By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The bitter fight between NASCAR and two of its teams who have filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock-racing giant spilled into public view Thursday during an acrimonious hearing that included the disclosure of expletive-laden emails and text messages from team owner Michael…… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina will start Gio Lopez at quarterback against TCU in Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut. Belichick announced the decision during a news conference on Wednesday. Lopez transferred from South Alabama and joined the team after spring drills. Belichick praised Lopez’s progress and said he would get most of the practice reps leading up to the game. Lopez threw for over 2,500 yards and 18 touchdowns last year while also proving to be a mobile threat. The Tar Heels’ quarterback room also includes veteran Max Johnson and two freshmen.… Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the upcoming fall and winter season. But it could be weeks before many Americans know whether they’ll be able to get one, under new restrictions from the Trump administration. The new shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax target a newer version of the coronavirus. They are approved for all seniors but only for younger adults and children with at least one underlying health problem, like obesity. Additionally, U.S. officials revoked use of Pfizer’s vaccine in young children.… Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is taking control of Washington’s Union Station from Amtrak, marking another federal intervention in the nation’s capital. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the move Wednesday during the launch of the NextGen Acela high-speed train. Duffy says Union Station has “fallen into disrepair” when it should be a “point of pride” for the city, where Trump’s Republican administration has increased federal law and immigration enforcement. Duffy echoes Trump’s call for $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington as part of his crackdown on the city. National Guard troops have been patrolling Union Station, which is walking distance from the Capitol.… Continue Reading
Some employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency who signed a public letter of dissent earlier this week were put on administrative leave Tuesday evening. That’s according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press. More than 180 current and former FEMA employees signed the letter sent to the FEMA Review Council and Congress on Monday critiquing recent cuts to agency staff and programs, and warning that FEMA’s capacity to respond to a major disaster was dangerously diminished. The AP has confirmed that at least two of the signatories received notices Tuesday evening informing them they would be placed on leave indefinitely. FEMA did not immediately respond to questions on how many staff were put on leave.… Continue Reading
N.C. State and East Carolina meet Thursday to open the season in a testy instate series. The Pirates beat the Wolfpack in the Military Bowl to end last season. That game included a late on-field brawl. Both teams have returning quarterbacks in ECU’s Katin Houser and N.C. State’s CJ Bailey.… Continue Reading
Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize. In a post on its website, Cracker Barrel said it will retain its old logo, which features an older man in overalls sitting next to a barrel and the words “Old Country Store.” The tempest over the logo began last week, when the company announced plans for a simplified design featuring only the company’s name. Lebanon, Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel made the change as part of a wider plan to modernize its restaurants and appeal to younger customers. But many fans protested the move.… Continue Reading
Stocks closed higher on Wall Street after an afternoon push left major indexes just below their recent records. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% Tuesday after drifting between small gains and losses for much of the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.4%. Boeing rose 3.5% after Korean Air announced a $50 billion deal with the company that includes buying more than 100 aircraft. Dish Network parent EchoStar surged 70.2% after AT&T said it will buy some of its wireless spectrum licenses in a $23 billion deal. Treasury yields held steady.… Continue Reading
ATLANTA (AP) — Cameron Young watched a couple of key changes pay huge dividends. One was a new Pro V1 golf ball that helped him manage spin. That was right before his first tour victory. Another was changing caddies. He went to close friend and former Wake Forest teammate Kyle Sterbinsky. Young says Sterbinsky was debating whether to keep grinding on smaller tours. Two weeks turned into two months and they’ve been on a roll. He says Sterbinsky reads greens better than most players. In other golf news, Tiger Woods has a new corporate deal with Insperity. Will that lead him to a PGA Tour Champions event?… Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook’s lawyer says she’ll sue President Donald Trump’s administration to try to prevent him from firing her. Longtime Washington attorney Abbe Lowell said Tuesday that Trump “has no authority to remove” Cook. If Trump succeeds in removing Cook from the Fed’s board of governors, it could erode the Fed’s political independence, which is considered critical to its ability to fight inflation because it enables the Fed to take unpopular steps like raising interest rates. The Republican president said Monday he was removing Cook because of allegations she committed mortgage fraud. Cook was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022 and says she won’t step down.… Continue Reading