Human rights and civil liberties
FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. file photo, Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear greets members of the Kentucky Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ charity group, following an LGBTQ rally at the Capitol building in Frankfort, Ky., Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear defended a photograph of him posing with drag queens at a gay rights rally and accused a Republican lawmaker of using homophobic tactics by displaying the photo at a recent campaign rally while accusing Democrats of corrupting values, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston, File)
Kentucky governor defends photo posing with drag queens

By Bruce Schreiner Feb. 27, 2020 05:56 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2019, file photo, Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., speaks during a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington. Cummings died from complications of longtime health challenges, his office said in a statement on Oct. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2019

By Bernard Mcghee Dec. 23, 2019 10:13 AM EST

Police remove car over similarity to one used in attack

Dec. 13, 2019 06:43 AM EST
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The Charlottesville Police Department is taking a Dodge Challenger out of service because of its similarity to the car used in a...

Man convicted in 2017 Charlottesville car attack to appeal

Dec. 12, 2019 06:08 PM EST
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — An Ohio man plans to appeal his convictions for driving his car into a crowd of counterprotestors during a 2017 white nationalist...

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR’s final 4 in fun mode ahead of championship race

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 14, 2019 03:54 PM EST

FILE - In this June 29, 2018, file photo, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., talks to media during a practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Roush Fenway Racing will split at the end of the season and Chris Buescher will replace him in 2020. Although his contract is believed to run through 2021, the team said Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, it will part ways with the two-time Xfinity Series champion at the end of the year. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Stenhouse firing makes for frenzied NASCAR free agency

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 27, 2019 05:41 PM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. Fields, sentenced to life in prison on federal hate crime charges for slamming his car into anti-racism protesters during a white nationalist rally in Virginia is set to be sentenced on state murder and wounding charges. Fields will be sentenced Monday, July 15, 2019, for killing one person and injuring dozens during the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville on Aug. 12, 2017 (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
The Latest: Charlottesville victims describe pain of attack

Jul. 15, 2019 01:34 PM EDT

A Charlottesville Sheriff's van carrying James Alex Fields Jr., approaches the temporary General District Court courthouse in Charlottesville, Va., Monday, July 15, 2019. Fields is due to be sentenced in state court Monday, for his role in the Unite The Right rally in 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Man sentenced to 2nd life term in Charlottesville car attack

By Denise Lavoie Jul. 15, 2019 01:03 AM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. A sentencing hearing has been moved up for the self-avowed white supremacist convicted of federal hate crimes for plowing his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Virginia. Fields was originally scheduled to be sentenced July 3, 2019. A notice filed in court says the hearing has been moved to June 28. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
The Latest: Life sentence for man in Charlottesville attack

Jun. 28, 2019 11:40 AM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. A sentencing hearing has been moved up for the self-avowed white supremacist convicted of federal hate crimes for plowing his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Virginia. Fields was originally scheduled to be sentenced July 3, 2019. A notice filed in court says the hearing has been moved to June 28. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
Avowed white supremacist gets life sentence in car attack

By Denise Lavoie Jun. 28, 2019 01:08 AM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. A sentencing hearing has been moved up for the self-avowed white supremacist convicted of federal hate crimes for plowing his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Virginia. Fields was originally scheduled to be sentenced July 3, 2019. A notice filed in court says the hearing has been moved to June 28. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
Sentencing looms in Charlottesville attack; man seeks mercy

By Alan Suderman Jun. 22, 2019 12:33 PM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. A sentencing hearing has been moved up for the self-avowed white supremacist convicted of federal hate crimes for plowing his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Virginia. Fields was originally scheduled to be sentenced July 3, 2019. A notice filed in court says the hearing has been moved to June 28. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
Sentencing moved up for man in deadly Charlottesville rally

Jun. 17, 2019 10:10 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 12, 2017 file photo, people fly into the air as a vehicle is driven into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. A man convicted in the deadly car attack on a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Virginia is expected to change his plea to federal hate crime charges. An online court docket updated late Tuesday, March 26, 2019, says James Alex Fields Jr. is scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP, File)
The Latest: Man pleads guilty to hate crimes in car attack

Mar. 27, 2019 04:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 12, 2017 file photo, people fly into the air as a vehicle is driven into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. A man convicted in the deadly car attack on a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Virginia is expected to change his plea to federal hate crime charges. An online court docket updated late Tuesday, March 26, 2019, says James Alex Fields Jr. is scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP, File)
Man pleads guilty to federal hate crime charges in deadly car attack at white nationalist rally in Virginia

Mar. 27, 2019 03:59 PM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. Fields who was convicted in a deadly car attack on a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Virginia is expected to change his plea to federal hate crime charges. An online court docket updated late Tuesday, March 26, 2019, says Fields is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville on Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
Guilty plea to hate crimes in deadly car attack at rally

By Denise Lavoie Mar. 27, 2019 01:03 AM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. Fields who was convicted in a deadly car attack on a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Virginia is expected to change his plea to federal hate crime charges. An online court docket updated late Tuesday, March 26, 2019, says Fields is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville on Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
Man convicted in Charlottesville attack plans to change plea

Mar. 26, 2019 06:38 PM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr.,, convicted of first-degree murder for driving his car into counter protesters at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. A sentencing hearing has been delayed for Fields. A sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for March 29. But an online court docket entry shows the hearing has been postponed until July 15. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
Sentencing postponed in deadly white nationalist rally

Mar. 04, 2019 11:58 AM EST

Public can view video evidence from crowd-ramming trial

Dec. 28, 2018 11:23 AM EST
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The public can now view video evidence used in the trial of the man who drove his car into counterprotesters at a 2017 white nationalist...

Hostesses in black robes and headscarves give instructions to foreign visitors trying out a simulator at a Formula-E race on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Men and women mingled freely during the event, a scene that would have been unthinkable in the ultra-conservative kingdom until recently. (AP Photo/Karin Laub)
Saudi prince's reform: Car race, concerts, but no criticism

By Aya Batrawy Dec. 22, 2018 02:35 AM EST

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. Fields, convicted of first-degree murder for driving his car into counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Virginia faces 20 years to life in prison as jurors reconvene to consider his punishment. The panel that convicted Fields will hear more evidence Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, before recommending a sentence for Judge Richard Moore. (Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail via AP, File)
Jury recommends life in prison for man who rammed crowd

By Denise Lavoie Dec. 11, 2018 04:01 PM EST