Category Archives: State/Regional

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina won’t run in 2026 after opposing Trump’s bill

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina won’t run in 2026 after opposing Trump’s bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina says he won’t seek reelection. That news Sunday comes one day after he announced his opposition to President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package because of its reductions to health care programs. The announcement from the two-term senator surprised senior Republicans with its timing, but not necessarily the substance. Tillis had planned to announce his reelection plans later this year, likely September at the latest, but had been heavily leaning in favor of retiring. That’s according to a person close to the senator who was granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics. His decision creates a political opportunity for Democrats seeking to bolster their numbers in the 2026 midterm elections.… Continue Reading

Senate Republicans advance Trump’s tax and spending cuts bill after dramatic late-night vote

Senate Republicans advance Trump’s tax and spending cuts bill after dramatic late-night vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted in a dramatic Saturday session, clearing a key procedural step as they race to pass President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline. The vote tally was 51-49 but only after a tense night. Proceedings came to a standstill as senators huddled in negotiations on and off the floor for hours. There’s still a long weekend of work to come. Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition. If the Senate can pass the bill in the days ahead, it would need to return to the House for more votes before it could reach the White House.… Continue Reading

Interstate 40 in the Smoky Mountains reopens faster than expected after rock slide and flooding

Interstate 40 in the Smoky Mountains reopens faster than expected after rock slide and flooding

HARTFORD, Tenn. (AP) — Crews have reopened a section of Interstate 40 along its narrow corridor through the Great Smoky Mountains after flooding and a rock slide closed the major cross country highway for nine days. Officials initially expected I-40 in far eastern Tennessee to remain closed until July 3, but crews sped along the work and the highway reopened on Friday with one lane in each direction. I-40 is already undergoing major repairs from massive damage and washouts during Hurricane Helene last fall. The damaged section is part of 12 miles in North Carolina and Tennessee that were washed away or heavily damaged by flooding that roared through the Pigeon River gorge.… Continue Reading

States can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court rules

States can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court is allowing states to cut off Medicaid money for Planned Parenthood amid a wider Republican-backed push to defund the organization, the country’s largest abortion provider. The 6-3 ruling was handed down Thursday. The case centers on funding for other health care services Planned Parenthood provides in South Carolina, but the ruling could have broader implications for Medicaid patients. South Carolina argued no public money should go to the high-profile abortion provider, even if it it’s not paying for abortions. Planned Parenthood says patients go there for things like contraception and cancer screenings, in part because it can be hard to find a doctor who takes the publicly funded insurance.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges issue mixed ruling on governor’s appointment powers

North Carolina judges issue mixed ruling on governor’s appointment powers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges have issued a mixed ruling for Democratic Gov. Josh Stein and Republican legislative leaders in litigation over recent law changes that eroded gubernatorial powers. A three-judge panel on Tuesday unanimously struck down as unconstitutional a law that placed some limits on whom the governor could choose to fill vacancies on appellate courts. But the judges let stand provisions that take away some of Stein’s appointments to the state Utilities Commission and Building Code Council. The order can be appealed. Stein and predecessor Roy Cooper have sued many times over state laws that have shifted authority away from the governor.… Continue Reading

Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says

Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says

MOCKSVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report says the pilot of a small plane that crashed at a North Carolina airport runway this month raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle. Officials say the pilot and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville. A second passenger was seriously injured. A communications operator reported that she advised the pilot about the turtle and that after landing, the pilot lifted a wheel to avoid it. A man cutting grass reported that after the wheel was raised, the wings rocked back and forth and the plane took off again. He then heard the crash.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Green Party will remain an official party in North Carolina, able to field candidates statewide through the 2028 elections. The Republican majority on the State Board of Elections voted Thursday to allow the North Carolina Green Party to be recognized again in the ninth-largest state. The party was at risk of joining four other small parties whose candidates for president or governor also failed to reach vote thresholds last year. But Green Party officials said they more than met another standard in state law because presidential candidate Jill Stein was on the 2024 ballot in at least 35 states.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed his first bills. On Friday he blocked for now Republican legislation that would let adults carry concealed handguns without a permit and make state agencies and local sheriffs more active in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The three vetoed measures now return to the legislature, where Republicans are one House seat shy of holding a veto-proof majority. Override votes could happen as soon as next week. Stein said the gun bill makes North Carolina residents less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership. One immigration bill would force some state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have finalized a bill that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law. The state Senate voted Thursday to accept the House version that would repeal the requirement that electric regulators work to reduce carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The law’s directive to meet a carbon neutrality standard by 2050 would remain in place. The bill’s Republican supporters say eliminating the interim mandate would benefit electric ratepayers and is more efficient for Duke Energy. The measure now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who raised concerns about an earlier version of the bill.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A panel of North Carolina trial judges dismissed Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s case against GOP legislative leaders over the issue of who gets to appoint and remove the State Highway Patrol commander. The Superior Court panel’s Monday decision means the case doesn’t go to trial but it can be appealed. The lawsuit focuses on part of a power-shifting law passed by the Republican-dominated legislature last year. The provision outlines that Col. Freddy Johnson would remain in his role as the State Highway Patrol commander until 2030. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper originally appointed Johnson in 2021.… Continue Reading

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