Press-Telegram

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers slowed their spending in June from May amid continuing economic uncertainty and fading benefits from generous government tax refunds. Retail sales rose 0.2% in June, after being up a revised 1% in May, according to the Commerce Department’s report released on Thursday. Business at clothing and accessories stores slipped 0.3%, while online sales rose 1.9%, fueled by spending surrounding Amazon’s Prime Day event, which was held from June 23 through June 26.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The New York Times on Wednesday filed a motion to quash subpoenas that the Justice Department served on journalists who reported on security concerns involving the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One, teeing up a significant court fight pitting press freedom against the the government’s ability to force reporters to identify sources.

Seasonal work. Inconsistent hours. Frequent moves. Cash payments and informal jobs. For farmworkers who rely on Medicaid, these common employment patterns could put their health coverage at risk. It’s a heightened concern for the estimated million-plus farmworkers who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as new work requirements kick in for the federal-state healthcare program that serves low-income and disabled Americans.

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Markwayne Mullin took over as Homeland Security secretary from fired Kristi Noem, he pledged to get the department responsible for carrying out the Trump administration’s mass deportations policy out of the headlines. But just months into Mullin’s time in office, the department is squarely in the center of controversy again after three people were killed in encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the span of less than a week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to address the nation on Thursday night on topics he said will include elections and voting machines, suggesting he is likely to revisit some of the unproven claims he has previously made about Republican losses, particularly his own in 2020. Trump’s fixation on his loss to Democrat Joe Biden six years ago and the long-debunked theories he’s circulated about it are something he still brings up regularly when discussing other subjects.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States intensified its strikes on Iran early Thursday, hitting targets further north as American forces also fired into a ship the U.S. accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic. Iran retaliated with missile and drone fire targeting U.S. allies in the region before dawn and warned its attacks may escalate.

LAS VEGAS — Second-year guard Kobe Sanders had 26 points and five assists to lead the Clippers to a 108-94 victory over the Washington Wizards in their penultimate NBA Summer League game on Wednesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. Rookie Nick Martinelli added 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting (3 for 3 from 3-point range), while fellow second-round draft pick Baba Miller added 12 points and two blocked shots on a night when Clippers first-round pick Keaton Wagler was held out for rest.

DEL MAR — Bob Baffert has won the past two training titles at Del Mar’s annual summer thoroughbred meeting. But there is a major question facing the Hall of Famer when it comes to a three-peat in the 87th season that opens at 2 p.m. on Friday. There is no question that the silver-haired legend has one of the most talented stables in horse racing.

Following the success of Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert, Paramount, GEA Live, and Senbla have announced plans to produce a live concert version of the sequel series, “The Legend of Korra.” The new live-to-picture orchestral experience will bring the acclaimed animated series to life on stage, combining live music with cinematic visuals as it did with its predecessor. The tour coincides with the 15th anniversary of “The Legend of Korra,” which premiered on Nickelodeon in 2012.

Attorneys for Nolan Wells’ family said they will work with the local district attorney’s office investigating his death to inspect the contents of his cellphone. The family recovered the phone from his friends after he was reported missing during a July 4 boat trip to an island off the Mississippi coast.