2022 midterms: What to watch as 5 states hold primaries
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s winning streak in U.S. Senate primaries is on the line Tuesday as voters in five states cast their ballots in midterm elections. Trump backed celebrity heart surgeon Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania and U.S. Rep. Ted Budd in North Carolina in those states’ Republican primaries for U.S. Senate. On the Democratic side, Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman revealed on Sunday that he had suffered a stroke but said he was on the way to a “full recovery.” In other races, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Idaho are holding primaries for governor on Tuesday. In North Carolina, congressman Madison Cawthorn is trying to survive a Republican primary after a turbulent first term in office.
PRISONS-AIR-CONDITIONING
Air conditioning lacking in N.C. prisons, despite funding
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Last fall, the North Carolina General Assembly approved $30 million to address a lack of air conditioning in the state’s prison system. But with summer approaching, none of the actual construction has begun. WRAL-TV reports that although most prisons have at least some air conditioning, about 15,400 beds are in unairconditioned rooms. That’s according to a breakdown provided by the state. Prison officials in Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration hope to have the first three projects complete around the start of next year. At the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women in Raleigh _ the system’s largest facility for women _ three-quarters of the beds don’t have air conditioning.
MOURNING LYNCHING VICTIMS
North Carolina community mourns lynching victims
PITTSBORO, N.C. (AP) — About 100 people attended a service to honor the memories of five people who were lynched in Chatham County, North Carolina, more than a century ago. The News & Observer reports that the service held Saturday was organized by local NAACP branches with support from the nonprofit Equal Justice Initiative. The group encourages researchers around the country to gather and share information about lynchings that happened in their communities. According to the EJI, researchers have documented 123 “terror lynchings” of African Americans in North Carolina between 1877 and 1950. Those were among 4,084 that have been documented in Southern states during that time.
RED WOLF KILLED
Reward offered for information on endangered red wolf death
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction in the shooting death of an endangered red wolf in North Carolina. The wolf was found in a muddy field in Tyrrell County on April 15, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The News & Observer reports that it had been shot in the spine and collapsed in the mud, some of which was found in its lungs. Killing a red wolf is illegal, except under special circumstances.
SOCIAL SERVICES-STATE TAKEOVER
State to take over social services in North Carolina county
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina agency is assuming temporary control of a portion of a county social services department after an investigation revealed systemic problems. On Monday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will temporarily assume leadership of child welfare services at the Bertie County Department of Social Services. A news release said the investigation revealed a lack of adequate training, supervision and capacity to deliver appropriate child welfare services. The release said the move is authorized under state law, and has the support of the county and the department. DHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley said working with county leaders would strengthen its ability to deliver child welfare services.
ELECTION 2022-SUPREME COURT RACES
Primaries spotlight coming battles over state supreme courts
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Upcoming primary elections for state supreme court seats in North Carolina and Arkansas are putting the spotlight on how such races across the U.S. have grown in importance in recent years and led to high-dollar, partisan battles for control. The Brennan Center for Justice says roughly $97 million was spent on state supreme court elections during the 2019-2020 election cycle. Voters in 32 states will cast ballots this year for state supreme court, races that have become increasingly politicized over issues such as partisan gerrymandering, abortion and gun rights. Other states with heated court races in the coming months include Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
ELECTION 2022-NORTH CAROLINA-CONGRESS
Democrats aim to follow retiring NC Reps Price, Butterfield
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The retirements of two veteran North Carolina Democratic congressmen have opened the way for robust primaries Tuesday for the shot to serve on Capitol Hill. Eight Democrats are running to try to succeed 4th District Rep. David Price, who won’t be on the ballot for the first time since 1986. And four Democrats are running for the 1st District seat held by Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who’s represented the northeastern region since 2004. Primaries are being held in all but one of 14 U.S. House districts that North Carolina is now assigned. Seven incumbents seeking reelection have primaries, including Republican Madison Cawthorn, who is facing the strongest in-party challenge.
AP-US-ELECTION-2022-NORTH-CAROLINA-CAWTHORN
Madison Cawthorn tries to survive primary as slip-ups mount
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A series of unforced political and personal errors by GOP congressman Madison Cawthorn has brought the forces of big-name Republicans and traditional enemies to bear on his reelection bid in North Carolina. Some of the transgressions have been headline-grabbing, like one that rankled GOP colleagues who believe he insinuated they were holding orgies and snorting cocaine. Some have been salacious, like recently released videos showing him in sexually suggestive poses. But at home, the most consequential may have been when he decided to run for a different U.S. House seat before changing his mind. Some constituents believe he’s more interested in inflaming the culture wars than helping the district.
