Tag Archives: Politics

Trump to meet Monday with top four congressional leaders as government shutdown risk looms

Trump to meet Monday with top four congressional leaders as government shutdown risk looms

congressional leaders at the White House on Monday, one day before the deadline to fund the federal government or face a shutdown. The meeting involving House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune as well as House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was confirmed Saturday by a White House official and two other people familiar with the planning. The parties have been in a standoff for days as Democrats, namely in the Senate, have refused to offer the necessary votes to pass a funding measure that would keep the government open beyond Tuesday.… Continue Reading

Trump snubs Biden with autopen photo on new Presidential Walk of Fame

Trump snubs Biden with autopen photo on new Presidential Walk of Fame

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has added a Presidential Walk of Fame to the White House, featuring portraits of previous commanders-in-chief — except for one. Instead of Joe Biden’s portrait, Trump hung a photo of an autopen signing the Democrat president’s name. This move reflects Trump’s ongoing attempts to delegitimize Biden, whom he has frequently criticized. Trump has never acknowledged his defeat to Biden in the 2020 election, falsely attributing it to voter fraud. The Walk of Fame is part of several design changes Trump has made since resuming office, including adding gold flourishes and new flagpoles.… Continue Reading

Hurricane Helene hit the reset button on one town’s goal of becoming an outdoor tourism mecca

Hurricane Helene hit the reset button on one town’s goal of becoming an outdoor tourism mecca

OLD FORT, N.C. (AP) — The mountain “gateway” town of Old Fort, North Carolina, was well on its way to achieving a major goal: to become a hot spot for mountain biking and all things outdoors. Then nature, as one business owner put it, hit “the reset button.” A year ago, floodwaters from the remnants of Hurricane Helene inundated the town, washing out miles of multi-purpose trails and closing long stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a tourist lifeline. Chad Schoenauer has reopened his Old Fort Bike Shop, but he’s doing more repairs than sales these days. Tourism spending last year was way off in the mountains, but many are hoping for a successful fall foliage season to hit the reset button again.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Medicaid patients face care access threat as funding impasse continues

North Carolina Medicaid patients face care access threat as funding impasse continues

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Medicaid patients face a threat of reduced access to services due to a funding impasse. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein confirmed Thursday that the state program will lower reimbursement rates for doctors, hospitals and other providers starting next week. This decision comes as his administration says additional Medicaid funds approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly still leave the program with a shortfall. GOP lawmakers couldn’t agree on a way forward this week. The legislature is next scheduled to meet Oct. 20. Republicans argue the action is premature and unprecedented this early in the fiscal year.… Continue Reading

North Carolina legislature passes ‘Iryna’s Law’ after refugee’s stabbing death

North Carolina legislature passes ‘Iryna’s Law’ after refugee’s stabbing death

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina legislature has approved a criminal justice package in response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte’s light rail. The package finalized Tuesday with a House vote limits bail and aims to ensure more defendants undergo mental health evaluations. The measure already passed the Senate and now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. His office said the measure is being reviewed. The bill also includes provisions that aim to help restart executions in the state. Public outrage over the death of Iryna Zarutska intensified with the release of security video showing the attack on the commuter train.… Continue Reading

Man who represented himself is found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at Florida golf course

Man who represented himself is found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at Florida golf course

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man representing himself in federal court against charges of trying to assassinate Donald Trump last year at his Florida golf course has told jurors he didn’t intend to kill anyone that day. Jurors have begun deliberating the charges against Ryan Routh, who says he could’ve shot Trump or a Secret Service agent if he had intended harm. On Tuesday, prosecutors argued Routh spent weeks plotting to kill the Republican before aiming a rifle at him. Prosecutors say the evidence shows Routh “wanted Donald Trump dead.” Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Republicans push for tougher bail rules and potentially new execution methods

North Carolina Republicans push for tougher bail rules and potentially new execution methods

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislators have introduced criminal justice measures to toughen bail rules and evaluate offenders for mental health issues. This follows the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte commuter train last month. The Senate approved the bill late Monday. It now heads to the House for debate. The bill aims to prohibit cashless bail for certain crimes and reduce magistrates’ discretion in pretrial release decisions. A late amendment could also open the door to new execution methods beyond lethal injection. One Democrat criticized the amendment as immoral.… Continue Reading

Trump administration suggests ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism

Trump administration suggests ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is using the platform of the presidency to promote unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without giving new evidence. Speaking Monday from the White House, the president said women should not take acetaminophen, also known by the brand name Tylenol, “during the entire pregnancy.” He also raised unfounded concerns about vaccines. The Trump administration has been under immense pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s diverse Make America Healthy Again movement to provide answers on the causes of the marked increase in autism cases in the U.S. in recent years.… Continue Reading

Trump officials praise Charlie Kirk’s faith and his mark on the conservative movement

Trump officials praise Charlie Kirk’s faith and his mark on the conservative movement

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — President Donald Trump and his supporters will pay tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose assassination has intensified political tensions in the U.S. The memorial service Sunday in Arizona is expected to draw a large crowd to hear from Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other prominent figures. Members of the public began lining up outside State Farm Stadium before dawn to secure a spot, several hours before the start of the service. Kirk was killed this month at a Utah college, and his assassination has sparked debates about violence and free speech. Kirk founded Turning Point, a group that played a significant role in Trump’s political success.… Continue Reading

White House says $100K H-1B visa fee won’t apply to existing holders as Trump move stirs anxiety

White House says $100K H-1B visa fee won’t apply to existing holders as Trump move stirs anxiety

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s latest plan to overhaul the American immigration system has left some immigrant workers confused. That left the White House on Saturday scrambling to clarify that its new $100,000 fee on visas for skilled tech workers that soon will go into effect only applies to new applicants and not to current visa holders. The president on Friday signed a proclamation that will require the fee for what are known as H-1B visas — meant for high-skilled jobs that tech companies find hard to fill.… Continue Reading

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