National Stories

• Cook County Treasurer is getting famous for spreading joy with her annual calendar

  Maria Pappas is the treasurer of Cook County, Ill., but also is the star of her own unique calendar that has developed a cult following.

• The number of homeless people in the U.S. has jumped to another record high

  The number of homeless people in the U.S. is reported in the federal government's annual count. The federal agency that does the count cites rising rents and an increase in migrants coming to the U.S.

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  Rescue team ends search for a man overboard from Norwegian Cruise Line ship

  The tragedy marks the 19th overboard incident on a cruise ship this year, with only two passengers successfully rescued.

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  A health care provider that faced dozens of prisoner lawsuits is filing for bankruptcy

  Wellpath, a health care provider for hospitals, prisons and jails, has been dogged by wrongful death and medical negligence suits. What happens to those cases now that it has filed for bankruptcy?

• At the end of 1999, many thought Y2K would cause the world to collapse

  At the end of 1999, there was anxiety about a potential computer glitch known as Y2K. Some thought the world would crumble, including some who waited out the apocalypse in an old house in the woods.

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  Bird flu has killed 20 big cats including cougars at a U.S. wildlife sanctuary

  The sanctuary in Washington state said it was working with officials to determine the cause of the outbreak, which has killed over half of its cats in recent weeks.

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  How to navigate gift returns and regifting this holiday season

  Etiquette experts weigh in on what to do with that ugly sweater you got for the holidays.

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  100-plus cities in the U.S. banned homeless camping this year. But will it work?

  The burst of new laws follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling, and reflects public frustration with record-high homelessness. But advocates say fines and jail time will only make the problem worse.

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  Popeye, Tintin and more will enter the public domain in the new year

  The copyrights of thousands of 20th-century films, books, compositions and sound recordings expire on Jan. 1, making them free for anyone to share and adapt. Here are some of the highlights.

• Operation Lone Star takes toll on National Guard troops tasked with enforcing it

  Operation Lone Star is intended to deter illegal migration. It's also taking a toll on some of the Texas National Guardsmen tasked with enforcing it.

• Students can be charged with a felony for threatening violence under Tennessee laws

  Students threatening mass violence at school can be charged with a felony, under new laws in Tennessee. This has put law enforcement at odds with school officials.

• 2024 brought more dramatic changes in abortion rights across the U.S.

  It's been more than two years since the Supreme Court overturned a federal right to abortion and gave the issue to the states. 2025 could be the year states start battling each other in court.