Category Archives: WPTF News

20 states sue FEMA for canceling grant program that guards against natural disasters

20 states sue FEMA for canceling grant program that guards against natural disasters

Twenty Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency over the cancellation of a disaster mitigation grant program. The federal lawsuit filed Wednesday in Massachusetts claims President Donald Trump’s administration acted illegally by ending the program in April. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program funds projects such as flood protection, wildfire prevention and earthquake safety. FEMA called the program wasteful. But supporters say it can help save lives and reduce costly damage from disasters. The lawsuit alleges the Trump administration violated constitutional separation of powers by ending the program without congressional permission to do so.… Continue Reading

Trump says he’s ‘highly unlikely’ to fire Fed’s Powell after floating that idea in private

Trump says he’s ‘highly unlikely’ to fire Fed’s Powell after floating that idea in private

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s “highly unlikely” to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. His public statement Wednesday came less than 24 hours after suggesting in a private meeting that he was leaning in favor of dismissing Powell. Trump confirmed to reporters that in a White House meeting Tuesday night with about a dozen House Republicans, he’d discussed the “concept” of dismissing Powell. The Fed chair has long been a target because of his refusal to lower interest rates as Trump wants. Trump’s team recently has accused Powell of mismanaging a $2.5 billion renovation project at the Fed. Trump said Wednesday he’s “highly unlikely” to dismiss Powell — ”unless he has to leave for fraud.”… Continue Reading

Fights over charters loom over NASCAR as teams, series await key court rulings

Fights over charters loom over NASCAR as teams, series await key court rulings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR hits midsummer amid legal battles involving team charters, a key part of its business model. Two teams, including Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, are suing NASCAR over antitrust issues. They claim losing their charters could force them out of business. A federal court ruling is expected soon, with a trial set for December. Separately, Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club is in a dispute with Rick Ware Racing over a charter sale. Johnson hopes to secure the charter, while the legal chaos highlights the skyrocketing value of NASCAR charters.… Continue Reading

Trump slams his own supporters as ‘weaklings’ for falling for what he now calls the Epstein ‘hoax’

Trump slams his own supporters as ‘weaklings’ for falling for what he now calls the Epstein ‘hoax’

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is lashing out at his own supporters as he tries to clamp down on criticism over his administration’s handling of much-hyped records in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation. And Trump told reporters Wednesday that “it’s all been a big hoax” that, in his words, has been ”perpetrated by the Democrats.” He says “some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans” have fallen “into the net.” The Justice Department and the FBI say Epstein didn’t maintain a “client list” and that no more files related to the investigation would be made public despite promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi that had raised the expectations of conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists.… Continue Reading

Senate votes to move ahead with Trump’s request for $9 billion in spending cuts

Senate votes to move ahead with Trump’s request for $9 billion in spending cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans have advanced President Donald Trump’s request to cancel some $9 billion in previously approved spending. They overcame concerns from some lawmakers about what the rescissions could mean for impoverished people around the globe and for local public radio and television stations in their home states. The Senate vote was 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie. Proponents described the bill as a first step in putting the nation’s fiscal house in order. Democrats questioned their intent given that Republicans just passed a major tax and spending cut bill that is expected to increase federal deficits by an estimated $3.4 trillion over the coming decade.… Continue Reading

Pam Bondi dodges questions on Epstein and Bongino amid Justice Department turmoil

Pam Bondi dodges questions on Epstein and Bongino amid Justice Department turmoil

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to answer questions Tuesday about investigate files related to Jeffrey Epstein and her clash with a top FBI official. She’s seeking to press ahead with a business-as-usual approach in the face of right-wing outrage that has plunged the Justice Department into turmoil. Bondi was pressed by reporters at an announcement touting drug seizures. The Trump administration is struggling to contain the fallout of a decision not to release any more records related to the wealthy financier’s sex trafficking investigation.… Continue Reading

Charlotte to host MLS All-Star game in 2026 for first time, AP source says

Charlotte to host MLS All-Star game in 2026 for first time, AP source says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte will host the Major League Soccer All-Star game for the first time in 2026, according to a person familiar with the decision. MLS Commissioner Don Garber is expected to confirm the venue on Wednesday in Charlotte. The game will take place at Bank of America Stadium, home to Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers. Charlotte FC joined MLS as the 28th franchise in 2019 and began playing in 2022. This year’s All-Star game is set for Austin, Texas, with future opponents for the 2026 event yet to be announced. Charlotte recently hosted Copa America and Club World Cup games.… Continue Reading

The tariff-driven inflation that economists feared begins to emerge

The tariff-driven inflation that economists feared begins to emerge

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation rose last month to its highest level since February as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs push up the cost of a range of goods, including furniture, clothing, and large appliances. Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. Worsening inflation poses a political challenge for Trump, who promised during last year’s presidential campaign to immediately lower costs only to engage in a whipsawed frenzy of tariffs. Trump has declared that the U.S. effectively has no more inflation as he has attempted to pressure Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell into cutting short-term interest rates.… Continue Reading

NC joins more than 20 states suing Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer funding

NC joins more than 20 states suing Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer funding

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than 20 states have sued President Donald Trump’s administration over billions of dollars in frozen funding for after-school care, summer programs and more. Programs for more than 1 million students are at risk because of a Trump administration freeze on education grants. Congress set aside money for the programs at Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA and public schools to provide academic support, enrichment and child care. But Trump’s administration says it wants to make sure recipients’ programs align with the Republican president’s priorities. The lawsuit was filed Monday. The lawsuit is led by California. It says freezing the money violates the Constitution and several federal laws.… Continue Reading

Someone stole unreleased Beyoncé music from a car in Atlanta. What to know about the investigation

Someone stole unreleased Beyoncé music from a car in Atlanta. What to know about the investigation

Atlanta police say they have identified a suspect in the reported theft of Beyoncé’s unreleased music from a rental car being used by her choreographer and a dancer. Police on Monday released an incident report saying members of Beyoncé’s touring entourage reported the vehicle was broken into July 8 while they ate a restaurant. Among the items that were reported stolen were two suitcases, a pair of laptops and several thumb drives that included unreleased music. It happened just before Beyoncé kicked off four shows at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Police say they have an arrest warrant for a suspect, but they haven’t released the suspect’s name.… Continue Reading

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