Tag Archives: Politics

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has signed a stopgap spending measure as lawmakers remain stuck in a budget impasse. But he also vetoed a bill Wednesday that would otherwise sign off on state involvement in a federal tax credit program to boost school-choice options. Stein criticized the spending plan for not providing enough pay raises or covering increased Medicaid expenses. The new law includes funds for state construction projects and employee benefits. The tax-credit program bill approved by Republicans seeks to opt in to the financial benefits within President Donald Trump’s new law for donations to K-12 scholarship organizations.… Continue Reading

Funeral held for Dr. Greg Brannon, North Carolina tea party favorite and ex-Senate candidate

Funeral held for Dr. Greg Brannon, North Carolina tea party favorite and ex-Senate candidate

CARY, N.C. (AP) — A funeral has been held for Dr. Greg Brannon, a North Carolina physician and former figure in state Republican politics. A funeral home confirmed that Brannon died July 27. Brannon was 64. He was known for his involvement in the tea party movement and his runs for the U.S. Senate and House in the 2010s. He was an OB-GYN for 27 years and later founded a hormone replacement therapy company. Brannon is being remembered for his medical work, especially with challenging pregnancies. The funeral took place last Saturday in Raleigh. He is survived by his wife, seven children, and two grandchildren.… Continue Reading

Trump says he doesn’t trust the jobs data, but Wall Street and economists do

Trump says he doesn’t trust the jobs data, but Wall Street and economists do

WASHINGTON (AP) — The monthly jobs report is already closely-watched on Wall Street and in Washington but has taken on a new importance after President Donald Trump on Friday fired the official who oversees it. Trump claimed that June’s employment figures were “RIGGED” to make him and other Republicans “look bad” yet provided no evidence. The firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics director followed Friday’s jobs report that showed hiring was weak in July and had come to nearly a standstill in May and June. Economists and Wall Street investors have long considered the job figures reliable. Friday’s revisions were unusually large, and the surveys used to compile the report are facing challenges from declining response rates. But that hasn’t led most economists to doubt them.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Senate race sets up as a fight over who would be a champion for the middle class

North Carolina Senate race sets up as a fight over who would be a champion for the middle class

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats still in the dumps over last year’s elections have found cause for optimism in North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper jumped into the race for that state’s newly open seat with a vow to address voters’ persistent concerns about making ends meet. Republicans, meanwhile, are hardly ceding the economic populist ground President Donald Trump held in carrying the state last year. In announcing his candidacy for Senate on Thursday, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley credited Trump with fulfilling campaign promises to working Americans. Cooper’s plainspoken appeal represents the latest effort by Democrats to find their way back to power.… Continue Reading

Trump announces 90-day negotiating period with Mexico as 25% tariff rates stay in place

Trump announces 90-day negotiating period with Mexico as 25% tariff rates stay in place

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says there will be a 90-day negotiating period with Mexico over trade as 25% tariffs stay in place. Trump posted online Thursday a phone conversation with Claudia Sheinbaum was “very successful in that, more and more,” they’re “getting to know and understand each other.” Trump says goods from Mexico imported into the U.S. will continue to face a 25% tariff he has ostensibly linked to fentanyl trafficking. The Republican president says autos face a 25% tariff, while copper, aluminum and steel are taxed at 50%. Trump had threatened tariffs of 30% on goods from Mexico, something Sheinbaum says Mexico gets to stave off for the next three months.… Continue Reading

Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor in 2026

Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor in 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028. The Democrat’s decision, announced Wednesday, extends a guessing game about her political future that started after she lost last year’s presidential election to Donald Trump. She has not ruled out another run for president, after unsuccessful bids in 2020 and 2024. It’s not known when she will make that decision.… Continue Reading

Wiley Nickel exits North Carolina Senate race the day after Roy Cooper announces candidacy

Wiley Nickel exits North Carolina Senate race the day after Roy Cooper announces candidacy

CARY, N.C. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel has decided to quit his bid for a Senate seat in North Carolina after Democrat Roy Cooper announced his candidacy. Nickel endorsed Cooper on Tuesday, citing leadership and inspiration by the former two-term governor. Cooper launched his campaign on Monday to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. On the GOP side, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is expected to run with Donald Trump’s support. Nickel had formally launched a Senate campaign in April, but his activities were always overshadowed by what Cooper decided to do next. Nickel hinted at future political endeavors in his Tuesday statement.… Continue Reading

Former Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will run for Senate in 2026

Former Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will run for Senate in 2026

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, giving Democrats a proven statewide winner in an open-seat race that is expected to be one of the most competitive 2026 contests. Cooper made the announcement Monday with a video released on social media and his campaign website. The former two-term governor will immediately become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley plans to run for the GOP nomination, with President Donald Trump’s blessing. Cooper’s candidacy is a big recruiting win for Democrats, who see the open seat as a top pick-up opportunity in what will be a challenging year.… Continue Reading

Trump plays golf in Scotland while protesters take to the streets and decry his visit

Trump plays golf in Scotland while protesters take to the streets and decry his visit

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — President Donald Trump has played golf at his course on Scotland’s coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American. Trump and his son Eric played on Saturday near Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family’s company took over in 2014. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Consulate about 100 miles away in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Protests were planned in other cities. While in Scotland, Trump is set to talk trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president.… Continue Reading

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