Category Archives: State/Regional

NC joins more than 20 states suing Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer funding

NC joins more than 20 states suing Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer funding

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than 20 states have sued President Donald Trump’s administration over billions of dollars in frozen funding for after-school care, summer programs and more. Programs for more than 1 million students are at risk because of a Trump administration freeze on education grants. Congress set aside money for the programs at Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA and public schools to provide academic support, enrichment and child care. But Trump’s administration says it wants to make sure recipients’ programs align with the Republican president’s priorities. The lawsuit was filed Monday. The lawsuit is led by California. It says freezing the money violates the Constitution and several federal laws.… Continue Reading

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette launches 2026 gubernatorial bid, touts Trump ties

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette launches 2026 gubernatorial bid, touts Trump ties

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has announced her 2026 bid for governor. Speaking to supporters on Monday, she highlighted her work with outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster and her ties to former President Donald Trump. Evette emphasized her efforts to promote McMaster’s agenda, including support for law enforcement, stricter immigration policies, and abortion restrictions. If governor she pledged to expand school choice, eliminate income taxes and fight “woke corporations.” Evette is the first female Republican lieutenant governor in the state. Other Republicans, including Attorney General Alan Wilson, have also entered the race. The GOP primary isn’t until next June.… Continue Reading

Lawmakers visit ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ after being blocked

Lawmakers visit ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ after being blocked

OCHOPEE, Fla. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers are condemning Florida’s new Everglades immigration detention center after making a state-arranged visit. They are describing crowded, unsanitary and bug-infested conditions that officials have dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” But Republican legislators said they saw a clean and well-run facility while on the same tour Saturday. The visit came after some Democrats were blocked earlier from viewing the 3,000-bed detention center. The state rapidly built it on an isolated airstrip surrounded by swampland.… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor vetoes another set of bills, including one on guns in private schools

North Carolina governor vetoes another set of bills, including one on guns in private schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has cleared his desk of the last of the legislation passed to him from the North Carolina General Assembly this legislative session. The governor vetoed three of the bills Wednesday. One of the vetoed bills would allow certain people to carry firearms on private school property with permission from certain school administrators. Stein says the bill would make children less safe. Republican proponents say the bill would help private schools in rural areas. The two other vetoes deal with nonprofit donor information and removing unauthorized people from residential property. Possible veto override attempts could occur starting later this month.… Continue Reading

Swain County sheriff steps down after sexual misconduct charges

Swain County sheriff steps down after sexual misconduct charges

BRYSON CITY, N.C. (AP) — The longtime sheriff of a western North Carolina county who was suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct has retired. Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran was first elected in 2006. He stepped down effective July 1. He faces multiple state charges, including sexual battery and felonious restraint, as well as tribal charges from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Two women say Cochran made unwanted sexual advances toward them last month. The local district attorney filed papers seeking to have him permanently removed from office.… Continue Reading

Flooding from Chantal’s remnants forces dozens to flee homes in North Carolina

Flooding from Chantal’s remnants forces dozens to flee homes in North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Officials in North Carolina say heavy rain and flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to flee their homes. The Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies completed more than 50 water rescues, many of them in areas where floodwaters entered or threatened to enter apartments. Chapel Hill officials said Monday that more than 60 people were displaced Sunday and Monday. In Orange County, the possibility of the failure of the Lake Michael Dam prompted officials to issue a voluntary evacuation for areas downstream. In Chatham County, Sheriff Mike Roberson warned residents that water may have subsided in some areas, but it was still dangerous to travel. He says officials were searching for some missing persons.… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor vetoes anti-DEI and transgender rights bills, calling them ‘mean-spirited’

North Carolina governor vetoes anti-DEI and transgender rights bills, calling them ‘mean-spirited’

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed three anti-DEI bills and another targeting transgender rights. Stein criticized on Thursday the Republican-led legislature for prioritizing what he called “mean-spirited” bills that it sent to his desk. The anti-DEI bills would cut or eliminate diversity programs in government and education. The transgender-related bill includes restrictions on state-funded gender-affirming care for prisoners and other provisions. Republicans argue these laws promote fairness and parental rights. The legislature may attempt to override the vetoes later this month. Stein has vetoed 11 bills since January, all within the past two weeks.… Continue Reading

Medicaid, food aid recipients worry about safety net cuts in bill sent to Trump

Medicaid, food aid recipients worry about safety net cuts in bill sent to Trump

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The nation’s social safety net would face massive changes under a bill headed to President Donald Trump’s desk. There would be a work requirement for many people to get or keep Medicaid health insurance, and a similar requirement for older adults to receive food assistance. Paperwork requirements would also increase. Planned Parenthood could no longer get federal funding for its non-abortion health services. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says that by 2034, the bill would result in nearly 12 million more uninsured people in the U.S. Supporters say the measures will save taxpayers money, enhance personal responsibility and block fraud.… Continue Reading

How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator’s vote against Trump’s tax bill

How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator’s vote against Trump’s tax bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — An empty hospital in Williamston, North Carolina, offers an evocative illustration of why Republican Sen. Thom Tillis would buck his party and its leaders to vote down President Trump’s signature domestic policy package. It’s one of a dozen hospitals that have closed in North Carolina over the last two decades. It’s a problem that hospital systems and health experts warn may only worsen if the “One Big Beautiful Act,” passes with its $1 trillion cuts to the Medicaid program and new restrictions on enrollment in the coverage. Across the country, 200 hospitals have shut down or reduced their services over the last two decades. Many of these closures occur in red states that have declined to expand Medicaid coverage, the health insurance program for the poorest Americans.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes bill repealing interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes bill repealing interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed a bill that would repeal an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate for power generation. Stein said Wednesday that the legislation would harm consumers and discourage clean energy. The bill would do away with a directive in a 2021 law for electric regulators to take “all reasonable steps to achieve” reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. Republican supporters say the mandate is unnecessary and costly. They want to focus on a 2050 carbon neutrality goal that would remain in place. Environmentalists praised Stein’s veto of the bill. It would impact Duke Energy, the state’s dominant electric utility.… Continue Reading

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