Family identifies 4 killed in eastern Missouri house fire

DESOTO, Mo. (AP) — Family members have identified four people killed in an eastern Missouri house fire as a couple, their daughter and a granddaughter. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that those killed were 76-year-old Joe Detter and his 74-year-old wife, Frances Detter; their daughter, 37-year-old Sherri Detter; and granddaughter, 18-year-old Kari Detter. Two men…

Health care is focus as Barrett Supreme Court hearing opens

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats branded Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett a threat to Americans’ health care during the coronavirus pandemic Monday at the start of a fast-tracked hearing that Republicans are confident will end with Barrett’s confirmation to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day. In a competing effort to…

Enrollment drops worry public schools as pandemic persists

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Parents around the United States are deciding whether to keep their children in public schools as the pandemic extends into a new academic year. Their choices could exacerbate the financial problems of school systems that receive state funding for every student they enroll. With preliminary attendance figures showing unexpected enrollment…

Pence, Harris Spar Over COVID-19 in Vice Presidential Debate

Salt Lake City, UT (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris traded barbs through plexiglass shields Wednesday night in a debate dominated by the coronavirus pandemic. Harris said President Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic, which has killed more than 210,000 Americans is “the greatest failure of any presidential administration.” Pence…