Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says

Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says

MOCKSVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The pilot of a small plane that crashed near a North Carolina airport this month had raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report.

The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, officials said. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash.

A communications operator looking out the airport office window advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway, according to the report released this week. The operator reported that the pilot landed about 1,400 feet (427 meters) down the 2,424-foot (739-meter) runway, then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator heard the pilot advance the throttle after raising the wheel, but the airplane left her view after that.

A man cutting the grass at the end of the runway reported seeing the pilot raise the right wheel to avoid the turtle, then the wings rocked back and forth and the plane took off again, according to the report. The man lost sight of the plane and then he heard a crash and saw smoke.

The plane crashed in a heavily forested area about 255 feet (78 meters) from the runway and caught fire, officials said. The plane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric found in a nearby stream. It came to rest on its left side with the left wing folded underneath the fuselage and the right wing bent toward the tail.

Preliminary reports contain facts collected on scene, but don’t speculate on probable causes, according to the NTSB’s website. Those are included in final reports, which can take one to two years to complete.

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Green Party will remain an official party in North Carolina, able to field candidates statewide through the 2028 elections, even though their 2024 nominees for governor and president failed to get the votes required by state law.

The Republican-led State Board of Elections voted 3-2 on Thursday to continue recognizing the North Carolina Green Party, potentially affecting close contests for president, U.S. Senate and governor or other statewide and local offices.

Without Thursday’s action, the party would have joined four other small parties who also failed to reach the vote thresholds necessary and are thus no longer recognized — the Constitution, Justice for All, No Labels and We the People parties. None of their candidates received at least 2% of the total vote for governor or president to remain an official party.

That means voters who are registered with those four parties are moved to unaffiliated status on voter rolls starting next week. Those groups also would have to collect about 14,000 signatures to regain official party status — an effort that takes time and money.

But the North Carolina Green Party petitioned the board this spring to apply another standard. State law also says a group of voters can become a political party if they “had a candidate nominated by that group on the general election ballot” in at least 35 states in the prior presidential election.

The group presented a Federal Election Commission document showing Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee, appeared on the November 2024 ballot in 38 states. In seven states, however, she was not the nominee of the party or of a Green Party affiliate, according to the commission document. For example, she was an independent candidate in three of the seven.

Democratic board member Jeff Carmon said he wasn’t convinced the standard was met because Stein failed to be nominated in 35 states by the Green Party or an affiliate.

Republican members decided otherwise. Although Stein may have been listed as the nominee for a different party or as independent, she was the national Green Party candidate, board Chairman Francis De Luca said.

The three Republican members agreed that the North Carolina Green Party could remain an official party. The two Democrats voted no. The board shifted from a Democratic majority to a Republican majority last month after a 2024 state law took appointment authority away from the governor and to the state auditor.

With Thursday’s action, there will be four recognized political parties in North Carolina — Democratic, Republican, Libertarian and Green. As of last week, the largest bloc of North Carolina’s 7.53 million registered voters are unaffiliated, at 2.85 million. About 4,000 voters are registered with the Green Party.

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed his first bills on Friday, blocking for now Republican legislation that would let adults carry concealed handguns without a permit and make state agencies and local sheriffs more active in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Stein, who took office in January, issued his formal objections to three measures backed by the GOP-controlled General Assembly presented to him last week. The former attorney general also had the option to sign any of them into law, or let them become law if he hadn’t acted on the legislation soon.

The vetoed measures now return to the legislature, where Republicans are one House seat shy of holding a veto-proof majority. Its leaders will decide whether to attempt overrides as early as next week.

Voting so far followed party lines for one of the immigration measures, which in part would direct heads of several state law enforcement agencies, like the State Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Investigation, to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But one House Democrat ended up voting for the other immigration bill that Stein vetoed. It toughens a 2024 law that required sheriffs to help federal agents seeking criminal defendants.

GOP prospects for enacting the permitless concealed gun measure, a longtime aspiration for gun-rights advocates, appear dimmer, because two House Republicans voted against the bill and 10 others were absent.

Gun bill would let 18-year-olds carry concealed handgun

In one veto message, Stein said the gun legislation, which would allow eligible people at least 18 years old to carry a concealed handgun, “makes North Carolinians less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership.” Democratic lawmakers argued the same during legislative debate.

Current law requires a concealed weapons holder to be at least 21 to obtain a permit. The person must submit an application to the local sheriff, pass a firearms safety training course and cannot “suffer from a physical or mental infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun” to obtain the permit. No safety training would be required if getting a permit is no longer necessary.

“Authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous,” Stein wrote.

Gun-control groups praised the veto.

Conservative advocates for the bill say removing the permit requirement would strengthen the safety of law-abiding citizens.

“Law-abiding North Carolinians shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to effectively exercise their Second Amendment rights,” Senate leader Phil Berger said in a press release criticizing the veto and planning for an override vote in his chamber.

Permitless carry is already lawful in 29 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. North Carolina would also be one of the last states in the Southeast to implement that legislation.

Immigration bills focus on state agencies, sheriffs

One vetoed immigration bill would require four state law enforcement agencies to officially participate in the 287(g) program, which trains officers to interrogate defendants and determine their immigration status. An executive order by President Donald Trump urged his administration to maximize the use of 287(g) agreements.

Stein wrote Friday the bill takes officers away from existing state duties at a time when law enforcement is already stretched thin. The measure also would direct state agencies to ensure noncitizens don’t access certain state-funded benefits. But Stein said that people without lawful immigration status already can’t receive them.

The other vetoed bill attempts to expand a 2024 law — enacted over then-Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto — that directed jails to hold temporarily certain defendants whom ICE believe are in the country illegally, allowing time for immigration agents to pick them up.

The vetoed bill would expand the list of crimes that a defendant is charged with that would require the jail administrator to attempt to determine the defendant’s legal status. A jail also would have to tell ICE promptly that it is holding someone and essentially extends the time agents have to pick up the person.

Stein said Friday while he supports sheriffs contacting federal immigration agents about defendants charged with dangerous crimes that they are holding, the law is unconstitutional because it directs sheriffs to keep defendants behind bars 48 hours beyond when they otherwise could be released for a suspected immigration violation.

With the veto of this bill, House Speaker Destin Hall said, Stein sided with the “most radical elements of his party’s base over the safety and security of North Carolinians.”

Latino advocates and other bill opponents had urged Stein to veto both immigration measures. They say the legislation would cause Hispanic residents to feel intimidated and fear law enforcement.

Stein’s vetoes help “ensure North Carolina remains a safe state for everyone, including immigrants, who deserve equal treatment under the law,” the group El Pueblo said in a news release.

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Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes

Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes

Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes

Photo by Getty Images

Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes Recipe from Ronnie Fein

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Serving size: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 5 medium all-purpose potatoes (example: Yukon Gold)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 large clove garlic, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons chicken or vegetable stock
  • salt to taste
  • pinch or two of cayenne pepper
  • 3 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Peel the potatoes, cut them into chunks and cook them in lightly salted water for about 15 minutes, or until they are fork tender.
  3. While the potatoes are cooking, heat the olive oil in a sauté pan and add the onion.
  4. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, then add the garlic.
  5. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the vegetables are beginning to brown.
  6. Set aside.
  7. Drain the potatoes and mash them with a ricer or potato masher until the lumps have disappeared.
  8. Add the vegetables and olive oil and stir them in gently.
  9. Stir in the lemon juice, stock, salt and the cayenne pepper.
  10. Place the mixture in a baking dish. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs.
  11. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top is crispy and brown.
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Generational survey uncovers surprising insights on how Americans connect with the ocean

Generational survey uncovers surprising insights on how Americans connect with the ocean

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — A new national survey made waves just in time for World Oceans Day, which revealed how Americans across generations view and interact with the ocean—and the results might not be what you’d expect.

The research, conducted by DEEP, an ocean technology and exploration organization, shows that fewer than half of Americans recognize the ocean’s role in their daily lives. Dr. Dawn Kernagis, a former NASA aquanaut and Director of Scientific Research at DEEP based in Apex, says that’s a problem worth addressing.

“The ocean impacts our daily lives in a lot of different ways, from providing oxygen that we breathe to seafood to critical infrastructure,” said Kernagis. “But only 45% of the people we surveyed understood that.”

Despite the lack of awareness about the ocean’s everyday importance, the data shows high levels of interest in ocean exploration—especially among younger generations. According to Kernagis, 84% of respondents found the ocean fascinating. When asked about living in an underwater habitat, 73% of younger generations expressed interest, compared to just 33% of older generations. Those open to the idea said they’d be willing to stay submerged for up to six months.

“That was especially interesting to us because we build subsea habitats,” Kernagis said. “We’re really focused on increasing access to the sea, particularly for scientists and explorers. Traditionally, people rely on scuba diving, which limits how long they can stay underwater. Really focusing on increasing access to the sea for everybody but especially scientists and explorers. As we’re building these subsea habitats as a tool for scientists and individuals who are exploring our oceans…traditionally those people would be using scuba diving which is relatively limited with respect to how long you can stay underwater before you have to come up.”

The survey, launched in coordination with World Oceans Day, aims to shed light on public perceptions of the ocean and how they vary by age.

“We did the survey to mark World Oceans Day but also just to get a better feel for what the opinion was of the ocean out there, and if there was a generational difference,” said Kernagis.

Kernagis and others hope the survey prompts more people to get involved in protecting marine environments. Whether it’s participating in a local beach cleanup, reducing single-use plastic, or supporting conservation efforts, there are plenty of ways to help.

World Oceans Day shines a spotlight on the incredible value of our oceans and the urgent need to defend them. Even simple choices—like ditching single-use plastics or supporting marine conservation groups—can help keep our oceans thriving.

Wyndham Clark says he ‘deeply regrets’ damaging his Oakmont locker during the US Open

Wyndham Clark says he ‘deeply regrets’ damaging his Oakmont locker during the US Open

CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark said he “deeply regrets” the damage done to the century-old locker he was using at Oakmont during the U.S. Open, his second act of frustration that caused damage at a major this year.

Reports surfaced over the weekend that Clark damaged his locker. The USGA said only that it works directly with players and their managers when it comes to player conduct.

Clark, who bogeyed his last hole Friday to miss the cut by one shot at the U.S. Open, opened the Travelers Championship with a 64 on Thursday. When asked to comment on the Oakmont locker incident, Clark said: “Yeah, I mean, I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows.

“I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened,” he said. “But I’d also like to move on, not only for myself but for Oakmont, for the USGA, and kind of focus on the rest of the year and things that come up.”

Clark burst into prominence in 2023 with two victories, including the U.S. Open, and a spot on the Ryder Cup team. He won at Pebble Beach a year later and qualified for the Olympics.

But he has only one top-10 finish in the last nine months and has dropped to No. 27 in the world ranking and No. 80 in the FedEx Cup.

At the PGA Championship, he hit his drive to the right and slung his driver behind him, damaging a sign on the tee. The logo was that of one of his corporate sponsors. Clark posted an apology for that incident on social media.

“As professionals, we are expected to remain professional even when frustrated and I unfortunately let my emotions get the best of me. My actions were uncalled for and completely inappropriate, making it clear that I have things I need to work on,” Clark said last month.

“I promise to better the way I handle my frustrations on the course going forward, and hope you all can forgive me in due time.”

Clark is No. 23 in the Ryder Cup standings, with six players getting automatic spots. He has the one more signature event (Travelers) and one major (British Open) among tournaments left to improve his standing in the FedEx Cup. Only the top 70 make the postseason.

“I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedEx Cup,” Clark said. “So I’m starting to move on and focus on those things.”

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators finalized a bill Thursday that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law, while still directing regulators to aim to cancel out power plant carbon emissions in the state within the next 25 years.

With some bipartisan support, the state Senate voted to accept the House version that would repeal the 2021 law’s requirement that electric regulators take “all reasonable steps to achieve” reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The law’s directive to take similar steps to meet a carbon neutrality standard by 2050 would remain in place.

The bill’s Republican supporters pushing the new measure say getting rid of the interim goal benefits ratepayers asked to pay for future electric-production construction and is more efficient for Duke Energy, the state’s dominant electric utility.

The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who can veto the measure, sign it or let it become law without his signature. Stein previously expressed concerns about the Senate version of the measure, worried that it could hurt electricity users and threaten the state’s clean-energy economy. His office didn’t immediately provide comment after Thursday’s vote.

With over a dozen House and Senate Democrats voting for the final version, the chances that any Stein veto could be overridden are higher. Republicans in charge of the General Assembly are only one House seat shy of a veto-proof majority.

The bill also contains language that would help Duke Energy seek higher electric rates to cover financing costs to build nuclear or gas-powered plants incrementally, rather than wait until the project’s end.

The 2021 greenhouse gas law marked a rare agreement on environmental issues by then-Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican lawmakers.

At least 17 other states — most controlled by Democrats — have laws setting similar net-zero power plant emissions or 100% renewable energy targets, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. North Carolina and Virginia are the only ones from the Southeast.

The legislation came about as President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed rolling back federal environmental and climate change policies, which critics say could boost pollution and threaten human health. Republicans are promoting them as ways to reduce the cost of living and boost the economy.

The state Utilities Commission, which regulates rates and services for public utilities, already has pushed back the 2030 deadline — as the 2021 law allows — by at least four years. The panel acknowledged last year it was “no longer reasonable or executable” for Duke Energy to meet the reduction standard by 2030.

Bill supporters say to meet the goal would require expensive types of alternate energy immediately. If the interim standard can be bypassed, GOP bill authors say, Duke Energy can assemble less expensive power sources now and moderate electricity rate increases necessary to reach the 2050 standard.

“Our residents shouldn’t be saddled with higher power bills to satisfy arbitrary targets,” Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said in a news release after the vote.

Citing an analysis performed by a state agency that represents consumers before the commission, GOP lawmakers say removing the interim goal would reduce by at least $13 billion what Duke Energy would have to spend — and pass on to customers — in the next 25 years.

Bill opponents question the savings figure given uncertainty in plant fuel prices, energy demand and construction costs. They say the interim goal still holds an aspirational purpose and was something that Duke Energy had agreed in 2021 to meet.

Provisions in the measure related to recouping plant construction expenses over time would reduce accumulated borrowing interest.

Environmental groups argue the financing option would benefit Duke Energy’s bottom line on expensive projects even if they’re never completed, and the bill broadly would prevent cleaner energy sources from coming online sooner. They also contend another bill section would shift costs to residential customers.

“This bill is bad for all North Carolinians, whether they’re Duke Energy customers or simply people who want to breathe clean air,” North Carolina Sierra Club director Chris Herndon said after the vote while urging Stein to veto the measure.

Bill support came from the North Carolina Chamber and a manufacturers’ group, in addition to Duke Energy.

“We appreciate bipartisan efforts by policymakers to keep costs as low as possible for customers and enable the always-on energy resources our communities need,” the company said this week.

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