Latest news with #RoyCooper
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reentry program in North Carolina helps former felons find work
RALEIGH, N.C. (WAVY) – The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) started a reentry program in 2024 to help those formerly incarcerated get jobs on transportation work crews. The program, which was created as a result of Executive Order 303, helps those who were incarcerated get identification cards to access housing and healthcare more easily. 'Removing barriers, creating job opportunities, and improving reentry services so participants can be successful and productive after they leave prison helps reduce crime and breaks the cycle of relapse,' said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. The Executive Order was signed in January 2024 under former Gov. Roy Cooper and continued under Gov. Josh Stein. In addition to the reentry program, NCDOT's On the Job Training program trains formerly incarcerated people in operating heavy equipment, directing traffic in work zones or surveying property. 'Individuals with prior incarceration face significantly lower callback rates from potential employers compared to those without criminal records,' said NCDOT's Ebony Pittman, the agency's deputy secretary for Business Administration. 'This program provides a meaningful pathway to both short-term and long-term employment for people who may be losing hope due to their past. Ultimately, formerly incarcerated people deserve a second chance.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Former Governor Roy Cooper shows strong support for the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of the Eastern Conference Final
Image Via Twitter As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare to take on the Florida Panthers in the crucial Eastern Conference Final , former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has yet again affirmed his favorite team. An ardent Hurricanes supporter for years, he shared a photo of himself from days long gone on social networks: sporting in hockey gear, a customized Hurricanes jersey, helmet, and hockey stick. Any such gesture goes not so much for a millisecond's casual wink but instead tells an entire story regarding the feelings of connection, fervor Cooper has had with that team and sport. Roy Cooper's genuine bond with the Carolina Hurricanes and coach Rod Brind'Amour Roy Cooper has long supported the Carolina Hurricanes. However, his support goes beyond mere fan enthusiasm. Earlier in the season, he shared a picture of himself fully dressed in Hurricanes hockey gear, helmet on, with a hockey stick in hand and a custom-made jersey. The less said about the team facing the Florida Panthers, the better. His comments about holding back against Brad Marchand, a player who is rather high profile and now on some other team, speak of Cooper's knowledge of the game and individual players, thus making the support all the more personal and playful. Cooper has even honored the Hurricane leadership on a formal basis beyond a social media shout-out. In December, he bestowed upon Rod Brind'Amour, the Hurricanes' head coach, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor. This gave due recognition of Brind'Amour's impact on the team and the pride that the state feels in its hockey franchise. That honor symbolized a strong bond tying the team, its fans, and North Carolina at large. The Eastern Conference Final is one of the most crucial stages of the NHL Playoffs, and Cooper's public endorsement greatly helps in sustaining the excitement among Hurricanes fans throughout the state. Cooper's involvement also speaks to how hockey has come to be a major sport in North Carolina. It is neither a game of ice nor one of sportsmanship; it is all for the communal spirit and pride that welds the fans with their team and consequently with their leaders. As the Hurricanes get ready to face off against the Florida Panthers, fans feel upbeat knowing that Cooper remains an avid supporter. Even the governor himself has supported the team commitment, being so genuine that he has worn full gear to an event, and to recognize their achievements right here on the living example, is where one can see how deeply sports unite people, inspiring players and fans alike in this high-stakes contest. Also Read: Philadelphia Flyers shock the NHL world by hiring Rick Tocchet as new head coach Finally, the governor's personal and visible passion for the Carolina Hurricanes marks a sincere commitment on his part. His endorsement is a testament to the affinity the team shares with the countrymen of North Carolina at this steep and taxing playoff run. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Carolina Supreme Court 2024 race finally over: Republican concedes to Democrat
May 7 (UPI) -- The Republican candidate for North Carolina's state Supreme Court on Wednesday ended his six-month effort to overturn the election result against a Democrat. On Tuesday, the state elections board will certify the election's result, which shows Associate Justice Allison Riggs won by 734 votes over Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin out of more than 5.5 million cast and after two recounts. Griffin conceded two days after Richard E. Myers II, the federal chief judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, rejected his legal challenges in a 68-page ruling. "As a judge, I believe everybody, myself included, has a right to their day in court," Griffin said in a statement. "This effort has always been about upholding the rule of law and making sure that every legal vote in an election is counted. "While I do not fully agree with the District Court's analysis, I respect the court's holding -- just as I have respected every judicial tribunal that has heard this case. I will not appeal the court's decision." Riggs will serve an eight-year term on the 7-2 Republican-majority court after being appointed in 2023 by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to fill a vacancy after serving on the court of appeals. She continued to serve as a justice during the challenge. Griffin's seat on the court of appeals is through 2029. Griffin and the state Republican Party had challenged more than 65,000 votes in six Democratic-leaning counties, saying they were unlawfully cast. "After millions of dollars spent, more than 68,000 voters at risk of losing their votes, thousands of volunteers mobilized, hundreds of legal documents filed and immeasurable damage done to our democracy, I'm glad the will of the voters was finally heard, six months and two days after Election Day," Riggs said Wednesday. "It's been my honor to lead this fight -- even though it should never have happened -- and I'm in awe of the North Carolinians whose courage reminds us all that we can use our voices to hold accountable any politician who seeks to take power out of the hands of the people." Riggs' campaign and fund spent nearly $100,000 in legal fees , according to independent North Carolina journalist Bryan Anderson, citing election data. Griffin appealed before the state elections board, throughout the state system and then in federal court. The state high court in a 4-2 decision upheld the validity of more than 60,000 ballots cast in race, required thousands of others to be cured and almost 300 ballots to be discarded. The federal judge had delayed implementing his order in case Griffin wanted to ask the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review his decision. "You establish the rules before the game," Myers said in his ruling. "You don't change them after the game is done." There were two categories of contested ballots. Most ballots were from military or overseas voters who didn't provide copies of photo identification or an ID exception form with their absentee ballots. The appeals courts gave them a 30-day "cure" process. The other one was overseas voters who have never lived in the United States but whose parents were declared North Carolina residents. State law allows them to vote in state elections, but state appeals courts said it violated the state Constitution. It was the last election decided in the United States. North Carolina is considered a battleground state with Republicans Ted Budd and Thom Tillis holding both U.S. Senate seats, but Democrat Josh Stein was elected governor in November. Democrats and voting rights groups called the challenges an attack on democracy. "For 200 days, Republicans in North Carolina sought to overturn the will of the people, hijack a state Supreme Court seat, and systematically undermine basic faith in our elections," Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. "May this saga be a lesson to Republicans everywhere: If you try to undermine the will of the voters, you will lose."
Reuters
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Republican concedes in North Carolina court race, ending bid to throw out votes
May 7 (Reuters) - A Republican candidate for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court in November's election conceded defeat on Wednesday, ending his legal efforts to have thousands of ballots thrown out six months after the final votes were cast. Judge Jefferson Griffin conceded two days after a federal judge delivered a victory for Democratic sitting Justice Allison Riggs by ordering North Carolina's election board to not throw out any ballots cast by voters in the close race. "While I do not fully agree with the district court's analysis, I respect the court's holding — just as I have respected every judicial tribunal that has heard this case," Griffin said. "I will not appeal the court's decision." Riggs said in a statement she was "glad the will of the voters was finally heard, six months and two days after Election Day." Riggs has been vying for a full eight-year term on the high court following her 2023 appointment to the court by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper to fill a vacancy on the seven-member tribunal, whose justices are elected. The court has a 5-2 Republican majority. Democrats, with an eye toward future fights over redistricting and abortion access, sought to keep control of Riggs' seat so they could potentially regain a majority in future elections. Griffin, a member of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, led Riggs by nearly 10,000 votes in the immediate hours after polls closed on November 5. But that lead dwindled as more ballots were counted, and after recounts, Riggs was leading by 734 votes. Griffin then sought in court to have set aside over 60,000 ballots cast by voters whose registrations were accepted despite having not provided driver's license numbers or Social Security numbers as state law required. The state's high court last month declined to toss those ballots. But it said some military and overseas voters whose ballots Griffin challenged for not providing photo identification would need to verify their eligibility within a 30-day period. That opened the door to potentially thousands of votes still being thrown out, prompting Riggs to urge a federal judge to prevent what she called an unprecedented legal effort to overturn an election. Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Myers, an appointee of Republican President Donald Trump in Raleigh, agreed with her on Monday, saying Griffin cannot under the U.S. Constitution "change the rules of the game after it had been played."
Malaysian Reserve
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
THE COWBOY CHANNEL EXPANDS ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING SLATE WITH PREMIERES OF "LET'S FREAKIN' RODEO" AND "THE LUKE BRANQUINHO SHOW"
Let's Freakin' Rodeo, hosted by six-time NFR qualifier Ty Harris and filmmaker Cole Harris Debuts Thursday, May 1 with Heartfelt Tribute to Legendary Tie-Down Roper, Roy Cooper Five-time World Champion Steer Wrestler Luke Branquinho Debuts The Luke Branquinho Show Wednesday, May 7 FORT WORTH, Texas, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Cowboy Channel (TCC), the official network for Western sports and lifestyle entertainment, continues to expand its original programming lineup with the addition of two dynamic series: Let's Freakin' Rodeo, Presented by Boot Barn, and The Luke Branquinho Show. These launches build on the network's commitment to delivering 24/7 unfiltered, authentic content for Western sports fans. Let's Freakin' Rodeo, hosted by six-time NFR qualifier Ty Harris and filmmaker Cole Harris debuted in October 2024 and quickly became the fastest-growing podcast in Western sports. Now, the hit series is coming to television, airing weekly on The Cowboy Channel starting Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Known for its unfiltered, behind-the-scenes take on rodeo life, the show dives into the hot topics and raw conversations typically reserved for the backroads and trailers of the rodeo circuit. The premiere episode will open with a heartfelt tribute to eight-time World Champion Tie-Down Roper Roy Cooper, affectionately known as the 'Super Looper,' who passed away earlier this week. A true icon of the industry, Cooper's influence shaped generations of ropers and rodeo fans alike. This special segment honors his legacy and lasting impact on the Western world. Following the premiere episode, each one-hour broadcast on TCC will feature a condensed version of the full episode, with the complete podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 'It's hard to put into words how surreal and meaningful it is to have Let's Freakin' Rodeo airing on The Cowboy Channel. It's truly a dream come true,' said Ty Harris. 'And given the unexpected and heartbreaking passing of Roy Cooper, it only felt right to dedicate our very first episode to him. We had the chance to sit down with Roy just a couple weeks ago, and it ended up being one of the most memorable conversations we've ever had. He wasn't just a legend in the arena. He was a mentor, a hero, and someone who shaped the industry for generations. This tribute is for the Super Looper.' Following close behind, The Luke Branquinho Show, hosted by five-time World Champion Steer Wrestler Luke Branquinho, who recently came out of retirement to compete at The American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, will debut Wednesday, May 7, airing exclusively on The Cowboy Channel every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The series offers candid conversations with some of the biggest names in rodeo, ranching, sports, and beyond. Topics range from livestock and ranch life, injuries, family life, and the highs and lows of the Western lifestyle. Following the weekly episode, 28 newly licensed episodes and 40 episodes from Luke's extensive library will be made available across The Cowboy Channel, Cowboy Channel+, and the Cowboy Channel on FAST. 'I'm pumped The Cowboy Channel is picking up the show, it's gonna be a fun ride,' said Branquinho. 'Fans are gonna get a real look at the Western world, not just what happens in the arena, but all the good stuff that goes down behind the scenes too.' These new additions further strengthen The Cowboy Channel's growing original content lineup, following the recent success of series such as The Road to The American, covering weekly updates leading up to The American Rodeo, and The American Rodeo: Million Dollar Dreams, hosted by 20-time World Champion Jackie Crawford, exploring the remarkable stories behind Western sports' most prestigious event. 'As The Cowboy Channel continues to grow its portfolio of original and exclusive content, shows like Let's Freakin' Rodeo and The Luke Branquinho Show are perfect examples of the authenticity and energy that fans are craving,' said Ande Wall, SVP of Programming & Content at The Cowboy Channel. 'It's especially meaningful that Let's Freakin' Rodeo premieres with a tribute to Roy Cooper. His recent passing is a tremendous loss to the Western community, and we're honored to help celebrate his legacy through this platform.' About The Cowboy ChannelThe Cowboy Channel, recently acquired by Teton Ridge, is the official network of ProRodeo and the first 24-hour television network entirely dedicated to western sports and the western lifestyle. Headquartered in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, The Cowboy Channel also features a wide variety of live coverage from major western events showcasing the world's toughest and most talented cowboys and cowgirls. The network reaches 42 million homes on cable/satellite systems on Altice, Charter Spectrum, DISH, DIRECTV®, AT&T U-Verse, Cox, Comcast, Mediacom, Verizon FIOS TV, and many other rural cable systems. The Cowboy Channel can also be streamed online via The Cowboy Channel Plus at DIRECTV NOW, Roku, iOS, Android, Firestick, Apple TV, and Sling TV's Heartland Extra package. Facebook: @CowboyChannel | X: @Cowboy_Channel | Instagram: @cowboychannel
