The Associated Press high school boys basketball poll with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Monday, total points, and last week’s ranking: Class 4A W-L Pts Prv 1. Fishers (10) 19-1 218 1 2. Noblesville 18-2 181 3 3. Westfield 18-4 166 4 4. Lawrence North (1) 19-2 149 2 5. Kokomo 19-3 134 6 6. Greenfield 20-0 124 5 …

BEND, Oregon (AP) — Public health officials in Oregon have reported a case of bubonic plague in a local resident who they said likely contracted it from a pet cat. All close contacts of the person and the cat have been contacted and provided medication, Dr. Richard Fawcett, the health officer for Deschutes County, said in a statement last week. …

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia accused the West on Monday of sabotaging agreements that would have prevented the war in Ukraine – but the U.S. and its allies put the blame squarely on Moscow, saying there is no escaping that President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of its smaller neighbor. Days before the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion on Feb. …

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Leaders of Mississippi University for Women made a new proposal Tuesday to shed the school’s gender-specific name in a way they hope will be accepted by alumni who fondly call their alma mater “The W.” The public institution would become Wynbridge State University of Mississippi and would still market itself as “The W,” if legislators approve …

NEW YORK (AP) — It turns out there are lots of sharp elbows in the plush toy business. Build-A-Bear and the makers of Squishmallows are facing off in federal court. Kelly Toys and its Berkshire Hathaway -controlled parent company Jazwares have sued Build-A-Bear, saying its new “Skoosherz” toys copy the look and feel of their mega-popular Squishmallows products. The Skoosherz …

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A man accused of killing a Tennessee deputy and wounding another during a traffic stop last week was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, a sheriff said. Kenneth Wayne DeHart, 42, was found in Knoxville, about 17 miles (30 kilometers) from his last known location, Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong said on social media. The post …

Looking for a meaningful, beautiful, sustainable and last-minute gift for your Valentine? Consider houseplants. Florists say those that are heart-shaped, look cheerful or have staying power are especially good at conveying Valentine’s Day love. Plants symbolize growth and renewal, aspects of a healthy and loving relationship. A woman asks a gardener for Gerbera daisies in the Yogi Nursery, in New …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. Loyola (MD) Greyhounds (5-20, 3-9 Patriot League) at Lafayette Leopards (10-15, 9-3 Patriot League) Easton, Pennsylvania; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Lafayette takes on the Loyola (MD) …

NUEVA ORLEANS (AP) — La temporada de Carnaval en Nueva Orleans inició su clímax, el “Martes Gordo”, con los últimos desfiles fastuosos del Mardi Gras listos para recorrer los vecindarios históricos, mientras las estrechas calles del Barrio Francés albergan una estridente y continua fiesta callejera que desborda los bares y restaurantes. El Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club repartió su …

Saturday, Jan. 20 — Slovenia 1, United States 0 a-Thursday, March 21 — vs. Jamaica at Arlington, Texas, 7 p.m. a-Sunday, March 24 — vs. Mexico or Panama at Arlington, Texas Saturday, June 8 — vs. Colombia at Landover, Md., 5:37 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 — possible exhibition b-Sunday, June 23 — vs. Bolivia at Arlington, Texas, 6 p.m. b-Thursday, …