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NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. by Associated Press Published Jun. 19 2021 @ 12:00am

Tropical weather lashes Gulf Coast with brisk winds, rain NEW ORLEANS (AP) — High winds and heavy rains buffeted coastal Louisiana and Mississippi on Friday as a disorganized and unpredictable tropical weather system churned through the Gulf of Mexico, forcing cancellation of Juneteenth celebrations in Mississippi and Alabama and threatening Father's Day tourism. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

Brazil still debating dubious virus drug amid 500,000 deaths BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — As Brazil hurtles toward an official COVID-19 death toll of 500,000 — second-highest in the world — science is on trial inside the country and the truth is up for grabs. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

Biden promotes milestone of 300M vaccine shots in 150 days WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden took a cautious victory lap Friday in his quest to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control, announcing that 300 million vaccine shots have been administered in the 150 days since he took office. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

NSA to NSO: NY filmmakers explore circles of surveillance BERLIN (AP) — American filmmaker Laura Poitras, known for her award-winning 2014 documentary on former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden and his revelations about the National Security Agency, has once again turned her camera on the watchmen. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

US Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden U.S. Catholic bishops overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a "teaching document" that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

Searchers comb river after 3 tubers die, 2 disappear at dam EDEN, N.C. (AP) — Searchers combed a North Carolina river Friday for two missing tubers after a group on a recreational float went over a dam, resulting in three deaths and four people rescued from the water. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

Declaration of Juneteenth holiday sparks scramble in states COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Congress and President Joe Biden acted with swiftness this week in approving Juneteenth as a national holiday. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

Lawmakers mark Juneteenth by reviving 'abolition amendment' As the nation this week made Juneteenth a federal holiday, honoring the end of the enslavement of Black people, lawmakers are reviving calls to end a loophole in the Constitution that allowed another form of slavery — forced labor for those convicted of some crimes — to thrive. by Associated Press Published Jun. 18 2021 @ 11:05pm

Black Americans laud Juneteenth holiday, say more work ahead WASHINGTON (AP) — Black Americans rejoiced Thursday after President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday, but some said, while they appreciated the recognition at a time of racial reckoning in America, more is needed to change policies that disadvantage too many of their brethren. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:25pm

US to spend $3.2B on treatments for COVID-19, other viruses WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is devoting $3.2 billion to speed development of antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

'Obamacare' survives: Supreme Court dismisses big challenge WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court, though increasingly conservative in makeup, rejected the latest major Republican-led effort to kill the national health care law known as "Obamacare" on Thursday, preserving insurance coverage for millions of Americans. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

Senate GOP hails new Interior deputy WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate easily confirmed former Obama administration official Tommy Beaudreau as deputy secretary at the Interior Department on Thursday, a rare bipartisan moment in an increasingly bitter fight over President Joe Biden's policies on energy production and climate change. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

Pompeo unveils PAC, demurs on possible 2024 presidential bid COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has become the latest former Trump administration official to launch a political action committee, but he's not disclosing any possible 2024 presidential plans. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq War authorization WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-led House, with President Joe Biden's backing, passed legislation Thursday to repeal the 2002 authorization for use of military force in Iraq, a step supporters said was necessary for Congress to reassert its constitutional duty to weigh in on matters of war. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

Dems seek $6T plan on infrastructure, Medicare, immigration WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are looking a $6 trillion infrastructure investment plan that goes far beyond roads and bridges to include core party priorities, from lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 and adding dental, vision and hearing benefits to incorporating a long-running effort to provide legal status for certain immigrants, including "Dreamers." by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

As virus crisis ebbs, some seek commission With more than 600,000 Americans dead of COVID-19 and questions still raging about the origin of the virus and the government's response, a push is underway on Capitol Hill and beyond for a full-blown investigation of the crisis by a national commission like the one that looked into 9/11. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

School discloses alleged sexual misconduct OJAI, Calif. (AP) — An elite private high school in Southern California has disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct involving students, faculty and staff that extend back for decades and were improperly handled. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

Officers resign from Portland, Oregon, protest response unit PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A team of 50 police officers who serve on a specialized crowd-control unit in Portland, Oregon, and respond to the city's ongoing, often violent protests have resigned en masse after a team member was indicted on criminal charges. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

Biden signs bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

Religious groups get Supreme Court victory WASHINGTON (AP) — In another victory for religious groups at the Supreme Court, the justices Thursday unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. by Associated Press Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm

Missouri governor, AG stand by gun law after DOJ intervention Missouri's governor and attorney general are maintaining their stance on new state gun legislation despite criticism from the U.S. Justice Department. by Ryan Pivoney Published Jun. 17 2021 @ 4:15pm