Triangle/Local
The election director in North Carolina, a key swing state, is ousted after a Republican power play
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina elections board ousted its widely respected executive director Wednesday in a partisan move that will put Republicans in control of election operations in the political swing state, which includes the certification of…
Bear sightings rise across North Carolina as breeding season begins
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Black near sightings are on the rise across North Carolina, with reports coming in from both rural and urban areas. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission attributes the increase to seasonal movement patterns, as bears become more active in search of…
From debate to dialogue: In a contentious era, ‘Ethics Bowl’ offers students a gentler alternative
By TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — A contrast: At the National Speech and Debate Tournament, two high school students take the stage. The first articulates the position he has been assigned to defend — people should have a right to secede…
AAA highlights smartphone feature that could reduce distracted driving
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Distracted driving remains a leading factor in crashes across the country, despite laws and awareness efforts aimed at reducing it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 9% of fatal crashes involve distracted driving, though many researchers believe…
Why the ninebark shrub deserves a spot in your garden
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener How many of you have ever heard of the Ninebark shrub or Physocarpus opulifolius for those of you who like to get technical? I hadn’t until recently! Since then I have learned that the Ninebark is also referred to…
State/Regional
North Carolina lawmakers focus on guns, immigration and parental rights ahead of a key deadline
By MAKIYA SEMINERA and GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gun access, parental rights and the response to illegal immigration were front and center this week in North Carolina as Republican lawmakers worked to keep their high-priority bills alive, while many other…
Republican concedes long-unsettled North Carolina court election to Democratic incumbent
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Republican challenger for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat conceded last November’s election on Wednesday to Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs, two days after a federal judge ruled that potentially thousands of disputed ballots challenged by Jefferson Griffin must remain…
Key Republican says he won’t back Trump’s pick for top DC prosecutor because of Jan. 6 ties
By MARY CLARE JALONICK and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis says he’s informed the White House that he won’t support Ed Martin, President Donald Trump’spick for top federal prosecutor in Washington, stalling the nomination in the Senate weeks before the…
Federal judge says results of North Carolina court race with Democrat ahead must be certified
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Disputed ballots in the still unresolved 2024 race for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat must remain in the final count, a federal judge ruled late Monday, a decision that if upheld would result in an electoral…
NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters
By JOHN RABY and JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — After Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, the sound coming from open car windows as residents gathered on a street at the top of a ridge trying to get cell service last fall…
World/National
Robert Prevost, first American pope in history of the Catholic Church, will take the name Leo XIV
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) — Catholic cardinals broke with tradition Thursday and elected the first U.S. pope, making Chicago-born missionary Robert Prevost the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church in a moment of global turmoil and conflict. Prevost, a 69-year-old member of…
Trump says he’ll pull the nomination of Ed Martin, who defended Jan. 6 rioters, for DC US Attorney
By SEUNG MIN KIM and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would pull the nomination of conservative activist Ed Martin Jr. to be the top federal prosecutor for the nation’s capital, after a key Republican senator said he could…
More than 100 vultures die in a mass poisoning in South Africa’s flagship national park
By GERALD IMRAY Associated Press CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — At least 123 vultures died in South Africa’s flagship national park after eating the carcass of an elephant that was poisoned by poachers with agricultural pesticides, park authorities and an animal conservation group said…
Federal Reserve leaves key rate unchanged as it sees risk of higher prices and higher unemployment
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday, brushing off President Donald Trump’s demands to lower borrowing costs, and said that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen. The Fed kept its rate…
Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender members of the military to take effect, for now
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a ban on transgender people in the military, while legal challenges proceed. The court acted in the dispute over a policy that presumptively disqualifies transgender people from military service and…
Entertainment
A woodpecker has invaded a Massachusetts neighborhood. Residents are taking it in stride
By HOLLY RAMER and RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press ROCKPORT, Mass. (AP) — Rockport residents have a history of fighting off invaders, but not this time. During the War of 1812, townsfolk in the tiny fishing village hurled rocks at British soldiers using their stockings as…
Go inside the factory where Peeps are made
By TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Love them or hate them, those marshmallow Peeps that come in blindingly bright colors and an array of flavors are inescapable around the Easter holiday. Millions are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born…
Wink Martindale, the genial game show host and an early TV interviewer of Elvis Presley, dies at 91
By BETH HARRIS Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Wink Martindale, the genial host of such hit game shows as “Gambit” and “Tic-Tac-Dough” who also did one of the first recorded television interviews with a young Elvis Presley, has died. He was 91. Martindale died Tuesday at…
Millions tune in for 24-hour live coverage of Sweden’s epic moose migration
By STEFANIE DAZIO Associated Press Before Swedish slow TV hit “The Great Moose Migration” began airing Tuesday, Ulla Malmgren stocked up on coffee and prepared meals so she doesn’t miss a moment of the 20-day, 24-hour event. “Sleep? Forget it. I don’t sleep,” she said.…
Blue Origin launches an all-female celebrity crew with Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launched his fiancee Lauren Sanchez into space Monday with an all-female celebrity crew that included Katy Perry and Gayle King. It was the latest wave in space tourism, where more of the rich and famous than ever before — or lucky and well-connected — can…
Sports
Panthers release veteran Jadeveon Clowney after selecting two edge rushers in the NFL draft
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have released veteran Jadeveon Clowney after selecting two edge rushers in the NFL draft. Clowney, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, had 5 1/2 sacks last season for the Panthers. He had one year left on…
ACC cuts 20-game men’s basketball slate to make room for nonconference games in bid to boost sport
By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer The Atlantic Coast Conference is hoping its men’s basketball programs trade two fewer league games for marquee nonconference matchups in an effort to reverse a dwindling haul of NCAA Tournament bids. The league announced Wednesday it is reducing its 20-game…
Hurricanes sign goaltender Frederik Andersen to a 1-year. $2.75M contract extension
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season that is worth $2.75 million. General manager Eric Tulsky announced the deal Saturday, a little over 48 hours before his team starts the second round of…
Sovereignty reigns in 151st Kentucky Derby, outdueling favorite Journalism in the slop
By BETH HARRIS AP Racing Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Sovereignty gave trainer Bill Mott a second Kentucky Derby victory. This time there was no doubt about it and no asterisk. The 3-year-old colt outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st…
UNC’s Belichick defends Hudson as ‘doing her job’ after interjecting during CBS interview
By AARON BEARD AP Sports Writer North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick defended girlfriend Jordon Hudson for interjecting during a CBS interviewer’s questions about their relationship and said she was “simply doing her job.” The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach and first-time college coach at UNC issued…