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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Another Republican has formally entered the presidential race. Sen. Rand Paul declared his candidacy in his home state of Kentucky this afternoon. Paul is telling supporters he'll fight for greater liberties and smaller government. Paul has been a favorite of the tea party and has frequently bucked the Republican party establishment. In a speech in Louisville, Paul promised to continue that approach, saying he'll scrap "the Washington machine that gobbles up our freedoms."
WASHINGTON (AP) — The latest numbers from the Labor Department show a surge in job openings in February, but fewer of those jobs being filled. The number of available jobs rose to 5.1 million, the most since January 2001. However, total hiring slipped to 4.9 million. That suggests that the slowdown in job gains in March could be temporary. Meanwhile, on a brighter note, the Labor Department also says layoffs fell sharply in February.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Aaron Hernandez's defense lawyer has acknowledged for the first time that the former New England Patriot was at the scene of a killing. But, in his closing arguments, lawyer James Sultan pinned Odin Lloyd's killing on Hernandez's two co-defendants, describing the 23-year-old as a "kid who witnessed a shocking killing, committed by someone he knew" and didn't know what to do. Prosecutors say the evidence shows Hernandez is guilty of murder. Jurors are expected to get the case later today.
BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — The American health care worker who was flown back the U.S. for treatment last month after contracting Ebola in Sierra Leone is improving. The National Institutes of Health says the patient's condition has been upgraded to good. He had been in critical condition at one point. Health officials have been monitoring about 40 other Americans who may have been in contact with the infected man. None had tested positive by late last week.
CELORON, N.Y. (AP) — The sculptor who created a life-size bronze statue of Lucille Ball for her western New York hometown has offered to make a new one, after complaints that it bears little resemblance to the "I Love Lucy" star. Critics have dubbed it "Scary Lucy." While sculptor Dave Poulin (POO'-lihn) told The Associated Press this morning he was willing to create the new statue for free, the town's mayor is saying no thanks. He's says he's spoken to another sculptor who'll fix the statue for less than the $10,000 Poulin had quoted previously.
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