Category Archives: WPTF News

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Vultures have an image problem and are among the least loved animals in the world. But conservationists in Africa are trying to change that and save endangered vultures by spelling out their incredible value — in monetary terms. A recent report by the BirdLife International conservation organization estimated that vultures are worth $1.8 billion a year to certain ecosystems in southern Africa. Conservationists say that despite their reputation, vultures do an extraordinary amount of good work cleaning up ecosystems, controlling pests, reducing disease among animals and humans, and even helping with anti-poaching efforts.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Supreme Court rules most challenged ballots must stay in election count

North Carolina Supreme Court rules most challenged ballots must stay in election count

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Supreme Court has ruled that tens of thousands of cast ballots challenged by the trailing candidate in November’s election for a seat on the court must remain in the election count. Friday’s decision by the justices partially overturns last week’s decision by the Court of Appeals that favored Republican Jefferson Griffin. But a majority of justices agreed with the lower court that thousands of additional ballots from two other categories were wrongly allowed in the tally. Friday’s prevailing order says some of those votes can still be retained in the count if voters provide information soon. Democratic Justice Allison Riggs currently leads Griffin by 734 votes.… Continue Reading

Supreme Court says Trump administration must work to bring back mistakenly deported Maryland man

Supreme Court says Trump administration must work to bring back mistakenly deported Maryland man

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says the Trump administration must work to bring back a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, rejecting the administration’s emergency appeal. The court acted Thursday in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who had an immigration court order preventing his deportation to his native country over fears he would face persecution from local gangs. The administration has conceded that it made a mistake in sending him to El Salvador, where he is being held in a notorious prison, but also argued that it no longer could do anything about it.… Continue Reading

House approves budget framework for Trump’s ‘big’ bill after intense wrangling sways GOP holdouts

House approves budget framework for Trump’s ‘big’ bill after intense wrangling sways GOP holdouts

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have narrowly approved their budget framework. The 216-214 tally was a turnaround for Speaker Mike Johnson after abruptly postponing Wednesday’s vote. Johnson worked into the night to satisfy conservative lawmakers who refused to support the plan. He and Senate Majority Leader John Thune assured conservatives they were on track seeking at least $1.5 trillion in cuts. President Donald Trump had admonished the holdouts to “stop grandstanding.” The bill is central to President Donald Trump’s agenda of tax breaks, spending cuts and mass deportations. There are still more votes ahead as lawmakers draft a final package in the weeks to come.… Continue Reading

Supreme Court allows Trump’s firings of independent agency board members to take effect, for now

Supreme Court allows Trump’s firings of independent agency board members to take effect, for now

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to oust two board members who oversee independent agencies, for now. The action Wednesday seems to signal the court’s support for President Donald Trump’s effort to remove some limits on executive power. Chief Justice John Roberts signed an order pausing an appellate ruling that had temporarily restored the two women to their jobs. They were separately fired from agencies that deal with labor issues, including one with a key role for federal workers as Trump aims to drastically downsize the workforce. The immediate issue confronting the justices is whether the board members can stay in place while the larger fight continues over what to do with a 90-year-old Supreme Court decision disfavored by conservatives.… Continue Reading

Ex-congressman Nickel entering race to unseat North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026

Ex-congressman Nickel entering race to unseat North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel of North Carolina has announced himself as a candidate to try to unseat Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026. Nickel revealed his plans Wednesday. Nickel had signaled his interest in a Senate bid in late 2023, when the Raleigh-area congressman decided against seeking a second U.S. House term because redrawn district lines made it essentially impossible to win again. Nickel said a “fighter for what’s right for our state” is needed, and he criticized Tillis for backing President Donald Trump’s agenda. There is still time for other Democrats to enter the race. Former Gov. Roy Cooper is considering it.… Continue Reading

Roof collapse at Dominican club kills at least 113 as officials scramble to identify victims

Roof collapse at Dominican club kills at least 113 as officials scramble to identify victims

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people’s drinks. Minutes later, the entire roof collapsed. Concrete slabs killed more than 113 people and trapped dozens of others on a dancefloor where hundreds had been dancing to a lively merengue concert early Tuesday. More than 255 people were injured, authorities said. The victims include merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who had been singing to the crowd before disaster struck, said emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.… Continue Reading

Deputies kill armed man inside North Carolina hospital ER, sheriff says

Deputies kill armed man inside North Carolina hospital ER, sheriff says

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (AP) — Authorities say deputies fatally shot a man inside a North Carolina hospital’s emergency room Tuesday after he pointed a gun at them. Law enforcement arrived at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City early Tuesday morning after receiving reports of an armed man pointing a gun at several emergency room staff members. Authorities say they found the man in the emergency triage room and three of the deputies fired at him after he aimed his handgun at them. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. None of the deputies were injured. Officials did not immediately release additional details about the suspect.… Continue Reading

White House keeps world guessing as clock ticks down to Trump’s new tariffs

White House keeps world guessing as clock ticks down to Trump’s new tariffs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is sending mixed messages on tariffs as it pursues conflicting goals, frustrating foreign leaders and business executives who are desperate for clarity on a generational overhaul of international trade. Administration officials have alternated between talking about seeking negotiations or pushing forward with tariffs no matter what. President Donald Trump tried to have it both ways this week, saying “there can be permanent tariffs, and there can also be negotiations.” That has left world leaders and businesses holding their breath as the stock market craters and the clock ticks down to the new tariffs taking effect Wednesday.… Continue Reading

Court directive to notify voters in close North Carolina election blocked for now

Court directive to notify voters in close North Carolina election blocked for now

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Supreme Court has temporarily halted enforcement of a decision by an appeals court that favored a Republican candidate in a close and unresolved November election for the state’s highest court. The Supreme Court blocked Friday’s order by a Court of Appeals panel that otherwise would have essentially taken effect immediately. Monday’s stay means a directive telling election workers statewide to identify and contact potentially tens of thousands of voters whose ballots were challenged by Republican Jefferson Griffin won’t be carried out for now. Justice Allison Riggs leads by 734 votes. Her attorneys asked for the delay over the weekend.… Continue Reading

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