Triangle/Local
Pence speaks in North Carolina against broad Trump tariffs and praises House on tax bill
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke Monday in North Carolina against the Trump administration’s zealous efforts to impose tariffs on trading partners worldwide — another effort that shows his willingness to split at times with his former…
Three red wolf pups born at Durham Museum of Life and Science
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Officials at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham say three recently born red wolf pups are still in good health. The litter, all male, was delivered on May 3 by Martha, a 7-year-old red wolf and part of a…
13th annual Racing for Rescues set for Sunday in Cary to support local animal adoptions
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Animal lovers and runners alike are invited to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary this Sunday for the 13th Annual Racing for Rescues event. The fundraiser supports Second Chance Pet Adoptions, the Triangle’s oldest no-kill animal rescue organization. Registration begins at 8…
Morrisville Spring Fest returns with new chalk walk and flower power theme
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — The Town of Morrisville will host its annual Spring Fest celebration this Saturday at Indian Creek Trailhead, featuring family-friendly activities, local vendors, and a new creative addition: the town’s first-ever Chalk Walk. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.…
New graduates enter shifting job market with cautious optimism
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – As students across the country wrap up final exams, move out of their college housing, and cross the commencement stage, they’re entering a job market that’s different than the one they envisioned. CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger says the employment…
State/Regional
North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget
By MAKIYA SEMINERA Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein urged state lawmakers Monday to allocate hundreds of millions more dollars toward western North Carolina’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene instead of waiting on “uncertain federal assistance.” The money requested — $891 million…
Cheerwine Festival returns to Salisbury with family fun and cherry-flavored favorites
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — North Carolina’s beloved cherry-flavored soft drink will once again be at the center of celebration as the annual Cheerwine Festival returns to Downtown Salisbury this Saturday. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and offers a full day of…
North Carolina justice sworn in after long battle over result
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs was sworn in to a new term on Tuesday after the Democrat won a monthslong fight against her Republican rival’s challenges to thousands of ballots. The State Board of Elections…
North Carolina lawmakers focus on guns, immigration and parental rights ahead of a key deadline
By MAKIYA SEMINERA and GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gun access, parental rights and the response to illegal immigration were front and center this week in North Carolina as Republican lawmakers worked to keep their high-priority bills alive, while many other…
Republican concedes long-unsettled North Carolina court election to Democratic incumbent
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Republican challenger for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat conceded last November’s election on Wednesday to Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs, two days after a federal judge ruled that potentially thousands of disputed ballots challenged by Jefferson Griffin must remain…
World/National
Trump comes to the Capitol to try to persuade a divided GOP to unify around his big tax cuts bill
By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING, LEAH ASKARINAM and JOE CAPPELLETTI Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill early Tuesday to try to seal the deal on his big tax cuts bill, using the power of political persuasion to unify divided House Republicans…
Stocks, bonds and the dollar drift after the latest downgrade to the US government’s credit rating
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — After recovering from an initial jolt, U.S. stocks, bonds and the value of the U.S. dollar drifted through a quiet Monday following the latest reminder that the U.S government may be hurtling toward an unsustainable…
Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin immediately following call with Putin
By ZEKE MILLER, JOSH BOAK and KATIE MARIE DAVIES Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations, President Donald Trump said Monday after separate calls with the leaders of both countries meant to spur progress toward ending the three-year war. The…
Boeing seeks to reverse guilty plea as FAA struggles with aviation system failures
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Ongoing issues with outdated technology and staffing shortages continue to disrupt operations at Newark Liberty International Airport, and officials are now exploring short-term solutions to ease the impact ahead of the busy summer travel season. Aviation Analyst Jay Ratliff says one…
Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer
By JOSH BOAK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his office said Sunday. The finding came after the 82-year-old reported urinary symptoms, which led doctors to discover a nodule on his prostate. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer…
Entertainment
SAG-AFTRA files unfair labor practice charge over use of AI to make Darth Vader’s voice in Fortnite
By SARAH PARVINI AP Technology Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s actors’ union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions on Monday, alleging the company replaced actors’ work by using artificial intelligence to generate Darth Vader’s voice in Fortnite without notice. The Screen…
Cassie testimony against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs ends after she spent days describing abuse
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — R&B singer Cassie finished testifying in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial Friday after four emotional days on the witness stand during which she was questioned about the deepest, most disturbing secrets of her sex…
Cassie testifies that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs raped her and threatened to release sex videos
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The R&B singer Cassie testified Wednesday that Sean “Diddy” Combs raped her when she ended their decade-long relationship, after he locked her in a life of physical abuse by threatening to release degrading sexual videos of…
An Alaska Mother’s Day tradition: Mingling with ice age survivors on a farm
By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press PALMER, Alaska (AP) — It is one of Alaska’s favorite Mother’s Day traditions, getting up close and personal with animals that have survived the ice age. All moms get a daisy and free admission Sunday at the Musk Ox Farm…
A woodpecker has invaded a Massachusetts neighborhood. Residents are taking it in stride
By HOLLY RAMER and RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press ROCKPORT, Mass. (AP) — Rockport residents have a history of fighting off invaders, but not this time. During the War of 1812, townsfolk in the tiny fishing village hurled rocks at British soldiers using their stockings as…
Sports
Great Scottie! Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for 3rd major title
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler had every reason to worry the PGA Championship was slipping away. A five-shot lead on the front nine was gone in four holes. Every shot seemed to go left and he didn’t know…
The Carolina Hurricanes keep leaning on their penalty kill in another deep postseason push
By AARON BEARD AP Sports Writer RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — There’s a moment of frustrated dread for any hockey team that comes with an official raising an arm to call a penalty triggering a power play. For the Carolina Hurricanes, that moment quickly flips to…
Svechnikov breaks late tie as the Hurricanes beat the Capitals to reach Eastern Conference final
By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Andrei Svechnikov scored the go-ahead goal with just under two minutes left and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 5 on Thursday night, winning the second-round series and advancing to the Eastern…
PGA has strong field and big surprise: Jhonattan Vegas leads at 64 as stars fail to shine
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The strongest field of the majors gave way to a few surprises Thursday in the PGA Championship, starting with Jhonattan Vegas charging into the lead with a 7-under 64 and the top 10 players in…
Hurricanes and Stars ride stellar special teams to the verge of the conference finals
By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer Before starting the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery had a good sense of what would determine the series between the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division, fierce rivals who are very familiar with…