied forces will be gone by Sept. 11 at the latest, although Western diplomats in Kabul say July 4 is the goal. 

Suns beat Jazz 121-100, now tied for NBA's best record

Devin Booker scored 31 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns pulled into a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference by beating the Utah Jazz 121-100 on Friday night. Two nights after clinching their first postseason spot in 11 years, the Suns kept rolling and never trailed after the opening minutes. Booker shot 13 of 19 from the field. Chris Paul added 12 points and nine assists. Deandre Ayton had 11 points and nine rebounds. Utah was playing without their All-Star backcourt of Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 22 points.

Bieber strikes out 11, sets K record as Indians beat Chisox

Shane Bieber struck out 11, setting a major league record in the process and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Chicago White Sox 5-3. Bieber fanned at least eight in his 18th straight game, breaking a tie for the mark set by Hall of Famer Randy Johnson in 1999-2000. Bieber gave up three runs and seven hits, walking one in six innings. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has fanned 68 in six starts this year — he's struck out at least 11 in five of those games. José Ramirez homered and drove in three runs for Cleveland. Dallas Keuchel took the loss.

India launches effort to inoculate all adults against COVID

India has opened vaccinations to all adults in hopes of taming a monstrous spike in COVID-19 infections. The move on Saturday launches a huge inoculation effort that is sure to tax the limits of the federal government, the country’s vaccine factories and the patience of its 1.4 billion people. The world’s largest maker of vaccines is still short of critical supplies — the result of lagging manufacturing and raw material shortages. Those factors delayed the rollout in several states. Only a fraction of India’s population will likely to be able to afford the prices charged by private hospitals for the shot. That means states and the federal government will be saddled with immunizing 900 million Indian adults.

The Latest: Broncos end 3rd round with Ohio State's Browning

The Denver Broncos wrapped up the second day of the NFL draft by using a compensatory pick to take Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning with the 105th overall pick. It was a big day for the Buckeyes in a draft held in Cleveland. Ohio State had five players selected in the second and third rounds for a total of six through three rounds. That was still not enough to catch Alabama for the most players selected. The Tide had eight of the first 38 players taken, but did not add another after that.