Violent tornadoes and high winds have decimated homes, wiped out schools and toppled semitractor-trailers as a monster storm that killed at least 32 people ripped its way across the central and southern U.S. Some of the initial storm deaths were reported Friday night in Missouri.

At least 32 people have been killed in a monster storm sweeping across much of the U.S. Kansas authorities said eight people died in a highway pileup caused by a dust storm Friday.

Southwest Airlines will soon implement fees for checked bags, ending a perk travelers have enjoyed for more than 50 years.

Juan Soto has homered in his first spring training at-bat for his new team, hitting a solo shot to left-center field in the first inning for the New York Mets against Houston.

The death toll from Hurricane Helene has inched up to 227 as the grim task of recovering bodies continues more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the U.S. Southeast.

Federal appellate judges have overturned a Missouri law that banned police from enforcing some federal gun laws.

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is heading to the Preakness after all.

Here is how to share your photos of the total solar eclipse

Abortion is legal for some women in Florida, but restrictions do force some to seek out-of-state procedures.

Everyone’s heard of UConn.

Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara has received his NL Cy Young Award trophy for the second time, and this time he has no reason to give it back.

Adults ages 21 and older now can legally buy marijuana for recreational use in Missouri.

Despite a growing recognition of the newspaper industry's problems among politicians and philanthropists, a new report says a downward trend continues.

Paul Goldschmidt went 4 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs for St. Louis.

The Mets have been drilled 19 times in 20 games this season, leading the league by a wide margin.

La campeona olímpica de patinaje artístico en Beijing dice que se siente vacía; la subcampeona afirma que no volvería a patinar y la favorita se va llorando sin decir una palabra.

The five members of the International Olympic Photo Pool all employ robotics to augment their wire offerings.

Manny Machado screamed at All-Star teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. in the dugout during the fifth inning of the San Diego Padres’ crucial game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

La victoria de Medina Spirit en el Derby de Kentucky peligraba tras dar positivo en un control antidopaje tras la carrera, uno que provocó que el hipódromo de Churchill Downs suspendiera el domingo al legendario entrenador Bob Baffert en el más reciente escándalo que remece al deporte.

Adam Wainwright came off the COVID-19 injured list and hung tough, St. Louis got a lights-out performance from its bullpen and the Cardinals beat the New York Mets 6-5 for their fifth straight win.

From the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to the Tri-City Dust Devils, minor league teams are set to host opening day across the country following more than a year of uncertainty and empty ballparks.

“You’d come back in the dugout and you’d say, ‘Hey where was that pitch at?’” Owings said Monday. “It would be like it is on the MLB app where it just shows where the pitch crossed the plate. But Major League Baseball has cleared the way for the return of in-game video on dugout iPads beginning on opening day, with catcher signals clipped when they are displayed on a computer. “I think the fact that they would have it in the dugout is a step in the right direction.”How much in-game video helps depends on the hitter. ___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum and AP Sports Writers Pat Graham, Stephen Hawkins and Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) celebrates after scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Panthers coach Matt Rhule says running back Christian McCaffrey is “day to day” with a shoulder injury he suffered in the closing seconds of Carolina’s 33-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Rhule would not say if McCaffrey has already had an MRI or an X-ray, adding that he should know more about the extent of the injury on Wednesday. McCaffrey left the game for a few plays and was seen holding his shoulder on the sideline. I thought he had some really nice runs, obviously scored a couple touchdowns.”If McCaffrey can't play, Mike Davis would get the start.

Jessica Murray works in her dining room on a website she started to honor lives lost to COVID-19, with her cockatoo Misha on her lap, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in St. Louis. In June, Murray began the website stlouiscovidmemorial.com to honor lives lost to COVID-19. Nobody should go into a hospital and never see their kids again.”The St. Louis region was an early hot spot. About half of Missouri’s more than 3,000 deaths have been in St. Louis or its surrounding counties. Read the collection of stories at https://apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing___Associated Press photojournalist Jeff Roberson in St. Louis contributed to this report.

Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game to earn a playoff birth Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Louis. “We’d have been happy getting in as the eight seed,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. Paul Goldschmidt and Paul DeJong each added RBI singles to push the St. Louis lead to 4-0. Cardinals: St. Louis president of baseball operations John Mozeliak announced that RHP Dakota Hudson will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Monday. Cardinals: This will be the fourth postseason series between St. Louis and San Diego, who faced each other in 1996, 2005, and 2006 in the Division Series.