Category Archives: State/Regional

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Officials say a North Carolina government initiative is eliminating over $6.5 billion in medical debt for more than 2.5 million residents. The totals released Monday exceed initial expectations for the effort announced last year. It offered hospitals extra Medicaid funds if they relieve patients’ debt and implement policies to prevent future liabilities. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said word of the debt relief is “life-changing news for so many families” struggling with the financial weight of unexpected medical crises. Hospitals are already letting many patients know about their debt relief. A nonprofit group helping in the project is sending more than 250,000 notices this week.… Continue Reading

Lumbee leader to join North Carolina statehouse as tribe’s federal recognition push gains attention

Lumbee leader to join North Carolina statehouse as tribe’s federal recognition push gains attention

LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) — The leader of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is set to join the state legislature. Robeson County Republican Party committee members unanimously recommended John Lowery on Tuesday to fill a state House seat most recently held by his brother. Jarrod Lowery resigned this week to take a job with the U.S. Interior Department. John Lowery has been Lumbee Tribe chairman since 2022 and plans to remain at that post as well. He’s been chairman during a period of both momentum and obstacles for the Lumbee Tribe in attaining full federal recognition, which could bring access to health care and grants.… Continue Reading

All injured in deadly North Carolina waterfront bar shooting released from the hospital

All injured in deadly North Carolina waterfront bar shooting released from the hospital

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (AP) — Six people hospitalized after a deadly shooting at a North Carolina coastal bar have all been released. Authorities initially said five people were injured in the Sept. 27 attack at the American Fish Company in Southport. But officials said Friday that a sixth person had admitted themself to a hospital. Shooting suspect Nigel Max Edge faces three counts of first-degree murder and other charges. Authorities allege he glided up to the wharf in a motorboat and opened fire. The Marine Corps veteran is in jail without bond pending an Oct. 13 probable cause hearing.… Continue Reading

Authorities identify those killed in weekend North Carolina bar shooting

Authorities identify those killed in weekend North Carolina bar shooting

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (AP) — The three people killed in a mass shooting at a waterfront bar last weekend in Southport, North Carolina, have been identified. Police named Joy Rogers of Southport, Solomon Banjo of Virginia and Michael Durbin of Ohio. Five others were injured in the attack Saturday night. Authorities have arrested a former Marine and charged him with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder and assault. Police allege the suspect used a boat to approach the bar and opened fire on patrons. The investigation is ongoing, and the defendant has not entered a plea.… Continue Reading

Bermuda lashed by distant hurricane and prepares for the stronger Imelda

Bermuda lashed by distant hurricane and prepares for the stronger Imelda

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The outer bands of Hurricane Humberto are lashing Bermuda ahead of a more direct pass from the stronger Hurricane Imelda on the tiny British territory. Humberto is passing well north of the island in the north Atlantic, but wind gusts and some rain were forecast into Wednesday. Imelda had 85 mph winds late Tuesday and is forecast to strengthen. Its center is expected to be near the island Wednesday evening. A hurricane warning was in effect. The island’s international airport, schools and government offices were to close Wednesday. Both hurricanes were creating ocean swells that were likely to cause dangerous surf conditions on Bermuda, the Bahamas and the U.S. East Coast.… Continue Reading

5 homes collapse into the surf of the Outer Banks as hurricanes rumble in Atlantic

5 homes collapse into the surf of the Outer Banks as hurricanes rumble in Atlantic

Five unoccupied houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks have collapsed into the ocean. Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda are far offshore but are churning the surf on the U.S. East Coast. The National Park Service says these are the latest private beachfront structures to fall in recent years. The homes that collapsed Tuesday were in the island community of Buxton. Video footage shows debris and entire homes being battered by waves on the shore. The park service warns more collapses are possible. North Carolina’s coast is eroding because of rising sea levels, with 17 houses in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore collapsing since 2020.… Continue Reading

Georgia farmers will get $531M in Hurricane Helene aid, but the deal’s not done yet

Georgia farmers will get $531M in Hurricane Helene aid, but the deal’s not done yet

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia farmers are still waiting for aid after Hurricane Helene, even as other states finalize agreements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Georgia officials announced $531 million for Georgia farmers on Tuesday. However, unlike South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, Georgia hasn’t completed an agreement on distributing the funds. Officials are still ironing out administrative details. The delays have frustrated farmers, who have faced financial stress and low crop prices. The September 2024 storm caused significant damage across several states, with Georgia’s poultry industry being a major target for additional aid.… Continue Reading

Judge rejects claims of racial gerrymandering in North Carolina state Senate districts

Judge rejects claims of racial gerrymandering in North Carolina state Senate districts

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has decided that two legislative districts in northeastern North Carolina can remain intact. Black voters argued that Republicans manipulated the boundaries to prevent them from electing their preferred candidates. U.S. District Judge James Dever sided on Tuesday with GOP leaders, stating that the plaintiffs failed to prove the lines diluted Black voting power. The case involved two state Senate districts approved in 2023. The lines include a region where African American population is high. The ruling could be appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.… Continue Reading

US House members hear pleas for tougher justice policies after stabbing death of refugee

US House members hear pleas for tougher justice policies after stabbing death of refugee

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — U.S. House members have met in North Carolina’s largest city to hear from families of violent-crime victims. They called on Monday for tougher criminal justice policies after last month’s stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte train. The judiciary subcommittee meeting in Charlotte heard from speakers who criticized local court systems for failing to protect the public. The meeting was prompted by the death of Iryna Zarutska and the arrest of a suspect with a long criminal history. Public outrage intensified after the release of security video showing the attack.… Continue Reading

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