Seattle's elected prosecutor is promising quicker charging decisions to help tackle persistent low-level crime that's plagued businesses downtown.

By the thousands, U.S. service members are refusing or putting off the COVID-19 vaccine, as frustrated commanders scramble to knock down internet rumors and find the right pitch that will convince troops to take the shot. Some Army units are seeing as few as a third agree to the vaccine, others are higher. Service leaders have vigorously campaigned for the vaccine. Officials from individual military services, however, said in interviews with The Associated Press that refusal rates vary widely, depending on a service member's age, unit, location, deployment status and other intangibles. Similar to the general population, younger service members are more likely to decline or ask to wait.