Actor Michael K. Williams, Omar on ‘The Wire,’ dead at 54

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and ANDREW DALTON FILE - In this Saturday, July 30, 2016, file photo, Michael Kenneth Williams, a cast member in the HBO series "The Night Of," poses for a portrait during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Williams, who played the beloved character Omar Little on “The Wire,” has died. New York City police say Williams

NC appeals court stops for now voting restoration for felons

By GARY D. ROBERTSON A North Carolina appeals court on Friday blocked an order that had allowed tens of thousands of felony offenders who aren’t serving prison or jail time to immediately register to vote and cast ballots. The state Court of Appeals agreed to halt last week’s decision by trial judges to expand when North Carolina residents convicted of felonies have the right to vote again.  The plaintiffs immediately appealed Friday’s decision

Black US farmers awaiting billions in promised debt relief

By ROXANA HEGEMAN and ALLEN G. BREED Farmer John Boyd Jr., poses for a portrait during a break from bailing hay at his farm in Boydton, Va., Thursday, May 27, 2021. Documents from a USDA internal review that Boyd provided to The Associated Press show investigators found his operating loan requests were not processed for years, despite explicit instructions from the agency’s state director. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) There was a

In Ida’s aftermath, no quick relief in sight for Louisiana

By KEVIN MCGILL, CHEVEL JOHNSON and MELINDA DESLATTE Destruction is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in Grand Isle, La. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. Louisiana residents still reeling from flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Ida scrambled for food, gas, water and relief from the sweltering heat while facing the dispiriting prospect of weeks without electricity to power air conditioners and refrigerators. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP) NEW

North Carolina bill raising riot penalties heads to Cooper

By BRYAN ANDERSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A bill cracking down on violent protests that critics argue could stifle free speech is heading to North Carolina’s governor. The proposal from Republican House Speaker Tim Moore that was fueled by rioting and looting he saw take place in Raleigh last year amid frustration over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody passed the House on Tuesday by a vote

NC sheriff’s: Teen charged in shooting at high school

A teen has been charged after a student was shot during a fight at a North Carolina high school on Monday, the sheriff’s office said.  Several students were fighting around 11 a.m. at New Hanover High School when a 15-year-old shot another juvenile, New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon said at a news conference. The wounded student was taken to a hospital and his injuries aren’t considered life-threatening, McMahon said. 

Intensifying Cat 4 Hurricane Ida to hit Louisiana on Sunday

By KEVIN MCGILL and JAY REEVES In preparation of Hurricane Ida, a worker attaches protective plywood to windows and doors of a business in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hurricane Ida rapidly grew in strength early Sunday, becoming a dangerous Category 4 hurricane just hours before hitting the Louisiana coast while emergency officials in the region grappled with

Biden vows to finish Kabul evacuation, avenge US deaths

By ROBERT BURNS, DARLENE SUPERVILLE and MATTHEW LEE WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is vowing to complete the evacuation of American citizens and others from Afghanistan despite the deadly suicide bomb attack at the Kabul airport. He promised to avenge the deaths of 13 U.S. service members killed in the attack, declaring to the extremists responsible: “We will hunt you down and make you pay.” Speaking with emotion from

West warns of possible attack at Kabul airport amid airlift

By ZIARMAL HASHIMI, JILL LAWLESS and JON GAMBRELL KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Western nations warned Thursday of a possible attack on Kabul’s airport, where thousands have flocked as they try to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in the waning days of a massive airlift. Britain said an attack could come within hours. Several countries urged people to avoid the airport, where Belgium said there was a threat of a suicide bombing. But

NC Senate backs protections for incarcerated pregnant women

By GARY D. ROBERTSON The use of physical restraints like handcuffs and shackles on pregnant women and new mothers in North Carolina prisons and jails would be largely barred in a measure nearing final legislative approval.  The Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday for the regulations, designed by their authors to protect mother and newborns while minimizing security risks. The bipartisan measure, a version of which already passed the House, is supported by