Category Archives: State/Regional

Decision looming for Trump administration on first PFAS drinking water limits

Decision looming for Trump administration on first PFAS drinking water limits

The Trump administration is expected to soon say whether it intends to stand by strict drinking water standards for forever chemicals set last year. The Environmental Protection Agency has said PFAS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight. But reducing PFAS could be costly for thousands of water utilities. The Biden administration said those costs were worth it, but it’s unclear if current EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin will agree. He’s expressed concern about places with marginal amounts of PFAS that could incur high costs to reduce it. There are billions of dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and lawsuits to help communities afford new treatments systems.… Continue Reading

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For hundreds of communities nationwide, plans to protect against natural disasters and climate change have been upended because of the Trump administration’s elimination of a federal grant program. Scrapped projects include relocating flood-damaged homes in Pennsylvania, protecting businesses from stormwater in North Carolina, and safeguarding water supply lines in Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley. The grants have been panned by the Republican White House as wasteful political spending. But those grants were seen by local officials and residents as a vital use of government resources to protect lives, infrastructure and economies with smart investments upfront.… Continue Reading

A shooting at a small North Carolina college leaves 1 dead, 6 wounded

A shooting at a small North Carolina college leaves 1 dead, 6 wounded

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (AP) — A shooting at a small college in eastern North Carolina left one person dead and six others wounded and prompted a campus lockdown. The shooting early Sunday occurred in the center of Elizabeth City State University’s campus. It happened after the final event of the historically Black university’s weeklong Viking Fest celebration. The school says a 24-year-old man who was not a student was pronounced dead. Four people sustained gunshot wounds, including three students, while two other students were injured during the commotion. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. The university is about 50 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia.… Continue Reading

US election officials question agency about Trump’s order overhauling election operations

US election officials question agency about Trump’s order overhauling election operations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — State and local election officials from around the country in North Carolina have questioned the leaders of a federal agency tasked by President Donald Trump with implementing parts of his sweeping election overhaul executive order, with some expressing concerns about the consequences for voters and the people in charge of voting. Whether the Republican president can order an independent agency to act and whether the commission has the authority to do what Trump wants will likely be settled in court. The commission is an independent federal agency and is at the center of Trump’s March 25 order that directs the commission to update the national voter registration form to include a proof-of-citizenship requirement and revise guidelines for voting systems.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges block GOP law to strip governor’s election board powers

North Carolina judges block GOP law to strip governor’s election board powers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges have struck down an attempt by Republican state lawmakers to shift power away from the governor to the state auditor. The change would have taken away Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s ability to appoint members of the State Board of Elections and pass that power to Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek. Two judges on the panel ruled in Stein’s favor and said the law was unconstitutional. The third judge dissented and said the law was within the legislature’s authority. The law finalized in December is the latest attempt by Republicans to move the state elections board appointment power away from the governor.… Continue Reading

Federal report due on Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s path to recognition as a tribal nation

Federal report due on Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s path to recognition as a tribal nation

PEMBROKE, N.C. (AP) — Members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina are awaiting the release of a Department of the Interior report that could light a path for federal recognition as a tribal nation. President Donald Trump issued a memo in January directing the department to create a plan to “assist the Lumbee Tribe in obtaining full Federal recognition through legislation or other available mechanisms, including the right to receive full Federal benefits.” The deadline for the plan is Wednesday. The Lumbee since the 1980s have had a difficult time convincing the federal government, members of Congress and some federally-recognized tribes that their claims to Native ancestry are legitimate.… Continue Reading

Unsettled North Carolina election could be determined by which ballots are subject to court orders

Unsettled North Carolina election could be determined by which ballots are subject to court orders

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Supreme Court decided recently that ballots from two categories should have been left out of the tally of an unresolved November election for a seat on the court. But there’s still legal friction about the number of ballots that must be scrutinized by election officials tasked with removing them from the count and giving voters the chance to provide information so their race choices can remain. The number is critical since Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs leads Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by just 734 votes. Griffin hopes enough ballots are removed to flip the result. Riggs says federal law prevents these ballots from being removed.… Continue Reading

North Carolina advances bill on book bans in public schools

North Carolina advances bill on book bans in public schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House Republicans have advanced a bill that would create advisory committees to approve and remove books from libraries in public and charter schools. The legislation quickly moved through the House and passed Wednesday. It now moves to the Senate. The legislation outlines that advisory committees would be made up of parents and school employees. Those committees would then make recommendations to their school boards on what library material can be allowed. Supporters say the bill would protect students from explicit material. Opponents say the bill creates unnecessary censorship in schools.… Continue Reading

NC health officials relaunch ‘Fight the Bite’ campaign as tick and mosquito season begins

NC health officials relaunch ‘Fight the Bite’ campaign as tick and mosquito season begins

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, public health officials are reminding North Carolinians to be cautious about ticks and mosquitos. In 2024 alone, the state has already reported more than 900 cases of illnesses tied to these pesky biters. To help curb the spread, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human services is relaunching its “Fight the Bite” campaign to raise awareness and promote prevention. April has been declared by the governor as “tick and mosquito” awareness month. If you start to feel symptoms after being bit by a tick or mosquito you should make an appointment with a healthcare professional.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges weigh GOP law shifting election board control away from Democratic governor

North Carolina judges weigh GOP law shifting election board control away from Democratic governor

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges will soon rule if legislative Republicans’ latest method to attempt to wrest control of the State Board of Elections from a Democratic governor is lawful. A three-judge panel listened to arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed by Gov. Josh Stein against GOP lawmakers. A law approved last year and taking effect soon would give board appointments to the state auditor. Republican Dave Boliek is now the auditor. The legislature has sought to erode or eliminate a governor’s authority to appoint the board for nearly a decade. At least four laws have been blocked and a constitutional amendment was defeated. Any ruling will assuredly be appealed.… Continue Reading

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