AP Trending SummaryBrief at 10:53 p.m. EDT (2024)

Bear survives hard fall from tree near downtown Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A black bear fell about 20 feet from a tree in Salt Lake City after wildlife officials tranquilized it but couldn’t provide it a soft landing. The bear survived and was quickly released back into the mountains. Officials had been working to set up a bucket truck beneath the tree to break its fall but could not secure it in time. Crews loaded the bear into a tube-like cage and administered a fast-acting drug to reverse the effects of the tranquilizers. Black bears come out of hibernation in mid-March. But they are rarely spotted in the city despite its close proximity to the mountains.

They're big. They're colorful. But Joro spiders aren't nightmare fodder

Joro spiders — invasive, brightly colored, orb-weaving arachnids that have been spreading in the U.S. for the past several years — have captured the public's interest and horror once again. But spider experts say the jury's still out on the impact the spider will have, when it will reach different parts of the country, and whether this creature warrants picking up a can of Raid. Instead, they worry more that invasive species are getting harder to manage as a result of global trade and climate change — and that less flashy species can do more damage to crops and forests.

YouTube toughens policy on gun videos and youth; critics say proof will be in enforcement

WASHINGTON (AP) — YouTube is changing its rules to protect its youngest users from potentially harmful firearm videos. The video sharing platform owned by Google says that starting later this month it will prohibit videos that demonstrate how to remove firearm safety devices. Videos showing homemade guns, automatic weapons and certain firearm accessories like silencers will be restricted to users 18 and older. Last year, researchers found YouTube was automatically recommending graphic videos of gun violence to young users, despite the platform's own rules which ban gory content. Critics say the new rules won't mean much if they're not effectively enforced by YouTube.

Salmonella outbreak may be linked to recalled cucumbers, CDC says

Cucumbers contaminated with salmonella bacteria may have sickened and hospitalized dozens of people in at least 25 states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that at least 162 people were sickened and 54 were hospitalized. Testing detected salmonella bacteria in a cucumber that led to a recall of whole cucumbers last week by Fresh Start Produce of Delray Beach, Florida. Further testing is underway to see if that strain of salmonella is causing the outbreak. Salmonella can cause severe illness in young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems.

Nvidia's stock market value surpasses $3 trillion. How it rose to AI prominence, by the numbers

Nvidia’s stock price has more than doubled this year after more than tripling in 2023 and it’s now the third most valuable company in the S&P 500. The stock rose again Wednesday to surpass $3 trillion in market value. The chipmaker has seen soaring demand for its semiconductors and revenue more than tripled in the most recent quarter. Nvidia is also about to undergo a stock split that will give each of its investors nine additional shares for every one that they already own. The move is aimed at making the stock more affordable.

Governor halts plan to charge most drivers entering Manhattan $15 for transit and traffic fixes

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has halted a plan to charge motorists big tolls to enter the core of Manhattan. Just weeks before the nation’s first “congestion pricing” system was set to launch, she says it risks "too many unintended consequences at this time." The Democrat says “a $15 charge puts a squeeze on the very people who make this city go." Wednesday's announcement deals a stunning blow to a program years in the making. The tolls were meant to raise billions of dollars for New York’s beleaguered subways and commuter rails and reduce pollution on the city’s streets.

Boeing launches NASA astronauts for the first time after years of delays

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Boeing has launched astronauts for the first time after years of delays. Two NASA test pilots blasted off aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday. They’re headed to the International Space Station for a weeklong stay. It was their third launch attempt, coming after a pair of rocket-related delays. Starliner’s first test flight without a crew in 2019 failed to reach the space station, so Boeing had to repeat it. Then the company had to fix a slew of capsule problems. SpaceX has been launching astronauts since 2020, but NASA wants a backup taxi service.

Disney set to invest up to $17B in Florida parks now that fight with DeSantis appointees has ended

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Months after Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees agreed to end their legal fight, the two sides are set to approve an agreement that could result in the company investing up to $17 billion into its Florida resort. It will also open the door for a fifth major theme park there. The five DeSantis-appointed supervisors who oversee the Disney World district on Wednesday gave initial approval to the development agreement that both sides had agreed to negotiate after a March settlement ended their state court lawsuits. The agreement would last for the next 15 years. A final vote is set for next week.

Big Mac battle: McDonald's loses European Union trademark fight with Irish rival Supermac's

LONDON (AP) — A top European Union court ruled that McDonald’s has lost its Big Mac trademark in the 27-nation bloc, ruling in favor of Irish fast food rival Supermac’s in a long-running legal battle. The EU General Court’s ruling said in its judgement Wednesday that the U.S. fast food giant failed to prove that it was genuinely using the Big Mac name over a five-year period for chicken sandwiches, poultry products or restaurants. The Big Mac is a hamburger made of two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles and Big Mac sauce, according to the company’s website. The decision is about more than burger names. The dispute erupted after Galway-based Supermac’s started eyeing up European expansion plans and applied to register its company name in the EU.

Walmart offers new perks for workers, from a new bonus plan to opportunities in skilled trade jobs

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart is offering new perks for its hourly workers. They include a new bonus plan as well as opportunities to move into skilled trade jobs within the company. The perks program announced on Wednesday comes as the nation’s largest private employer is seeing a decline in worker turnover. But Walmart, like other companies, faces a still-competitive labor market and increasing demands from its workers. The retailer's new bonus plan for eligible part-time and full-time store workers is based on a store’s performance. The maximum bonus potential also is tied to years of experience. The training program is expected to start with 100 workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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