State and Regional News

North Carolina lawmakers approve additional $528M for Hurricane Helene recovery

North Carolina lawmakers approve additional $528M for Hurricane Helene recovery

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers agreed Wednesday to spend another $528 million on still-pressing needs from Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding nearly six months ago, with an emphasis on home…

New North Carolina governor seeks to freeze tax cuts, phase out school vouchers in budget

New North Carolina governor seeks to freeze tax cuts, phase out school vouchers in budget

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein on Wednesday urged Republicans in charge of the legislature to roll back upcoming income tax rate cuts and scale…

North Carolina’s new governor seeks more Helene aid, help for families in legislative address

North Carolina’s new governor seeks more Helene aid, help for families in legislative address

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein gave his first address to a joint General Assembly session Wednesday night, hitting on familiar campaign and early-term…

A South Carolina man executed by firing squad is the first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years

A South Carolina man executed by firing squad is the first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years

By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years…

North Carolina lawmakers close in on another injection of Helene relief funds

North Carolina lawmakers close in on another injection of Helene relief funds

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina state Senate Republicans advanced a disaster recovery measure Tuesday to direct $533 million in additional spending to meet still-pressing needs from Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding…

To her, Hurricane Helene debris isn’t trash. It is full of memories — and she’s returning them

To her, Hurricane Helene debris isn’t trash. It is full of memories — and she’s returning them

By MAKIYA SEMINERA Associated Press SWANNANOA, N.C. (AP) — The tops of dried, bent cornstalks crunch underfoot. Jill Holtz’s gaze is fixed on the ground ahead. She wanders into the nearby woods and weaves between…