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Permit to buy handgun no longer required in North Carolina

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina residents can now buy a handgun without getting a permit from a local sheriff, after the Republican-controlled legislature on Wednesday overrode the Democratic governor’s veto — a first since 2018.The House voted 71-46 to enact the bill, which eliminates the longstanding permit system requiring sheriffs to perform character evaluations and criminal history checks of pistol applicants. The Senate overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto in a party-line vote on Tuesday.The permit repeal takes effect immediately. Cooper and Democratic lawmakers warned it allows a greater number of dangerous people to obtain weapons through private sales, which do not require a background check, and limits law enforcement’s ability to prevent them from committing violent crimes. Those who purchase pistols from a gun store or a federally licensed dealer are still subject to a national background check, and concealed weapons permits are still required.Bill supporters say the she...

UN atomic chief pursues Ukraine nuclear plant security deal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

DNIPRO, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the U.N.’s atomic energy watchdog returned Wednesday to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest atomic power generator, and said he has narrowed months-long negotiations to establish security to the plant itself, rather than the surrounding area.International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has struggled to reach an agreement with Russian and Ukrainian authorities to secure the plant, which has been hit several times during the Ukraine war — though there have been no reported hits to the reactors. The facility has also suffered repeated losses of external power needed to cool its six shut-down reactors. Grossi crossed the war’s front lines for a second time to reach the plant, which is located in a partially Russian-occupied part of Ukraine where combat has intensified. The IAEA, based in Vienna, Austria, has been rotating inspection teams at the plant for months. Grossi told The Associat...

Duke’s Dariq Whitehead entering NBA draft after one season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke freshman Dariq Whitehead is entering the NBA draft.The 6-foot-7 wing announced his decision Wednesday. He averaged 8.3 points and shot a team-best 42.4% from 3-point range in 28 games.Whitehead missed the first four games while recovering from an offseason foot injury, then missed another four games during the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule with a sprain to his lower left leg. Those impacted his ability to develop over the course of the season.In a statement from the school, coach Jon Scheyer says Whitehead is “just scratching the surface on who he’s going to be” and supports Whitehead’s decision.Whitehead scored 16 points in a win against eventual Final Four team Miami in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, then had four steals in the title-game win against Virginia. He had 13 points off the bench in a career-best 33 minutes in the second-round NCAA loss to Tennessee.___AP March Madness coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madn...

Brea Beal’s defense helps lift South Carolina to Final Four

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Brea Beal is not just South Carolina’s X factor in one of the country’s best defenses but also a four-year lesson in sacrifice and reinvention that may add a second straight NCAA title to her resume.Beal is generally third when most think of the landmark recruiting class from 2019 led by heralded All-American Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke. But she could have the most critical role at the Final Four, most likely checking Iowa’s All-American Caitlin Clark in the national semifinals.The Gamecocks (36-0) face the Hawkeyes (30-6) in the second game in Dallas on Friday night, with the winner playing LSU or Virginia Tech for the national title on Sunday.Beal, who has started 136 of 137 games in her four seasons, and her senior teammates have racked up championships in their time. They have won three Southeastern Conference Tournament titles, have been to three straight Final Fours and are chasing their second NCAA crown.Beal takes on the opponent’...

US to play Mexico in Nations League semis on June 15

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The defending champion United States will play Mexico in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League on June 15 at Las Vegas.The winner advances to the final against Canada or Panama on June 18, also in Las Vegas, the regional governing body said Wednesday. The semifinal match kicks off at 10 p.m. EDT, following the Canada-Panama match.No. 13 U.S. also plays 15th-ranked Mexico in an exhibition om April 19 at Glendale, Arizona. That match is not on a FIFA fixture date and neither team figures to have most of its Europe-based players.The U.S. beat Mexico 2-0 at Cincinnati and drew 0-0 at Mexico City during World Cup qualifying. The Americans defeated El Tri 3-2 in extra time in the 2021 Nations League final at Denver and won 1-0 in that year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup final at Las Vegas.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Senate votes to repeal Iraq War approval many see as mistake

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Wednesday to repeal the resolution that gave a green light for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a bipartisan effort to return a basic war power to Congress 20 years after an authorization many now view as a mistake.Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration falsely claimed that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. “This body rushed into a war” that had massive consequences, said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who has pushed for years to repeal the powers. Senators voted 66-30 to repeal the 2002 measure and also the 1991 authorization that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War. If passed by the House, the repeal would not be expected to affect any current military deployments. But lawmakers in both parties are increasingly seeking to claw back congressional powers they have given the White House over U.S. military ...

Vote: Where is the best burger in Colorado?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Whether you opt for a pile of beef layered with cheese and pickles or bacon and barbeque sauce, you will be able to find a variety of options across the Centennial State.But where is the best burger in Colorado? FOX31 narrowed down the list to 64 and now you can help decide which burger reigns supreme.>> Vote Now: Round 1 of the Big Burger BracketBig Burger Bracket 2023If you are wondering how the restaurants were selected, a search of Google reviews for highest rated burgers in each Colorado county was done in March 2023. Any location which at that time had 4.5 stars or more and at least 900 total reviews was included in the bracket. Restaurants with more than one location were included once on the bracket, using the highest ranking location.Which burgers made it into the bracket?Here is a look at the 64 restaurants that made the bracket, based on the above criteria. They are organized by highest rated first.E.L.F. Grill – DaconoVillage Smithy Restaurant – Ca...

11-year-old cancer warrior becomes honorary officer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Aurora Police Department held a special swearing-in ceremony to celebrate the newest member of their law enforcement family.Eleven-year-old Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel is from Pearland, Texas near Houston, and has been battling terminal brain cancer since 2018. DJ dreamed of becoming an officer and made that a goal beginning in 2022. Denver chef named finalist for prestigious culinary award On Monday, DJ was made an honorary deputy and officer by DCSO Undersheriff David Walcher. This was DJ's 758th swearing-in ceremony."Thank you, DJ, for allowing us to be part of your family, and welcome to ours!" said DCSO in a Facebook post. Cancer warrior Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel became an honorary deputy/officer with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Aurora Police Department. (Douglas County Sheriff's Office)Cancer warrior Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel became an honorary deputy/officer with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and...

Son of rapper Uncle Luke charged with aggravated assault of 2 women in Miami

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

The son of a South Florida celebrity is now behind bars. Luther Roderick Campbell, who is the son of famous rap artist Uncle Luke, appeared before a judge, Wednesday. Campbell is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer.According to police, at around 7 p.m. Monday, Campbell was armed with a knife and walked up to two women, telling them, ‘What did you say?’The incident happened on South Beach, near the famous Big Pink restaurant. The women were behind a car and had something blocking them from Campbell. Campbell eventually ran away with that knife where police caught up with him at a Walgreens at Fifth and Jefferson. At that point, officers attempted to subdue Campbell, but he ran off. He was eventually arrested. Campbell’s bond was set at $6,000. He remains in jail because he must go in front of a judge Thursday. Once Campbell bonds out, he is ordered to stay away from the women he confronted.

Arizona governor’s aide resigns after controversial tweet

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:02:31 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — The press secretary of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has resigned after a controversial social media post made in the wake of a fatal shooting at a Tennessee school.Gubernatorial spokesperson Josselyn Berry posted a tweet Monday night with an image of a woman holding pistols in each hand and the caption, “Us when we see transphobes.” The image was from the 1980 movie “Gloria.”The post was made hours after the shooting at a Christian school in Nashville that left three children and three adults dead. The shooter was killed by police and has been identified as a 28-year-old former student at The Covenant School who was transgender.Berry’s post drew widespread criticism for appearing to promote gun violence. Twitter later removed the post with a notice saying it violated the platform’s rules.Berry reportedly resigned Tuesday night and the governor’s office said Wednesday that Hobbs had received and accepted the resignation.“The governor does not condone violence in any form,”...