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.
Retail chains are expanding new-store openings and remodeling while shuttering underperforming locations as they push higher staffing, improved service, and more groceries to lift sales amid ongoing consumer pressure.
Severe weather has been recurring across the US, with tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds reported in recent days. Forecasts indicate similar conditions will persist through Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in regions affected last week. Warm temperatures are also expected to increase risks of storms and flooding.
Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus are closing multiple stores across the US as part of a restructuring following Saks's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The closures include locations in California and other states, with some flagship stores remaining open. The move reflects ongoing shifts in luxury retail strategies amid economic pressures.
Recent weeks have seen unprecedented weather extremes across the US, including record-breaking heat in the Southwest and Arctic cold in the Midwest and East. These shifts are driven by high-pressure systems, polar vortex activity, and rapid temperature changes, impacting daily life and raising climate concerns.
The FBI subpoenaed Arizona's Senate for records related to the 2020 election audit in Maricopa County. Arizona officials confirmed they handed over the records amid ongoing investigations into election irregularities, despite multiple audits finding no evidence of widespread fraud. The move aligns with federal efforts in Georgia and Arizona to scrutinize the 2020 results.
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.
The Supreme Court has granted Alabamas emergency appeal to allow a 2023 legislative map that reduces Black-majority districts from two to one to be used in upcoming special primaries. The order follows the courts April ruling that narrowed Voting Rights Act claims and arrives as Republican leaders move to redraw maps across Southern states ahead of the midterms.
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.
Graduations have been marred by a series of brawls across districts, with incidents at Reedley High School and other venues prompting arrests and renewed questions about school security and student conduct.