Triangle/Local Archives - Page 2 of 34

Federal immigration agents will expand enforcement action in North Carolina to Raleigh, mayor says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Federal immigration authorities will expand their enforcement action in North Carolina to Raleigh as soon as Tuesday. That’s according to the mayor of the state’s capital city. Mayor Janet Cowell said she didn’t know how large the operation would be or how long agents would be present. Immigration authorities haven’t spoken about it. The Democrat said in a statement that crime was lower in Raleigh this year compared to last and that public safety was a priority for her and the city council.… Continue Reading

More than 130 arrested in North Carolina as governor says immigration crackdown is ‘stoking fear’

U.S. immigration agents arrested more than 130 people in a weekend sweep through North Carolina’s largest city. That’s according to a federal official who spoke Monday about Charlotte. The governor warned that the crackdown effort is simply “stoking fear.” The Trump administration has made the Democratic city of about 950,000 people its latest focus for an immigration enforcement surge it says will combat crime. The move comes despite fierce objections from local leaders and declining crime rates. Gov. Josh Stein says they’ve seen agents in paramilitary gear targeting citizens based on their skin color and picking up random people off sidewalks.… Continue Reading

This NC plant eats bugs for breakfast — and looks beautiful doing it

Most of us have seen or have some knowledge of the most iconic plant in the world: It’s the “Venus Flytrap”, which is native to a small area of southeastern North Carolina. One of its cousins, also a native to the “Tar Heel State”, is the venerable “Pitcher Plant”. It is also carnivorous and has an equally insatiable appetite for insects. This is another plant I don’t have in my landscape. I do need one after seeing the crop of the Purple Pitcher Plant at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill.… Continue Reading

Federal officials confirm officers have begun Charlotte immigration enforcement

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Federal officials have started a surge of immigration enforcement in Charlotte, North Carolina. Agents were seen making arrests on Saturday. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the move aims to ensure public safety. Local officials including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles are criticizing the arrests, saying they cause unnecessary fear. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden had said earlier this week that he had been told that federal agents would be coming to North Carolina’s largest city. Local residents report agents seeking to arrest people outside businesses and in front yards. Opponents have tried to inform immigrants of their rights and some are protesting.… Continue Reading

Officials in Charlotte vow to resist looming federal immigration crackdown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Officials and community leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, are opposing a pending federal immigration crackdown. They describe it as an invasion and urge residents to protest peacefully and record agents’ actions from a distance. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell criticizes the federal government’s approach. Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents would soon start an enforcement operation. Local organizations are training volunteers to protest and inform immigrants of their rights. President Donald Trump’s administration defends these operations as necessary for fighting crime. Local officials emphasize that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department isn’t involved in federal immigration enforcement.… Continue Reading

Trump’s next immigration crackdown will target Charlotte, North Carolina, a sheriff says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte, North Carolina, is the latest U.S. city preparing for a potential immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said Thursday that federal officials plan to deploy U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents as early as this weekend. Details of the operation remain undisclosed, and local authorities have not been asked to assist. President Donald Trump has defended sending federal agents and the military into Democratic-run cities to combat crime and enforce deportation policies. Local activists and officials say they are preparing the immigrant community by sharing resources and trying to calm fears.… Continue Reading

Record-low temperatures shock the Southeast US while snowfall blankets parts of the Northeast

The southeastern U.S. has plunged into record-low temperatures, affecting 18 million people under a freeze warning across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The cold spell moved from the Northern Plains and brought an abrupt transition to wintry temperatures. Some daily records were shattered, including a low of 28 degrees in Jacksonville, Florida. In Florida, temperatures led to a “falling iguana advisory” as iguanas froze into survival mode and fell from trees. Meanwhile, parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast experienced significant snowfall, causing hazardous driving conditions. Forecasters expect temperatures to rise by the end of the week.… Continue Reading

US airlines cancel more than 2,500 weekend flights largely due to government shutdown

U.S. airlines have canceled more than 2,500 weekend flights mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic. The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports will head into its third day Sunday. So far there have not been any widespread disruptions. FlightAware reports that cancellations jumped Saturday to more than 1,500, following just over 1,000 the previous day. By Saturday evening airlines already had canceled another 1,000-plus Sunday flights.… Continue Reading

Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

A federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered the Trump administration to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November. The ruling Thursday was in response to a challenge from cities and nonprofits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit. The Trump administration said last month that it would not pay benefits at all for November because of the federal shutdown. Last week, two judges ordered the government to pay at least partial benefits using an emergency fund.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s largest city reelects mayor after fallout over train stabbing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Voters in Charlotte, North Carolina, have reelected Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles after safety concerns in the city increased following a recent stabbing on a commuter train. Lyles won comfortably on Tuesday against Republican and Libertarian challengers. The August killing of a young Ukrainian woman sparked outrage and intensified the focus on crime during the campaign. The Republican-controlled state legislature passed a law in September addressing some criminal justice issues stemming from what happened. Lyles has highlighted additional safety measures for the light rail system. Charlotte hasn’t elected a Republican mayor since 2007.… Continue Reading