WPTF News

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has asked state legislators to double their spending to date on Hurricane Helene recovery and approve it now. The new Democratic governor unveiled his nearly $1.1 billion request Monday. He’s seeking bipartisan support from the Republican-controlled General Assembly. The proposals in part would provide grants to struggling businesses, help repair and rebuild homes, clean up farm debris and replace revenues spent or lost by local governments. Stein says waiting too long would cause more business closings, housing construction delays and students falling behind. This package could bring an early test for how the Democratic governor and GOP legislative leaders work together.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump that the planned tariffs are on hold for a month, a statement confirmed by the White House. Sheinbaum says on X, “Mexico will reinforce the northern border with 10,000 members of the National Guard immediately, to stop drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, in particular fentanyl.” She says the U.S. committed to stopping high powered weapons from reaching Mexico. The pause added to the drama as Trump’s tariffs against Canada and China are still slated to go into effect on Tuesday.

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump says Americans could feel “some pain” from the emerging trade war triggered by his tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China. He’s also claiming that Canada would “cease to exist” without its trade surplus with the United States. The trade penalties that Trump signed Saturday at his Florida resort are causing a mix of panic, anger and uncertainty. And they’re threatening to rupture a decades-old partnership on trade in North America while further straining relations with China. But by following through on a campaign pledge, Trump may have simultaneously broken his promise to voters in last year’s election that his administration could quickly reduce inflation. The tariffs are set to launch on Tuesday.

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, fulfilling a campaign promise but raising the prospect of trade conflict and increased prices for American consumers. Trump is declaring an economic emergency to put duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada — America’s largest trading partners — except for a 10% rate on Canadian oil. The White House said Trump’s order also includes a mechanism to escalate the rates if the countries retaliate against the U.S., as they have threatened. Trump says the tariffs are to force the countries to do more to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina officials charged with leading recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene have told state lawmakers that they need more money. And they need it soon. Officials leading the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina called on the federal government Wednesday to provide more funds to the state’s recovery in a future funding bill meant to address wildfires in southern California. Funds from the state legislature were also requested. Another recovery official asked for millions of dollars from the state legislature Thursday to complete construction on houses in parts of eastern North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.

SWANNANOA, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is considering “getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He made the remark Friday during a trip to two disaster zones, offering the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation’s central organization for responding to disasters. Instead of having federal financial assistance flow through FEMA, the Republican president said Washington could provide money directly to the states. He spoke while visiting North Carolina, which is still recovering months after Hurricane Helene, on the first trip of his second term. He planned to visit wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles later in the day.

BUCYRUS, Ohio (AP) — As the future of social media platforms such as TikTok remains unknown, a younger generation of farmers is relying on social media to connect with audiences outside agriculture. For some farm influencers, revenue from social media platforms can augment income from farming and can help them connect with audiences that want to better understand where their food comes from.

BOSTON (AP) — Heavy snow is expected to blanket large portions of the Eastern U.S. while much of the country will endure dangerously cold temperatures in the coming days. Winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service are already in effect for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and will begin Sunday afternoon in New England. Up to a half-foot of snow is expected in areas from Maryland to Maine. That will be followed a blast of frigid air forecasted for the Rockies and Northern Plains into New England. The Gulf Coast and Southeast could see an unusual wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain starting Monday in Texas.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein kicked off his term in office by praising the resilience of residents following Hurricane Helene. And he pledged to “cut through red tape to help people rebuild quicker.” The Democrat also offered an upbeat message about working with the Republican-controlled General Assembly on a host of issues. They ranged from creating jobs and recruiting teachers to smashing drug rings and combating the ravages of fentanyl. Stein spoke Saturday during a televised address from the House chambers of the old Capitol building. A larger outdoor inauguration ceremony had been scheduled but was canceled because of winter weather.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sustainability is a key theme this year at the annual CES tech trade show in Las Vegas. Agriculture tech is on full display on the show floor while companies big and small also showcase their green innovations and initiatives. That includes Volvo CEO Martin Lundstedt’s vow to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and Wisconsin-based OshKosh Corporation’s electric fire engines and garbage trucks. John Deere also unveiled a fleet of fully autonomous equipment like tractors that are already in use on some farms and orchards. Some experts say AI is key to the industry’s future as climate change makes farming more unpredictable.