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Axios
2 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
N.C. swing-voter focus groups: Negative on Tillis while supporting Trump
A majority of North Carolina swing voters in our latest Engagious / Sago focus groups expressed skepticism about re-electing N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis, even as they broadly support President Trump's policies, especially on immigration. Why it matters: While a focus group is not a statistically significant sample like a poll, the responses show how some voters are thinking and talking about current events. The big picture: The Trump-to-Biden voters' said they could not point to any actions he has taken as senator, and only one of the 12 focus group attendees said they would be likely to vote for him. "After more than a decade, Sen. Tillis remains largely unknown to these North Carolina swing voters," said Rich Thau, President of Engagious, who moderated the focus groups. State of play: Tillis, who faced some backlash from Republicans for his stances on some Trump appointees, looks likely to face a tough re-election campaign next year — especially if former N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, enters the race. How it works: Axios observed two Engagious / Sago online focus groups Tuesday night comprising 12 North Carolinians, all of whom said they voted for Biden in 2020, then Trump in 2024. Nine are independents and three are Republicans. What they're saying: "I['ve] just seen so much stuff on TV ... around election time that just had a bad imprint on my mind. You say his name, it's like saying Joe Biden to me," Ashley B., 36, of Arden, said of Tillis. "He hasn't done much for North Carolina, in my opinion," Karen L, 61, of Wilmington said. Driving the news: Top of mind for the focus group, however, was the topic of immigration, especially with so much media coverage focused on anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. A majority of the focus group said they support President Trump's deportations and activation of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles, despite reservations about extremism and civil rights violations. Seven of 12 panelists said they support the president's activation of the National Guard and Marines in L.A. despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's and local officials' objections. Three disapproved; two didn't have an opinion. Between the lines: Several panelists cited concerns about the economy, tariffs and political corruption. A majority objected to Trump's moves to cut university research (though many were unsure of the nature of the cuts) as well as the prospect of Medicaid cuts as part of the spending and tax-cut bill before Congress. Research funding cuts are already leading to job and investment cuts at UNC and Duke, both among the state's largest employers. After a decade of debate, Medicaid was expanded in North Carolina last year by the Republican-led General Assembly, giving hundreds of thousands of people coverage. "The people that need [Medicaid benefits], I mean they really need them," said Kimberly S., 37, of Sanford. "They need to be able to survive with medications and things like that."
Axios
2 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Focus groups: North Carolina swing voters mostly OK with Trump's LA response
A majority of North Carolina swing voters in our latest Engagious / Sago focus groups supported President Trump's deportations and activation of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles, despite some concerns about civil rights and government overreach. The big picture: These Biden-to-Trump voters' desire to eject undocumented migrants from the U.S. — and their critical views of California and Democrats — shape how they see this massive test of executive power playing out far from their own hometowns. Seven of 12 panelists said they support the president's activation of the National Guard and Marines in L.A. despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's and local officials' objections. Three disapproved; two didn't have an opinion. Eight of the 12 said they believe Democrats prioritize illegal immigrants over American citizens. Why it matters: "Democrats who doubt their party remains out of touch with swing voters will be stunned by what these North Carolinians told us about immigration," said Rich Thau, President of Engagious, who moderated the focus groups. How it works: Axios observed two Engagious / Sago online focus groups Tuesday night with North Carolinians who said they voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024. The panelists included nine independents and three Republicans. While a focus group is not a statistically significant sample like a poll, the responses show how some voters are thinking and talking about current events. What they're saying: "The stance California has on illegal immigration only enables all these people, and they're not going to stop it," said Gregory D., 43, of Greensboro. "So we need to bring it up another level. It needs to stop. California doesn't want to stop it." "It's in the best interest of the nation that we call this, I don't know, uprising, call it what you want, but yeah, that needs to get nipped in the bud, just like George Floyd and all that sh*t should have," said Alex H., 44, of Charlotte. Butch F., 58, of Mebane, said he believes illegal immigrants got government assistance that reduced North Carolinians' access to disaster funds. Gerius J., 33, of Charlotte, said he's for diversity but wants to "do it the right way. Get the right paperwork, the right documentation." He said Democrats "have always wanted illegals to come here," and if anyone objects, "you're the bad guy. And as a U.S. citizen, I'm not the bad guy. I just want things to be done the right way." The other side: Karen L., 61, of Wilmington, said of Trump's immigration actions, "When he first started out, it seemed like he was really going after the criminals — like, the ones committing murder and rape — and he was getting all of them. And we don't want them here if they're [here] illegally, especially. But now ... it's way too extreme, and he's violating civil rights, and he's causing more chaos than anything." Rachid O., 46, of Raleigh, said the administration should prioritize arresting and deporting criminals, above all undocumented immigrants. Many undocumented immigrants pay taxes "so they contribute to the country," he said. Between the lines: Shifting the focus to combating illegal immigration may help him with some voters who have cooled on his performance in other areas. Several panelists voiced concerns about the economy, tariffs and political corruption and objected to Trump's moves to cut university research, or possible Medicaid cuts in the spending and tax-cut bill before Congress. "It's getting harder and harder to afford things," said Kimberly S., 37, of Sanford. "We are just kind of told, 'Hey, you just got to bear with us just a little bit more,' and it doesn't feel like it's getting any easier." Shauna S., 54, of Harrisburg, said when it comes to tariffs, "There's no plan, and it's been erratic. It appears to be an opportunity to manipulate the markets, and I really want someone to investigate where and who's actually gaining financially every time these tariffs are being threatened and then removed. I'm just curious what's really happening."
Axios
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Focus groups: Pennsylvania swing voters aren't sold on Shapiro
Gov. Josh Shapiro may have a perception problem among some Pennsylvania swing voters, recent Engagious/Sago focus groups suggest. Why it matters: Some analysts have floated Shapiro as a possible presidential contender in 2028, but political observers warn that he must first decisively win reelection next year. A poor showing, especially among independent and right-leaning voters that Democrats need to retake the White House, could complicate Shapiro's chances to rally national support if he chooses to run. Driving the news: Most comments about Shapiro in the recent focus groups were critical, with only two of the 13 Biden-to-Trump voters who participated supporting a potential Shapiro presidential run in 2028. And some of the swing voters expressed inaccurate views about Shapiro's policy stances and the positions he's held in state government. Case in point: One voter, a 61-year-old from Havertown, incorrectly stated that Shapiro was lieutenant governor during the COVID-19 pandemic. He blamed Shapiro, who was attorney general at the time, for being directly involved in imposing strict business closures when then-Gov. Tom Wolf was the one ordering the shutdowns. Another voter claimed Shapiro supported the "defund the police" movement, when he has pushed for increased funding to recruit more officers. Between the lines: The two recent Engagious / Sago online focus groups, which Axios sat in on, involved 13 Pennsylvanians who voted for Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2024. Six identified as Republicans, three as Democrats and four as independents. Many were from Philly and surrounding areas that tend to lean liberal, Randall Miller, St. Joe's professor emeritus and political commentator, tells Axios. The focus groups were conducted earlier this month, before the arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion while Shapiro and his family were inside. Although a focus group is not a statistically significant sample like a poll, the responses show how some voters are thinking and talking about current events. What else they're saying: One voter felt Shapiro took action that suppressed free speech on Pennsylvania college campuses. Shapiro, who's been outspoken against antisemitism, had denounced universities for failing to guarantee the safety of students during pro-Palestinian protests last year. "I don't like any candidates that take any action to limit free speech on college campuses," Anna D., 32, of Northampton, said during the panels. Stephanie S., a 40-year-old from Ambler who supports a 2028 Shapiro bid, felt the current governor has always "been a champion" of Pennsylvania. "He just feels like somebody who really has the state at heart." Others said they didn't think he had done anything notable since helping to get I-95 fixed in less than two weeks in 2023. Context: Shapiro was among a group of Democratic leaders who sued the Trump administration this month for halting federal pandemic relief money from the state's schools. Shapiro also filed suit against Trump in February over the freezing of $1.2 billion in federal funds. Plus, Shapiro has been fighting against the president's new tariffs and meeting with Pennsylvania businesses to better understand their impacts. The bottom line: "Shapiro is back to facing the perpetual question posed by skeptical voters: 'What have you done for me lately?'" said Rich Thau, president of Engagious, who moderated the focus groups.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sloth at Como Zoo gives birth in front of visitors
Visitors to the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory were given an unexpected treat this week when one of its resident sloths gave birth while on display. The St. Paul zoo announced this week that its Hoffman's two-toed sloth Sago gave birth on Wednesday, while guests were present in the zoo's Primate Building. Sago was brought to the zoo in April of 2023. A month later, the baby sloth's father, Ziggy, was brought in as part of a breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. The two parents reside with saki monkeys in an exhibit in the Primate Building. Sago and her baby will remain on display, and she will continue to care for her young for around a year, according to the zoo. 'We couldn't have planned a more exciting experience for our guests yesterday!' zookeeper Jill Erzar said in a statement. 'It's not every day you get to see a sloth being born right in front of you. It was a truly special moment, and Sago is already proving to be a fantastic first-time mom.' Como is also home to another Hoffman's two-toed sloth, Chloe, who resides in the Tropical Encounters exhibit.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Most Popular Types of Investments: Which of Them Should You Have?
Americans have a variety of investment accounts, but not in equal amounts. According to a recent financial survey by Sago, the popularity of investment types varies, though the study doesn't explain why people may prefer to invest in one over another. Find Out: Read Next: At the top of the list, the 'most popular' — meaning the most people in the study have them — were: Retirement accounts: 59% Individual stocks: 33% Pension plans: 33% Mutual funds: 31% Cryptocurrency: 24% High-yield savings accounts: 23% Certificates of deposit: 21% Christopher Stroup, CFP and owner of Silicon Beach Financial, explained, regardless of popularity, which types of investment accounts are actually the most important for the average person to have. For those with access to a 401(k) plan, this is one of the most important accounts for retirement savings, Stroup said. 'It offers tax-deferred growth, and many employers provide matching contributions, which is essentially free money for your retirement,' he said. Maximizing contributions, especially to capture the full match, should be a priority for most individuals. Learn More: A Roth IRA is significant because it allows for tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement, Stroup pointed out. 'Since contributions are made with after-tax dollars, you don't get an immediate tax break, but in exchange, you won't pay taxes on your investment gains in retirement.' He said this makes it an excellent choice for those who expect to be in a higher tax bracket later in life. While retirement accounts offer tax advantages, a taxable brokerage account is important for more flexible investing — and it's one way that many people own stocks. 'It allows you to invest without the restrictions of retirement accounts — such as withdrawal age — giving you access to funds anytime,' Stroup said. You'll pay capital gains taxes on profits, but it offers a great way to build wealth for long-term goals or major purchases outside of retirement. For those who are fortunate enough to have access to a pension, it can be an important source of guaranteed retirement income, Stroup said. While fewer employers offer pensions today, they are valuable because they provide a predictable income stream in retirement. 'This can reduce the reliance on personal savings. However, they often only apply to specific sectors (like government or union jobs).' While not an investment account in the traditional sense, a HYSA plays an important role in protecting emergency savings and short-term funds, Stroup pointed out. 'It offers a better interest rate than a regular savings account, helping your cash keep pace with inflation. For the average person, it's essential to have liquid savings, and a HYSA is a solid option for short-term, 4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years holding of funds.' The more of these types of investment accounts you can have and actively contribute to, the better, but even a few of the top contenders can help set you up for a solid retirement. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on The Most Popular Types of Investments: Which of Them Should You Have?
