Triangle/Local
Duke Energy seeks to merge Carolina utilities, projecting more than $1B in customer savings
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Duke Energy Corp. has requested approval to merge its electric utility subsidiaries in North and South Carolina. The company says this move could save customers over $1 billion over a decade. The Charlotte-based utility asked federal and state regulators on Thursday for permission to combine Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress. The merger aims to streamline operations and spread infrastructure expenses. Duke Energy says the change would simplify rate structures and reduce the need for resources. The subsidiaries combined produce electricity for 4.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers. Duke Energy wants the change made effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Walden: N.C. economy still strong despite national slowdown
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — While the national economy shows signs of slowing, North Carolina remains in good shape, according to N.C. State University Economist Emeritus Dr. Mike Walden. Walden, the guest on this week’s Carolina Newsmakers, said tracking the effectiveness of tariffs is challenging and most economists did not expect the U.S. to be in its current position. He noted that President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a new approach to trade policy.
Salvia: A colorful, hardy favorite for Carolina gardens
Everyone should have some type of salvia in their landscape. Sage advice, I must say, if you like puns that is! Salvia also is known for its medicinal qualities for oral health, digestion problems and cognitive issues. I for one have never considered eating salvia. Sage is, of course, considered a culinary herb, so I suppose I have eaten some over the years. There are over a thousand salvia species and just as many cultivars and hybrids. Just like several plants I have in my yard, salvia is part of the mint family. Most salvia flowers don’t have fragrance, however their foliage does. Salvia is also a pollinator favorite.
Rushing floodwater from heavy rain kills 2 in North Carolina
SPRING HOPE, N.C. (AP) — Two people were found dead in central North Carolina after rushing floodwaters pulled them from their submerged car. Another cluster of storms was dumping rain on the region Thursday, the day after the two bodies were found. Authorities say a 24-year-old woman and 55-year-old man from Louisburg were swept away while attempting to escape their vehicle. Flooding had swept the vehicle from the road into a ditch in the town of Spring Hope. An officer who tried to save them was swept into the floodwaters too before escaping unharmed. The storm’s pathway follows Tropical Storm Chantal’s flooding in parts of the region last month.
North Carolina residents can now seek state aid after Tropical Storm Chantal
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Residents in several central North Carolina counties affected by last month’s Tropical Storm Chantal can now apply for state-funded financial aid. This assistance follows a state disaster declaration issued Tuesday by Gov. Josh Stein. The storm brought several inches of rain, causing record-breaking river levels and significant damage. At least six storm-related deaths occurred. Stein has also requested a federal disaster declaration to speed up federal aid for rebuilding infrastructure. Public assistance damage estimates have exceeded $42 million. Residents can seek aid for housing, property replacement and medical expenses at local disaster recovery centers.
State/Regional
Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is on the defensive in Virginia’s race for governor
HOPEWELL, Va. (AP) — Republican Winsome Earle-Sears says she’s running her campaign for Virginia governor like a military-style operation. And at this point, a few months away from the November election, it’s looking like a campaign on the defensive. The lieutenant governor is facing a Democratic Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman who has more campaign money and a unified party behind her. Earle-Sears has replaced a pastor with little political experience who had been her campaign manager. And her team has failed to gain traction with big money donors. An Earle-Sears victory would make her the first Black woman in U.S. history to serve as a governor.
CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine made him suicidal, his father tells police
ATLANTA (AP) — A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a Georgia man who opened fire Friday on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta had blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal. The 30-year-old shooter tried to get into the CDC’s headquarters but was stopped by guards. He then drove to a pharmacy across the street and opened fire. The official spoke anonymously Saturday because they are not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation. The official says the shooter was armed with at least five guns. DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was mortally wounded while responding.
Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished
A beloved tourist attraction in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains will be demolished starting later this month. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge sustained severe damage from Hurricane Helene last year. It collapsed on one end and buckled in several other sections. The town says two engineering firms concluded the bridge was beyond repair. Demolition will begin Aug. 18. The Flowering Bridge was created in 2013 by a group of volunteers who sought to transform the historic bridge into something beautiful. The group says it will try to use pieces of the bridge in future gardens.
Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished
A beloved tourist attraction in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains will be demolished starting later this month. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge sustained severe damage from Hurricane Helene last year. It collapsed on one end and buckled in several other sections. The town says two engineering firms concluded the bridge was beyond repair. Demolition will begin Aug. 18. The Flowering Bridge was created in 2013 by a group of volunteers who sought to transform the historic bridge into something beautiful. The group says it will try to use pieces of the bridge in future gardens.
North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has signed a stopgap spending measure as lawmakers remain stuck in a budget impasse. But he also vetoed a bill Wednesday that would otherwise sign off on state involvement in a federal tax credit program to boost school-choice options. Stein criticized the spending plan for not providing enough pay raises or covering increased Medicaid expenses. The new law includes funds for state construction projects and employee benefits. The tax-credit program bill approved by Republicans seeks to opt in to the financial benefits within President Donald Trump’s new law for donations to K-12 scholarship organizations.
World/National
No deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine after Trump rolls out red carpet for Putin
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) — President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have started their Alaska summit with a warm handshake. They greeted each other like old friends before heading into discussions that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington. Friday’s summit gives Trump a chance to prove he is a master dealmaker and global peacemaker. For Putin, it’s an opportunity to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia’s gains. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders weren’t invited. The meeting could have far-reaching implications, with foreign governments watching closely.
Bondi names DEA head as DC’s ’emergency police commissioner,’ but capital leaders push back
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi has named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as Washington’s “emergency police commissioner,” saying she is granting him the powers of the police chief amid President Donald Trump’s takeover. Bondi said in an directive issued Thursday evening that DEA boss Terry Cole will assume “powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police.” But the capital’s attorney general responded that Bondi’s order was “unlawful” and said local officers must continue to follow Police Chief Pamela Smith’s orders. Mayor Muriel Bowser says “there is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official.”
Bondi names DEA head as DC’s ’emergency police commissioner,’ but capital leaders push back
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi has named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as Washington’s “emergency police commissioner,” saying she is granting him the powers of the police chief amid President Donald Trump’s takeover. Bondi said in an directive issued Thursday evening that DEA boss Terry Cole will assume “powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police.” But the capital’s attorney general responded that Bondi’s order was “unlawful” and said local officers must continue to follow Police Chief Pamela Smith’s orders. Mayor Muriel Bowser says “there is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official.”
Most US stocks fall after a disappointing inflation update, but Big Tech keeps Wall Street steady
NEW YORK (AP) — Most stocks are falling on Wall Street following a disappointing update on inflation. But gains for Amazon and other influential Big Tech companies are helping to mask the losses on Thursday, and the S&P 500 rose 0.1% even though three out of every four stocks within the index fell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 79 points, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to its own record. The hotter-than-expected inflation report forced traders to second guess the widespread consensus that the Federal Reserve will deliver relief next month by cutting interest rates. Treasury yields rose.
DeSantis announces plans for second immigration detention facility dubbed ‘Deportation Depot’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is preparing to open a second immigration detention facility at a state prison in north Florida, as a federal judge decides the fate of the state’s holding center for immigrants at an isolated airstrip in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” DeSantis announced Thursday that the new facility is to be built at the Baker Correctional Institution, a state prison about 43 miles (69 kilometers) west of Jacksonville, and is expected to house 1,300 immigration detention beds, though that capacity could be expanded to 2,000, state officials said.
Entertainment
Androids dance, rock, shimmy and sway at opening of World Humanoid Robot Games
Humanoid robots have showcased their talents at the opening ceremony of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The event began on Thursday evening. It features robots dancing, performing martial arts and playing musical instruments. The competition starts on Friday with more than 500 robots from 16 countries including the U.S., Germany, and Japan. They will compete in sports like soccer, running and boxing. The games highlight China’s efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence. The event runs for three days and concludes on Sunday. Tickets range from 180 to 580 yuan or $25 to $80.
Trump names Strait, Stallone and KISS for Kennedy Center Honors and says he’ll host the awards show
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced country music start George Strait and “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone among the first batch of Kennedy Center Honors nominees in his new role as chairman. The remaining three recipients are singer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band KISS and actor-singer Michael Crawford, The Republican president also announced on Wednesday that he’ll host the awards program. The glamorous event is usually taped in December and broadcast later in the month by CBS. Trump avoided the Kennedy Center Honors during his first term due to protests from artists but is embracing his new role as the center’s chairman.
YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.
YouTube is ready to start testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. using artificial intelligence to distinguish between adults and minors based on their viewing habits. The tests, scheduled to being Wednesday, initially affect a small portion of YouTube’s U.S. audience. If successful, the system could become more widespread. It works when viewers are logged into their accounts, regardless of the birth date entered. If flagged as under 18, users face restrictions like privacy warnings and limited video recommendations. Concerns about privacy and free speech have been raised by digital rights groups. The political pressure for better age verification has increased since a recent Supreme Court decision.
Dean Cain, former TV Superman, will be sworn in as honorary ICE officer
Dean Cain wants to join the U.S. and Immigration Customs Enforcement agency. In an interview with Fox News, Cain said he has already spoken to the agency responsible for President Donald Trump’s mass deportations agenda. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says Cain will be sworn in as an “honorary ICE Officer” in the coming month. McLaughlin referenced Cain’s 1990s role in “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” saying “Superman is encouraging Americans to become real-life superheroes.” Cain also posted a video encouraging others to join the agency. The 59-year-old been outspoken in his conservative viewpoints and endorsed Trump in three elections.
New study sheds light on ChatGPT’s alarming interactions with teens
New research from a watchdog group reveals ChatGPT can provide harmful advice to teens. The Associated Press reviewed interactions where the chatbot gave detailed plans for drug use, eating disorders, and even suicide notes. The Center for Countering Digital Hate found that testing ChatGPT with harmful prompts led the chatbot to respond in dangerous ways more than half the time. The study highlights the risks as more people, particularly teens, turn to AI for companionship and advice. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, said after viewing the findings that its “work is ongoing” in refining “how models identify and respond appropriately in sensitive situations.”
Sports
Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud reunite at joint practice, reflect on NFL journeys
HOUSTON (AP) — Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud have been linked since being drafted first and second in the 2023 NFL draft. The two California natives became friends in middle school, competing in football and basketball. On Thursday, they reunited when Stroud’s Houston Texans hosted Young’s Carolina Panthers for a joint practice. Both quarterbacks focused on drills but took time to catch up afterward. Young expressed pride in Stroud’s success, while Stroud praised Young’s consistency. Despite Stroud’s playoff success, he remains irked by a 2023 loss to Young’s Panthers and hopes for a rematch.
A way-too early guess at who will make the College Football Playoff this season
Now in its second year with an expanded bracket, 12 teams will make the College Football Playoff to close out the 2025-26 season. Five of those slots will go to conference champions. The rest — at-large bids to be handed out by the 13-person committee. The AP looks at those that should be making plans for the playoffs. They include Georgia, Texas, defending champion Ohio State and, yes, Alabama after barely missing the field last season.
Texas is No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 for first time, edging Penn St, Ohio St; 10 SEC teams ranked
Texas is No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 for the first time. The Longhorns narrowly edged out Penn State in the closest preseason vote since 1998. Texas received 25 first-place votes, while Penn State received 23. The Nittany Lions have their highest preseason ranking since they were No. 1 to open 1997. The Southeastern Conference leads with 10 teams in the Top 25. The Big Ten has two of the top three teams for the third straight year. The Big 12 has four ranked teams and the ACC has three.
Jen Pawol breaks MLB’s gender barrier as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game
ATLANTA (AP) — Jen Pawol has made history as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game in the major leagues. Pawol worked as the first base umpire for Saturday’s first game of a split doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. She made her first call in the third inning. Pawol worked third base in the second game of the doubleheader and will be in the spotlight when she calls pitches behind the plate in Sunday’s final game of the series. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and Braves bench coach Walt Weiss greeted Pawol when lineups were exchanged at home plate.
Browns’ Shedeur Sanders impressive in NFL preseason debut, tosses 2 TD passes in win over Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders impressed in his NFL preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers. On Friday night, Sanders threw two touchdown passes in the first half to Kaden Davis. His father and former college coach, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, celebrated on social media. Sanders finished the half with 103 passing yards and no turnovers and with the Browns leading 14-7. Carolina’s mistakes helped his performance, including a muffed punt leading to a touchdown. Sanders showed both promise and areas for improvement against the Panthers’ first-team defense. Injuries at quarterback give Sanders the opportunity to start, with Joe Flacco projected as the regular-season starter.
