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Articles by Kenneth Fine
The Morning Roundup: Comey Calls Trump a Liar | News
It's Friday. We made it through another week. Let's go out with a bang, courtesy of former FBI director James Comey.For those of you who watched the former FBI director testify on the Hill yesterday, you know that James Comey dropped more than a few bombshells . From"Those were lies. Plain and simple.""I took [the request to let go of the Flynn investigation] as a direction."The president's tweet about "tapes" resulted in Comey leaking memos, through a friend, to the.
Legislature Calls Off Special Session Demanded by Governor | News
Wednesday, Governor Cooper called for a special session of the legislature for the purpose of redrawing voting maps the Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional and racially gerrymandered.Today, the GOP-controlled legislature balked. The House voted 71-44 (mostly along party lines) to cancel the special session, calling Cooper's move a "political stunt" that was "unconstitutional." From the N&O Democratic leaders clearly disagree that the governor lacks the authority to make such a move.
The Morning Roundup: Comey to Testify That Trump Asked Him to Back Off Flynn Investigation | News
First of all, we'd like to congratulate all the "Best Of" winners and finalists. With that said, let’s get on to it. We’re going to devote the bulk of this morning’s Roundup to former FBI director James Comey's pending testimony on the Hill—and all we learned about it yesterday.But first: At least a dozen people were killed in a pair of terrorist attacks in Tehran. FromWorld leaders, including the U.S. State Department, did the humane thing.Here’s the White House statement.
The Morning Roundup: Sessions and Trump Are Reportedly At Odds, Comey Set to Testify Tomorrow | News
First things first. Our annual "Best of the Triangle" edition is on the racks, so go grab one and congratulate the many winners you guys chose. Now let's check out Tuesday's headlines.Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reportedly upset that the president isn't allowing him to do his job. How upset? He offered his resignation. From The New York Times Speaking of Russia ...According to people who know the former FBI director, he never told the president that he wasn't being investigated by the bureau.
The Morning Roundup: Supreme Court Rejects Racist Legislative Districts, Durham City Council Rejects Publix
A lot happened around the Triangle Monday. Let's review.It's unclear whether special 2017 elections will occur, but the high court delivered a blog to the GOP-controlled legislature. From the INDY Only one member of the board cast a vote in favor of rezoning land at the intersection of Guess and Latta roads. From the INDY Mayor Nancy McFarlane is not OK with the president's decision to pull out of the Paris accord.
The Morning Roundup: Trump Kicks Planet in the Face | News
It's Friday, but there's really not much to celebrate.It's not exactly shocking that President Donald Trump made good on a campaign promise and pulled the U.S. out of the most significant climate agreement in history. But it's still a disaster. From The Washington Post Thom Tillis, a guy who has received hundreds of thousands of campaign dollars from oil and gas companies, i s on board. From the, by way of theMeanwhile, aof people are pretty concerned.Al Gore? Not happy.
The Morning Roundup: Trump Expected to Pull U.S. Out of Paris Accord | News
Let's get right to it.Sorry, Mother Nature. From The New York Times Trump took to Twitter last night to announce that he's making an announcement:The president might exercise executive privilege and block the testimony, but former FBI director James Comey appears to be ready to tell his story to the Senate. From The Washington Post Speaking of covfefe, Hillary Clinton was trolled by the man who beat her in the election on Twitter.
The Morning Roundup: Flynn Will Turn Over Documents to Senate | News
Good morning friends. It's Wednesday. Go grab the new. In the meantime, let's review some headlines.A person close to President Donald Trump's embattled former national security adviser says Flynn will hand over documents to the Senate in response to a subpoena he has, until now, been ducking. From The Washington Post That might not be good news for Trump. And speaking of Trump ...Want more change? Apparently, it's coming to Pennsylvania Avenue.Mike Dubke is out.
Trump Makes Up Word, Raleigh Shop Immortalizes the Gaffe | News
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Trump Makes Up Word, Raleigh Shop Immortalizes the Gaffe Posted by Kenneth Fine on Wed, May 31, 2017 at 12:12 PM For those of you who don't know, the president made up a word last night, and his tweet about "negative press covfefe" quickly went viral before (six hours later) being deleted. click to enlarge
It was a moment that left many people scratching their heads.
The Morning Roundup: Appeals Court Delivers Blow to Muslim Ban | News
Another week is just about in the books. Let's finish it off with a bang. Jared Kushner has become a "focus" of the FBI's investigation into whether or not Russia coordinated with the Trump campaign during the presidential election . FromAnd Trump is largely to blame. Here’s the gist, from the INDY Those regrets stemmed from the realization that the plan he backed might well have left his late sister and father, who both died after cancer battles, out in the cold.
The Morning Roundup: GOP Health Care Plan Leaves 23 Million Without Insurance | News
Wednesday was another banner day for the GOP. Let's take a stroll through some headlines. 1) Obamacare replacement would leave twenty-three million out in the cold, according to the CBO. Premiums would go down (at least for the young, wealthy, and healthy), but costs would go up for people with preexisting conditions. And more than twenty million would lose coverage altogether.
Suspecting Fraud, State Treasurer Dale Folwell Requires Proof of Dependents' Eligibility For State Health Plan | News
If you’re employed by the state, you’ve likely received a letter informing you that you have until July 31 to prove your spouse is your spouse and your children are your children or they will be dropped from the and/or adoption papers—must be submitted electronically, so the letter recommends scanning the documents or taking “a photo with your smartphone” and uploading them to the State Health Plan website.
NBA Picks Charlotte for 2019 All-Star Game; Sham HB 2 Deal Worked, Again | News
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Posted by Kenneth Fine on Wed, May 24, 2017 at 7:09 PM The ACC and NCAA already caved, so when the NBA announced today that in light of the HB 2 "compromise" signed by Governor Cooper earlier this year it would bring All-Star Weekend to Charlotte in 2019, it wasn't all that surprising.
The Morning Roundup: Trump Proposes Slashing Spending on the Poor | News
It's Wednesday, which means a new edition of theis on the streets. Go grab one. In the meantime, let's review some headlines.The White House has yet to respond to requests for comment on the move, but the hiring suggests the president is finally taking this whole thing seriously.
The Morning Roundup: Terror Attack in the U.K. Claims at Least Twenty-Two Lives | News
It's Tuesday. Monday was pretty horrible.An improvised explosive device was detonated inside Manchester Arena, marking the deadliest attack on the U.K. since the 2005 London bombings . At least twenty-two people were killed, including children, and dozens more were injured.
Dalai Lama Accepts Raleigh Mayor's Invitation, Will Visit Oak City This Fall | News
Monday, May 22, 2017 national / News / news / North Carolina / Raleigh Dalai Lama Accepts Raleigh Mayor's Invitation, Will Visit Oak City This Fall Posted by Kenneth Fine on Mon, May 22, 2017 at 7:18 AM Earlier this month, the INDY reported that Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane was making a push to draw the Dalai Lama to Raleigh. Mayor Nancy McFarlane has booked a trip to India, at her expense, and will bring the Dalai Lama the many dozens of prayer flags that people inscribed Sunday.
The Morning Roundup: Defiant Trump Says Comey Deserved to be Fired | News
Friday, May 19, 2017 Posted by Kenneth Fine on Fri, May 19, 2017 at 8:42 AM It's been a crazy week, but we're at the finish line. 1) Trump says he never asked Comey to drop Flynn investigation. After declaring on Twitter that the hiring of former FBI director Robert Mueller as a special counsel would prolong "the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history," Donald Trump doubled down on his claims that this is fake news.
The Morning Roundup: Trump Follows Up Bad Tuesday With a Really, Really Bad Wednesday | News
Not to be outdone by his horrible Tuesday, President Donald Trump had abad Wednesday.
Burr Summons Comey, McCabe as Russia Issues Permeate | News
It appears the Trump-Russia investigation got a kick in the pants after a pair of damning news stories that suggested that Donald Trump not only divulged sensitive intelligence to the Russians that could potentially jeopardize the U.S.'s relationship with Israel but that he also allegedly asked then-FBI director James Comey during a February meeting to end the investigation into Mike Flynn Comey has, according to a news release issued today, been summoned by the Senate Select Committee on...
The Morning Roundup: Buckle Your Seatbelts. This Trump-Comey Scandal Just Got Real. | News
It is safe to say that Donald Trump's presidency is in actual jeopardy.That sounds a lot like obstruction of justice—especially if Trump then fired him for not doing so.Trump allegedly cleared Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Vice President Mike Pence out of the Oval Office in February so he could convince James Comey to call off the bureau's investigation into Flynn's potential ties to Russia.Here is the letter Chaffetz sent to acting FBI director Andrew McCabe last night:How about some...
The Morning Roundup: Trump Shares Classified Intel With Russia | News
Good morning, everyone. Monday was kind of a big news day. Let's review.Sources toldandthat the president was bragging about how good the intelligence he gets regarding ISIS is and gave this example to, you know, prove he's great.
Reverend Barber Outlines His Future, Says There’s Still a Fight Ahead in North Carolina | News
More than a hundred people converged on the Davie Street Presbyterian Church Monday morning to pay their respects to the Reverend William Barber, a local civil rights icon who announced late last week that he would be stepping down as the leader of the North Carolina NAACP.
The Morning Roundup: North Korea Says It Can Nuke the U.S. Mainland | News
Yesterday was Mother's Day. We hope all you moms out there had a good one. It was also graduation weekend at several Triangle universities, including UNC and Duke. Bravo, guys and gals. Welcome to the real world. Good luck out there.The grassroots organization wants to put government back in the hands of the people. And there are several important elections coming up in Durham—including for mayor.
The Morning Roundup: Legislature Backs Big Pork, Trump Loses His Sh*t on Twitter Again | News
Friday, May 12, 2017 Posted by Kenneth Fine on Fri, May 12, 2017 at 9:28 AM It's Friday. You made it. Congrats. 1) Senate completes HB 467 veto override. It seems state legislators aren't too concerned about new research that shows the presence of pig feces on and inside the homes of pig farms’ neighbors. Thursday, the Senate completed an override of Governor Cooper's veto of HB 467, a bill that limits financial liability in agricultural nuisance suits.
The Morning Roundup: Trump Defends Firing Comey, Burr Subpoenas Flynn Documents | News
Thursday, May 11, 2017 national / News / news / North Carolina / politics / Raleigh The Morning Roundup: Trump Defends Firing Comey, Burr Subpoenas Flynn Documents Posted by Kenneth Fine on Thu, May 11, 2017 at 9:41 AM It's Thursday and there's a lot to review. Let's do it. 1) Trump defends firing Comey. James Comey is still unemployed, the president is on the defensive, and the FBI is in shambles.
Trump Shafts North Carolina After Hurricane Matthew Relief Request | News
What do you get when your state helps elect a president and then requests $900 million from his administration to help rebuild after one of the worst natural disasters in its history?If you're North Carolina, not much.In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Governor Cooper requested nearly a billion dollars from the Trump administration.
The Morning Roundup: Trump’s Tuesday Night Massacre | News
Yesterday was historic for all the wrong reasons.James Comey is out as the leader of the Federal Bureau of Investigation—and the inquiry into Russian meddling in the presidential election. From The New York Times But why would Trump do such a thing?Needless to say, critics—and there are a lot of them, on both sides of the aisle—are likening the move to Nixon.
The Morning Roundup: Obamacare on the Ropes, But Not Dead Yet | News
Friday, May 5, 2017 Posted by Kenneth Fine on Fri, May 5, 2017 at 9:53 AM There's no sugarcoating what happened Thursday, but at least the weekend is upon us. 1) House narrowly passes American Health Care Act. So, should this thing pass the Senate, here's what you need to know. But, as The New York Times notes, a whole lot of people hope it doesn't: It is a rare unifying moment.
The Morning Roundup: Obamacare Vote Coming, Be Afraid | News
It's Thursday. Let's dig in.Brace yourselves. From The New York Times Should this train wreck pass, millions of Americans will suffer.Related: Don’t let it happen Nobody feels bad for you, James. From the NYT So why did he do it?Thanks to social media—and a selfie Bannon took with a well-known Orthodox rabbi—we now know quite about about what the president's chief strategist is trying to get done.
Raleigh Cops: Smithfield Employees Did Not In Fact Break Into "F— tha Police." Sorry About All the Racism. | News
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 News / news / North Carolina / Wake County Raleigh Cops: Smithfield Employees Did Not In Fact Break Into "F— tha Police." Sorry About All the Racism. Posted by Kenneth Fine on Wed, May 3, 2017 at 3:39 PM All it took was one Facebook post, from the Raleigh Police Protective Association, to set off a firestorm.
The Morning Roundup: Clinton Talks Election Loss, Resistance; Trump Tweets | News
It's Wednesday, so go out and grab a copy of the The graphic in Triangulator alone is worth it. Let's check out some headlines:The decisive winner of the presidential popular vote said a whole lot yesterday about Russia, Wikileaks, and why she thinks she lost the White House. From The New York Times: Tell us more, Hillary.Fair enough. But how is the guy who won doing? Say, on North Korea?Trump wasn't pleased.
The Morning Roundup: N.C. Congressman Mark Meadows Is Donald Trump’s Biggest Fanboy | News Briefs | Indy Week
Sadly, I just found this conversation, but thought I would add to the debate on the benefit of moderate and … by Bruce Wood on Some facts about tanning (News Briefs) An AR-15 is NOT an assault rifle. If you're going to make a coherent argument against gun rights, please at … by Eladio Bobadilla on How to Buy an Assault Rifle in North Carolina (News Briefs)
The Morning Roundup: N.C. Congressman Mark Meadows Is Donald Trump’s Biggest Fanboy | News
We're halfway home. Let's go. 1) Durham commissioners approve the light rail plan. In what board chairwomman Wendy Jacobs called "the most important vote that I will make as a county commissioner," the Durham County commissioners approved an updated transit plan that includes light rail, commuter rail, and improvements to bus service.
Drive Through a Protest and Hit Someone? No Worries, State House Says.
Just when it seemed it was safe to protest in North Carolina, a piece of legislation that would shield people who hit protesters with their cars from civil liability passed its second reading in the state House Wednesday. Go ahead and read that again. We'll give you a moment to wrap your head around it. HB 330 was sponsored by Representatives Justin Burr, R-Montgomery and Stanly, and Chris Mills, R-Onslow and Pender, and moved through the second reading 68–48.
Poll: Trump Tanking in North Carolina | News
41.6% of North Carolinians approve of how Trump is handling his job as president. North Carolina voters’ approval of Trump tracks closely with a concurrent Washington Post-ABC poll,1 which shows his approval rating at 42% nationwide. North Carolina voters are somewhat less likely than the nation to express outright disapproval of President Trump; 50.5% disapprove of his handling of the job, while 53% of Americans hold this view.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance Says Downtown Raleigh Is Growing Fast and Growing Right | News
According to a lengthy report released Tuesday by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the City of Oaks is growing rapidly and adding amenities indicative of the right kind of expansion.
The Morning Roundup: Tensions Escalate on the Korean Peninsula | News
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 Posted by Kenneth Fine on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 9:01 AM We might not have much time. Let's get right into it. 1) North Korea flexes its military muscle. Trump sends nuclear submarine as a "show of force." North Korea paraded around some missiles and held a "large-scale artillery drill" to celebrate its military's anniversary. Not a new thing—but this time, there's a catch. Experts say the country is capable of expanding its nuclear arsenal at an alarming rate.
"Protesters Are Economic Terrorists" Bill Dies in Committee | News
It was a tough day for Republican state Representatives John Torbett and John Faircloth (of Gaston and Guilford counties, respectively), the guys who wanted to label some North Carolina protesters “economic terrorists ” and charge them with felonies. Thankfully, House Bill 249 died today in a 6–5 vote.Here’s what HB 249 would have done, from the's Sarah Willets:The state ACLU was less than thrilled when the bill was proposed.
The Morning Roundup: A Forgettable 100 Days of Trump | News
Monday, April 24, 2017 Posted by Kenneth Fine on Mon, Apr 24, 2017 at 10:11 AM It's a new week. Let's get going. 1) Critics note Trump's rocky start. Trump disagrees. On Saturday, President Donald Trump will mark his hundredth day in office. From CNN: President Donald Trump lives for superlatives — he wants the biggest, the best, the greatest. So it's no surprise he's already fuming about uncomplimentary reviews of his first 100 days in office.
The Morning Roundup: Trump "Bombs the S**t" Out of a Cave Complex in Afghanistan | News
Friday, April 14, 2017 Posted by Kenneth Fine on Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 8:48 AM It's Friday. We made it. So why not end the week with a bang ... 1) U.S. military drops a massive bomb on Afghanistan, an apparent effort to fulfill Trump’s campaign promise to “bomb the shit” out of ISIS. VIDEO Yesterday, the U.S. military dropped "the mother of all bombs"—the biggest nonnuclear ordnance in the military arsenal, each bomb costing about $16 million—on a cave complex in Afghanistan.
The Morning Roundup: Legislator Compares Honest Abe to Hitler | News
4) Legislature explores breaking up Wake County schools. From Some state legislators want to look at how to split North Carolina school systems into smaller districts, a preliminary step that could make it possible to break up large systems such as Wake County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg. House Bill 704 filed this week would create a joint legislative study committee to look into whether legislation should be introduced to allow for the breakup of previously merged school systems.
The Morning Roundup: Spicer Says Hitler Not As Bad As Assad, N.C. GOP Wants to End Gay Marriage | News
The headline really says it all, so let's just jump right in.We're really at a loss here. This actually happened. In the White House. Thanks again, Electoral College:There is really not anything funny about this. But there was somethingfunny about watching CNN's Wolf Blitzer own Spicer later in the day. This is really worth watching, if you haven't seen it:Well, that didn't take long.
The Morning Roundup: N.C. House Delivers Blow to Big Pork; Neuse River Endangered | News
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 The Morning Roundup: N.C. House Delivers Blow to Big Pork; Neuse River Endangered Posted by Kenneth Fine on Tue, Apr 11, 2017 at 8:52 AM Happy Tuesday. Let's get into it.1) In a shocking twist, the House votes to pass hog-farm-protection bill ... with a catch. A controversial piece of legislation made it through the House Monday, but not before legislators voted to gut it. From the INDY: HB 467 would protect hog farmers from lawsuits filed by their neighbors.
The Morning Roundup: HB 2 Deal Passes, Michael Flynn Wants Immunity for Russia Testimony | News
Friday, March 31, 2017 News / North Carolina / politics / Wake County The Morning Roundup: HB 2 Deal Passes, Michael Flynn Wants Immunity for Russia Testimony Posted by Kenneth Fine on Fri, Mar 31, 2017 at 10:18 AM Well, yesterday was interesting. Let's get to it.1) HB 2 is gone, but the governor is being called a sellout (and not just by us).
The Morning Roundup: So Long, Earth. It Was Nice Knowing You. | News
Happy Tuesday, everyone. Away we go.Another executive order from the president. FromLet the celebration begin in coal country. Except, maybe not.That's what happens when you look at secret intelligence files involving an investigation into the president's administration. Again from the Times The’s editor provided his take on the Associated Press estimate that HB 2 would ultimately cost North Carolina $3.76 billion. Read the whole piece . But here's a taste:From the’s Sarah Willets:That's it for today.
No More Free Rides, Kids: Parking Meters Coming to Downtown Durham | News
Friday, February 10, 2017 Durham / Durham County / economy / News / news No More Free Rides, Kids: Parking Meters Coming to Downtown Durham Posted by Kenneth Fine on Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 5:26 PM We told you last year that it was coming—that metered parking would replace Durham's current follow-the-sign-and-hope-you-don't-get-a-ticket system.
Safe Water Being Distributed Today at Sites in Chapel Hill, Carrboro | News
OWASA customers who have been unable to use their water since a line breakage forced officials to shut down a Chapel Hill water treatment plant Friday are being urged to visit one of the many public water distribution sites that opened this morning at 10 a.m. The sites are: CHAPEL HILL: Hargraves Community Center, 216 N.
Price Going to Inaguration, But Will Wear 'Symbol' on Lapel | News
Congressman David Price will not be joining Congressman G.K. Butterfield and Congresswoman Alma Adams' boycott of Donald Trump's inaguration.
The Morning Roundup: To Help African-Americans Learn to Love Trump, a Surrogate Depicts Hillary in Blackface | News | Indy Week
Good morning, everyone. In case you've missed it, the Donald Trump campaign is still living in a fantasy world in which black voters will actually decide the Republican nominee is their guy. Let's jump right in:Monday, he gave the Twitterverse this gem:They do? Wait a second. Let's take a look at the Aug.
Environmentalists Fear RDU’s Expansion Plans Will Damage Umstead | Triangulator | Indy Week
The midmorning soundtrack provided by the inhabitants of Umstead State Park—a chorus of chirping birds and humming insects—is no longer audible to the trail runners and cyclists who frequent the grounds. Nature has found itself drowned out by the roar of aircraft overhead. Pollution from a new rock quarry has damaged Crabtree Creek. A stretch of land once celebrated by naturalists now houses an endless sea of pavement sprinkled with office buildings.
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