Nation briefs 5/18/2016

Trump, Megyn Kelly of Fox call a truce

NEW YORK -- Donald Trump and Megyn Kelly appear to have called a truce. The two sat down for a much-ballyhooed interview that was the culmination -- at least for now -- of the frequent sparring between the now-presumptive Republican presidential nominee and one of the biggest stars on the conservative-leaning Fox News Channel. It was taped last month and aired Tuesday night on the Fox broadcast network. Their fight began last August, in the first GOP debate, when Kelly lobbed several tough questions at Trump, including one about how he has talked about women publicly. Trump escalated the feud over Twitter for months. But the brash businessman appeared somewhat sheepish when Kelly asked him about some of the insults he tweeted her way, including "bimbo." "Uh, that was a retweet. Did I say that?" Trump asked. "Many times," Kelly responded. "Ooooh. OK," said Trump, who said he didn't want his followers bombarding Kelly with ugly social-media posts.

New York may ban declawing of cats

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York would be the first state to ban the declawing of cats under a legislative proposal that has divided veterinarians. Several vets -- along with a spokescat named Rubio -- came to the state Capitol on Tuesday to lobby for the ban. They said declawing, which involves cutting through bone, tendon and nerves to amputate the first segment of a cat's toes, is unnecessary and cruel. Australia, Britain and several European countries ban the practice. It also is illegal in Los Angeles and some other California cities. The state's Veterinary Medical Society opposes the legislation, saying the surgical procedure often can save cats with destructive scratching behavior from being euthanized.

Man allegedly held family hostage

DAVENPORT, Fla. -- A Florida man is accused of holding a family hostage for three months. Larry Gene Howard, 29, faces assault, kidnapping, robbery and firearms charges. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Howard was arrested May 7, a day after a man called 911 and reported he and his two nieces and two nephews had been held against their will. The man said a distant relative had come to visit him three months earlier and brought Howard with him. Howard returned two days later with his four children and told the victim they would be staying. The victim said Howard threatened them with a shotgun. After Howard's arrest, investigators reported finding a shotgun at the home. Howard has denied the charges.

Copperhead bites customer at Lowe's

DENVER, N.C. -- A poisonous snake in a tree bit a customer at a home-improvement store. A spokeswoman for Lowe's Companies Inc. said a customer was bitten in the outdoor lawn and garden center Monday at a store near Charlotte. The East Lincoln Fire Department said in a Facebook post a copperhead bit someone at the store. The customer's name and condition were not available. Lowe's spokeswoman Karen Cobb said employees called 911 and searched. Cobb said no snakes were found, but a pest-control company has been called to check.

-- From wire reports