Triangle/Local
Up to 4 in 10 people could develop dementia after 55. What you can do to lower your risk
WASHINGTON (AP) — New research suggests that Americans’ risk for developing dementia over a lifetime may be higher than previously thought. A study found that after age 55, people have up to a 4 in 10 chance of eventually developing dementia — if they live long enough. The risk is highest after age 75, but doctors say there are ways to reduce that risk. Controlling blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol is good for both your brain and your heart. They also urge staying physically and socially active. The study was published Monday in Nature Medicine.
Smart bird feeders gain popularity and spark interest in bird-watching
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — At a time when North American bird populations are declining dramatically, the number of people watching them is increasing. While the coronavirus pandemic spurred many people to head outside in search of birds, smart bird feeders that snap photos and video of backyard visitors have brought the hobby indoors. Bird Buddy has sold 350,000 of its camera-equipped bird feeders since 2022 and is now developing Petal, a tiny flower-shaped camera, and Wonder Blocks, which can be assembled to provide habitat for butterflies and other insects. The company’s CEO says like Bird Buddy, the idea is to help people connect with nature they might otherwise overlook.
Polar vortex keeps much of the US in its icy grip
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Much of the U.S. is being blasted by ice, snow and wind, as the polar vortex that dipped south over the weekend is keeping an area stretching from the Rocky Mountains to the coast of Maine in its frigid grip. By Monday, the wintry weather had made many roads treacherous, forced school closures, and caused widespread power outages and flight cancellations. Road conditions began deteriorating Sunday in several Midwestern states, with forecasts calling for harsh conditions to spread eastward in the coming days. In Indiana, the National Guard was activated to help stranded motorists. The storm is expected to bring bitter cold to the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Officer fatally shot in a North Carolina supermarket, suspect in custody, police say
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Authorities say a police officer has been fatally shot in a North Carolina supermarket and a suspect has been taken into custody. Police announced the officer’s death at a Monday afternoon news conference. They say the officer was responding to a call about an armed person when he was shot shortly before midday at a Food Lion store in Greensboro. Police identified the officer killed as Michael Horan and said he was sworn in with the Greensboro Police Department in early 2018. Assistant Police Chief Milford J. Harris called Horan an excellent officer and said at the news conference that Horan had an outsta
Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South
LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Farmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber. Agribusinesses in other Southern states saw costly damage as well. The University of Georgia estimates the September storm inflicted $5.5 billion in direct losses and indirect costs in Georgia alone. In rural Toombs County, Chris Hopkins just finished harvesting his ravaged cotton crop and figures he lost half of it, costing him about $430,000. Poultry grower Jeffrey Pridgen in Georgia’s Coffee County had four of his 12 chicken houses destroyed and others badly damaged. Farmers say more government disaster assistance is needed.
State/Regional
North Carolina governor rolls out further abortion protections ahead of next Trump term
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced measures to protect reproductive health care providers and patients via a new executive order. The order announced Thursday mandates that state Cabinet agencies will not cooperate with prosecuting and penalizing physicians who provide lawful reproductive health services. It also requests state agencies to review and revise how they store patients’ reproductive health data to ensure their privacy. The announcement joins a growing movement by Democratic governors to protect abortion access before Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office next week. Trump’s stance on abortion was largely inconsistent on the campaign trail and it’s unclear what action he will take.
North Carolina court says mother of student killed in ride-along can sue trooper for negligence
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina appeals court says the mother of a student killed while on a ride-along in a Highway Patrol cruiser can continue suing for gross negligence against the trooper who was driving. A split Court of Appeals panel on Wednesday reversed a trial court’s ruling that dismissed the lawsuit filed on behalf of the late Michael Higgins and seeking damages from the trooper. Higgins was an East Carolina University student when he died in 2020. He was in a patrol internship program. The trooper had been traveling over 110 mph (173 kph) when he drove off a curve in the road.
North Carolina’s new Democratic governor pledges to rebuild after Helene, work with GOP
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein kicked off his term in office by praising the resilience of residents following Hurricane Helene. And he pledged to “cut through red tape to help people rebuild quicker.” The Democrat also offered an upbeat message about working with the Republican-controlled General Assembly on a host of issues. They ranged from creating jobs and recruiting teachers to smashing drug rings and combating the ravages of fentanyl. Stein spoke Saturday during a televised address from the House chambers of the old Capitol building. A larger outdoor inauguration ceremony had been scheduled but was canceled because of winter weather.
Approaching winter weather cancels North Carolina inauguration ceremony
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s public inauguration ceremony scheduled for Saturday for new Gov. Josh Stein and other statewide elected officials has been canceled because of approaching winter weather. The state inaugural committee announced the decision Wednesday. It was supposed to be held on the grounds of the old Capitol building in Raleigh. Stein and Council of State members were to be sworn in publicly. A little snow with sleet and freezing rain is anticipated for Friday and Saturday. Stein and several Council of State members already have taken their official oaths in private or in small ceremonies. A block party for Saturday also was canceled but may be rescheduled.
Federal block grants of $1.65B awarded to North Carolina governments for Helene recovery
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina governments are receiving over $1.65 billion in federal block grant money to help address historic levels of damage caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Officials say the money is from Community Development Block Grant funds contained in a bill approved by Congress last month. Most of the grant money will go to North Carolina state government, with the remainder to the city of Asheville. Gov. Josh Stein and the head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development held a public event Tuesday in Asheville to discuss the funds.
World/National
Trump swearing-in will move inside Capitol Rotunda because of intense cold
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday due to forecasts of intense cold weather.Inaugural planners are discussing the possibility of moving Trump’s swearing-in inside due to the extreme temperatures and icy winds, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the planning before a final announcement was made. The Rotunda is prepared as the inclement weather alternative for each inauguration and a final decision would be up to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in consultation with the Trump, the person said.
Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he talked with Chinese leader Xi Jinping about TikTok shortly before the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal law banning the app beginning Sunday unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company. The court held Friday the risk to national security posed by TikTok’s ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the U.S. A sale does not appear imminent. The court’s decision means new users won’t be able to download the app and updates won’t be available, but it won’t disappear from users’ phones. Trump had called on the court to keep the ban on hold until after he takes office Monday.
Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower as momentum slows for US stocks
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower following a mixed set of earnings reports from Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group and other big companies. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% Thursday, even though more stocks rose than fell within the index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.9%. Stocks had shot higher the day before on hopes that an encouraging report on inflation may convince the Federal Reserve to deliver more cuts to interest rates. Treasury yields eased in the bond market following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy.
Blinken defends US policy on Gaza as his final State Department briefing is interrupted by protests
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken has defended Biden administration policies on Israel’s war with Hamas after a ceasefire agreement in Gaza was reached. He said Thursday that he expects a deal to be implemented over the weekend, even as Israel says a last-minute dispute was holding up its approval. As he touted the deal during his final news conference at the State Department, two people in the room accused him of complicity in Israeli violence against Palestinian civilians in loud outbursts. One shouted, “Why aren’t you in the Hague?” referring to the International Criminal Court based in the Dutch city. Blinken asked them to “respect the process.” Both men were removed by security officers.
Biden warns in farewell address that an ‘oligarchy’ of ultrarich in US threatens future of democracy
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has used his farewell address to the nation to warn of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a “tech-industrial complex” that is infringing on Americans’ rights and the future of democracy. Speaking Wednesday from the Oval Office as he prepares to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump, Biden spotlighted the accumulation of power and wealth in the U.S. among just a small few. The president warned Americans to be on guard for their freedoms and their institutions during a turbulent era of rapid technological and economic change. Biden also called for a constitutional amendment to end immunity for sitting presidents.
Entertainment
‘Mr. Baseball’ Bob Uecker, Brewers announcer, dies at 90
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. In a statement released Thursday by the Brewers, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023. Uecker, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, signed his first pro contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and reached the majors in 1962. He lasted six seasons in the big leagues. He then spent over 50 years broadcasting the Brewers, becoming synonymous with baseball in Wisconsin and beyond.
As Los Angeles burns, Hollywood’s Oscar season turns into a pledge drive
When the Palisades Fire broke out in Los Angeles, Hollywood’s awards season was in full swing. The Golden Globes had transpired less than 48 hours earlier and a series of splashy awards banquets followed in the days after. But the enormity of the destruction in Southern California has quickly snuffed out all festiveness in the movie industry’s high season of celebration. The fires have struck at the very heart of a movie industry still trying to stabilize itself after years of pandemic, labor turmoil and technological upheaval. Not for the first time this decade, the Oscars are facing the question of: Should the show go on? And if it does, what do they mean now?
An albatross couple shares egg duty in this captivating low-drama reality show
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A popular New Zealand bird “reality show” that each year follows a pair of northern royal albatrosses as they breed and raise a chick has drawn a global audience of devoted fans in its current 10th season. Millions have watched the 24-hour livestream of the birds’ breeding season at Taiaroa Head – a rugged headland on New Zealand’s South Island – since it began in 2016. A community of online viewers has sprung up to discuss the show. New Zealand’s royal albatross breeding program is a conservation success story, but the species is under threat from warming seas and plastic pollution.
Peter Yarrow of folk-music trio Peter, Paul and Mary dies at 86
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The singer-songwriter and social activist best known as one-third of the folk-music group Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at age 86. Peter Yarrow died Tuesday at his home in New York. That’s according to publicist Ken Sunshine. Peter, Paul and Mary rose to overnight fame in 1962 when they blended their voices in stunning harmonies as they sang out against war and social injustice. Among their many hits were Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Pete Seeger’s “If I Had a Hammer” and Yarrow’s own “Puff the Magic Dragon.” After a 1970 breakup they reunited eight years later, continuing their partnership until Mary Travers’ death in 2009.
Times Square ball takes final test for New Year’s Eve
NEW YORK (AP) — The crystal-covered ball that descends down a pole in Times Square to ring in the new year was taken for a test run, as New York City officials laid out their plans for the iconic New Year’s Eve event. Officials flipped a switch to light up the the dazzling geodesic sphere — weighing almost 6 tons and featuring 2,688 crystal triangles — which then successfully ran up and down a 139-foot pole atop the One Times Square skyscraper. Monday’s rehearsal was just one of many pre-ball drop promotional even
Sports
Jackson, Cadeau lead way as North Carolina defeats Cal 79-53
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Ian Jackson scored 20 points, Elliot Cadeau added 15 and North Carolina defeated California 79-53. Five players scored for the Tar Heels in a 15-0 run that turned a nine-point lead into a 63-39 rout with a little under eight minutes remaining in the second half. Jackson scored seven points in the final five minutes and his layup with about two minutes to go gave the Tar Heels their biggest lead at 77-50. Backup guard Seth Trimble had 12 points for North Carolina. Mady Sissoko scored 16 points and Joshua Ola-Joseph added 10 points off the bench for the Golden Bears.
Davis scores 26 points to help surging North Carolina thump SMU
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — RJ Davis scored 26 points and Ian Jackson scored 18 points and North Carolina controlled SMU for an 82-67 win in a contest it never trailed. Reserve Chuck Harris scored 18 points for SMU. Powell made a 3 with 11:08 before halftime to give North Carolina its first double-digit lead at 23-13. Ven-Allen Lubin’s tip-in gave the Tar Heels a 30-19 advantage and they led by double digits the rest of the way. North Carolina led 39-24 at halftime.
Bryce Young accounts for 5 TDs as Panthers beat Falcons 44-38 in OT. Atlanta misses playoffs again
ATLANTA (AP) — Bryce Young passed for three touchdowns, ran for two scores and led a 70-yard drive capped by Miles Sanders’ 1-yard TD run on the opening possession of overtime to give the Carolina Panthers a 44-38 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons’ playoff hopes had already ended minutes earlier when Tampa Bay rallied past New Orleans. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns for the Falcons — both to Drake London, who had 10 catches for a career-best 187 yards. The Falcons finished 8-9 while the Panthers went 5-12. Both teams missed the playoffs for a seventh straight season.
Ian Jackson scores career-high 26, UNC beats Campbell 97-81
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Freshman Ian Jackson scored a season-high 26 points, RJ Davis added 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and North Carolina beat Campbell 97-81 in the Tar Heels’ final nonconference game of the season. Elliot Cadeau added 12 points and a career-high 12 assists, Drake Powell also scored 12 points and Jalen Washington added 10 for North Carolina (8-5). Cadeau made a jumper to spark a 15-3 run, Davis followed with a 3-pointer that gave UNC the lead for good with 16:09 left in the first half and Cadeau capped the spurt with a layup that made it 22-12 with 12:41 to go until halftime. Colby Duggan led Campbell (5-8) with a career-high 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 5 of 9 from 3-point range.
UConn beats Carolina in Fenway Bowl, dominating Bill Belichick’s next team in his old backyard
BOSTON (AP) — Joe Fagnano threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns to help UConn beat North Carolina 27-14 in the Fenway Bowl, embarrassing Bill Belichick’s new team in his old backyard. Belichick was not spotted in the home of the Boston Red Sox, about an hour north of the stadium where he and Tom Brady hung six Super Bowl championship banners. Interim coach Freddie Kitchens, who like Belichick is a former Cleveland Browns coach, took over when Mack Brown was fired and handled the bowl preparations. Mel Brown rushed for 96 yards for the Huskies.
