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NC–Greater Mid-Atlantic News Digest 1 p.m.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up for select stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s complete coverage of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, and the rest of the world, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.orgQuestions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to 919-510-8937, 202-641-9660, 410-837-8315, 804-643-6646 or [email protected]. Mid-South Assistant News Director Jonathan Drew can be reached at 919-510-8937 or [email protected] access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at [email protected] or 877-836-9477.This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Coverage Plan will keep you up to date. All times are Eastern unless specified otherwise.NORTH CAROLINATRANSGENDER LAWMAKER-MONTANA-THINGS TO KNOW HELENA, Mont....

US facilitating land evacuation of private citizens in Sudan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has begun facilitating the departure of private U.S. citizens who want to leave Sudan, according to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.Sullivan said the U.S. has placed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets over the land evacuation route to help facilitate safe travel by land from Khartoum to the Port of Sudan, but does not have any U.S. troops on the ground.“We have started to see a more regular pattern of convoys begin to arrive, including convoys that have Americans in them,” Sullivan said. “Once at the port then we are using diplomatic facilities in neighboring countries to help those Americans with their onward travel so that they can get safely out of the country.”Source

What’s behind the looming ‘x-date’ on the US debt limit?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — In January, the U.S. government ran up against its legal borrowing limit of $31.381 trillion, and the Treasury Department began implementing “extraordinary measures” to avoid missing payments on its bills. That started speculation about the “x-date” — the date when those measures would be exhausted and the government might actually default if the limit on federal borrowing is not lifted. The x-date could be reached as early as June, depending on how much money the IRS collects in April from people filing their taxes.HOW BIG A PROBLEM IS THIS?It seems ominous, right?This might be the time to be getting a bit worried as more than three months have passed with little progress. There is only so long these accounting workarounds can last before President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy need to reach a deal to lift the debt cap. McCarthy is calling for trillions of dollars in spending cuts over the decade in return for an increase, while Biden insists th...

‘Jackass’ star Bam Margera charged with punching brother

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — “Jackass” star Bam Margera punched his brother in the face during an altercation at their home in the Philadelphia suburbs, then took off on foot, Pennsylvania State Police said Monday in announcing criminal charges.An arrest warrant was issued for Margera, 43, and police said they were looking for him.State police said they were called to the Chester County home in response to a reported domestic disturbance shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday. Margera’s brother, Jesse Margera, told police that Bam Margera had pounded on and kicked his locked bedroom door that morning, and punched him in the eye, nose and ear during a later confrontation in the kitchen, according to court documents.Jesse Margera said he’d also found a threatening handwritten note signed “Bam,” a police affidavit said.Margera, who also starred in the MTV reality series “Viva La Bam,” fled the property on foot through dense woods before troopers got there, the affidavit said.Bam Margera...

Adams Morgan’s Amsterdam Falafel shop is closing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

Amsteram Falafelshop opened in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood in 2004. (Google Street View)Amsterdam Falafel Shop, a late-night staple in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood for almost two decades, is closing May 27.“We will be leaving because we cannot afford to buy the building, which the landlords would like to sell,” Owner Arianne Bennett told WTOP in an email.Amsterdam Falafel occupies the second level of a row house at 2427 18th Street NW.Bennett’s husband and restaurant co-founder, Scott Bennett, died from COVID-19 in January 2022. Bennett, 70, had been hospitalized for a month.The Bennetts opened Amsterdam Falafel Shop in 2004. The pair was inspired by falafel shops in Amsterdam.The shop is known for its handmade falafel and its large condiment bar.A franchised location in Miami’s South Beach is not affected by the Adams Morgan closing.Source

NFL draft back to being all about QBs at the top

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

Quarterbacks are back on top in the NFL draft.A year after the first 19 picks were non-QBs and Kenny Pickett was the only signal-caller selected in the first round, this draft class is loaded with potential franchise players.Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud have been the center of attention since before last year’s draft even took place. They could become the ninth pair of QBs selected 1-2 in the Super Bowl era. Anthony Richardson and Will Levis should make it four QBs in the top 15, which has happened only five times previously. If they all go in the top 10, it’ll be the second time ever. Then there’s Hendon Hooker, who may end up being a late first-round pick despite his age and knee injury. There’s no consensus at No. 1 this year like there was in 2021 when everyone knew Trevor Lawrence was going to Jacksonville but momentum has been building toward Young going first to Carolina. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama is an overwhelming favorite to go No. 1, according to FanDuel Sp...

Don Lemon y CNN separan sus caminos

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

(CNN) — Los caminos de CNN y del presentador de mucho años Don Lemon se separan.“Don siempre será parte de la familia de CNN y le agradecemos su contribución durante los últimos 17 años”, dijo el CEO de CNN, Chris Licht, en un comunicado. “Le deseamos lo mejor y lo apoyamos en sus futuros proyectos”.Lemon presentaba “CNN This Morning” con Poppy Harlow y Kaitlan Collins. El programa lleva casi seis meses en antena.Don Lemon se disculpa con sus colegas de CNN por comentarios sexistas: “Lamento haberlo dicho”“Estamos comprometidos con su éxito”, dijo Licht sobre el programa matutino.En un comunicado propio, Lemon dijo que su agente le comunicó este lunes por la mañana que la CNN le había despedido.“Estoy aturdido”, dijo Lemon, argumentando que la dirección no tuvo “la decencia” de informarle de su despido directamente. “En ningún momento se me dio ninguna indicación de que no podría seguir haciendo el trabajo que he amado en l...

Jets address key need, re-sign center Connor McGovern

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

The New York Jets re-signed durable center Connor McGovern on Monday, addressing one of the team’s major needs before the NFL draft this week.McGovern has been the Jets’ starting center the past three seasons, starting 48 games and missing only two since signing as a free agent in 2020. Contract terms weren’t immediately available.The Jets have the No. 13 overall pick in the draft, which begins Thursday night, along with Nos. 42 and 43 in the second round. While offensive tackle remains the likely target with its first pick, New York was thought to be interested in the top centers with one of its second-rounders — if they don’t include one or both in a potential trade with Green Bay for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.Rodgers announced in March during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and Sirius XM his intention is to continue playing — and for the Jets. New York and Green Bay continue to work on a deal that would send the four-time NFL MVP to the J...

White House: US ‘facilitating the departure of Americans’ who want to leave Sudan amid widespread fighting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House: US ‘facilitating the departure of Americans’ who want to leave Sudan amid widespread fighting.Source

1st case of deadly disease found in Colorado bat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

LA JUNTA, Colo. (KDVR) — For the first time in Colorado, a bat has been infected with a deadly disease known as white-nose syndrome. On March 29, the National Park Service staff at Bent's Old Fort Historic Site outside of La Junta found an adult female Yuma bat on the ground and unable to fly. The bat had a white powdery substance on its forearms and had to be euthanized. What to expect from Tuesday, Wednesday’s snowstorm Lab tests from the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center confirmed the bat tested positive for Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome.“We are working with our partners to monitor these and other bat colonies. Scientists around the world are searching for vaccines and treatments and many actions have already been taken to help conserve bats, minimize the spread and impact of white-nose syndrome and to minimize other sources of mortality for vulnerable bat species. We will implement the most effective measures to e...