News January 13, 2026 People inside Iran describe heavy security and scattered damage in first calls to outside world DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days Tuesday after authorities severed communications during a crackdown on nationwide protests. Activists say the protests have killed at least 646 people. Witnesses describe a heavy security presence in central Tehran, with burned-out buildings and smashed ATMs. People remain concerned about what comes next, including the possibility of strikes after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could use the military to defend peaceful protesters. Meanwhile, […]

NC News January 12, 2026 NC Lifestyle Costs Rise Despite Strong Economy Despite projections of continued economic strength, robust population growth, and increasing business investments across the state in 2026, North Carolinians face rising lifestyle costs that outpace wage growth—pressures economists say are likely to take a heavier toll on younger generations. In June 2024, the median price for a home in the U.S. was $426,900—the highest ever recorded by the National Association of Realtors. By April 2025, the price had dipped slightly to $414,000. Tuition and housing costs “have for decades been outstripping inflation,” said Jon Sanders of the Raleigh-based John Locke Foundation. […]

AP-Technology January 12, 2026 Apple calls on Google to help smarten up Siri and bring other AI features to the iPhone Apple will lean on Google to help finish its bungled attempts to smarten up its virtual assistant Siri and bring other artificial intelligence features to the iPhone as the trendsetting company plays catch up in technology’s latest craze. The deal that allowing Apple to tap into Google’s AI technology was disclosed Monday in a joint statement from the Silicon Valley powerhouses. The partnership will draw upon Google’s Gemini technology to customize a suite of AI features dubbed “Apple Intelligence” […]

News January 12, 2026 Federal Reserve Chair Powell says DOJ has subpoenaed central bank, threatens criminal indictment WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Sunday the Department of Justice has served the central bank with subpoenas and threatened it with a criminal indictment over his testimony this summer about the Fed’s building renovations. The move represents an unprecedented escalation in President Donald Trump’s battle with the Fed, an independent agency for not cutting its key interest rate. The subpoenas relate to Powell’s testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June, the Fed chair said, regarding the Fed’s renovation […]

NC News January 9, 2026 Teachers Stage Walkouts to Push for Higher Pay Hundreds of North Carolina teachers staged coordinated walkouts on Wednesday to demand higher pay for advanced degrees, caps on healthcare premiums, the unfreezing of pay increases for experienced teachers, and the restoration of retirement health benefits. Organized by NC Teachers in Action, the walkout involved educators from more than 50 schools across Wake, New Hanover, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and Gaston school systems. Demonstrators gathered at intersections and landmarks, holding signs expressing their demands. School disruptions were minimal, with most classrooms covered by substitutes, but the group plans monthly protests on the seventh day of each […]

News January 9, 2026 Trump Halts Venezuela Strikes After Prisoner Releases President Donald Trump said he has “canceled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks” on Venezuela due to the country’s release of political prisoners and its cooperation in rebuilding its oil and gas infrastructure. In a Truth Social post early Friday, Trump said Venezuela’s decision to free “large numbers of political prisoners” is a sign the country is “Seeking Peace,” calling it “a very important and smart gesture.” Trump added that Washington and Caracas are “working well together,” particularly on rebuilding the oil-and-gas infrastructure in a “much bigger, better, and more […]

News January 7, 2026 BLAZE MEDIA | Fraud thrived under Democrats’ no-questions-asked rule The columnist argues that federal fraud proliferated under Democratic leadership due to lax oversight and weak enforcement, claiming that a “no questions asked” mentality enabled widespread abuse of government programs. DAILY WIRE | Trump Says Venezuela Will Turn Over 30–50 Million Barrels Of Oil To U.S. President Trump announced that Venezuela’s interim authorities will be turning over 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States at market price, with the proceeds to benefit both countries as part of a deal following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro. FOX BUSINESS | Hilton […]

NC News January 7, 2026 Mecklenburg Sheriff Faces Removal Petition Rep. Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg, has joined forces with former Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office deputies to petition for the court-ordered removal of Sheriff Garry McFadden. The petition accuses McFadden—one of five county sheriffs who refused to honor federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers—of retaliating against crime victims and whistleblowers, misusing official resources, weaponizing the internal affairs unit, and threatening a state legislator. In the petition, Cunningham said McFadden told her the people of Mecklenburg County would “come after” her if she didn’t vote to sustain one of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes. […]

News January 6, 2026 Ghost Daycares Independent journalists Jonathan Choe and Cam Higby say they have uncovered multiple “ghost daycares” in Washington state, licensed childcare providers listed as operating on official state records but appearing inactive or nonexistent when visited in person. Appearing on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Higby said publicly available data on the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) website appears to be changing during the investigation. He said daycare pages that previously displayed addresses, total available slots, and maximum licensed capacity now show missing or blank fields, with some listings […]

NC News January 5, 2026 Fort Bragg Unit Led Venezuela Raid The elite operators from the U.S. Army’s Delta Force who captured Venezuela’s disputed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on Saturday are based at Fort Bragg. The operation, dubbed Absolute Resolve, involved helicopter insertions supported by air cover, with troops rehearsing on a mock-up of Maduro’s fortified compound and preparing with blowtorches in case safe rooms had to be breached. President Trump confirmed the mission’s success, praising Delta Force for extracting the couple without U.S. fatalities amid explosions and power outages in the capital. Maduro, indicted on U.S. […]

News January 5, 2026 Tim Walz Drops Out of 2026 Race, Won’t Seek Third Term Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he was dropping out of the 2026 gubernatorial race and not seeking an unprecedented consecutive third term in office. “I didn’t run for this job so I could have this job,” he said in a statement released early Monday. “I ran for this job so I could do this job. Minnesota faces an enormous challenge this year. And I refuse to spend even one minute of 2026 doing anything other than rising to meet the moment.” The Democrat’s departure could quickly reshape […]

News January 2, 2026 Mamdani Revokes Antisemitism Executive Orders as First Act Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, is under fire for immediately revoking all late-term executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, including protections for the city’s Jewish community. Mamdani on Thursday revoked all Adams’ orders dating from Sept. 26, 2024, the date the former mayor was indicted on federal bribery and campaign finance charges, stating that he was making the changes to allow a “fresh start for the incoming administration.” Israel’s foreign ministry on Friday accused Mamdani of antisemitism because of his moves. Zohran Mamdani, New York […]

News December 31, 2025 Arctic blast brings snow and wind to the Great Lakes and Northeast A surge of arctic air is bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast, a day after a bomb cyclone that hit the northern U.S. Tens of thousands of customers were without power early Tuesday, with Michigan hardest hit. The National Weather Service predicts snow squalls and gusty winds for the Eastern U.S. New York’s governor warned of whiteout conditions in parts of the state. In Michigan, snow piled up quickly on Monday, and high waves on Lake […]

News December 30, 2025 Arctic blast brings snow and wind to the Great Lakes and Northeast A surge of arctic air is bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast, a day after a bomb cyclone that hit the northern U.S. Tens of thousands of customers were without power early Tuesday, with Michigan hardest hit. The National Weather Service predicts snow squalls and gusty winds for the Eastern U.S. New York’s governor warned of whiteout conditions in parts of the state. In Michigan, snow piled up quickly on Monday, and high waves on Lake […]

News December 29, 2025 Judge Orders Release of Redacted Transcript in Charlie Kirk Murder Case A judge ordered the release of a redacted transcript from a closed-door hearing in the capital case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, despite defense efforts to limit what the public can see. Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr. said only 246 words were removed from the 80-page transcript, rejecting broader secrecy sought by Robinson’s attorneys. Graf said the transcript is expected to be released by the end of the day. He added that preparing and releasing a redacted […]