Election 2022: Pennsylvania, North Carolina hold key races

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Donald Trump faces the strongest test yet of his ability to shape a new generation of congressional Republicans. GOP primary voters in Pennsylvania and North Carolina are deciding Tuesday whether to rally around the ex-president’s choices for critical U.S. Senate seats. Trump’s preferred candidate in North Carolina’s GOP Senate primary, congressman Ted Budd, is expected to best a packed field. In Pennsylvania’s GOP race for governor, Doug Mastriano was leading before Trump backed him. Trump’s pick in Pennsylvania’s GOP Senate primary, TV’s Dr. Mehmet Oz, could struggle against far-right opponent Kathy Barnette. Trump calls Oz tough and smart. Kentucky, Oregon and Idaho also vote Tuesday.

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Oregon Democrat at risk as 5 states hold US House primaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — In Tuesday’s primary elections, a longtime moderate Democratic congressman from Oregon faces his stiffest primary challenge yet after years of irking his colleagues. In North Carolina, rising Republican star Madison Cawthorn is hoping to eke out a win after a tumultuous first year in office. And across the U.S., an exodus of House Democrats has put a half-dozen congressional seats up for grabs. The outcomes of House primary contests held in Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon and Pennsylvania will provide insight about the direction in which each party is headed after two years of unified Democratic control of Washington.

BC-NC-FAST-FOOD WORKERS-STABBINGS

Workers stab each other in fight at NC fast-food restaurant

ASHEBORO, N.C. (AP) — Police say two workers at a North Carolina fast-food restaurant stabbed each after getting into a fight. News outlets report the Asheboro Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to a reported stabbing at a Wendy’s restaurant. Officers found one of the stabbing victims at the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office sighted the suspect’s car in Randleman and took them into custody during a traffic stop. Authorities say the suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment.

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North Carolina Rep. Cawthorn seeks nomination after missteps

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn is facing seven challengers in North Carolina’s Republican primary, an early test of whether voters will grant the pro-Donald Trump firebrand another term despite his personal and political stumbles. Several GOP leaders have turned away from the 26-year-old congressman, with some citing a series of unforced errors. He called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “thug.” Cawthorn also infuriated fellow Republicans in Congress when he alleged on a podcast that he had been invited to an orgy in Washington. State Sen. Chuck Edwards, Cawthorn’s top rival, received endorsements from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis and the state’s top GOP legislative leaders. The leading candidate must get above 30% of the votes to avoid a runoff.

ELECTION 2022-WHAT TO WATCH

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 Sunday he had suffered a stroke but said he was on the way to a “full recovery.” In other races, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Idaho hold primaries for governor Tuesday. In North Carolina, congressman Madison Cawthorn is trying to survive a Republican primary after a turbulent first term in office.

DUKE ENERGY-EMISSIONS

Duke Energy offers CO2 cut options for NC by 2030, ’32, ’34

RALEIGH. N.C. (AP) — Duke Energy Corp.’s electricity-generating subsidiaries for North Carolina have offered regulators several energy mixes to comply with a state law demanding significant greenhouse gas reductions by the end of the decade. Monday’s filings with the North Carolina Utilities Commission come months after Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation that directed the utility to lower carbon dioxide emissions 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. Zero-net CO2 emissions also must be met by 2050. Three of the four portfolios that Duke Energy offers would actually reach the 70% threshold by 2032 or 2034, which is permitted under the law. The commission must decide on a path by year’s end.

DOG OVERBOARD

Pup Overboard! Coast Guard rescues dog from Pamlico Sound

HATTARAS, N.C. (AP) — U.S. Coast Guard officials say a crew rescued a dog lost overboard in Pamlico Sound in North Carolina. Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet says in a Facebook that the crew aboard a boat in the area received a report of a vessel that had lost their dog overboard Saturday. A short time later, the crew noticed movement on the calm water, then realized it was the dog named Myla swimming toward the boat. The crew headed toward Myla and hauled her aboard. The crew inspected the exhausted dog to ensure she wasn’t injured, then the Coast Guard says Myla was reunited with her owners. The station congratulated Myla on being “a good girl and an amazing doggie swimmer!”

TWO BODIES FOUND

Police: 2 people found dead at North Carolina home

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Two people were found dead early Monday in a neighborhood in a North Carolina city, and police have begun a search for a suspect. A news release from the Fayetteville Police Department says officers responding to a call early Monday morning found a homeowner who had arrived to find a body lying on the floor inside the home. That victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers then found a second person in the yard of the home who also was pronounced dead at the scene. The names of the victims haven’t been released and police haven’t said how the two died.