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Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 41F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.

LOS ANGELES — DeMario Jackson, whose behavior on the "Bachelor" franchise led to a misconduct investigation, has been accused of raping two women.

On Tuesday, two Jane Does filed a complaint against Jackson in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that Jackson sexually assaulted them. In the legal document, both women claim that they separately went on dates with Jackson that ended with him forcing them into nonconsensual sex.

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The Wisconsin Election Commission has notified clerks that an independent candidate’s identifying information was printed incorrectly on general election ballots in the state’s 2nd District. The commission said an error at the state level meant county clerks didn’t get all the information on Douglas Alexander's candidacy that they should have before printing ballots. Wisconsin law lets independents include a statement of no more than five words next to their name. Alexander had wanted “Term Limits on Congress” to appear next to his, rather than “Independent.” The commission is arranging for voters to see a notice about the omission.

A new Arizona law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy takes effect Saturday, even as a judge weighs whether a pre-statehood law that outlaws nearly all abortions will be enforced. The 15-week law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by GOP Gov. Doug Ducey in March was enacted in hopes the U.S. Supreme Court would pare back limits on abortion regulations. It mirrored a Mississippi law that the high court was then considering that cut about nine weeks off the previous threshold. The conservative justices who hold a court majority instead completely overturned Roe v. Wade, and states can now ban abortion completely. A dozen have blocked all abortions, and and three others are restricting it.

A South Carolina hemp farmer is suing several state agencies for violating his due process rights. The federal lawsuit alleges that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Agriculture and Attorney General’s office conspired to deny John Trenton Pendarvis due process after officials say he violated sections of the state’s hemp farming program. After the Department of Agriculture discovered in 2019 that Pendarvis had grown hemp in unreported areas, law enforcement eventually destroyed the crop. But Pendarvis says government officials did not follow the proper procedures to do so. In an emailed statement to the AP, South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Communications Director Robert Kittle said the lawsuit “lacks merit.”

Technology job paychecks grew fastest in Philadelphia this year, according to a new survey of employers and workers by Hired.com.

This week’s new entertainment releases include albums from Björk and Broadway's "Into the Woods,” the reunion of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy in “Hocus Pocus 2” and a Showtime documentary about Sinéad O’Connor. Kerry Washington is behind the camera as an executive producer for Hulu’s “Reasonable Doubt,” with Emayatzy Corinealdi starring as a L.A. defense attorney who chooses results over protocol and has a complicated personal life. And “Blonde,” Andrew Dominik’s long-delayed, NC-17 rated epic and experimental film about Marilyn Monroe is finally here, available on Netflix starting Wednesday.

World Bank President David Malpass says he won’t resign after coming under criticism for his remarks earlier this week regarding climate change. At an event sponsored by The New York Times, Malpass wouldn’t answer directly when asked whether the burning of fossil fuels has contributed to global warming. Instead, he said he is not a scientist. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration disagrees with Malpass’ comments suggesting climate change is not caused by human activity.

Major League Baseball has suspended three minor league pitchers after they tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Melvi Acosta, Jendersson Caraballo and Braudin Ciprian each tested positive for Stanozolol. Acosta, a 27-year-old right-hander with Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul, was suspended for 80 games. Caraballo, a 22-year-old right-hander on the roster for the Dominican Summer League White Sox, received a 60-game suspension. Ciprian, a 21-year-old right-hander on the roster with the Dominican Summer League Brewers, also was suspended for 60 games.

DAVIE, Fla. - September 23, 2022 - ( Newswire.com )

A Missouri judge is weighing two lawsuits against a new state law on voter photo identification and civic engagement rules. Attorneys argued over how and whether the lawsuits should proceed during a hearing before a judge on Friday. The first lawsuit probes the constitutionality of requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID in order to cast a regular ballot. Lawyers defending that portion of the law asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. The other lawsuit centers on new rules for absentee voter applications and voter registration. The plaintiffs want the judge to put that portion of the law on hold.

A federal judge has rejected the Justice Department’s bid to block a major U.S. sugar manufacturer from acquiring its rival, clearing the way for the acquisition to proceed. The ruling was handed down Friday by a federal judge in Wilmington, Delaware. It comes months after the Justice Department sued to try to halt the deal between U.S. Sugar and Imperial Sugar Company, one of the largest sugar refiners in the nation. The government had argued that allowing the acquisition to go through would be harmful to consumers and anticompetitive. U.S. Sugar has argued that the acquisition will increase production and distribution of refined sugar and provide a more secure supply.

SAN DIEGO — When the bat of Albert Pujols caught fire in early August, and it appeared the St. Louis Cardinals slugger would make an improbable 11th-hour run to 700 homers, Mark McGwire began tracking his long-ago teammate through the MLB app and tuning into as many Pujols plate appearances …

Annette O’Toole is reveling in her role on Netflix's “Virgin River.” Her character is older but not always wiser, including in love. O’Toole counts herself fortunate to play Hope McCrea, given Hollywood's aversion to featuring older characters. With season four of “Virgin River” now streaming, O'Toole was in Vancouver working on season five. She says there's more “emotionally at stake” than ever for the fictional residents of Virgin River. O'Toole was largely off the romantic drama last season, choosing to stay with her mom during the worst of the pandemic. O'Toole said she was delighted that the show's creator welcomed her and her character back.

Who needs to see Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling” when the dish from behind the scenes just gets more and more entertaining?

Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers will be working without some of their top receivers Sunday when the seven-time Super Bowl winner and four-time MVP face off. The injury report released Friday ruled Green Bay’s Sammy Watkins and Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin out for Sunday’s game at Tampa. The Buccaneers already were planning to play without suspended wide receiver Mike Evans. Other receivers could be missing as well. Tampa Bay’s Russell Gage, Julio Jones and Breshad Perriman and Green Bay’s Randall Cobb and Christian Watson are listed as questionable. Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis also is questionable.

There’s plenty to like about a matchup between quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert. Not only are they at the top of the list for league’s best hair, but both are the leaders of their respective franchises. The biggest question though going into Sunday’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers is if they will face each other for the first time. Herbert has been limited in practices this week due to fractured rib cartilage. The injury happened after he took a hit from Kansas City’s Michael Danna during the fourth quarter of last Thursday’s  27-24 loss to the Chiefs.

LOS ANGELES — Multiple families have filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison, alleging that the utility failed to properly de-energize its electrical lines and caused the deadly Fairview fire in Hemet, which destroyed dozens of structures.

A NASA researcher and Texas A&M University professor has pleaded guilty to charges related to hiding his ties to a university created by the Chinese government while accepting federal grant money. Zhengdong Cheng pleaded guilty to two counts _ violation of NASA regulations and falsifying official documents _ during a hearing in Houston federal court on Thursday.  Cheng had originally been charged with wire fraud, conspiracy and false statements when he was arrested in August 2020. But he pleaded guilty to the new charges as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.  Cheng was sentenced to the time he had already served during his pretrial incarceration _ about 13 months. Cheng also agreed to pay restitution of $86,876 and pay a fine of $20,000.

Georgia’s secretary of state has announced plans to replace election equipment in one county after what he called unauthorized access to the equipment just two months after the 2020 election. A computer forensics team traveled to Coffee County, southeast of Atlanta, in January 2021. A company representative has said they made complete copies of the election management system server and other election system components. Later that month, authorities say, two men who have been involved in efforts to discredit the 2020 election results also spent hours inside the elections office with access to the equipment.

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy tried to be as tactful as possible.

First lady Jill Biden has paid tribute to predecessor Jacqueline Kennedy for her pivotal role in preventing the teardown of historic buildings on iconic Lafayette Square near the White House decades ago. Biden on Friday helped the White House Historical Association unveil a new medallion of Kennedy designed by American artist Chas Fagan in front of the association’s office on the square. Jacqueline Kennedy is widely credited with ushering in an emphasis on historic preservation at the White House during her time as first lady., besides helping save some of Lafayette Square’s buildings from the wrecking ball.

General Motors says it will spend $760 million to renovate its transmission factory in Toledo, Ohio, so it can build drive lines for electric vehicles. It’s the first GM engine or transmission plant to begin the long transition from internal combustion engines to EVs. GM has a goal of making only electric passenger vehicles by 2035. The investment will keep the jobs of about 1,500 hourly and salaried workers at the Toledo plant, which now makes four transmissions used in pickup trucks and many other GM internal combustion vehicles. It’s good news for workers in Toledo, who have been worried about the future of their plant.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal is demanding that authorities don’t review a slain reporter’s electronic devices, which were seized by authorities after his death. The newspaper argues Jeff German's cellphone, four computers and hard drive contain confidential sources and unpublished materials protected by federal and state law. Officials say they could be used in the prosecution and defense of German’s alleged killer. Robert Telles, a Clark County public administrator who recently lost his re-election bid, is accused of stabbing German outside his home earlier this month. German had reported on accusations of bullying and hostility by Telles in his office.

Marilyn Monroe has been dead for 60 years, but there is still a kind of madness around her that remains. Just look at the discourse around “Blonde,” an adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ fictional portrait of the Hollywood star that has yet to be seen by the general public. That will change on Sept. 28, when audiences get to revel in the divisive, almost three-hour film which some have loved and others have called exploitative. To Andrew Dominik, however, the impassioned responses  — whether positive or negative — just mean that the film works. Ana de Armas stars as the late icon.

DENVER — The Adams County coroner’s office changed Elijah McClain’s cause of death from “undetermined” to ketamine toxicity after reviewing additional evidence during the grand jury investigation into his death, according to an updated autopsy report released Friday.

Zach Wilson is getting closer to playing again for the New York Jets. That means Joe Flacco’s time as the starting quarterback is coming to a close. It could be next week. Or maybe a few weeks. When Wilson’s knee is totally healthy, he’ll be back under center even if the Jets are flourishing under Flacco. The game at Pittsburgh in Week 4 will be the earliest Wilson would return. Flacco is doing all he can to establish himself as the quarterback of right now. The 37-year-old veteran led the Jets to a stunning 31-30 victory at Cleveland last Sunday.

Cincinnati is looking to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2019 when it opened 0-11 before beating New York in Week 13. The Bengals got down by at least two touchdowns in both of their losses this season and fought their way back to the verge of winning. Dallas won last week’s game on a 50-yard field goal as time expired. The Jets snapped a 13-game losing streak in the month of September going back to 2018 with their 31-30 victory at Cleveland last week. New York was down by 13 with 1:55 remaining but Joe Flacco and the Jets rallied to win.

House Republican leadership traveled to southwestern Pennsylvania on Friday to unveil their “Commitment to America,” a policy platform broadly outlining the party’s goals should they reclaim control of the chamber after the midterm elections.

Spain hosts Switzerland in Zaragoza seeking a win to remain in first place of its group before a possible winner-take-all clash with Portugal for a spot in next June’s Nations League final four. Spain can clinch their group if it beats Switzerland and Portugal loses against the Czech Republic in Prague. Erling Haaland’s Norway, Scotland and Israel are well placed to earn promotion to the Nations League top tier heading into the latest round of games in League B.

Jacoby Brissett is doing everything the Cleveland Browns had hoped. The veteran quarterback has provided quality play and solid leadership through three games as the Browns wait for starter Deshaun Watson to return from his 11-game suspension. Brissett has been pin-point accurate in Cleveland's past two games. On Thursday, he threw two touchdown passes as the Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-17 and distanced themselves from a brutal loss to the New York Jets four days earlier. Brissett has no illusions about his role in holding Watson's spot, but he's also enjoying every moment while trying to keep the Browns in contention.

Rasmus Hojgaard has moved six shots clear at the French Open after posting a 6-under 65 in the second round. The Danish player and overnight leader had seven birdies at Le Golf National outside Paris to move to 15 under overall. His only blemish was a bogey on the fifth hole. Frenchman Paul Barjon’s 3-under 68 moved him up from third to second. Barjon holed an eagle putt from 61 feet on the 14th hole and pleased the crowd as they stayed with him. South African George Coetzee fired a 66 to push himself up to third place, one stroke behind Barjon at 8 under.

PHILADELPHIA — He rallied in Erie and marched in Pittsburgh. He held a town hall at a rural inn in Franklin County, spoke to union members in the Lehigh Valley, and headlined Democratic dinners in Northeastern Pennsylvania. But since launching his campaign in February 2021, Democratic Senate…

Cleveland Browns starting linebacker and team captain Anthony Walker Jr. will miss the rest of the season after tearing a quadriceps tendon in Thursday night’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Walker is one of the Browns' emotional leaders and the defensive signal caller. Walker was injured while defending a screen pass. His legs buckled awkwardly under him as he was blocked by Steelers right tackle lineman Chukwuma Okorafor, who then fell on Walker as he laid face down. Walker re-signed as a free agent for a second season with Cleveland in March. Jacob Phillips will move into the starting lineup and take over play calls.

Taylor Swift may soon fulfill her fans’ wildest dreams, headlining next year’s Super Bowl halftime show, according to one report.

A man who was one of eight people injured in an explosion that tore through the top floor of a Chicago apartment building has died. Authorities have determined the blast resulted from an ignition of natural gas. Chicago fire officials said Friday that the most seriously injured person had succumbed to injuries following Tuesday's blast. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office identified the dead man as 29-year-old Shabron Robinson of Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department said Friday that its investigators have “determined the source of the explosion to be the ignition of natural gas.” The cause of the ignition remains under investigation.

Two U.S. military veterans who disappeared three months ago while fighting Russia with Ukrainian forces have arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Alabama residents were released by Russian-backed separatists as part of a prisoner exchange. Alex Drueke said he and Andy Huynh were looking forward to spending time with their families and would speak to the media soon. The pair arrived at about noon Friday. Drueke and Huynh went missing in northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border on June 9. They had traveled to Ukraine on their own and bonded over their shared home state.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has appealed for a peaceful end to the dispute over Kashmir and deplored regional instability. He was invoking the perennial themes of Pakistan’s U.N. addresses after dedicating the first half of his speech Friday to the ravages of recent floods. Sharif said the flood-induced devastation means it’s incumbent on Pakistan to “ensure rapid economic growth and lift millions out of poverty and hunger.” But Sharif said Pakistan needs a stable environment to do so. That means peace in South Asia that he said hinges on a resolution of the decadeslong dispute over Jammu and Kashmir.

TROY, Mich. — Republican candidate for governor Tudor Dixon joked during a Friday campaign event about the 2020 kidnapping plot against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a remark that quickly drew criticism.

A Chicago state senator has pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to the FBI and seeking a bribe to oppose legislation that would have required a statewide evaluation of red-light camera systems. Sen. Emil Jones III, the latest public official implicated in the bribery scheme, entered the plea by telephone Friday before U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday called for Jones to resign his seat, one day after Jones stepped down from his unpaid post as deputy leader for the Senate Democrats and his $11,000-per-year committee chair position at the request of Senate President Don Harmon.