Thought of the Day “Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Suess… Continue Reading
Yearly Archives: 2025
Trump administration freezes $108M at Duke amid inquiry into alleged racial preferences
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is freezing $108 million in research funding to Duke University as the federal government accuses the institution of racial discrimination in the form of affirmative action, according to a person familiar with the matter. The National Institutes of Health halted the funding to the private university in North Carolina, said the person who spoke Wednesday on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Education Department sent a joint letter alleging racial preferences in Duke’s hiring and admissions. Duke did not immediately comment.… Continue Reading
American Eagle’s ‘good jeans’ ads with Sydney Sweeney spark a debate on race and beauty standards
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. fashion retailer American Eagle Outfitters wanted to make a splash with its new advertising campaign starring 27-year-old actor Sydney Sweeney. It has. The question is whether some of the public reactions the fall denim campaign produced is what American Eagle intended. Titled “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” the campaign has sparked a debate about race, Western beauty standards, and the backlash to “woke” American culture. Most of the negative reception focused on videos that used the word “genes” instead of “jeans” when discussing the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actor. Some critics saw the wordplay as a nod to eugenics, a discredited theory that held humanity could be improved through selective breeding for certain traits.… Continue Reading
Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged even as Trump demands cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is leaving its key short-term interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year, brushing off repeated calls from President Donald Trump for a cut. The Fed’s decision Wednesday leaves its key short-term rate at about 4.3%, where it has stood after the central bank reduced it three times last year. Chair Jerome Powell has said the Fed would likely have cut rates already if not for Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Powell and other Fed officials say they want to see how Trump’s duties on imports will impact inflation and the broader economy. Two Fed governors dissented in favor of a cut.… Continue Reading
Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor in 2026
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028. The Democrat’s decision, announced Wednesday, extends a guessing game about her political future that started after she lost last year’s presidential election to Donald Trump. She has not ruled out another run for president, after unsuccessful bids in 2020 and 2024. It’s not known when she will make that decision.… Continue Reading
Trump administration is launching a new private health tracking system with Big Tech’s help
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is pushing for Americans to upload personal health data to new apps run by private tech companies. This initiative aims to make accessing health records and monitoring wellness easier. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump is expected to discuss this at an event with leaders from companies like Google and Amazon. The system will focus on diabetes, weight management, and digital tools for patient check-ins. While officials say patients must opt in and data will be secure, experts warn of ethical and legal concerns. Critics worry about data privacy and potential misuse of sensitive information.… Continue Reading
Birmingham gives an emotional farewell to Ozzy Osbourne as tearful family lead tributes
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Thousands of emotional Black Sabbath fans have paid their respects to band founder and singer Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes its way through the streets of Birmingham. The rock legend died on July 22 after performing his final show weeks earlier. As the funeral procession made its way through the city’s streets on Wednesday, his family stopped to inspect the array of tributes, with his wife of 43 years, Sharon, visibly moved and wiping away tears. Since his death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, the city in central England where he grew uo and where his band was formed in 1968.… Continue Reading
NTSB finds Army chopper in fatal midair crash with plane was above altitude limit
Investigators have found that a helicopter involved in a deadly crash with a passenger plane over Washington was flying above its height limit. The helicopter’s altitude-measuring instrument was also inaccurate. These findings were revealed during the first day of National Transportation Safety Board hearings. The crash, which occurred in January, killed 67 people. The board is examining how the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army may have contributed to the incident. The hearings will continue for three days, focusing on military helicopter routes, collision avoidance technology, and air traffic controller training at Ronald Reagan National Airport.… Continue Reading
Coaches race to master art of retention amid NIL, revenue sharing and transfer portal challenges
College coaches are racing to master retention as revenue sharing and NIL opportunities steer athletes toward the transfer portal. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, who lost most of his 2023 recruits, says the transfer rate isn’t about treatment or development but possibly playing time or finances. At SEC Media Days, he emphasized loyalty, with players like Cam Ball staying committed. Florida coach Billy Napier highlights the importance of pitching the right message during recruiting. Coaches like SMU’s Rhett Lashlee and NC State’s Dave Doeren stress rewarding loyalty over enticing new players with higher offers.… Continue Reading
Lantana: The sun-loving, pollinator-friendly powerhouse
I have grown to love lantana. I never really had anything against it. It’s just the fact I haven’t had a lot of sun areas in my landscape and lantana can take up a fair amount of room if it is happy. Most of North Carolina is hot throughout the summer and we certainly have drought periods. Lantana is made to order for these conditions. Lantana is in the verbena family and is sometimes called “shrub verbena.” It comes in various sizes from 1 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide according to my friends at the Cooperative Extension Service. It loves full sun, moist, but well-drained soil to fully perform. Lantana grows particularly well in the piedmont and thrives on the coastal plain and coast of North Carolina. It is even salt tolerant.… Continue Reading