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☆ What we learned during the 2024 NFL Draft
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The 2024 NFL Draft drew to a close on Saturday as 257 players were selected by teams from across the league, all hopeful of a bright career lying before them. The 137 selections between Thursday’s first round and Saturday’s fifth round set a record for the longest drought without a quarterback being picked in NFL Draft history. Other offensive players popularInterest in offensive players was high throughout the draft and it was an especially good few days for wide receivers and offensive linemen. Laiatu Latu was the first defensive pick of the NFL Draft. Irrelevant’Jaylen Key is announced as the final pick of the NFL Draft.

Persons: Caleb Williams, Roger Goodell, Gregory Shamus, Williams, Justin Fields, Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, –, Michael Penix Jr, J.J, McCarthy, Bo Nix, Penix, Kirk Cousins, Dale Zanine, Reuters “, ” Cousins, Mike McCartney, Mike Garafolo, “, Kirk, ”, Nix, Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Thursday’s, Marvin Harrison Jr, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, WRs, Jeff Lewis, Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, Xavier Worthy, Patrick Mahomes, Kingsley Suamataia, ” Mahomes, Brett Veach, Oregon WR Troy Franklin, Latu, Laiatu Latu, Ruke Orhorhoro, Quinyon Mitchell, Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, Jalyx Hunt, “ It’s, Howie Roseman, Jeff Roberson, You’ve, Key, I’m, Brock Purdy, “ We’ve, Brock Organizations: CNN, Chicago Bears, USC, New York Jets, NFL, Bears, LSU, Washington, New England Patriots, North, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Falcons, New Falcons, USA, Sports, Reuters, New, New Orleans Saints, ESPN, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Arizona Cardinals, Rome, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Texas WR, Chiefs, BYU, Oregon WR, Ducks, Indianapolis Colts, UCLA, ESPN –, Clemson, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston, ” Eagles, Alabama, Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl Locations: Detroit, Nashville, Alabama, New Orleans, Texas, Oregon, Toledo, California

☆ 2024 NFL Draft: 5 quarterbacks taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft for the first time ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The 2024 NFL Draft has kicked off with the Chicago Bears selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick on Thursday night. Earlier Thursday, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said on X 150,000 fans are in attendance at the draft. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NFL Draft. How to watchThe 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit across three days in the downtown area surrounding the Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Pass-catching game-changersAccording to the NFL’s draft expert Daniel Jeremiah and his rankings of the 2024 draft prospects, three of the four best players are wide receivers, and 12 of the top 50 play the position.

Persons: Caleb Williams, Williams, Roger Goodell, Brian McCarthy, USC’s Williams, Kyler Murray, Tom Pennington, Justin Fields, Jayden Daniels, Daniels, Carolina’s Drake Maye, Maye, Lance Zierlein, shouldn’t, ” Daniels, Jonathan Bachman, Michael Penix Jr, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, Daniel Jeremiah, Marvin Harrison Jr, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Harrison Jr, Pro Bowler, Carmen Mandato, Zierlein, Rome, LSU’s Malik Nabers, Odunze, Larry Fitzgerald, Nabers, Justin Jefferson, Brian Thomas Jr, Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Georgia’s Ladd McConkey Organizations: CNN, Chicago Bears, Bears, Hart, NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, NFL, Heisman, USC, The Bears, Washington, LSU, New England Patriots, UNC, LSU Tigers, Atlanta Falcons, University of Washington, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Michigan, Denver Broncos, Oregon, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Arizona Cardinals, Ohio State, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, of Famer, Getty, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs Locations: Detroit, Baton Rouge, Texas, Carolina, New Orleans, Cleveland, Houston

☆ Biden and Harris team up for a rare joint appearance in North Carolina to take on GOP over health care
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Arlette Saenz | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It’s taking place on the heels of a campaign push slamming Trump for threatening to repeal the Affordable Care Act if he’s elected to a second term. Dunn argued the GOP plan shows “the Affordable Care Act is still very much under attack by Republican officials.”In contrast, Biden and Harris are expected to highlight the success of the Affordable Care Act and discuss efforts to expand access to health care and lower prescription drugs costs. Biden’s team also hopes the popularity of the Affordable Care Act and proposals to lower health care and prescription drug costs will resonate with voters at the ballot box. More than 45 million people in total have gained coverage through the Affordable Care Act, according to the Biden administration. Roy Cooper had advocated for the Affordable Care Act provision for years, finally convincing the Republican-led legislature to drop its long-standing opposition.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, mifepristone, Tuesday’s, It’s, Trump, “, Biden, Harris, ”, Anita Dunn, he’s, Dunn, Roy Cooper, Josh Stein, Mark Robinson, Cooper Organizations: Washington CNN, Raleigh, Democratic, Trump, Marist, Union, Republican, Affordable, White, What’s, American, Children’s Health Insurance, Medicare enrollees, Medicare, Medicaid, Democratic Gov, GOP, Senate, Gov Locations: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia , Wisconsin , Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, New Hampshire, Texas, Southern, Georgia, South Dakota, Florida, Kansas, Mississippi

CNN —North Carolina pastor Mark Harris has won the Republican nomination for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District, making him the likely next member of Congress from this red district some five years after his apparent victory in an earlier House election was thrown out over ballot fraud allegations. The North Carolina State Board of Elections finalized the results on Tuesday, confirming that Harris will win more than the 30% necessary to avoid a runoff. Republican incumbent Dan Bishop is vacating the seat, located east of Charlotte, to run for North Carolina attorney general. Harris was making his fourth run for Congress after a failed Senate bid in 2014, a failed House bid in 2016 and a House campaign in 2018 that made national headlines. But in making his self-described comeback bid, Harris spun a Trump-like narrative.

Persons: Mark Harris, Harris, Dan Bishop, “, you’ve, ” Harris, Justin, Donald Trump, Trump, CNN’s Ethan Cohen Organizations: CNN, North, Republican, North Carolina’s, Congressional, North Carolina State Board, Bishop, Trump Locations: North Carolina, Charlotte

As Mark Robinson completed his rapid six-year rise from conservative internet sensation to the Republican nominee for North Carolina governor, he worked relentlessly to sell his political vision to evangelical Christians. Traveling from church to church and thundering away on social media, he condemned “transgenderism” and “homosexuality” as “filth.” He said Christians should be led by men, not women. And on at least one occasion, he explicitly called to upend American tradition on God’s role in government. “People talk about the separation of church and state,” Mr. Robinson, North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, said in a speech in October. Trying to find it in the writings of any patriot, anywhere, and I cannot.

Persons: Mark Robinson, “ transgenderism, ”, Mr, Robinson, North, “ I’m Organizations: Republican, North Locations: North Carolina, America

☆ They voted for the bill that could ban TikTok. They also actively use the app.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Shania Shelton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Jackson is not the only House representative who has both taken advantage of the popular app and voted for the bill that could ban it. Some of these representatives actively use the app to boost their campaigns, while others use it for office communications. Some members who voted in favor of the bill believe the US should be able to regulate the technology. The question of a banA few of the representatives who voted in favor of the bill have emphasized that it is not meant to be a ban of TikTok. Just being as transparent and accountable as we possibly can.”The Democratic congressman said if TikTok is banned, he will continue to use the social media platforms that aren’t banned, but said, “I don’t think that’s what’s going to happen here.”“It’s really a sell TikTok, not ban TikTok bill.

Persons: Jeff Jackson, “, Marisa, Biden, Alabama Sen, Katie Britt, Jackson, unfollow, Colin Allred, Adam Schiff of California, Elissa Slotkin, ” Jackson, TikTok, “ I’ve, ”, Republican Dan Bishop, snoop, Bill Pascrell, Schiff, ” Schiff, Joe Biden, ” Allred, Sen, Ted Cruz, Slotkin, “ I’m, ” Slotkin, Debbie Stabenow, MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, Annie Wu Henry, John Fetterman’s, ” Henry, Sean Casten, Greg Landsman, Wiley Nickel, Pascrell, Melanie Stansbury, Landsman, Henry Organizations: CNN — Democratic, Union, North Carolina Democrat, Democratic, Republican, ”, Communist, California Senate, Senate, Constituent, CNN Locations: North, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, Beijing, New Jersey, United States, California, TikTok, ”, Illinois, Ohio, New Mexico

As rural hospitals continue to struggle financially, a new type of hospital is slowly taking root, especially in the Southeast. Saving rural careThat was the case for Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla, Georgia, which was the second rural emergency hospital established in the U.S. “But ... we felt like we had to try.”Irwin County Hospital became a rural emergency hospital on Feb. 1, 2023. “We might have been closed if we hadn’t (become a rural emergency hospital), so ... something had to be done,” he said. Brock Slabach, the National Rural Health Association's chief operations officer, told the AP that upwards of 30 facilities are interested in converting to rural emergency hospitals this year.

Persons: Carrie Cochran, McClain, George Pink, Weeks, Scott Carver, he’d, ”, Quentin Whitwell, “ We’re, Whitwell, Carver, Traci Harper, Harper’s, “, ‘, Warren, Jared Chaffin, Amy Thimm, they’ll, Ron Te Brink, Chaffin, “ That’s, Kenneth Williams, Williams, Williams isn’t, we’ve, Pink, it’s, Cochran, Brock Slabach, Robert Wood Johnson Organizations: National Rural Health Association, U.S, University of North, Sheps, for Health Services Research, Health Research Program, Irwin County Hospital, Hospital, Progressive Health Systems, Warren Memorial Hospital, Alliance Healthcare, Centers, Medicare, Associated Press, National Rural Health Association's, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AP Locations: Southeast, Rural, Nebraska, Florida, Ocilla , Georgia, U.S, ” Irwin, Jacksonville , Florida, Holly Springs , Mississippi, Memphis

☆ North Carolina judges block GOP effort to reshape state’s election boards
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A bipartisan panel of judges in North Carolina has ruled that the Republican-controlled state legislature improperly tried to seize control of state and local election boards from Democratic Gov. The state Board of Elections, for instance, currently has three Democrats and two Republicans. Previous efforts by Republicans in the General Assembly to change the makeup of election boards have been rejected by the courts, and by voters in a 2018 referendum. Republican state lawmakers who pushed the change had argued that it would bring bipartisan balance to decision-making around elections. Several lawmakers had accused state election officials of reaching a “collusive settlement” with Democratic litigants to extend the deadline to count absentee ballots during the 2020 election.

Persons: Roy Cooper –, North Carolina’s, –, Cooper, “ infringes, ”, ” Lauren Horsch, Sen, Phil Berger, What’s, Paul Newton, you’ve, Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democratic Gov, Republicans, State, North, North Carolina General, Assembly, North Carolina Senate, ” Locations: North Carolina, ”, Carolina

In late November, the panel temporarily blocked the new structures for the State Board of Elections and boards in all 100 counties from taking effect while Cooper’s lawsuit was heard. The state elections board has five members appointed by the governor — a format going back over 100 years — from candidate lists provided by the major parties. Currently, county boards are five members, with state board members naming four positions and Cooper one. Should the board changes be upheld by courts in the coming months, new appointments could happen as general election campaigning heats up and voting approaches. The elections board lawsuit is one of many that Cooper has filed over the past seven years challenging General Assembly laws that he argues unlawfully weakens his position.

Persons: Roy Cooper, Cooper's, infringes, ”, Edwin Wilson, Andrew Womble, Lori Hamilton, Hamilton, Wilson, Phil Berger, Tim Moore's, Cooper, they've, Donald Trump, —, weren't Organizations: Carolina’s GOP, Democratic Gov, GOP, State Board, Democrat, Democratic, Associated Press, Cooper, General Assembly, Republican, General, Republicans Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, Carolina’s, ”

CNN —President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump took big steps toward making their seemingly inevitable rematch official, as both notched huge Super Tuesday wins. Here are takeaways from Super Tuesday:Trump wins bigThe former president continued his run of dominance in the Republican nominating contest, despite losing one state, Vermont, to Nikki Haley. His approval ratings remain low, and the general election horse race polling is worrisome for Democrats. But on Super Tuesday, like every other primary day, he has dominated his few rivals – typically winning around 80% of the vote. “Tonight’s numbers showed that President Biden cannot earn back our votes with just rhetoric,” Vote Uncommitted MN spokesperson Asma Nizami said in a statement.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, “ uncommitted, Biden, suburbanites, Haley, Nikki Haley, CNN’s, there’s, ” Trump, Evan Vucci, Haley —, –, Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips, who’s, Tapper, Warren, “, uncommitted ”, Uncommitted, Asma Nizami, ’, “ uncommitted ”, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, he’s, They’ve, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham —, —, CNN’s Dana Bash, ”, Nikki, ” Graham, Graham, Haley’s, Mark Levin, She’s, — Biden, Jason Palmer, Palmer, hasn’t, Michael Bloomberg, ” Phillips, Biden’s, Mark Robinson, Josh Stein, Roy Cooper, Bill Graham, “ Mark Robinson, Laurie Buckhout’s, Don Davis, Sandy Smith, Smith, Dan Conston, Buckhout, Davis, Nathan L, Gonzales Organizations: CNN, Biden, Tuesday, Trump, Republican, —, AP, GOP, Trump . College, South Carolina, South Carolina Republican, News, American Samoa —, Democratic, Democratic National Convention, New York City, Minnesota Rep, Democratic Party loyalists, Gov, Democratic Gov, North Carolina Republicans, North, Republicans, Congressional, Fund, House GOP, Freedom Caucus, Capitol, Air Force Locations: Vermont, Lago, Palm Beach, Mar, Fla, Gaza, North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan, Israel, Minnesota, Ilhan Omar’s, Minneapolis, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina, … Vermont, American Samoa, New York, Congress, Tarheel State, state’s, North Carolina’s, Washington

☆ 2 major employers said they stopped paying for weight-loss drugs like Wegovy after the drugmaker threatened to penalize them
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementThere's a little-known reason more companies aren't paying for their workers' weight-loss shots. But even at a reduced price, weight-loss drugs are budget-busting, so employers have tried to make them tougher to get. Or it could require patients to try a cheaper weight-loss drug before resorting to more expensive options. The University of Texas System, facing a bill of more than $5 million a month for its workers’ weight-loss drugs, explored saving some money by paying only for people already on the drugs. UT System ended all coverage for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in September 2023.

Persons: —, Sam Watts, Chris Brown, ”, “, Brown, pocketing, they’ve, ” Brown Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Service, Health, CVS, University of Texas, UT, Business, Novo Nordisk doesn’t, “ Locations: Texas, North Carolina, Carolina, North

The Washington Commanders have an agreement with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to hire him as coach, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Quinn, 53, spent the past three seasons running the defense for the NFC East-rival Cowboys after five-plus seasons coaching the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn coached the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016 before being fired after an 0-5 start in 2020. He became Washington’s choice after Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, considered a top candidate, told teams Tuesday he was staying with Detroit and the Seahawks hired Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Macdonald going to Seattle made Quinn the front-runner, and he got the job over the likes of Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Baltimore assistant Anthony Weaver.

Persons: Dan Quinn, Quinn, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald, Peters, Eric Bieniemy, that's, Rivera, Jack Del Rio, handpick, Johnson, Macdonald, Aaron Glenn, Anthony Weaver, Pete Carroll, William & Mary, hasn’t, Quarterback —, Washington —, Sam Howell, Carolina’s Drake Maye, ___ Organizations: Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Associated Press, NFC, Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Falcons, Lions, Seahawks, Baltimore, NFL, Dallas, NFC East, Atlanta, The Falcons, New England Patriots, William &, Virginia Military Institute, Hofstra, San, New York Jets, Florida Locations: Detroit, Washington, Seattle, Baltimore, New Jersey, San Francisco

If those population-growth patterns continue for the rest of the decade, it could seriously imperil the Democrats’ long-term chances of winning the White House. The Week in Cartoons Jan. 15-19 View All 5 ImagesFor Democrats, the picture is grim. An analysis by the Brookings Institution found that the main factor driving population growth in 2022-23 was immigration. The two states Democrats are eyeing most urgently to become the new Arizona and Georgia are North Carolina and Texas. In particular, predictions of “Blexas” – a blue Texas – have taken longer to materialize than most Democrats had hoped.

Persons: Donald Trump, University’s, Joe Biden, ”, Alan Abramowitz, Christopher Cooper, Brennan, Biden, Mark P, Jones, it’s, Michael McDonald, Trump, Michael Bitzer, ” Bitzer, “ Biden's, Thomas Schaller, ” Schaller, –, Barack Obama, Cooper Organizations: White, Center for Justice, Biden, Emory University, Democrats, Western Carolina University, “, ”, Republicans, Rice University, University of Florida, Brookings Institution, Brookings, North Carolina’s Catawba, Northern Blacks, Brennan, University of Maryland, American Democracy, Senate, Democratic, Texas, Democratic Party, Electoral College Locations: South Carolina , Florida , Texas , Idaho, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, New, Texas, Florida, Idaho, South Carolina , Tennessee, California, New York, Illinois, Minnesota , Oregon, Rhode, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, U.S, That’s, North, Northern, Baltimore, Arizona , Colorado , New Mexico, Nevada, “ Texas, United States

N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Black and Latino voters sued in federal court on Monday seeking to strike down congressional districts drawn this fall by Republican state legislators that they argue weaken minority voting power in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Under the iteration of the congressional map that had been drawn by state judges for the 2022 elections, Democrats and Republicans each won seven seats. Meanwhile, the number of minority voters grows in the 12th, which is represented by Rep. Alma Adams of Charlotte. Rep. Jeff Jackson, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, already said he’s running for state attorney general, saying he can’t win reelection under the new congressional map. The latest congressional map “continues North Carolina’s long tradition of enacting redistricting plans that pack and crack minority voters into gerrymandered districts designed to minimize their voting strength," the plaintiffs' lawyers write.

Persons: gerrymanders, Tim Moore, Kathy Manning, Republican mapmakers, Don Davis, Alma Adams, Charlotte, Jeff Jackson, Moore Organizations: —, — North Carolina, Republican, U.S . Constitution, General, Republicans, Capitol, U.S . House, Black Democrats, 6th, GOP, Democratic, Rep, Mecklenburg County Democrat, Supreme Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, — North, U.S ., U.S, Charlotte, District, North, Greensboro, Pitt County, South Carolina, Mecklenburg County

“This is a phenomenal moment for North Carolina and for North Carolinians,” state Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley said in an interview. “All that adds up to just the peace of mind, knowing that when they need health care, it’s not going to drive them into debt.”Democratic Gov. They warmed to the idea in 2022, when the federal government offered a $1.8 billion bonus over two years if North Carolina signed on. It stipulates that North Carolina hospitals cover the state’s 10% share of expenses through increased assessments that began in November, DHHS said. Much of western North Carolina exists in the Medicaid coverage gap, “and its citizens are absolutely left behind,” McBane said.

Persons: Carrie McBane, McBane, Kody Kinsley, it’s, Roy Cooper, weren’t, Cooper, DHHS, ” McBane, Kinsley, “, ” Organizations: North Carolina, Medicaid, of Columbia, Republican, National Center for Health Statistics, of Health, Human Services, ” Democratic Gov, General Assembly Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, North Carolina, Sylva, Raleigh, South, Midwest, ”, Carolina

☆ Electric Vehicle Push Returns North Carolina to Its Lithium Mining Roots
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It is one of several companies in North Carolina that are rapidly accelerating operations for extracting and processing lithium, which is essential to the flow of electricity within a battery, that can be sold to carmakers. Although there has been progress in expanding North Carolina’s lithium industry, obstacles abound when it comes to permits and the pace of approvals that producers need to move forward with their plans. Political backlash against electric vehicles, often fueled by Republicans including former President Donald J. Trump, also presents headwinds. And the prices for lithium hydroxide have fallen sharply this year amid waning global demand, adding to the financial pressure the companies are facing to make their investments pay off. Even if the permit process goes smoothly, however, the company does not expect the mine to be able to operate until 2027 or 2028.

Persons: Mr, Norris, “, ” Albemarle, Donald J, Trump Organizations: of Defense, Department of Energy, Republicans Locations: China, North Carolina, Albemarle

PINNACLE, N.C. (AP) — Heavy rain and lower temperatures helped slow down some wildfires in North Carolina on Tuesday, including blazes that had prompted evacuations of homes and campgrounds, forestry officials said. “Unless we get some more continuous rain, we will probably be back to being active again in a few days,” he said. On Saturday, a fire broke out in North Carolina's Sauratown Mountains and grew to more than 750 acres (303 hectares) by Tuesday, according to Jimmy Holt, a ranger with the North Carolina Forest Service. “For right now, things will slow down,” said Adrianne Rubiaco, a U.S. Forest Service fire spokesperson in North Carolina. Fire officials in Townsend, Tennessee, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Knoxville, announced an emergency evacuation as crews battled a blaze.

Persons: Shardul Raval, ”, Jimmy Holt, Holt, Adrianne Rubiaco Organizations: U.S, North Carolina Forest Service, Forest, U.S . Forest Service, Tennessee -, Fire Locations: North Carolina, U.S . Forest, North Carolina's, North, Pisgah, Tennessee, U.S, Tennessee - North Carolina, Townsend , Tennessee, Knoxville

‘A Beautiful Place That Has a Dragon’: Where Hurricane Risk Meets Booming GrowthThe hurricanes keep coming, and the people, too: The fastest-growing places along the Atlantic coast this century are also among the most hurricane-prone. And rising sea levels make storm surges more damaging and coastal flooding more frequent. And this booming coastal population is, by many accounts, a larger contributor to rising hurricane risks than climate change. When Gail Hart moved from Arizona to retire in Wilmington, N.C., in 2017, she hadn’t considered the hurricane risk. Still said, “where do you put 100,000 people?”The housing crunch is one of many tensions playing out between wealthy coastal communities and those who live nearby.

Persons: Matthew, Dorian, Isaias, Ian, “, ”, Kathie Dello, Gail Hart, hadn’t, ” Gail Hart, Del Webb, Hurricane Florence, Hart, “ There’s, Steven Still, Amanda Martin, North, Mr, Still, Jenny Brennan, David McIntire, McIntire, O’Leary, Ms, Water, O’Leary’s, Kevin Mishoe, Mishoe, Gina, Karen Willis Amspacher, Amspacher, “ It’s, It’s, she’s, Sharon Valentine, Hurricane Fran, Wilmington’s Del, Valentine, Leonard Bull Organizations: Hurricanes, Hurricane, First Street Foundation, Atlantic, National Flood Insurance, Southern Environmental Law Center, States, Brunswick, Myrtle, Association, Hurricane Florence, Down Locations: United States, Myrtle Beach, S.C, Wilmington, N.C, Carolinas, Florence, Carolina, Gulf, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina’s, Kure Beach, Horry County, Brunswick County, Arizona, Tula, New Hanover County, U.S, It’s, North Carolina, Conway, Horry, Hurricane, Hurricane Florence, Bucksport, Carteret County, —, Banks, Stacy, Harkers, Fayetteville, Wilmington’s, Wilmington’s Del Webb

☆ Chicago Bears edge past Carolina Panthers and better their odds at top pick at next year’s NFL Draft
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Chicago Bears edged past the Carolina Panthers in a low-scoring affair on Thursday, a win which boosts their chances at the top pick in next year’s NFL Draft. The Bears were without starting quarterback Justin Fields for Thursday’s game through injury, with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent once again starting in his place. In his first game since being traded from the Washington Commanders, Sweat had a team-high eight pressures in the game. Thursday’s game was another tough outing for the Panthers QB, who finished with 21-of-38 passing for 185 yards and no touchdowns. The victory moves to Chicago to 3-7 on the season, two games clear from Carolina’s league-worst record.

Persons: D’Onta Foreman, Eddy Pineiro, Bryce Young –, Caleb Williams, Carolina’s Drake Maye, Justin Fields, Tyson Bagent, Bagent, Foreman’s, Montez, Sweat, Young, –, Frank Reich, Ihmir Smith, Marsette, Carolina’s, Smith, Quinn Harris, Foreman, Christian McCaffrey, Don’t, ” Foreman, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, NFL, Bears, Chicago, Panthers, Shepard University, Washington, Pineiro, Carolina, San Francisco 49ers Locations: Chicago, Carolina

☆ A tide of election worker resignations raises alarms ahead of 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —A wave of departures by election officials in key states risks adding new stress to the nation’s election system ahead of next year’s presidential contest, voting rights groups and several state election chiefs warn. The growing alarm over the resignations and retirements comes as officials say election workers continue to face a barrage of threats and harassment and partisan interference in their duties, first ignited by false claims of a stolen White House election in 2020. In King County, Washington – which includes Seattle – Julie Wise, the county election director, recalled receiving a letter over the summer with a rant about elections. Election watchdogs say more action is needed – including boosting federal funding and extending a federal law that criminalizes the release of restricted personal information about federal workers to cover election officials. Brinson Bell began tracking the departures when she became the state’s election chief that year.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Adrian Fontes, Pennsylvania –, Republican Al Schmidt, “, Nick Penniman, Schmidt, Donald Trump’s, ” Schmidt, Seattle – Julie Wise, Wise, ’, ” Penniman, Meagan Wolfe, Trump, Wolfe, there’s, Roy Cooper, Critics, Karen Brinson Bell, Brinson Bell, Kathy Holland, Holland, –, Brinson, ” Adam Byrnes, he’s, ” Byrnes, Fontes, ” Fontes, that’s Organizations: CNN, Democrat, Republican, US Justice Department, National Conference of State Legislatures, Committee, ” Workers, GOP, supermajorities, Gov, North Carolina State Board, Emory University, “ Locations: Arizona, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, King County , Washington, Seattle, In Wisconsin, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Alamance County, Swain County, Georgia

The plant will serve as Toyota's epicenter of lithium-ion battery production in North America and will be a key supplier for the Kentucky-based plant tasked with building its first U.S.-made electric vehicles, the company said. Sean Suggs, president of Toyota North Carolina, said the announcement “reinforces Toyota’s commitment to electrification and carbon reduction,” while fulfilling its promise to bring economic growth to North Carolina. Toyota has committed to using 100% renewable energy to produce batteries at the North Carolina plant, which has been under construction since 2021. Toyota says it will have 15 battery electric vehicles for sale globally by 2025. Toyota could receive hundreds of million in cash incentives, tax breaks and infrastructure upgrades from the state of North Carolina and local governments for fulfilling its job creation and investment goals, according to state officials and documents.

Persons: —, ”, Roy Cooper, Koji Sato, Sean Suggs, Joe Biden’s, Phil Berger Organizations: — Toyota, Toyota, Automotive, U.S . Department of Energy, Republican, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, North Carolina, Greensboro, North America, Kentucky, U.S, Tokyo, Toyota North Carolina

☆ These redistricting fights could determine which party controls the House
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Before the court action, Alabama – which is 27% Black – had only one Black-majority congressional district out of seven seats. The case is expected to land before the all-Republican state Supreme Court, where DeSantis appointees hold most seats. A separate federal case in Georgia challenges the congressional map on constitutional grounds and is slated to go to trial next month. UtahThe state Supreme Court, in a case it heard in July, is considering whether it even has the authority to weigh in on map-drawing decisions by the GOP-controlled state legislature. Advocacy groups and a handful of voters are challenging a congressional map that further carved up Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County between four decidedly Republican districts.

Persons: “, ”, David Wasserman, Amy Walter, Wasserman, Adam Kincaid, Kincaid, it’s, Nick Seabrook, –, John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, Ron DeSantis, Al Lawson, Steve Jones, Jones preliminarily, Andy Barr, Amy McGrath, Barr, Kareem Crayton, Brennan, Gabe Vasquez –, Chris Cooper, Jeff Jackson, Wiley Nickel, Kathy Manning, Don Davis, Valerie Foushee –, Davis, Roy Cooper, Nancy Mace, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Republicans, The, Republican, Black, National Republican Redistricting Trust, University of North, House, US, Gov, Black Democrat, Georgia Republicans, – Democratic, Congressional, Republican –, GOP, Louisiana Republicans, Appeals, Brennan Center for Justice . New, Brennan Center for Justice . New Mexico Republicans, New, New York Republicans, North Carolina, Democrats, Western Carolina University, Foushee, North, Democratic Gov, Supreme, Republican Rep, House GOP Locations: North Carolina, New York , Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, New York, University of North Florida, America, Louisiana, Florida, Black, North Florida, Atlanta, Peach, . Kentucky, Kentucky, Frankfort, Democratic, Brennan Center for Justice . New Mexico, New Mexico, Mexico, Empire, “, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, state’s, Carolina, Charleston, Utah, Salt Lake County, Salt, Texas, Tennessee

Lawyers who helped file the lawsuit on Monday on behalf of the alliance against the State Board of Elections and board leaders have represented Democratic interests previously. North Carolina’s constitution sets a one-year state residency requirement to vote in state elections, but that provision was held unconstitutional decades ago and isn’t enforced. A 30-day precinct requirement is still carried out, however, and state law says lying about one’s residency on a registration form is a low-grade felony. The state board had not been served with the lawsuit as of Tuesday afternoon, board spokesperson Pat Gannon said. Republican legislative leaders were incensed by the settlement, which overruled state law and ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

Persons: ” David Fox, Pat Gannon, Marc Elias Organizations: —, North Carolina Alliance, Constitution, State Board, Democratic, U.S, Supreme, Republican, Alliance, Retired Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, — North Carolina, Washington, North Carolina, Tennessee

Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in cases Thursday involving the coverage of gender-affirming care by North Carolina’s state employee health plan and the coverage of gender-affirming surgery by West Virginia Medicaid. During the proceedings, at least two judges said it’s likely the case will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Both states appealed separate lower court rulings that found the denial of gender-affirming care to be discriminatory and unconstitutional. “West Virginia is entitled to deference where they're going to take their limited resources," he said. Chambers certified the lawsuit as a class action, covering all transgender West Virginians who participate in Medicaid.

Persons: it’s, Tara Borelli, —, Borelli, John Knepper, Knepper, “, Caleb David, Virginia's, ”, Chuck Chambers, Huntington, Chambers, Patrick Morrisey Organizations: —, Circuit, Virginia Medicaid, U.S, Supreme, Lambda, Constitution, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, West, U.S . Centers, Medicare, Services, District, Affordable, West Virginians, West Virginia Inc, Public Employees Insurance Agency, West Virginia Republican, “ Locations: CHARLESTON, W.Va, North Carolina, West Virginia, Richmond, North Carolina’s, Virginia, U.S, “ West Virginia

☆ Gary Woodland: American golfer resting after surgery to remove brain tumor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —American golfer Gary Woodland has undergone surgery to remove a tumor on his brain, an update posted to his social media accounts said. Discovered a few months prior, the Kansas-born 39-year-old said he had attempted to treat the symptoms with medication before the decision for surgery was taken. Woodland, whose last competitive appearance came at North Carolina’s Wyndham Championship in early August, will now undergo a period of rest. “Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers as he gets started on the road to recovery.”Woodland celebrates his 2019 US Open victory at Pebble Beach, California. That marks his most recent win on the PGA Tour, though he has finished twice inside the top-10 this season and ranked 74th in the world after his tied-27th finish at the Wyndham Championship.

Persons: Gary Woodland, ”, Harry, Brooks Koepka Organizations: CNN, Kansas -, North Carolina’s Wyndham, PGA Tour, PGA, Wyndham Championship Locations: Kansas, North, Beach , California

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