NC in the news: Comey indictment tied to threats, plus local NC cases and wind policy. NC: a southeastern state with borders VA, Atlantic, SC, GA, TN.
The 2026 allergy report ranks Boise as the worst city for pollen allergies, driven by climate change and weather patterns. Early spring symptoms are affecting many, with Western cities experiencing longer, more intense pollen seasons due to warmer temperatures and drought. Experts advise early treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
Nebraska and Wisconsin are moving toward legalizing online sports betting on tribal platforms, amid ongoing debates over regulation and gambling addiction. Nebraska's prediction markets are already active, while Wisconsin's bill awaits governor approval, highlighting the evolving landscape of U.S. sports wagering.
Maryland and North Carolina face off in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament second round, with a Sweet 16 spot at stake. Maryland’s coach Brenda Freeze, a 2006 champion, recalls past battles with North Carolina. Both teams are motivated after recent victories, with North Carolina aiming to capitalize on home-court advantage and Maryland seeking to maintain its tournament streak.
The NCAA tournament's viewership increased by 7% compared to last year, with record-breaking numbers for the first week. All rounds saw higher audiences, including the most-watched second round since 1993 and the most-watched first-round primetime games in history, driven by expanded coverage on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.
New York is delaying green energy projects and extending Diablo Canyon's operation to 2045 amid rising costs and energy demand. The state is reconsidering its 2019 Climate Act goals, with officials citing economic and reliability concerns. These developments reflect ongoing challenges in balancing climate ambitions with practical energy needs.
The WNBA has introduced a new collective bargaining agreement that significantly increases rookie salaries, starting with the No. 1 pick. Top prospects like Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts are benefiting from the higher pay, while draft preparations highlight the league's growing popularity and financial strength.
A federal jury in Charlotte has awarded a plaintiff $5,000 in a sexual assault lawsuit against Uber. The case is part of a broader wave of lawsuits across the US, with Uber planning to appeal. The verdict highlights ongoing safety concerns and legal debates over liability for driver misconduct.
A wave of government actions has seen offshore wind leases bought out and reallocated to fossil-fuel projects, with about $2B in reimbursements promised to developers who abandon wind plans. This follows court rulings that have blocked or rolled back some Trump-era restrictions, while some projects in California and New Jersey move forward under renewed scrutiny.
A man from North Carolina has been arrested after authorities say he planned a mass shooting at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He was found with a handgun and 200 rounds of ammunition in Florida. The suspect had made threats to harm Black people and was headed to Louisiana. He will face charges in Louisiana after his arrest in Destin, Florida.
A man attempted to force entry into a Toronto synagogue during Shabbat, punching a father. The following day, a window was broken at a Jewish shop. Police are investigating, and recent antisemitic incidents have increased community fears amid a pattern of violence targeting Jewish sites across Canada.
Massachusetts authorities have charged Janette MacAusland, 49, with two counts of murder after investigators found her two children dead in a Wellesley home. The arrest comes as custody disputes and a guardianship arrangement were recently underway. MacAusland is being held in Vermont, with plans for Massachusetts extradition.
The Justice Department has indicted James Comey in North Carolina on threats-related charges tied to a seashell photo marked “86 47.” Prosecutors must prove intent to threaten a president, a high bar given Comey’s public statements that he did not intend violence. The case is the second criminal matter involving Comey and the Trump administration’s pursuit of political opponents.
Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in North Carolina over a May 2025 Instagram photo showing seashells arranged as "86 47," which prosecutors say a reasonable recipient would interpret as a threat to President Trump; Comey has surrendered, pleaded innocent and vowed to fight the charges.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly transmitting a threat against President Trump through a social media post showing seashells arranged to read “86 47.” The indictment marks a second case against Comey and comes amid broader discourse about political targeting within the DOJ and responses from Trump allies and critics.
Two teachers have been arrested after accusations that they engaged in sexual relationships with students. Maris Nichols, a biology teacher at Alexander High School in Douglasville, Georgia, is charged with two counts of sexual assault by a person in a supervisory role. Amber Walker, a high school counselor and girls’ basketball coach in Asheboro, NC, is charged with two felony counts of sex acts with a student. Investigations and district statements are underway.
A wave of mid-decade redistricting follows a Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act. States including Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and others have enacted new maps to gain partisan advantage, while court challenges continue in several jurisdictions. The moves aim to shape the political battlefield ahead of 2028 and 2030 population data.
Deputy Logan Utt has died after being shot responding to a welfare check in Carroll County, Virginia. The suspect, Michael Puckett, has been arrested in Surry County, North Carolina, two days after the incident. A second deputy is recovering with a ballistic vest injury as the manhunt continues.
The European Union has announced a substantial investment in ocean observation, positioning Europe at the forefront of marine monitoring as the United States proceeds with the dismantling of the Ocean Observatories Initiative. The NSF has begun a descope of the OOI, pulling instruments from multiple U.S. sites while the EU commits hundreds of millions to expand global ocean data networks.
Public responses to a federal signage policy show broad criticism of the administration's approach, with many commenters calling it un-American or advocating for more contextual history at parks. A Sierra Club suit has made the 35,000 comments public, highlighting clashes over race, slavery, and DEI history in national sites.
The federal case against Decarlos Brown Jr. for the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska has been paused as Brown is found not competent to stand trial. He will receive treatment in a federal facility for up to four months to restore competency, while a parallel state case remains on hold.
The National Science Foundation has begun decommissioning most instruments from the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a 900+‑sensor system that has tracked ocean climate, currents and hazards for a decade. Lawmakers from both parties have pressed the NSF to halt the plans, arguing the move lacks warning, violates process and could jeopardize coastal safety and weather predictions. Scientists warn the loss will hinder climate monitoring and fishing industries, while officials say the desk keeps advancing priority research.
A new CMS rule redefines medical frailty for Medicaid expansions, threatening to bar exemptions for some patients who are too sick to work. The guidance requires proof that conditions “significantly impair” work ability, potentially affecting many patients who rely on treatment while facing complex paperwork and renewal hurdles.
Congress-created America250 faces a clash with President Trump’s Freedom 250 as competing plans for the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations unfold. States are withdrawing, performers are dropping out, and questions over taxpayer funding intensify as organizers race to define a nonpartisan national moment.