US overdose deaths fell 27% last year, the largest one-year decline ever seen

US overdose deaths fell 27% last year, the largest one-year decline ever seen

By MIKE STOBBE and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press

There were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before — the largest one-year decline ever recorded.

An estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday. That’s down 27% from the 110,000 in 2023.

The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years. The previous largest one-year drop was 4% in 2018, according to the agency’s National Center for Health Statistics.

All but two states saw declines last year, with Nevada and South Dakota experiencing small increases. Some of the biggest drops were in Ohio, West Virginia and other states that have been hard-hit in the nation’s decades-long overdose epidemic.

Experts say more research needs to be done to understand what drove the reduction, but they mention several possible factors. Among the most cited:

— Increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone.

— Expanded addiction treatment.

— Shifts in how people use drugs.

— The growing impact of billions of dollars in opioid lawsuit settlement money.

— The number of at-risk Americans is shrinking, after waves of deaths in older adults and a shift in teens and younger adults away from the drugs that cause most deaths.

Still, annual overdose deaths are higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the CDC noted that overdoses are still the leading cause of death for people 18-44 years old, “underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress.”

Some experts worry that the recent decline could be slowed or stopped by reductions in federal funding and the public health workforce, or a shift away from the strategies that seem to be working.

“Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas pedal,” said Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a drug policy expert at the University of California, San Francisco.

The provisional numbers are estimates of everyone who died of overdoses in the U.S., including noncitizens. That data is still being processed, and the final numbers can sometimes differ a bit. But it’s clear that there was a huge drop last year.

Experts note that there have been past moments when U.S. overdose deaths seemed to have plateaued or even started to go down, only to rise again. That happened in 2018.

But there are reasons to be optimistic.

Naloxone has become more widely available, in part because of the introduction of over-the-counter versions that don’t require prescriptions.

Meanwhile, drug manufacturers, distributors, pharmacy chains and other businesses have settled lawsuits with state and local governments over the painkillers that were a main driver of overdose deaths in the past. The deals over the last decade or so have promised about $50 billion over time, with most of it required to be used to fight addiction.

Another settlement that would be among the largest, with members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma agreeing to pay up to $7 billion, could be approved this year.

The money, along with federal taxpayer funding, is going to a variety of programs, including supportive housing and harm reduction efforts, such as providing materials to test drugs for fentanyl, the biggest driver of overdoses now.

But what each state will do with that money is currently at issue. “States can either say, ‘We won, we can walk away’” in the wake of the declines or they can use the lawsuit money on naloxone and other efforts, said Regina LaBelle, a former acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. She now heads an addiction and public policy program at Georgetown University.

President Donald Trump’s administration views opioids as largely a law enforcement issue and as a reason to step up border security. It also has been reorganizing and downsizing federal health agencies.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said overdose prevention efforts will continue, but some public health experts say cuts mean the work will not go on at the same level.

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Pennsylvania Democrat, asked Kennedy at a Wednesday hearing “why the hell” those changes are being made when the steep drop in deaths showed “we were getting somewhere.” Some advocates made a similar point in a call with reporters last week.

“We believe that taking a public health approach that seeks to support — not punish — people who use drugs is crucial to ending the overdose crisis,” said Dr. Tamara Olt, an Illinois woman whose 16-year-old son died of a heroin overdose in 2012. She is now executive director of Broken No Moore, an advocacy organization focused on substance use disorder.

Olt attributes recent declines to the growing availability of naloxone, work to make treatment available, and wider awareness of the problem.

Kimberly Douglas, an Illinois woman whose 17-year-old son died of an overdose in 2023, credited the growing chorus of grieving mothers.

“Eventually people are going to start listening,” she said. “Unfortunately, it’s taken 10-plus years.”

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Hurricanes and Stars ride stellar special teams to the verge of the conference finals

Hurricanes and Stars ride stellar special teams to the verge of the conference finals

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer

Before starting the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery had a good sense of what would determine the series between the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division, fierce rivals who are very familiar with each other.

“Special teams, goaltending, secondary scoring,” Carbery said. “Those are three things that I look at when teams are evenly matched, when it’s an even series, when the margins are very, very thin.”

While goaltending and secondary scoring have certainly factored into going up 3-1 in their series for Carolina and the Dallas Stars against the Winnipeg Jets, the biggest reason each team has gotten to this point is some of the best special teams play in the NHL playoffs.

Dallas and Carolina ranked first and second on the power play and the penalty kill among the eight teams that advanced past the first round. They’re also 1-2 in those categories this round.

“Both special teams have been excellent,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer said. “Listen, when we lost Miro (Heiskanen and Jason) Robertson, we needed our special teams to be difference-makers every night, and our goaltender. And all those things have happened to allow us to be in the spot we’re in right now.”

Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals

When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Hurricanes leads 3-1

The Hurricanes are 9-5 with a chance to advance over the past seven playoffs under coach Rod Brind’Amour, the primary stumble coming when they lost Games 6 and 7 to the New York Rangers in the second round in 2022. That is the only time during this stretch that they won three games in a series but did not advance.

“The last one is always the hardest, no matter how it plays out,” captain Jordan Staal said. “It’s not easy, and we’ve got a lot of work ahead still.”

Washington winger Tom Wilson, who has been the Capitals’ best player in the series, said the belief in the group remains strong despite needing to win three in a row to keep the season going.

“The last elimination game is probably the toughest fight,” Wilson said. “We expect their urgency’s going to be high, and ours has to be higher.”

Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield did not practice Wednesday. But Brind’Amour said Chatfield was just getting rest after feeling something late in Game 4 and should be good to go in Game 5.

Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets

When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Stars leads 3-1

The biggest things standing in Dallas’ way of a third consecutive trip to the West Final are a wired crowd in Winnipeg and an opponent that has played much better at home than on the road this postseason — most notably goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

The likely Vezina Trophy winner and Hart Trophy finalist as league MVP is 5-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .902 save percentage at home, compared to 0-5 with a 5.84 and .793 on the road.

“I leave it all out there every night,” Hellebuyck said. “I’m doing my best. Sometimes it’s a heartbreak, but all it takes is one little change, one little bounce and things can start going our way.”

The Stars are no stranger to this situation, but in each of the past two years they lost their first chance to close out their second-round opponent — Seattle in 2023 and Colorado in ’24 — before eventually doing so.

“It’s on us to play a mature game up in Winnipeg,” goalie Jake Oettinger said. “We don’t want to have to come back here and play again. We’ve all been talking about how bad we want to get back to the conference final. Now it’s our turn to show up.”

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AP Sports Writers Aaron Beard in Morrisville, North Carolina, and Stephen Hawkins in Dallas contributed to this report.

What the EPA’s partial rollback of the ‘forever chemical’ drinking water rule means

What the EPA’s partial rollback of the ‘forever chemical’ drinking water rule means

By MICHAEL PHILLIS Associated Press

On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to weaken limits on some harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water roughly a year after the Biden administration finalized the first-ever national standards.

The Biden administration said last year the rules could reduce PFAS exposure for millions of people. It was part of a broader push by officials then to address drinking water quality by writing rules to require the removal of toxic lead pipes and, after years of activist concern, address the threat of forever chemicals.

President Donald Trump has sought fewer environmental rules and more oil and gas development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has carried out that agenda by announcing massive regulatory rollbacks.

Now, we know the EPA plans to rescind limits for certain PFAS and lengthen deadlines for two of the most common types. Here are some of the essential things to know about PFAS chemicals and what the EPA decided to do:

Please explain what PFAS are to me

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that have been around for decades and have now spread into the nation’s air, water and soil.

They were manufactured by companies such as 3M, Chemours and others because they were incredibly useful. They helped eggs slide across nonstick frying pans, ensured that firefighting foam suffocates flames and helped clothes withstand the rain and keep people dry.

The chemicals resist breaking down, however, which means they stay around in the environment.

And why are they bad for humans?

Environmental activists say that PFAS manufacturers knew about the health harms of PFAS long before they were made public. The same attributes that make the chemicals so valuable – resistance to breakdown – make them hazardous to people.

PFAS accumulates in the body, which is why the Biden administration set limits for two common types, often called PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion that are phased out of manufacturing but still present in the environment.

There is a wide range of health harms now associated with exposure to certain PFAS. Cases of kidney disease, low-birth weight and high cholesterol in addition to certain cancers can be prevented by removing PFAS from water, according to the EPA.

The guidance on PFOA and PFOS has changed dramatically in recent years as scientific understanding has advanced. The EPA in 2016, for example, said the combined amount of the two substances should not exceed 70 parts per trillion. The Biden administration later said no amount is safe.

There is nuance in what the EPA did

The EPA plans to scrap limits on three types of PFAS, some of which are less well known. They include GenX substances commonly found in North Carolina as well as substances called PFHxS and PFNA. There is also a limit on a mixture of PFAS, which the agency is also planning to rescind.

It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for these types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration’s limits. But most utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS.

For the two commonly found types, PFOA and PFOS, the EPA will keep the current limits in place but give utilities two more years — until 2031 — to meet them.

Announcement is met with mixed reaction

Some environmental groups argue that the EPA can’t legally weaken the regulations. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones.

“The law is very clear that the EPA can’t repeal or weaken the drinking water standard,” said Erik Olson, a senior strategist at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council.

Environmental activists have generally slammed the EPA for not keeping the Biden-era rules in place, saying it will worsen public health.

Industry had mixed reactions. The American Chemistry Council questioned the Biden administration’s underlying science that supported the tight rules and said the Trump administration had considered the concerns about cost and the underlying science.

“However, EPA’s actions only partially address this issue, and more is needed to prevent significant impacts on local communities and other unintended consequences,” the industry group said.

Leaders of two major utility industry groups, the American Water Works Association and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, said they supported the EPA’s decision to rescind a novel approach to limit a mix of chemicals. But they also said the changes do not substantially reduce the cost of the PFAS rule.

Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith.

They did, however, get an extension.

“This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Some utilities are just finding out now where they stand,” said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm.

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

House works into the night as Republicans push ahead on Trump’s big bill

House works into the night as Republicans push ahead on Trump’s big bill

By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tax breaks tallying more than $5 trillion — but also sizable reductions in Medicaid health care, food stamps and green energy strategies to fight climate change — faced sharp debate as House lawmakers slogged through marathon overnight hearings on Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill.”

Tensions rose and emotions flared as the hours dragged on into early Wednesday morning. House Republicans are working to push President Donald Trump’s signature legislative package through a gauntlet of committees and mounting opposition from Democrats, advocacy groups and even some wary Republicans themselves.

Right from the start, one meeting was immediately disrupted by protesters shouting down what the panel’s top Democrat called “cruel” cuts to Medicaid.

“People feel very strong because they know they’re losing their health care,” said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., on the Energy & Commerce Committee, Tuesday afternoon.

And on it went. As midnight passed, two panels were still going, processing more than 100 amendments from Democrats that were largely failing, as Republicans marched ahead with their plan.

It’s the biggest political and legislative debate for the Republicans leading Congress since Trump’s first term, setting up a career-defining clash over the nation’s priorities, all coming at a time of economic unease with Trump’s trade war and other uncertainties.

Trump, speaking at a forum in the Middle East, struck an ambitious chord, saying Congress was “on the verge of passing the largest tax cut and regulation cut in American history.”

“If we get that, that will be like a rocket ship for our country,” Trump said in Saudi Arabia.

But to be sure, there are many more steps before the package becomes law.

At its core, the goal for GOP lawmakers is to extend — and enhance — tax cuts approved in 2017, adding the president’s 2024 campaign promises for no taxes on tips, Social Security income and car loan interest.

There’s also larger standard deduction, $32,000 for couples, a boost to the Child Tax Credit and a potentially higher cap of $30,000 on state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, that’s still being negotiated.

That’s offset by $1.9 trillion in savings largely from the rollback of green energy tax credits, for a net tally of $3.7 trillion in costs over the decade, according to the most recent estimates — along with billions more in savings from the safety net cuts

Additionally, the Republicans are boosting spending on their GOP priorities, with $350 billion for Trump’s mass deportation plans and funding for the Pentagon.

At the same time, the Republicans are seeking to defray the lost tax revenue and avoid skyrocketing national deficits by with another GOP goal, which is scaling back federal spending.

The Republicans are proposing cuts of nearly $800 billion over the decade to the Medicaid health care program, which is used by 70 million Americans; $290 billion to food aid in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP; and others.

Tucked into the package is a smattering of other provisions important to the White House — including one that would allow the Trump administration to yank the tax exempt status of groups it says support terrorists, sending a chill through civil society organizations who warn it’s a way to punish opponents.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of “jamming another GOP tax scam” that benefits the wealthy at the expense of programs and services used by many Americans.

Speaker Mike Johnson is determined to push the package through the House by Memorial Day, sending it to the Senate, where Republicans are working on their own version.

Johnson and his leadership team have been conferring constantly with Trump at every step.

Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chairman of the Ways & Means tax writing committee said he met with Trump on Friday and went over the tax provisions “line by line.”

“He was very happy with what we’re delivering,” Smith said.

On Tuesday, the final three of 11 House committees working on the package launched what would become lengthy meetings drilling down on some of the largest components.

Early on, Rep. Brett Guthrie, the Republican chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee, banned lawmakers from accusing colleagues of “lying.”

As the minority party in Congress, Democrats are unable to stop the bill on their own, but used the procedural tools to slow down the process.

Democrats put up posters of constituents with the words “Medicaid Matters.” One, Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas, put one on speakerphone to share her story — until her testimony was ruled out of order.

The U.S. Capitol Police said 26 people were arrested in the Rayburn House Office Building where the panel was meeting.

Estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office show that at least 7.6 million people could lose health insurance with the Medicaid cuts, and potentially more with the changes to the Affordable Care Act. Mostly, the health care changes involve imposing new work requirements for aid recipients, starting Jan. 1, 2029.

But Republican Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama said his side is trying to make the health care program work better by rooting out waste and inefficiencies.

“We’re trying to save Medicaid,” he said.

At the Ways & Means committee Democrats offered amendments into the night — to provide taxpayers relief from Trump’s tariff policies, enhance a child tax credit, and others that were all being turned back by Republicans.

As the Agriculture Committee began its work, CBO also told lawmakers the work requirements for SNAP would reduce participation by roughly 3 million people in an average month.

Republicans are working to resolve dissent within their own ranks, which shows the pressure points ahead.

Smith suggested that some changes could be made to the bill to win over those high-tax state lawmakers from New York and California who believe the proposed SALT cap is inadequate.

“There’s a little bit of wiggle room there to try to deliver additional priorities,” Smith said.

But Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said after an hourlong meeting with the speaker and staff that they were “still far from a deal.”

With the slimmest majority in the House, Johnson has just a few votes to spare, and is running into resistance from his party, including lawmakers in the Senate, which also has thin GOP margins.

The lawmakers are racing for a July 4 deadline to have the whole package sent to Trump’s desk in time to also avoid a dangerous debt default. The Treasury Secretary has said federal tax revenues are running short and Congress needs to raise the spending limit to keep paying the bills.

The package includes a $4 trillion boost to the nation’s now $36 trillion debt limit, enough to fund operations past the 2026 midterm election.

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Associated Press writers Darlene Superville and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.

New graduates enter shifting job market with cautious optimism

New graduates enter shifting job market with cautious optimism

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – As students across the country wrap up final exams, move out of their college housing, and cross the commencement stage, they’re entering a job market that’s different than the one they envisioned. CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger says the employment landscape has changed and it’s not as good of a job market as it was.

“And part of that has to do with the uncertainty that is kind of running through the economy. We now have a 90-day pause on the tariffs so maybe if there’s a final deal announced that some of the employers will open up, but it’s been tough,” said Schlesinger.

Recent graduates are also among those most affected by employment cutbacks. Schlesinger says that younger job seekers have been particularly vulnerable during the recent slowdown.

“There are jobs out there, the labor market has not collapsed. What is important is that when you enter this job market you do so a little more sober and not hoping for the dream job, but a job,” said Schlesinger.

For those entering the workforce, perspective and preparation are key. Schlesinger notes that most people will change jobs multiple times throughout their lives.

“Your first job, it’s important, it’s a milestone but it’s the beginning of your career journey, It’s going to take you to a lot of places so things like practicing interviews and making sure you have a job with benefits is really good. It’s a really good anchor as you begin your life,” says Schlesinger.

According to Forbes, a degree is just one piece of a career puzzle—it doesn’t set the ceiling for future success. Experts say passion and adaptability often shape long-term growth more than a diploma alone.

Schlesinger also emphasizes the importance of preparing a concise personal identity for the job search, nobody ever needs to see a two-page resume.

“What is also important is that you do other things like conduct practice interviews, being able to consider other jobs in other areas and making sure that you’re practicing those interviews for the job you’re applying for,” said Schlesinger.

According to Business Insider, the path forward may not come with a clear map. But for graduates stepping into the next chapter, that freedom also offers a chance to define what success means for themselves.

Aji-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Golden Herbed Quinoa

Aji-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Golden Herbed Quinoa

Aji-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Golden Herbed Quinoa

Photo Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

Aji-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Golden Herbed Quinoa Recipe from Beef It’s What’s For Dinner

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

Serving size: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef Short Ribs Bone-In, cut into 4 x 2 x 2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 large Spanish onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons aji amarillo paste
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1 large unripe papaya
  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh parsley
  • Coarsely chopped fresh parsley

Quinoa:

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1-3/4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon Annatto Oil, recipe follows (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Place beef Short Ribs Bone-In on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 4 to 5 inches from heat. Broil 18 to 20 minutes or until browned, turning once. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. (For easier cleanup, line bottom of broiler pan (not rack) with aluminum foil.)
  2. Meanwhile heat olive oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in aji paste and garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add ribs and wine; bring to a boil. Cover tightly and braise in 325°F oven 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours or until beef is fork-tender. (Short ribs may be cooked on the stovetop. Cooking times for beef and papaya remain the same.)
  3. Thirty minutes before beef is done, peel papaya and cut into 1-inch pieces, reserving 1 heaping tablespoon seeds. Add papaya, reserved seeds and 1 tablespoon parsley to stockpot; continue braising, covered, 18 to 20 minutes or until papaya is tender.
  4. Meanwhile prepare quinoa. Place quinoa in lightly oiled 2-1/2-quart saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat 2 minutes or until toasted and just starting to change color. Add water, Annatto Oil, if desired, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork; stir in parsley.
  5. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Serve short ribs and papaya with sauce over quinoa. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Scottie Scheffler is trending going into the PGA and inspired by Rory McIlroy’s win at the Masters

Scottie Scheffler is trending going into the PGA and inspired by Rory McIlroy’s win at the Masters

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler practically had the course to himself when he arrived a day early at the PGA Championship, a time to get reacquainted with Quail Hollow. He had played it only at the Presidents Cup in 2022 when the holes were a little out of order because of the format.

Looking for a line off the tee at the par-5 seventh, caddie Ted Scott pointed to a small, black box beyond the bunkers. Scheffler delivered another beauty.

An onlooker peered down the fairway, unable to see the target where they were aiming.

“Just follow the ball, and you’ll see the black box,” Scott replied with a laugh.

Scheffler is starting to look like the No. 1 player he has been for the last two years, off to a slow start by his standards after missing nearly two months because of a freak hand injury suffered while making ravioli on Christmas.

In his last start he picked up his first win of the year in a big way — an eight-shot victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the largest margin on the PGA Tour in nearly five years.

For a guy who tries not to look too far ahead or behind, there was no denying his game was in a good spot going into the PGA Championship.

“I’m showing up coming off of a tournament that I won, and that’s always a good feeling,” Scheffler said Tuesday. “You can definitely ride some of that momentum. When I look back at my career, it would be silly to say that I don’t ride some of the momentum from those wins.”

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy was on a tear that took him to victories at Pebble Beach, The Players Championship and then the crown jewel — a Masters green jacket to finally claim his place in history with the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy had said before starting that run he drew inspiration for Scheffler’s dominance, his nine-win season from 2024 that included a Masters green jacket and Olympic gold medal and all the biggest tournaments in between.

“I’m a big admirer of Scottie for a lot of different reasons,” McIlroy said after winning at Pebble Beach. “But every time I play with him and I watch how he plays and how disciplined he is, it’s a really cool thing to watch. … Just trying to take a little bit of a leaf out of his book.”

Now it might be Scheffler’s turn to be inspired. He got the best seat on the 18th green at Augusta National to see McIlroy’s joy since Scheffler helped him into the green jacket.

“It was really cool to see Rory be able to finish that off and to be there for that moment,” Scheffler said. “He’s a good buddy of mine out here, so I was very happy for him. That tournament and having to answer each year — for a guy that’s had one of the best careers in the history of the game — for him to sit in here week in, week out and have to be asked about one single golf tournament I’m sure can be a bit frustrating. And I’m sure that’s why there was so much emotion coming out of him.

“It takes a lifetime of work to be able to even have a chance to win major championships, let alone win all four of them.”

As for motivation? Scheffler gets that no matter who wins.

“It’s always motivating when you just get beat, and in golf you tend to get beat a lot,” Scheffler said. “You don’t really get to win that many tournaments. Rory has been off to a great start this year, and he’s definitely improved and made some changes in his game from last year.

“Golf is kind of an endless pursuit of getting the best out of yourself, and I’m looking forward to continuing to do that as the year goes on.”

They are the star attractions at soggy Quail Hollow and will be grouped together when the 107th PGA Championship starts Thursday, joined by defending champion Xander Schauffele.

It’s a good thing Scheffler arrived early for nine holes on Sunday — he was not at the PGA Tour event that week — because Quail Hollow has been inundated by more than 3 inches of rain since Friday, with downpours each of the two days of official practice.

Scheffler meant to play nine holes on Tuesday. He got in only five holes before the sun disappeared, dark clouds moved in and thunder claps arrived, with heavy rain not far behind.

McIlroy was supposed to meet with the media Tuesday afternoon and moved it back to Wednesday because of the weather.

That figures to make a 7,626-yard course even longer for a course where the strategy is the same for most players off the tee — grab driver and try to keep it in the short grass. The exceptions are the eighth and 14th holes, both par 4s that are reachable depending on the tees.

“Off the tee, you’re just trying to get the ball in the fairway, really, and get the ball in the fairway probably as far as you can down there, just so you can have a shorter club into the firm greens,” Scheffler said. “I think there will be a lot of strategy going into the greens, just not as much off the tee.”

One such moment was the eighth hole when he practiced on Sunday. His caddie told him driver off tee to a back left pin might be a problem if the tee shot went into the left rough. Scheffler went over to the left rough and threw a few balls in the grass.

The first shot skipped off the fringe and checked to a stop 2 inches short of the target.

Larry Miller, star on North Carolina’s ACC championship teams in 1967-68, dies at age 79

Larry Miller, star on North Carolina’s ACC championship teams in 1967-68, dies at age 79

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Larry Miller, a two-time ACC player of the year for North Carolina and 2022 inductee in the College Basketball Hall of Fame, has died. He was 79.

The UNC athletic department said Miller died Sunday in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. No cause of death was given. An athletic department spokesman said Miller was in hospice care and dealing with medical issues for some time.

Miller, a native of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, was a star forward on coach Dean Smith’s first two Atlantic Coast Conference championship and Final Four teams in 1967 and 1968. He earned first-team All-America honors both seasons and was a consensus pick in 1968 along with UCLA’s Lew Alcindor, Houston’s Elvin Hayes, LSU’s Pete Maravich and Louisville’s Wes Unseld.

Miller scored in double figures in 64 consecutive games, still a UNC record. Miller scored 1,982 points in three seasons and averaged 21.8 points, the fifth-highest by a Tar Heel. In one of his most memorable performances, he scored 32 points on 13-of-14 shooting from the field in an 82-73 victory over Duke in the 1967 ACC championship game. Led by Miller, Carolina went 70-21, including 32-10 in ACC regular-season play, from 1965-68. The Tar Heels were No. 4 in the final Associated Press polls his last two seasons, the first time Carolina was ranked in the top 10 in the final poll in consecutive seasons. Miller played seven years in the ABA and set the league’s all-time single-game record with 67 points.

North Carolina justice sworn in after long battle over result

North Carolina justice sworn in after long battle over result

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs was sworn in to a new term on Tuesday after the Democrat won a monthslong fight against her Republican rival’s challenges to thousands of ballots.

The State Board of Elections earlier Tuesday issued an election certificate to Riggs based on the incumbent’s 734-vote victory over GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin from over 5.5 million ballots cast. The board was complying with a federal judge’s order last week against Griffin, who conceded rather than appeal.

The Associated Press declared over 4,800 winners in the 2024 general election, but the Supreme Court election was the last nationally that was undecided.

“Thank you for your trust and unwavering support,” Riggs told family and supporters after she was sworn in to an eight-year term in the old House chamber. “You chose a path forward where power stays in the hands of people, not politicians. You demanded accountability and used your voices to speak out for our constitutional rights.”

The victory builds Democratic hopes that they can take over the highest court in the ninth-largest state later this decade. Associate Justice Anita Earls — the other Democrat on the seven-member court — delivered the oath to Riggs and is seeking reelection in 2026. The conservative majority in place since early 2023 has issued opinions favoring Republicans on redistricting, photo voter identification and even this race.

After two recounts, the result remained in the air for months, as Griffin protested the eligibility of over 65,000 ballots. Court decisions whittled the potential ballots at issue down to no more than roughly 7,000.

Riggs’ Democratic allies said Griffin and the state Republican Party were trying to overturn a fair and legal election by removing ballots that legally should be counted. Some of Griffin’s challenges only applied to a handful of Democratic-leaning counties.

There was “immeasurable damage done to our democracy” as a result of the challenge, Riggs said. “Voters should not have to fight tooth and nail to have their lawful votes counted.”

The State Board of Elections dismissed Griffin’s protests in December. But by April state appeals courts — including the high court — ruled against counting votes from people who never lived in North Carolina but whose parents had. And they declared ballots ineligible if they were cast by military and overseas voters who didn’t provide copies of photo identification or an ID exception form.

A Republican majority of justices also agreed that those people who cast ballots without an ID or form — perhaps several thousand — should have 30 days to provide additional information so their choices could still count.

Riggs, who recused herself from her court’s deliberations, went to federal court to block the removal of votes. U.S. District Judge Richard Myers, an appointee of President Donald Trump, sided with Riggs on May 5, agreeing the ”retroactive invalidation” of ballots cast by military and overseas voters would violate the due process rights of voters. And Myers wrote the lack of a process for people mistakenly declared nonresidents also was unconstitutional.

Griffin’s challenges in part had been about “making sure that every legal vote in an election is counted,” he said last Wednesday as he announced he wouldn’t appeal.

Republican officials contend the six-month challenge brought to light errors by the State Board of Elections that threatened election integrity and will be addressed by a newly appointed Republican-majority board. But many voters whose ballots were challenged described Griffin’s efforts as a disturbing attempt to steal an election and lamented the rulings of other Republican state judges over the ballot protests.

“It’s very distasteful that he did challenge,” said Isaac Jenkins, 76, of Aberdeen, who was on the list of those who cast ballots questioned by Griffin, which also included Riggs’ parents. “It put a bad spotlight on the Republican Party and on the courts.”

Myers’ order, however, did not invalidate for future North Carolina elections the state courts’ decisions on military and overseas voters who don’t provide ID information as well as those who have never been residents in the state. They can vote in North Carolina elections for federal offices only, the elections board said this week.

Riggs, who was appointed to the court in September 2023 by then-Gov. Roy Cooper, now serves in a full associate justice’s term that lasts through late 2032. Griffin remains a state Court of Appeals judge.

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Associated Press writer Makiya Seminera contributed to this report.

US egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs

US egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer

U.S. retail egg prices fell in April from the record-high prices they hit earlier this year, according to government data released Tuesday.

The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs declined to $5.12 last month after reaching a record $6.23 in March, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was the first month-to-month drop in egg prices since October 2024.

Overall, the average price of eggs of all sizes fell 12.7%, the steepest monthly decline since March 1984.

Still, retail egg prices remain near historic highs as a persistent outbreak of bird flu wipes out flocks of egg-laying hens. The April average price for a dozen large eggs was 79% higher than the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported for the same month a year ago, when the price averaged $2.86 per dozen.

David L. Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University, said he thinks U.S. egg prices will continue to fall in May and June. Consumer demand tends to fall after Easter, which helps lower prices, he said.

Fewer bird flu outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in recent weeks also has helped to stabilize the country’s egg supply, Ortega said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were 59 bird flu outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in February, 12 in March and three in April.

But Ortega said the progress of the virus is uncertain, and prices could edge up again if outbreaks expand again.

Bird flu has killed more than 169 million birds since early 2022. Any time a bird gets sick, the entire flock is killed to help keep the virus from spreading. Once a flock is slaughtered, it can take as long as a year to clean a farm and raise new birds to egg-laying age.

Even one outbreak at a commercial facility can impact supply, because massive egg farms may have millions of birds. Outbreaks on two farms in Ohio and South Dakota in April affected more than 927,000 egg-laying hens.

Lowering egg prices has been a particular focus of President Donald Trump. In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would invest $1 billion to help farmers improve their biosecurity measures to fight bird flu.

The U.S. has also increased imports of eggs from South Korea, Turkey, Brazil and other countries. According to Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute Sector Manager Kevin Bergquist, the volume of egg and egg product imports increased 77.5% during the first three months of the year compared to the same period a year ago.

The antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating Cal-Maine Foods, the largest U.S. egg producer, which supplies around 20% of America’s eggs. Cal-Maine confirmed the investigation in early April..

Ridgeland, Mississippi-based Cal-Maine said its net income more than tripled to $508.5 million in its most recent quarter, which ended March 1.

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