Michelle Obama had miscarriage, used IVF to conceive girls

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama says she felt alone after a miscarriage 20 years ago and she and Barack Obama underwent fertility treatments to conceive their two daughters, according to her upcoming memoir.In some of her most extensive public comments on her White House years, the former first lady also lets her fury fly over President Donald Trump's "bigotry and xenophobia" — dangerous, deliberate rhetoric, she wrote, that risked her family's safety."For this," she writes, "I'd never forgive him."But it's her deeply personal account of her marriage to the future president that shed new light on the Ivy League-educated couple's early struggle with issues of family, ambition and public life."We were trying to get pregnant and it wasn't going well," Mrs.

Michelle Obama launches Global Girls Alliance for education

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama has launched a program to help empower girls worldwide through education.The former first lady announced the Global Girls Alliance, which aims to support more than 1,500 grassroots organizations combating the challenges girls encounter in their communities.

Michelle Obama book tour is reaching high

NEW YORK — Check out the upcoming events at Chicago's United Center and you'll see Bulls games, Blackhawks games and concerts by Fleetwood Mac, Nicki Manaj and Cher, among others.And former first lady Michelle Obama, to launch her book tour in November.Just for the scale of its venues, there has never been a rollout quite like the one for Obama's memoir "Becoming," with stops including the Pepsi Center in Denver and American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Netflix says it has signed Barack and Michelle Obama

NEW YORK — Netflix says that it has reached a deal with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce material for the streaming service.Netflix said Monday, in a tweet, that the former president and first lady will produce films and series for the service, potentially including scripted and unscripted series, documentaries and features.Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos said that the Obamas are uniquely position to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities.Barack Obama recently appeared as a guest on David Letterman's Netflix talk show.

Report: Former Pres. Barack Obama in discussions to produce shows for Netflix

LOS ANGELES — Netflix shares surged to an all-time high following the news that Barack Obama and Netflix reportedly are negotiating a deal for the former president and his wife, Michelle, to produce shows exclusively for the streaming service.The proposed deal was reported Friday by The New York Times, which cited people familiar with the discussions who were not identified.The report sent shares to an all-time high of $326.74 earlier.

Michelle Obama to release memoir in November

NEW YORK — Michelle Obama's memoir, one of the most highly anticipated books in recent years, is coming out Nov. 13.The former first lady tweeted Sunday that the book, to come out a week after the 2018 midterm elections, is called "Becoming.""Writing 'Becoming' has been a deeply personal experience," she said in a statement. "It has allowed me, for the very first time, the space to honestly reflect on the unexpected trajectory of my life.

Michelle Obama decries lack of diversity in politics

PHILADELPHIA — Michelle Obama says the lack of diversity among some segments of the political landscape is a reason that "people don't trust politics."The former first lady made the comments in an onstage interview with television producer Shonda Rhimes at a Philadelphia women's conference Tuesday.Obama recalled seeing a split in Congress while attending her husband's State of the Union addresses at the Capitol.

Book of Michelle Obama photographs coming in October

NEW YORK — Books of Obama photographs will be in the news this fall.A collection of White House pictures of Michelle Obama is coming out Oct. 17, Ten Speed Press told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Chasing Light" will feature 150 color shots and personal commentary by White House photographer Amanda Lucidon."Mrs.

Former President Barack Obama unveils vision for presidential library in Chicago

CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama unveiled plans for his future presidential center Wednesday, painting a picture of a buzzing hub for youth and community programs on the South Side of Chicago where he raised his family and launched his political career.Obama fielded questions from residents at a forum near the site, delving into nitty gritty details of traffic patterns, green space and job creation, while avoiding any mention of his successor in the White House."What we want this to be is the world premiere institution for training young people and leadership to make a difference in their communities, in their countries and in the world," he told the friendly crowd that included Mayor Rahm Emanuel, his one-time chief of staff.It was Obama's second public appearance since he left office, providing another glimpse of post-presidential life.

Federal government relaxes nutrition standards for school lunches

LEESBURG, Va. — Schools won't have to cut the salt in meals just yet and they can serve kids fewer whole grains, under changes to federal nutrition standards announced Monday.The move by the Trump administration rolls back rules championed by former first lady Michelle Obama as part of her healthy eating initiative.As his first major action in office, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the department will delay the requirement on lowering the amount of sodium in meals while continuing to allow waivers for regulations that all grains on the lunch line must be rich in whole grains.

USS Illinois: Michelle Obama takes part in new attack submarine's commissioning

GROTON, Conn. — First lady Michelle Obama says she is "beyond proud" to be part of the commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy attack submarine named for her home state of Illinois.The submarine officially became the USS Illinois and began active service at a ceremony Saturday in Groton, Connecticut.The first lady gave the order to "man our ship and bring her to life" before the crew ran across the brow, onto the vessel.The first lady has made supporting military families a priority.

Michelle Obama sponsors $2.7B attack submarine for U.S. Navy

A Connecticut company has delivered to the U.S. Navy an attack submarine that is sponsored by first lady Michelle Obama and will be named for her home state.General Dynamics Electric Boat delivered the submarine that will become the USS Illinois on Saturday after more than five years of construction.The first lady will be involved in the life of the submarine and the lives of its sailors and their families.The submarine will begin its active service at a commissioning ceremony on Oct. 29.It took thousands of shipyard employees in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Virginia and submarine supply businesses nationwide to build the $2.7 billion submarine.Electric Boat is based in Groton (GRAH'-tuhn) and has been designing and building submarines since 1900.

AP source: Site for Barack Obama's presidential library chosen

CHICAGO -- A person familiar with the selection process says an exact location for President Barack Obama's presidential library has been chosen.The individual tells The Associated press that Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have selected Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side for the library and presidential center.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the individual wasn't authorized to discuss the choice before a formal announcement.Jackson Park is near the University of Chicago, where Obama once taught constitutional law.

Merry Christmas from President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WITI) -- A Christmas greeting from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama -- issued Thursday, December 25th via The White House Facebook page.The video message was posted with the following statement: "Merry Christmas everybody!