WPTF News

NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media

NEW YORK (AP) — National Public Radio and three local stations are suing President Donald Trump, arguing that an executive order aimed at cutting federal funding for the organization is illegal. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington by NPR, Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio and KUTE, Inc. It argues that Trump’s executive order to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR violates the First Amendment. Trump issued the executive order earlier this month that instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS” and requires that they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organizations.… Continue Reading

Trump administration moves to cut $100 million in federal contracts for Harvard

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is asking federal agencies to cancel contracts with Harvard University worth about $100 million. The move intensifies the president’s clash with the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university. The government already has canceled more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants for the Ivy League school, which has pushed back on the administration’s demands for changes to several of its policies. A letter sent Tuesday from the General Services Administration directed agencies to review contracts with the university and seek alternate vendors. President Donald Trump has railed against Harvard, calling it a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. The school filed a lawsuit over the administration’s calls for changes to the university.… Continue Reading

‘Duck Dynasty’ patriarch and conservative cultural icon Phil Robertson dies

WEST MONROE, La. (AP) — Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” has died. He was 79. Robertson’s daughter-in-law announced his death Sunday on Facebook. They said in December he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Robertson turned his small duck calling interest in the sportsman’s paradise of northern Louisiana into a big business and conservative cultural phenomenon. “Duck Dynasty” followed Robertson, his brother and his sons in a reality show presented like a sitcom. They were immediately recognizable by their long beards and their conservative, Christian and family-oriented beliefs.… Continue Reading

The scars from Hurricane Helene are healing slowly in this Appalachian tourist town

CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE, N.C. (AP) — Despite being nearly wiped off the map by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, tiny Chimney Rock Village in North Carolina had optimistically predicted it would be open for business by Memorial Day. But in the days leading up to the holiday, a security guard at the town’s entrance still turns away all but locals and construction workers. Mayor Peter O’Leary admits Main Street likely won’t reopen until summer sometime. He said nearly a third of businesses were destroyed by last September’s flooding. While some are likely gone forever, there are signs of progress. Amish volunteers from Pennsylvania are rebuilding wrecked shops and inns. The state is close to finishing a temporary bridge for Chimney Rock State Park to reopen. O’Leary says the long rebuild will be worth it.… Continue Reading

Insect-eating Venus flytraps thrive in the Carolinas as hikers peek into their native ecosystem

By ERIK VERDUZCO Associated Press CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (AP) — Park ranger Jesse Anderson leads dozens of people on a weekly hike in North Carolina to see some of the most unique living things in the world — plants that supplement the nutrients they get from sunlight by digesting ants, flies and spiders. But the Venus…… Continue Reading

King Charles to outline Canada’s priorities in Parliament amid Trump annexation threat

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — King Charles III will outline new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government priorities in a speech in Parliament in what’s viewed as a show of support in the face of annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s repeated suggestion that the U.S. annex Canada prompted Prime Minister Carney to invite Charles to give the speech Tuesday from the throne. The king is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies. Carney says the visit speaks to the “vitality of our constitutional monarchy and our distinct identity.”… Continue Reading

Hurricanes’ 15-loss streak in East finals games is over. And Rod Brind’Amour is thrilled by that

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Go back to June 1, 2006. Rod Brind’Amour was a captain then; he’s a coach now. Logan Stankoven was 3 years old then; he’s a budding star now. And in those days, when people talked about Cam Ward, they meant the goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes, not the quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes. That was also the last day on which Carolina won an Eastern Conference finals game. Until Monday, that is. It’s over. Not the season. The streak. Carolina’s 15-game streak of consecutive losses in the East finals ended Monday night, with the Hurricanes beating the Florida Panthers 3-0 in Game 4 of their matchup.… Continue Reading

Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies fending off wildlife at West Virginia’s busiest airport

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Two border collies have a full-time job keeping birds and other wildlife off the runway at West Virginia’s busiest airport. Hercules and Ned make daily patrols with their handler to keep planes and passengers safe along the milelong airfield at West Virginia International Yeager Airport. Hercules is 8 years old and has been on the job at the mountaintop airport in Charleston since 2018. Ned is 3 and was brought in last year. Hercules is also the airport’s chief ambassador, soaking in affection from passengers inside the terminal while providing calm for some nervously waiting to board a flight.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s high court says elections board shift can continue while appeals carry on

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Supreme Court has confirmed it was OK for a new law that shifted the power to appoint State Board of Elections members away from the Democratic governor to start being enforced earlier this month. The court’s Republican majority declined or dismissed requests Friday that Gov. Josh Stein made three weeks ago to block for now the enforcement of the Republican law shifting authority to State Auditor Dave Boliek while Stein seeks to overturn it. But the court didn’t immediately act, so Boliek made his appointments May 1. The old Democratic-majority board now has a Republican majority. Appeals over the law’s constitutionality can continue.… Continue Reading

Kyle Larson to start on front row at Coca-Cola 600 alongside pole sitter Chase Briscoe

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Chase Briscoe won the pole for the Coca-Cola 600 and will start on the front row for NASCAR’s longest and most grueling race alongside Kyle Larson. Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, turned a lap of 182.852 mph on the 1 1/2-mile oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway to edge out Larson, who plans to arrive at the track about an hour before the race Sunday night after completing the Indianapolis 500. William Byron starts third, followed by Chris Buescher and AJ Allmendinger. Rounding out the top 10 will be John Nemechek, Ty Gibbs, Noah Gragson, Alex Bowman and defending race champion Christopher Bell.… Continue Reading

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