More warning signs emerge for US travel industry as summer nears

(AP NEWS) Expedia Group said Friday that reduced travel demand in the United States led to its weaker-than-expected revenue in the first quarter, and Bank of America said credit card transactions showed spending on flights and lodging kept falling last month. The two reports add to growing indications that the U.S. travel and tourism industry may see its first slowdown since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a period of

Most airports are operating smoothly on the first day of the REAL ID requirement

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1440"] (AP Photos/Seth Wenig)[/caption] SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Most airports around the United States operated smoothly Wednesday as new REAL ID requirements took effect because travelers without the updated document were still allowed to move through security easily. Those without the IDs were given flyers informing them that going forward they would need to present REAL ID or other federally accepted ID for air travel within the U.S.

Meeting Patients Where They Are: NC Mobile Medicine in rural NC

[caption id="attachment_11662" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Rendering of Mission Mobile Medical's new electric vehicle MARCUS[/caption] By Will Atwater NC Health News Rural residents often face significant barriers to accessing health care. Power outages, challenging travel and extreme weather events - such as hurricanes, heat waves and floods - only worsen the challenges posed by limited access to clinics and medical specialists. This scenario recently played out in western North Carolina, where Hurricane

Biscuits & Banjos: An Unforgettable Weekend of Black Culture

By Brian Burns  WUNC This past weekend, downtown Durham was taken over by the inaugural Biscuits & Banjos Festival, a celebration of Black artists and creators and the brainchild of Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning, North Carolina-born artist Rhiannon Giddens. The festival featured musical performances, documentary screenings, lectures, dance parties, and of course, biscuits. With this being the first-ever festival of its kind, you'd expect some logistical hiccups throughout the weekend

Big-money lottery winners could stay anonymous 

By Mary Helen Moore NC Newsroom State lawmakers are considering letting more jackpot winners keep their identities secret. The bill would give lottery winners the right to remain anonymous if they win $5 million or more in prize money. That privilege is currently reserved for those who win at least $50 million. Sen. Ralph Hise, a Spruce Pine Republican, is sponsoring the proposed legislation. "This bill actually started for me

The Legacy Of Slavery Still Affects Our Mental Health

By Alma Carten New York University Ten years ago, on July 22, in announcing the federal indictment of Charleston killer Dylann Roof, Attorney General Loretta Lynch commented that the expression of forgiveness offered by the victims' families is "an incredible lesson and message for us all." Forgiveness and grace are, indeed, hallmarks of the Black Church. Since slavery, the church has been a formidable force for the survival of blacks

Historic Dr. MT Pope House In Raleigh Set for Winter Reopening 

By Ms Jheri Worldwide Staff Writer The City of Raleigh's rich history is about to shine even brighter. The beloved Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope House, a significant landmark in our city, is currently undergoing a much-anticipated facelift, promising a revitalized experience for residents and visitors alike. According to estimates from the dedicated team at the City of Raleigh Museum, the extensive work is progressing smoothly, with the grand reopening tentatively

N.C. REAL ID Starts May 7

Beginning May 7, 2025, federal agencies will enforce the REAL ID Act, which requires a REAL ID, U.S. passport or another federally approved identification to board commercial flights and enter secure federal buildings.​ The N.C. REAL ID is a REAL ID Act-compliant driver license that is just like a traditional license or ID but has a star at the top. Driver licenses and IDs without a star are noted "Not

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects

AP NEWS - The textile mills that once served as the backbone of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, have long been shuttered, and officials believed federal money would be key to the town's overdue revitalization. They hoped an improved stormwater drainage system and secured electrical wires - funded through a program to help communities protect against natural disasters and climate change - would safeguard investments in new businesses like a renovated

North Carolina Lawmakers Want To Encourage Homebuilding

By Mary Helen Moore NC Newsroom A bill working its way through the N.C. House of Representatives would allow civil lawsuits against individuals for development decisions they make on city councils or planning boards. The language is tucked into a wide-ranging bill rewriting development regulations that has bipartisan support from 13 Republicans and nine Democrats. Rep. Jeff Zenger, a Forsyth County Republican, is a primary sponsor of House Bill 765.