Category Archives: WPTF News

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A panel of North Carolina trial judges dismissed Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s case against GOP legislative leaders over the issue of who gets to appoint and remove the State Highway Patrol commander. The Superior Court panel’s Monday decision means the case doesn’t go to trial but it can be appealed. The lawsuit focuses on part of a power-shifting law passed by the Republican-dominated legislature last year. The provision outlines that Col. Freddy Johnson would remain in his role as the State Highway Patrol commander until 2030. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper originally appointed Johnson in 2021.… Continue Reading

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina congressional and legislative districts drawn by Republicans in 2023 that helped them retain majorities in Raleigh and Washington are in court. A trial began Monday in two federal lawsuits filed by voters and advocacy groups that accuse mapmakers of illegally eroding Black voting power while enacting lines that aided GOP electoral prospects. The lawsuits claim that lines are so skewed that many Black voters lack the ability to elect their preferred candidates. Republicans counter that they used no race-based data in developing the plans. The trial won’t end until next month. North Carolina has a long history of redistricting litigation and related landmark decisions.… Continue Reading

The Trump family’s next venture, a mobile phone company

The Trump family’s next venture, a mobile phone company

NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump family company says it’s launching a mobile phone company, the latest in a string of ventures that have been announced while Donald Trump is in the White House. Eric Trump, one of President Trump’s sons, said Monday that the new company would build its own phones and maintain a call center in the U.S. The new business follows several real estate deals for towers and resorts in the Middle East, including a golf development in Qatar announced in April, and a $1.5 billion partnership to build golf courses, hotels and real estate projects in Vietnam.… Continue Reading

The Latest: Trump attends G7 summit amid his trade war with US allies

The Latest: Trump attends G7 summit amid his trade war with US allies

President Donald Trump has arrived for the G7, or Group of Seven, summit in Canada, a country he’s suggested should be annexed, as he wages a trade war with America’s longstanding allies. If there’s a shared mission at this year’s G7 summit, which begins Monday in the Rocky Mountains, it’s a desire to minimize any fireworks at a moment of combustible tensions.… Continue Reading

Israel strikes state-run Iranian TV during live broadcast after Iranian missiles kill 8 in Israel

Israel strikes state-run Iranian TV during live broadcast after Iranian missiles kill 8 in Israel

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel struck Iran’s state-run television station during a live broadcast, forcing a reporter to run off camera following an explosion, after Iran fired a new wave of missiles at Israel that killed at least eight people. Israel warned hundreds of thousands of people in the middle of Tehran to evacuate Monday ahead of the strike against the TV station, which the military said provided a cover for Iranian military operations. The warning came on the fourth day of the conflict, when the Israeli military claimed it had achieved air superiority above the Iranian capital and could fly over the city without facing major threats. The warning affected up to 330,000 people.… Continue Reading

J.J. Spaun overcomes five early bogeys to win the U.S. Open at rain-soaked Oakmont

J.J. Spaun overcomes five early bogeys to win the U.S. Open at rain-soaked Oakmont

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — J.J. Spaun turned a miserable day into an unforgettable finish in the U.S. Open. It was wet and nasty at Oakmont. Five players were tied for the lead with an hour to go. Spaun delivered two shots now part of U.S Open lore. He hit driver onto the green at the par-4 17th to set up birdie and the lead. Needing two putts from 65 feet for the win, Spaun made the longest putt all week at Oakmont for a birdie-birdie finish and a 72. He won by two shots over Robert MacIntyre. He was the only player under par.… Continue Reading

Justice Department’s early moves on voting and elections signal a shift from its traditional role

Justice Department’s early moves on voting and elections signal a shift from its traditional role

ATLANTA (AP) — The Trump administration’s Justice Department has begun targeting Democratic and presidential swing states with demands for election data or changes to voter registration procedures. While the requests may seem technical and mundane, collectively they suggest the department is moving away from its traditional stance of protecting access to the ballot box. Instead, the actions address concerns that have been raised by a host of conservative activists following years of false claims surrounding elections in the U.S. By targeting certain states — presidential battlegrounds or those controlled by Democrats — they also could be foreshadowing an expanded role for the department in future elections.… Continue Reading

Military parade rolls through DC as ‘No Kings’ protesters across US decry Trump

Military parade rolls through DC as ‘No Kings’ protesters across US decry Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The grand military parade that President Donald Trump wanted for eight years has barreled down Constitution Avenue in Washington with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute. The celebration played out against the counterpoint of protesters around the country who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king. The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat under a special viewing stand constructed south of the White House to watch the display of American military might. It was a procession he tried to put in his first term after wanting to top one he saw in France in 2017, but the plans never came together until it was added to an event recognizing the Army’s 250th anniversary.… Continue Reading

Nationals’ bat-retrieving dog Bruce laps up pregame attention, makes MLB debut

Nationals’ bat-retrieving dog Bruce laps up pregame attention, makes MLB debut

WASHINGTON (AP) — The dog days of summer arrived at Nationals Park. Bruce, a 21-month-old Golden Retriever, fetched a bat during a ceremony before the Washington Nationals’ game against the Miami Marlins as part of a Pups in the Park promotion. He retrieved bats the last two seasons with the Rochester Red Wings, Washington’s Triple-A affiliate. Bruce, wearing a bandana with an “MLB debut” patch he received when he arrived at the stadium, was presented a commemorative bat. He then took a circuitous route from the dugout toward first base after Nationals reliever Zach Brzykcy dropped the bat in foul territory before the bat dog collected his quarry.… Continue Reading

Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, briefly shows up to support Sean “Diddy” Combs at trial

Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, briefly shows up to support Sean “Diddy” Combs at trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, says he came to the New York sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs to support him. Dressed in white, Ye arrived at Manhattan federal court before noon on Friday while the trial was on a break. He was asked if he was at the courthouse to support Combs, and he said “yes,” But he didn’t appear to respond when a reporter asked if he might testify when the defense begins presenting its case as early as next week. The 55-year-old Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges alleging that he used his fame, fortune and violence to commit crimes.… Continue Reading

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