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Category Archives: WPTF News

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

By ALI SWENSON and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Sunday he will not seek reelection next year, an abrupt announcement that came one day after he staked out his opposition to President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package because of its reductions to health care programs.

His decision creates a political opportunity for Democrats seeking to bolster their numbers in the 2026 midterm elections, creating a wide-open Senate race in a state that has long been a contested battleground. It could also make Tillis a wild card in a party where few lawmakers are willing to risk Trump’s wrath by opposing his agenda or actions. Trump had already been threatening him with a primary challenge, and posted Sunday that Tillis’ announcement was “Great News!”

“In Washington over the last few years, it’s become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species,” Tillis said in a lengthy statement.

Tillis said he was proud of his career in public service but acknowledged the difficult political environment for those who buck their party and go it alone.

“I look forward to having the pure freedom to call the balls and strikes as I see fit and representing the great people of North Carolina to the best of my ability,” Tillis said in a statement.

Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate.

Trump, in social posts, had berated Tillis for being one of two Republican senators who voted on Saturday night against advancing the massive tax bill.

The Republican president accused Tillis of seeking publicity with his “no” vote and threatened to campaign against him, accusing the senator of doing nothing to help his constituents after last year’s devastating floods in western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene.

“Tillis is a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER,” Trump wrote.

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, according to a person close to the senator.

In the hours before his announcement, Tillis was weighing two questions: whether Trump and the White House would give him freedom to campaign with some independence, and whether Tillis would have the full protection of Senate Republican leaders, said the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics.

The GOP leadership’s decision to forge ahead with cuts to Medicaid that Tillis repeatedly warned would devastate North Carolina, and the president’s Truth Social post calling for a primary challenger to the senator made it clear to him that the answers to those two questions were no.

Tillis then decided he would announce his retirement, with the thinking that it would remove any ambiguity whether he would flip his opposition to the GOP’s sweeping tax bill.

He informed Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Saturday night of his decision to retire.

The North Carolina Republican Party chairman, Jason Simmons, said the party wishes Tillis well and “will hold this seat for Republicans in 2026.” Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chairman of the campaign arm for Senate Republicans, did not mention Tillis in a statement but said the party’s winning streak in North Carolina will continue. Scott noted that Trump won the state three times.

Democrats expressed confidence about their prospects.

Former Rep. Wiley Nickel, who announced his candidacy in April, said he was ready for any Republican challenger.

“I’ve flipped a tough seat before and we’re going to do it again,” Nickel said in a statement.

Some said Tillis’ decision is another sign of the dramatic transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, with few lawmakers critical of the president or his agenda remaining in office.

It “proves there is no space within the Republican Party to dissent over taking health care away from 11.8 million people,” said Lauren French, spokesperson for the Senate Majority PAC, a political committee aligned with the chamber’s Democratic members.

Tillis rose to prominence in North Carolina when, as a second-term state House member, he quit his IBM consultant job and led the GOP’s recruitment and fundraising efforts in the chamber for the 2010 elections. Republicans won majorities in the House and Senate for the first time in 140 years.

Tillis was later elected as state House speaker and helped enact conservative policies on taxes, gun rights, regulations and abortion while serving in the role for four years. He also helped push a state constitutional referendum to ban gay marriage, which was approved by voters in 2012 but was ultimately struck down by the courts as unconstitutional.

In 2014, Tillis helped flip control of the U.S. Senate to the GOP after narrowly defeating Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan. During his more than a decade in office, he championed issues such as mental health and substance abuse recovery, Medicaid expansion and support for veterans.

As a more moderate Republican, Tillis became known for his willingness to work across the aisle on some issues. That got him into trouble with his party at times, most notably in 2023 when North Carolina Republicans voted to censure him over several matters, including his challenges to certain immigration policies and his gun policy record.

“Sometimes those bipartisan initiatives got me into trouble with my own party,” Tillis said, “but I wouldn’t have changed a single one.”

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Joey Cappelletti in Washington and Makiya Seminera in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report.

Aldrich Potgieter wins Rocket Classic on 5th playoff hole, outlasting Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk

Aldrich Potgieter wins Rocket Classic on 5th playoff hole, outlasting Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk

DETROIT (AP) — Aldrich Potgieter made an 18-foot putt for birdie on the fifth playoff hole, outlasting Max Greyserman to win the Rocket Classic on Sunday. It was the longest playoff of the season on the PGA Tour. The 20-year-old from South Africa is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter. He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season. Chris Kirk was eliminated from contention after failing to make a 4-foot putt on the second hole after pushing a 9-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole with a chance to win the tournament. Potgieter, two strokes ahead entering the round, closed with a 3-under 69, and Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67.… Continue Reading

Fans criticize Beyoncé for shirt calling Native Americans ‘the enemies of peace’

Fans criticize Beyoncé for shirt calling Native Americans ‘the enemies of peace’

A T-shirt worn by Beyoncé during a Juneteenth performance on her Cowboy Carter tour has caused a wave of criticism for the Houston-born pop star. The T-shirt worn during a concert in Paris featured images of the Buffalo Soldiers, who belonged to Black U.S. Army units active during the late 1800s and early 1900s. On the back was a lengthy description of the soldiers that included “their antagonists were the enemies of peace, order and settlement: warring Indians, bandits, cattle thieves, murderous gunmen, bootleggers, trespassers, and Mexican revolutionaries.” Several Native influencers, performers, and academics took to social media this week to criticize Beyoncé or decry the shirt’s language as anti-Indigenous.… Continue Reading

China’s humanoid robots generate more soccer excitement than their human counterparts

China’s humanoid robots generate more soccer excitement than their human counterparts

BEIJING (AP) — Humanoid robots have captivated fans in Beijing with a fully autonomous soccer match powered by artificial intelligence. On Saturday, four teams of robots competed in a 3-on-3 tournament, marking a first in China and previewing the upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games. Organizers highlighted that the robots operated independently, using AI-driven strategies without human intervention. Equipped with advanced sensors, they navigated the field and even stood up after falling, though some needed assistance. Tsinghua University’s team won the final match, defeating China Agricultural University 5–3. The event reflects China’s push to develop AI-powered robots, using sports as a testing ground.… 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

Chief Justice Roberts warns against heated political words about judges

Chief Justice Roberts warns against heated political words about judges

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts is warning that elected officials’ heated words about judges can lead to threats or acts of violence by others. Roberts’ comments Saturday at a judicial conference come at a time when threats against judges are on the rise. Roberts didn’t identify anyone by name. But he was clearly referring to Republican President Donald Trump and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer when he said he’s felt compelled to issue public rebukes of figures in both parties in recent years. Roberts said the danger is that people might pick up on such criticism. He cited “serious threats of violence and murder of judges just simply for doing their work.”… Continue Reading

Home-state favorite Chase Elliott passes Brad Keselowski on final lap to win NASCAR Atlanta race

Home-state favorite Chase Elliott passes Brad Keselowski on final lap to win NASCAR Atlanta race

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — Home-state favorite Chase Elliott passed Brad Keselowski on the final lap and won the the crash-filled NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta on Saturday night for his 20th career victory. Elliott, the popular driver from Dawsonville, Georgia, earned a spot in the NASCAR playoffs with his first victory since April 2024 at Texas. It was his first win in Atlanta since 2022. The race’s second crash early in Stage 2 took out many of the sport’s biggest names and left others with damaged cars. Pole-winner Joey Logano, who led the first 36 laps before light rain forced the first caution, was among the many drivers caught up in the big crash. Keselowski was second, followed by Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet teammate, Alex Bowman.… Continue Reading

Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions, but fate of Trump birthright citizenship order unclear

Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions, but fate of Trump birthright citizenship order unclear

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court has ruled that individual judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision leaves unclear the fate of President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship. The outcome Friday was a victory for Trump, who has complained about individual judges throwing up obstacles to his agenda. But a conservative majority left open the possibility that the birthright citizenship changes could remain blocked nationwide. The Republican president’s order would deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of people who are in the country illegally. Trump says the court’s decision is “amazing” and a “monumental victory for the Constitution,” the separation of powers and the rule of law.… 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

Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary turned acclaimed TV journalist, dead at 91

Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary turned acclaimed TV journalist, dead at 91

NEW YORK (AP) — Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary who became one of television’s most honored journalists, has died at 91. His career ranged from President Lyndon Johnson’s press secretary to newspaper publisher and senior news analyst at CBS News. But it was for public television that Moyers produced some of TV’s most intelligent and provocative programs. During hundreds of hours on PBS, he proved at home with subjects ranging from government corruption to modern dance, from drug addiction to media consolidation, from religion to environmental abuse. He called himself a “citizen journalist.”… Continue Reading

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