Triangle/Local
Raleigh’s Food Truck Rodeo serves up a feast for all ages this Fourth of July
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – If good eats and live tunes are your Fourth of July vibe, head to the State Farmers Market in Raleigh this Friday—its Food Truck Rodeo is rolling in from 4 to 9 p.m. Monica Wood, Marketing Specialist for the N.C. Farmers…
Durham’s Festival for the Eno returns with music, art and riverfront fun
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – It wouldn’t be the Fourth in Durham without the Festival for the Eno—now in its 46th year, the riverside celebration kicks off Friday with live music, food, crafts, and summertime vibes. Bryan Iler, Director for Festival for the Eno, says there…
Serviceberry: A little-known native tree that birds (and gardeners) love
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Many years ago, my family and I were visiting relatives in Ohio in early April. On the way back home it snowed, although it did not stick to the roads. It stopped snowing as we…
A former governor, a Trump and many others: Tillis retirement sets off NC Senate seat speculation
By GARY D. ROBERTSON and JILL COLVIN Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis’ surprise retirement announcement over the weekend creates a sudden opening in next year’s midterm elections, setting off a scramble of successor speculation that includes both a former Democratic governor…
New x-ray tech could make airport security faster—and smarter
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Tired of dumping your drink and holding up the line at TSA? A Duke University spinout, Quadridox, is working on new tech that could speed up airport security—and let you keep your water bottle too. Joel Greenberg, the President of Quadridox,…
State/Regional
North Carolina governor vetoes anti-DEI and transgender rights bills, calling them ‘mean-spirited’
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed on Thursday three anti-DEI bills and another measure that in part would target transgender rights. His actions set up more showdowns with Republican lawmakers who pitch the legislation as doing away…
Medicaid, food aid recipients worry about safety net cuts in bill sent to Trump
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Supporters of the sweeping tax and spending legislation that Congress has sent to President Donald Trump say the changes to Medicaid, food aid and other programs will encourage personal responsibility and halt those scamming the system. Critics of the bill, given final…
How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator’s vote against Trump’s tax bill
By AMANDA SEITZ Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Though patients don’t rush through the doors of this emergency room anymore, an empty hospital in Williamston, North Carolina, offers an evocative illustration of why Republican Sen. Thom Tillis would buck his party leaders to vote down President Donald…
North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes bill repealing interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed legislation Wednesday that in part would repeal an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set for power generation in a 2021 law, arguing that the bill would have discouraged diverse energy…
Jabil plans to create nearly 1,200 jobs in North Carolina with manufacturing investment
SALISBURY, N.C. (AP) — Electronics maker Jabil Inc. aims to create nearly 1,200 jobs in central North Carolina, spending $500 million to create a manufacturing facility that will support cloud computing and artificial intelligence data centers. Gov. Josh Stein’s office and the company said the…
World/National
Ukraine says it struck a Russian air base as Russia sent hundreds of drones into Ukraine
By ELISE MORTON Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Ukraine said it struck a Russian air base on Saturday, while Russia continued to pound Ukraine with hundreds of drones overnight as part of a stepped-up bombing campaign that has dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts…
Trump signs his tax and spending cut bill at the White House July 4 picnic
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE and NICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed his package of tax breaks and spending cuts into law Friday in front of Fourth of July picnickers after his cajoling produced almost unanimous Republican support in Congress for the domestic priority…
How people are celebrating, protesting and traveling for July Fourth
By BEN FINLEY and JAIMIE DING Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Recent polls will tell you there’s been a drop in national pride among Americans, particularly Democrats in the Trump era, with some questioning whether to celebrate July Fourth at all this year. But Scott Allen,…
The House gives final approval to Trump’s big tax bill in a milestone for his second-term agenda
By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK, LEAH ASKARINAM and MATT BROWN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans propelled President Donald Trump’s big multitrillion-dollar tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final passage Thursday in Congress, overcoming multiple setbacks to approve his signature second-term policy package before…
US stocks hit another record as Tesla and Nike rally
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks ticked higher on Wednesday to hit another all-time high. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% and set a record for the third time in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down by 10 points,…
Entertainment
Michael Madsen, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ star, dies at 67
By ANDREW DALTON and ITZEL LUNA Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Madsen, the actor best known for his coolly menacing, steely-eyed, often sadistic characters in the films of Quentin Tarantino including “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” has died. Madsen was found unresponsive in his home…
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is denied bail after mixed verdict clears him of top charges in sex crimes case
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs dropped to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after he was acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s celebrated figures behind bars for life.…
No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Jury deliberations got underway on Monday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial and hit a snag almost as soon as they started. But, by the end of the day, jurors…
Jury begins deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors started deliberating Monday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking case, weighing charges that could put the hip-hop mogul in prison for life. After receiving legal instructions from federal Judge Arun Subramanian…
Fans criticize Beyoncé for shirt calling Native Americans ‘the enemies of peace’
By GRAHAM LEE BREWER Associated Press A T-shirt worn by Beyoncé during a Juneteenth performance on her “Cowboy Carter” tour has sparked a discussion over how Americans frame their history and caused a wave of criticism for the Houston-born superstar. The T-shirt worn during a concert in…
Sports
Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut reclaims title in Famous hot dog eating contest, wins 17th Mustard Belt
By SUSAN HAIGH Associated Press Famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut reclaimed his title Friday at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest after skipping last year’s gastronomic battle in New York for the coveted Mustard Belt. Chestnut, 41, consumed 70 1/2 hot dogs…
Nikolaj Ehlers chooses the Carolina Hurricanes, taking the NHL’s top free agent off the market
By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The long wait for Nikolaj Ehlers’ free agent decision is over. Ehlers decided Thursday to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes, taking the top player available off the market more than 72 hours since the NHL’s signing period began. Ehlers agreed to terms on…
Supreme Court will take up a new case about which school sports teams transgender students can join
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear a case over state restrictions on which school sports teams transgender students can join. Just two weeks after upholding a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, the justices said they will review…
Dallas Mavericks sign No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to rookie contract
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have signed No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg to his four-year rookie contract. The team didn’t disclose details in announcing the deal Wednesday. The total value of the contract for the top pick on the 2025-26 rookie wage…
K’Andre Miller is eager for his new start after trade from New York Rangers to Carolina Hurricanes
By AARON BEARD AP Sports Writer K’Andre Miller kept his phone off and avoided social media in recent weeks with his future uncertain after five seasons with the New York Rangers. Now, he’s eager to jump into the Carolina Hurricanes’ aggressive system. The Hurricanes acquired the…