Category Archives: WPTF News

UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels

UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said he isn’t pursuing any jobs as a head coach in the NFL. That comes amid the first changes of the current hiring cycle. In a statement posted on social media Friday night, the 73-year-old who led the NFL’s New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles said he remains committed to building the Tar Heels program. In the statement, Belichick said: “I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.” Belichick’s Tar Heels have won two straight entering Saturday’s game at Wake Forest.… Continue Reading

Officials in Charlotte vow to resist looming federal immigration crackdown

Officials in Charlotte vow to resist looming federal immigration crackdown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Officials and community leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, are opposing a pending federal immigration crackdown. They describe it as an invasion and urge residents to protest peacefully and record agents’ actions from a distance. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell criticizes the federal government’s approach. Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents would soon start an enforcement operation. Local organizations are training volunteers to protest and inform immigrants of their rights. President Donald Trump’s administration defends these operations as necessary for fighting crime. Local officials emphasize that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department isn’t involved in federal immigration enforcement.… Continue Reading

Trump’s next immigration crackdown will target Charlotte, North Carolina, a sheriff says

Trump’s next immigration crackdown will target Charlotte, North Carolina, a sheriff says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte, North Carolina, is the latest U.S. city preparing for a potential immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said Thursday that federal officials plan to deploy U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents as early as this weekend. Details of the operation remain undisclosed, and local authorities have not been asked to assist. President Donald Trump has defended sending federal agents and the military into Democratic-run cities to combat crime and enforce deportation policies. Local activists and officials say they are preparing the immigrant community by sharing resources and trying to calm fears.… Continue Reading

Bible described as the ‘Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts’ goes on display in Rome

Bible described as the ‘Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts’ goes on display in Rome

ROME (AP) — One of the most spectacular examples of Renaissance illuminated manuscripts is going on rare public display as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations. The 15th century Borso D’Este Bible is known for its miniature paintings in gold and Afghan lapis lazuli. It was unveiled Thursday in the Italian Senate, where it will remain on display until Jan. 16. It is usually kept in a safe at a library in Modena and is rarely exhibited publicly; it was transported to Rome under heavy security. The Bible was created between 1455 and 1461. The Italian Culture Ministry considers it one of the highest expressions of miniature art “that unites sacred value, historic relevance, precious materials and refined aesthetics.”… Continue Reading

President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption

President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed a government funding bill that ends a record 43-day shutdown. The disruption caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks. The signing ceremony came just hours after the House passed the measure on a mostly party-line vote of 222-209. Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced tax credit that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces and refused to go along with a spending bill that did not include that priority. But Republicans said that was a separate policy fight to be held at another time, and they prevailed.… Continue Reading

Epstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but White House calls release a Democratic smear

Epstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but White House calls release a Democratic smear

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is accusing Democrats of selectively leaking emails from disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to “create a fake narrative” to smear President Donald Trump. Epstein wrote in a 2011 email Trump had “spent hours” at Epstein’s house with a victim of sex trafficking and said in a separate message years later Trump “knew about the girls.” The emails made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday add to the questions about Trump’s friendship with Epstein and about any knowledge he may have had in what prosecutors call a yearslong effort by Epstein to exploit underage girls. The Republican president denies any knowledge of Epstein’s alleged crimes.… Continue Reading

Record-low temperatures shock the Southeast US while snowfall blankets parts of the Northeast

Record-low temperatures shock the Southeast US while snowfall blankets parts of the Northeast

The southeastern U.S. has plunged into record-low temperatures, affecting 18 million people under a freeze warning across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The cold spell moved from the Northern Plains and brought an abrupt transition to wintry temperatures. Some daily records were shattered, including a low of 28 degrees in Jacksonville, Florida. In Florida, temperatures led to a “falling iguana advisory” as iguanas froze into survival mode and fell from trees. Meanwhile, parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast experienced significant snowfall, causing hazardous driving conditions. Forecasters expect temperatures to rise by the end of the week.… Continue Reading

Record-low temperatures shock the Southeast US while snowfall blankets parts of the Northeast

Record-low temperatures shock the Southeast US while snowfall blankets parts of the Northeast

The southeastern U.S. has plunged into record-low temperatures, affecting 18 million people under a freeze warning across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The cold spell moved from the Northern Plains and brought an abrupt transition to wintry temperatures. Some daily records were shattered, including a low of 28 degrees in Jacksonville, Florida. In Florida, temperatures led to a “falling iguana advisory” as iguanas froze into survival mode and fell from trees. Meanwhile, parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast experienced significant snowfall, causing hazardous driving conditions. Forecasters expect temperatures to rise by the end of the week.… Continue Reading

Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown vote

Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — After refusing to convene the U.S. House during the government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson is recalling lawmakers back into session. They are set to consider the bill to reopen the federal government on Wednesday. As hundreds of lawmakers return they are bringing pent-up legislative demands after nearly two months away. There are calls to release the Jeffrey Epstein files and swear-in Arizona’s Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won her special election back in September. It’s all a test of the speaker’s leadership and shows the ways he has amassed power alongside President Donald Trump.… Continue Reading

Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House

Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed legislation to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end after a small group of Democrats struck a deal with Republicans. The shutdown could last a few more days as members of the House, which has been on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote on the legislation. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill, saying Monday that “we’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.” The final 60-40 Senate vote broke a grueling stalemate that lasted more than six weeks as Democrats demanded that Republicans negotiate with them to extend health care tax credits. The Republicans never did.… Continue Reading

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