North Carolina’s GOP-controlled House overrides Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes

North Carolina’s GOP-controlled House overrides Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Republican-controlled House has overridden three of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes. The party-line votes Wednesday sent the overrides to the Senate for consideration. The first bill allows modified utility vehicles to travel on all types of roads at up to 55 mph. The second blocks local governments from stopping landlords who refuse to rent to people whose rent money comes primarily from federal housing assistance programs. The third restricts state agencies from accepting payments in central bank digital currency. Since gaining supermajorities last year, GOP lawmakers have blocked all of Cooper’s vetoes.… Continue Reading

Storm disrupts high-speed trains from Paris, leaving travelers stranded during Olympics

Storm disrupts high-speed trains from Paris, leaving travelers stranded during Olympics

PARIS (AP) — A storm Wednesday interrupted all high-speed train traffic connecting Paris to the southeast of the country as well as Switzerland in both directions, France’s rail company said, leaving thousands of travelers stranded amid the Olympics and departures for summer vacation. The SNCF said all the fast trains leaving from and arriving at the Gare de Lyon train station in the French capital were immobilized due to a tree that fell on the tracks and was hit by a train in Burgundy, southeast of the French capital. Regular-speed trains use separate tracks and haven’t been affected.… Continue Reading

Acting Secret Service boss says he ‘cannot defend’ why roof in Trump rally shooting was unsecured

Acting Secret Service boss says he ‘cannot defend’ why roof in Trump rally shooting was unsecured

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service’s acting director says he “cannot defend” why the roof used by the gunman in the assassination attempt of ex-President Donald Trump was unsecured. Ronald Rowe is testifying Tuesday before two Senate committees. Rowe says he visited the Pennsylvania shooting site and what he saw made him ashamed. The FBI’s No. 2 official is also testifying. The FBI says a social media account believed to belong to the Trump rally shooter espoused political violence. Senate lawmakers are grilling the law enforcement officials about lapses before the assassination attempt. It’s the latest in a series of congressional hearings dedicated to the July 13 shooting at the Republican presidential candidate’s Pennsylvania rally.… Continue Reading

NC Gov. Cooper opted out of Harris VP vetting, in part over worry about GOP lieutenant

NC Gov. Cooper opted out of Harris VP vetting, in part over worry about GOP lieutenant

WASHINGTON (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper opted not to be a candidate in Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate search. That’s according to three people familiar with the matter. He withdrew in part because of concerns that his Republican lieutenant governor would assume control when he travels out of state if he were selected. The people said Cooper withdrew before Harris formally began soliciting vetting material from potential vice presidents. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive search process. Harris’ search is ongoing and her teams of lawyers and political aides are still reviewing information on a narrowing list of potential candidates.… Continue Reading

US regulators OK North Carolina Medicaid carrot to hospitals to eliminate patient debt

US regulators OK North Carolina Medicaid carrot to hospitals to eliminate patient debt

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal Medicaid regulators have signed off on a proposal by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration to offer hospitals a financial incentive to eliminate patients’ medical debt. Cooper’s office announced Monday that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the plan submitted by the state Department of Health and Human Services. Cooper’s administration has estimated the plan could help 2 million people get rid of $4 billion in debt. Certain hospitals already participating in a new Medicaid reimbursement program could soon get even more money if they voluntarily do away with patient debt and help low- and middle-income patients avoid future medical debt.… Continue Reading

Doug Emhoff would become the country’s first first gentleman if Kamala Harris wins the presidency

Doug Emhoff would become the country’s first first gentleman if Kamala Harris wins the presidency

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s first second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, would become its first first gentleman if Kamala Harris wins the presidential election in November. He’s used to traveling the country championing his wife and the Biden administration’s accomplishments. And now that the vice president is the likely Democratic nominee, those efforts have gone into overdrive. Emhoff has visited 37 states and 14 countries as second gentleman. He’s been to four states since Biden left the race and has three more teed up in the coming days. Emhoff says in an Associated Press interview that his wife’s staff advised him at her first presidential campaign appearance, “Sir, you need to jump out on that stage.’”… Continue Reading

Judge strikes down a North Carolina abortion restriction but upholds another

Judge strikes down a North Carolina abortion restriction but upholds another

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled a provision in North Carolina’s abortion laws requiring doctors to document the location of a pregnancy before prescribing abortion pills should be blocked permanently. But U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles restored on Friday another provision she halted last year that required abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy be performed in hospitals. She said the law requiring physicians to document the “intrauterine location of a pregnancy” before a medication abortion is performed is unconstitutionally vague. Her decisions don’t halt most of the 2023 abortion law enacted by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. That says abortions can be performed after 12 weeks only under some exceptions.… Continue Reading

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