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WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House official is confirming that President Donald Trump told Mexico's president that he might send U.S. troops to deal with "bad hombres down there" if the Mexican military doesn't. The official says the remark was meant to be "lighthearted" and was a reference to cooperation between the countries in fighting drug cartels. But Trump's remark suggested he is using the same tough and blunt talk with world leaders that he used with rally crowds on the campaign trail.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Billionaire philanthropist and public education backer Eli Broad is urging senators to vote against President Donald Trump's pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos (dih-VAHS'), saying she is "unprepared and unqualified for the position." Broad writes in a letter to senators that if DeVos is confirmed, much of the work that's been done to improve public education "could be undone." DeVos is a major advocate of school choice programs, and Democrats and labor unions have protested her candidacy. Two Republican senators have announced that they'll vote against her -- meaning that if one more Republican decides to do so, the nomination will be defeated.
SMYRNA, Del. (AP) — After the death of a correctional officer during a hostage situation in a prison, Delaware's governor says officials will "hold accountable anyone who was responsible." Inmates took four correction workers hostage yesterday morning, prompting a lockdown of all Delaware prisons. The inmates released one staffer in the afternoon and another last night. After police breached the building early today, officials say one hostage was found dead. They say another is alert and talking. Gov. John Carney says officials will "make whatever changes are necessary to ensure nothing like it ever happens again."
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening modestly lower on Wall Street as traders didn't find much to get excited about in the latest batch of earnings reports from U.S. companies. Insurer MetLife sank 5 percent after reporting earnings and revenue that came in well below analysts' forecasts.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, another sign that U.S. workers are enjoying job security. The Labor Department says claims for jobless aid fell by 14,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 246,000. The government also reports today that productivity of American workers rose in the October-to-December period but at a slower pace than the previous quarter. Growth in labor costs increased.
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