Triangle/Local
North Carolina’s largest public university NC State names new chancellor
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors announced the next leader of North Carolina State University. Kevin Howell will be NC State’s next chancellor and will succeed Randy Woodson. Howell will become the first Black chancellor at NC State. He currently serves as chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health. Woodson announced his retirement last year after serving as chancellor for nearly 15 years. There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes the chancellorship, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for universities’ research funding.
North Carolina GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A town hall held by Rep. Chuck Edwards in Asheville, North Carolina, got rowdy as attendees asked a barrage of scathing questions about policies rolled out under President Donald Trump’s administration. House Speaker Mike Johnson has advised GOP representatives not to hold town halls, but Edwards told attendees he didn’t want to “shy away” from conversations. Many questions centered on sweeping cuts in the federal government at the hands of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Nearly every answer Edwards gave during the hour-and-a-half town hall was interrupted by jeers and enraged shouting.
Tens of billions in Hurricane Helene aid to start by March 21
ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has pledged to start paying out tens of billions in aid to victims of Hurricane Helene later this month. But delays are already making it hard this year for some farmers to plant crops. Congress set a deadline of March 21 to hand out the money when it passed a $100 billion disaster relief package. The September 2024 storm cut a swath from Florida into North Carolina, causing more than $10 billion in estimated damages to farmers. A Georgia farmer says farmers need aid to repay 2024 debts so they can borrow anew to plant crops this spring.
Schools use AI to monitor kids, hoping to prevent violence. Our investigation found security risks
Schools are turning to AI-powered surveillance technology to monitor students on school-issued devices like laptops and tablets. The goal is to keep children safe, especially amid a mental health crisis and the threat of school shootings. Machine-learning algorithms flag suspected problems like bullying, self-harm or suicide and then alert school officials. But these tools raise serious questions about privacy and security. When The Seattle Times and The Associated Press partnered to investigate school surveillance, reporters inadvertently received access to almost 3,500 unredacted student documents through a records request. The documents were stored without a password or firewall, and anyone with the link could read them.
Bragg to Liberty and back again: Ceremony to rechristen Army post once named for a Confederate
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — First it was Fort Bragg, named in honor of a Confederate general. Then it was Fort Liberty. Now, the North Carolina Army installation is officially Fort Bragg again, only this time in honor of a World War II paratrooper and Silver Star recipient from Maine. A ceremony Friday celebrated the post’s new namesake, Pfc. Roland L. Bragg. President Donald Trump made restoring Confederate names a part of his reelection campaign. While some call it a cynical dodge, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the rededication honors an American hero and restores a name that soldiers knew and revered for over a century.
State/Regional
North Carolina lawmakers approve additional $528M for Hurricane Helene recovery
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers have agreed to spend another $528 million on still-pressing needs from Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding nearly six months ago. House and Senate Republicans worked out their differences in competing bills and voted for a compromise. The final vote came Wednesday. The measure now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who requested double that amount last month. He’s still expected to sign the bill. More Helene aid is expected later this year. The latest package emphasizes home and private road repairs, agriculture and infrastructure to aid businesses. The money also located over $300 million to address the continued recovery from previous storms and disasters.
New North Carolina governor seeks to freeze tax cuts, phase out school vouchers in budget
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein wants Republicans in charge of the legislature to roll back upcoming income tax cuts and scale back private school vouchers that expanded dramatically recently. Stein had made the comments while releasing his first two-year state government budget proposal Wednesday. Stein wants to freeze the current individual and income tax rates. He says not doing so will lead to large revenue shortfalls soon. GOP legislators have embraced recurring tax cuts for all wage earners and taxpayer-funded scholarships for K-12 students. Republicans may have to consider Stein’s views more because they are one seat shy of a veto-proof majority.
North Carolina’s new governor seeks more Helene aid, help for families in legislative address
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein told lawmakers during his first State of the State address that he wants a Hurricane Helene aid bill on his desk and seeks to help make living expenses affordable across the state. Stein delivered the biennial speech to a joint General Assembly session Wednesday night. He also emphasized finding areas where he and Republicans who control the legislature can agree and work together. The House and Senate are trying to negotiate competing bills to provide additional Helene relief. Stein said he will sign the bill that comes to his desk, saying the money was needed “yesterday.”
A South Carolina man executed by firing squad is the first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina man has been executed by firing squad, becoming the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by this method. Brad Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. Friday after being shot by three prison employee volunteers with rifles. Sigmon killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat in their Greenville County home in 2001 in a botched plot to kidnap their daughter. The 67-year-old chose the firing squad because his lawyers said he considered it a better option than the electric chair or lethal injection. He is the first South Carolina prisoner to be executed by bullets.
North Carolina lawmakers close in on another injection of Helene relief funds
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators appear to be closing in on legislation to provide more funds to help the mountains recover from Hurricane Helene. A measure advanced by Senate Republicans on Tuesday would spend another $533 million for Helene relief. The House passed a bill last week to spend $500 million. But the Senate measure provides even more funds to address lingering home construction projects from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, as well as relief from other disasters in 2024. House and Senate leaders say a final supplemental bill could reach Gov. Josh Stein’s desk very soon. Legislators already have appropriated $1.1 billion for Helene relief since October.
World/National
Trump orders a plan to dismantle the Education Department while keeping some core functions
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of the Education Department. The Republican president announced his plan Thursday. Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However, completing its dismantling is most likely impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979. And the White House says the department would not close completely right now. It is to retain certain critical functions, like managing federal student loans and Pell grants.
Unredacted JFK assassination files released, sending history buffs hunting for new clues
DALLAS (AP) — Unredacted documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy have been released following an order by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office. The documents were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration on Tuesday evening. The vast majority of the National Archives’ collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released.
Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients
WASHINGTON (AP) — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone. Beginning March 31st, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the Social Security Administration over the phone and those who cannot properly verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service, will be required to visit an agency field office in person to complete the verification process, agency leadership told reporters Tuesday.
Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. Retail sales rose just 0.2% in February, a small rebound after a sharp drop of 1.2% in January, the Commerce Department said Monday. Sales rose at grocery stores, home and garden stores, and online retailers. Sales fell at auto dealers, restaurants, and electronics stores. The small increase suggests Americans may be growing more wary about spending as the stock market has plunged and President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and government spending cuts have led to widespread uncertainty among consumers and businesses.
St. Patrick’s Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities
NEW YORK (AP) — St. Patrick’s Day is being marked in cities across the country with boisterous parades and celebrations. New York City hosts one of the largest and oldest parades in the U.S. The celebration stepped off Monday along Manhattan’s famed Fifth Avenue with some 150,000 participants. Major celebrations are also planned in Savannah, Georgia and other American communities. But some major cities have already held their parades. Chicago’s celebration was Saturday. Boston and Philadelphia marked the occasion Sunday. St. Patrick’s Day parades are meant to commemorate Ireland’s patron saint but have become a celebration of Irish heritage globally.
Entertainment
What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bird flu has devastated poultry and dairy farms since it was first detected in North America in late 2021. But what has been the toll on wild birds? While most wild birds are susceptible to the disease, some species like mallards are more likely to carry the virus without symptoms. Others like geese tend to die in large numbers. Songbirds have sometimes gotten sick and died, but there haven’t been mass die-offs. Experts recommend taking precautions around sick or dead wild birds. But you can keep your bird feeder up. Scientists say the threat to the general population is currently low.
Why are clocks set forward in the spring? Thank wars, confusion and a hunger for sunlight
DALLAS (AP) — Once again, most Americans will set their clocks forward by one hour this weekend, losing perhaps a bit of sleep but gaining more glorious sunlight in the evenings as the days warm into summer. How we came to move the clock forward in the spring, and then push it back in the fall, is a tale that spans over more than a century and is one that’s driven by two world wars, mass confusion at times and a human desire to bask in the sun. There’s been plenty of debate over the practice but about 70 countries currently use what Americans call daylight saving time.
Angry Birds, Frogger and others are finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The World Video Game Hall of Fame has revealed its 12 finalists for 2025. Members of the public have a week to vote for their favorites online. The finalists are: Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Defender, Frogger, Golden Eye, Golden Tee, Harvest Moon, Mattel Football, Quake, NBA 2K and Tamagotchi. The World Video Game Hall of Fame honors games that have achieved longevity, geographical reach and have influenced game design and pop culture. The Class of 2025 will be enshrined May 8 at the Hall of Fame’s new space inside The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
The Florida attorney general’s office is investigating Andrew and Tristan Tate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s attorney general says his office has opened a criminal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania. The announcement Tuesday comes days after they returned to the U.S. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said on social media that he directed his office to work with law enforcement to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the Tate brothers. Uthmeier said he’s directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in what he calls “the now-active investigation into the Tate brothers.” During a Monday podcast appearance, Andrew Tate said he has broken no laws.
Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years who inspired ‘Jolene,’ dies at 82
Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, has died. The country music superstar says Dean died Monday in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 82. According to a statement provided to The Associated Press by Parton’s publicist, Dean will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. The family has asked for respect and privacy. No cause of death was announced. Parton met Dean outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat the day she moved to Nashville at 18. They married two years later, on Memorial Day — May 30, 1966 — in a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia.
Sports
Tar Heels and Rebels fighting for respect going into NCAA tourney matchup
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Seth Trimble and North Carolina face Jaemyn Brakefield and Mississippi in the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Milwaukee. It’s a matchup of two motivated teams. North Carolina was a controversial selection when it received an at-large bid on Sunday. But the 11th-seeded Tar Heels posted a dominant 95-68 victory against San Diego State in the First Four on Tuesday night. No. 6 seed Ole Miss also has faced criticism. Despite going 22-11, including a 10-8 record in the rugged SEC, a veteran college basketball analyst labeled Mississippi a “fraud” while predicting a first-round loss.
McNeese State’s Will Wade confirms he’s been in contact with NC State about its coaching job
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — McNeese State coach Will Wade knows his name is in the mix during the college basketball coaching carousel. And unlike some coaches during this time of year, he’s not being coy talking about it. Asked Wednesday if he or his agent had been in contact with N.C. State about its opening, the second-year McNeese State coach confirmed that he had been. Though he didn’t elaborate on the extent of his contact with N.C. State, Wade name has since been linked to the Wolfpack job and other schools after finishing up his second straight 20-win season at McNeese that ended with an NCAA tourney berth.
Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — RJ Davis scored 26 points and went 6 of 6 from 3-point range to help North Carolina silence some skeptics with a dominant 95-68 victory over San Diego State in a First Four matchup. Davis’ six 3-pointers tied Caleb Love’s program record for an NCAA Tournament game. Love had six against UCLA in 2022. Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis went 5 for 5 from deep against Eastern Michigan in 1991. The 14 made 3-pointers were the most for North Carolina in an NCAA Tournament game. The Tar Heels hit 13 against Marquette in 2022. Seth Trimble had 16 points for North Carolina in a matchups of No. 11 seeds. UNC advanced to face No. 6 seed Mississippi in a South Region game Friday in Milwaukee.
Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — RJ Davis scored 26 points and went 6 of 6 from 3-point range to help North Carolina silence some skeptics with a dominant 95-68 victory over San Diego State in a First Four matchup. Davis’ six 3-pointers tied Caleb Love’s program record for an NCAA Tournament game. Love had six against UCLA in 2022. Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis went 5 for 5 from deep against Eastern Michigan in 1991. The 14 made 3-pointers were the most for North Carolina in an NCAA Tournament game. The Tar Heels hit 13 against Marquette in 2022. Seth Trimble had 16 points for North Carolina in a matchups of No. 11 seeds. UNC advanced to face No. 6 seed Mississippi in a South Region game Friday in Milwaukee.
March Madness tips off with First Four in Dayton
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — March Madness tips off with the First Four in Dayton, with a mix of bubble teams who made the cut and smaller schools hoping to be this year’s Cinderella. North Carolina was a controversial selection, but the Tar Heels can silence some skeptics with a win over San Diego State on Tuesday night. Xavier and Texas meet for the fourth time in the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday night. Saint Francis of Pennsylvania, the 19th school to qualify with a losing record, faces Alabama State. Washington D.C. area schools American and Mount St. Mary’s will play for the 71st time.
