State and Regional News

North Carolina DMV audit recommends reforms to reverse customer wait times, worker morale

North Carolina DMV audit recommends reforms to reverse customer wait times, worker morale

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Customers at North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles are waiting longer in lines that are often far away from home, while agency staffing fails to…

The Justice Department seeks voter and election information from at least 19 states, AP finds

The Justice Department seeks voter and election information from at least 19 states, AP finds

By ALI SWENSON and GARY FIELDS Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The requests have come in letters, emails and phone calls. The specifics vary, but the target is consistent: The U.S. Department of Justice…

North Carolina Senate race sets up as a fight over who would be a champion for the middle class

North Carolina Senate race sets up as a fight over who would be a champion for the middle class

By THOMAS BEAUMONT and GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats still in the dumps over last year’s elections have found cause for optimism in North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper jumped…

Michael Whatley, RNC chairman endorsed by Trump, launches Senate bid in North Carolina

Michael Whatley, RNC chairman endorsed by Trump, launches Senate bid in North Carolina

By GARY D. ROBERTSON, ERIK VERDUZCO and THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) — Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley launched his campaign for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat Thursday, equipped with President Donald Trump’s…

Fireflies are lighting up summer skies. But the glowing bugs are still on the decline

Fireflies are lighting up summer skies. But the glowing bugs are still on the decline

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN and SHELBY LUM Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Fireflies are lighting up summer evenings across the U.S. Northeast, putting on dazzling shows in backyards and city parks. There’s no official count, but experts…

NTSB finds Army chopper in fatal midair crash with plane was above altitude limit

NTSB finds Army chopper in fatal midair crash with plane was above altitude limit

By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer Investigators probing the January midair collision of a passenger plane and an Army helicopter over Washington that killed 67 people found the chopper was flying higher than the it should have…