AP THE MORNİNG WİRE - by Elizabeth Both - May 25, 2025 - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson talks with AP about his faith, soldiers and former detainees tell the AP that Israeli use of human shields in Gaza was systematic and

 

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By Elizabeth Both May 25, 2025

Good morning and welcome to the Sunday edition of Morning Wire, where we give you the weekend rundown to get ready for the week ahead. Today, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson talks with AP about his faith, soldiers and former detainees tell the AP that Israeli use of human shields in Gaza was systematic and a giant sea turtle gets an unusual scan.  But first, Democrats try to start winning back rural America.  Morning Wire will be on hiatus Monday in observance of the Memorial Day holiday in the United States. Be sure you are signed up for AP News Alerts so you don't miss any major breaking news. UP FIRST Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Colmon Elridge addresses a "Rural Listening Tour" gathering in Paintsville, Ky., Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Bill Barrow) The Democrats’ path back to power might start in places like this Appalachian town Nationally, Trump won 60% of small town and rural voters in 2020, according to AP VoteCast data, and 63% in 2024. That’s a far cry from a generation ago, when Democrat Bill Clinton won pluralities in Johnson County on his way to capturing Kentucky’s electoral votes in the 1992 and 1996 White House races. Read more.

TOP STORIES House Speaker Mike Johnson, of La., poses for a photo in the Congressional Prayer Room at the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Lisa Mascaro) At 3 a.m. in the Capitol, the Speaker of the House pauses to share his place for prayer It was just past 3 a.m., a few hours before the House vote on President Donald Trump’s top priority in Congress, his “big, beautiful bill.” House Speaker Mike Johnson was rushing through the Capitol halls with his security guards and aides in tow. For a moment, he paused. Would you like to see the prayer room? he asked an Associated Press reporter. The question was in response to another question about his leadership style: whether his religion, his Christian faith, had been guiding him through the tumultuous process. Read more. Israeli use of human shields in Gaza was systematic, soldiers and former detainees tell the AP Several Palestinians and soldiers told the AP that Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for explosives or militants. The AP spoke with seven Palestinians who described being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and with two members of Israel’s military who said they engaged in the practice, which is prohibited by international law. Read more.

ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS In this photo provided by Marisa Marulli a veterinary team conducts a CAT scan on a sea turtle named Pennywise at an equine center in Wellington, Fla., on Wednesday May, 21, 2025. (Marisa Marulli via AP) READ Marine life: A 302-pound loggerhead sea turtle hit by a boat gets an oversize CT scan, with a surprise Health concerns: Billy Joel cancels touring after being diagnosed with a brain disorder Immigration: A federal judge orders the Trump administration to return a Guatemalan deported to Mexico to the US Heist aftermath: Kim Kardashian’s robbers found guilty in Paris but won’t face prison time Storms: Trump approves FEMA disaster relief for 8 states Crime:  A crypto investor is charged with kidnapping and torturing a man in an NYC apartment for weeks Costly change: The penny costs nearly 4 cents to make. Here’s how much the US spends on minting its other coins Five years later: Ex-Minneapolis police chief recalls ‘absolutely gut-wrenching’ moment of seeing George Floyd video In their words: How recent presidents have honored America’s fallen on Memorial Day Today in History: In 1977, 'Star Wars' was released by 20th Century Fox WATCH Facts disputed: South Africa police minister says Trump ‘twisted’ facts to push baseless genocide claims In the path of disaster: Couple describes plane crash that destroyed their home 'Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow': See Japanese artist Takashi Murakami’s newest exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art A player's campaign: Blind tennis champion lobbies for sport’s awareness and Paralympic inclusion Pup patrol: Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies fending off wildlife at a West Virginia airport

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