US needs orderly immigration

Sen. Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats shut down America's government over an unrelated illegal immigration issue. This was an egregious affront to the American people, and to our brave men and women in uniform who were required to report for duty with no guarantee of pay.

Ditching Donald Trump: Wave of Republican retirements points to big GOP trouble in 2018

Republican members of Congress returned from an August recess in which they avoided terrible headlines by doing their darnedest to avoid their constituents only to face an even bleaker political landscape awaiting them in Washington. With few legislative results to tout, several congressional Republicans have opted to head into 2018 by taking the road of least resistance: retirement.

Iranian dissidents rally in France for the overthrow of Irana s theocracy

LE BOURGET , France - Thousands of supporters of a dissident Iranian opposition group rallied here Saturday for the overthrow of Iran 's theocratic government at an event that featured speeches by several Trump administration allies - including Newt Gingrich and Rudolph Giuliani - as well as the former head of Saudi intelligence. The boisterous event, held annually in this town just north of Paris, was organized by the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran , a France-based group of Iranian exiles that brings dozens of current and former U.S., European and Middle Eastern officials together to speak out in support of regime change in Tehran.

Probe of North Carolina congressman ends without charges

Federal investigators closed a two-year investigation into U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger's dealings with his family's business without filing charges. Lia Bantavani, a spokeswoman for western North Carolina's top federal prosecutor, said in an email Thursday that the Justice Department has ended its investigation.

Bikers for Trump look to exercise some political muscle

The bikers stood out at the weekend's inauguration events in Washington with their leathers and colors, a visual reminder of the often-overlooked Americans who came out of the woodwork to unexpectedly propel Donald Trump to the White House. Bikers for Trump grew from a quirky fan club to a grass-roots political phenomenon and unofficial security detail at Trump campaign events - and the bikers are sticking around as shock troops for President Trump 's agenda, said Chris Cox , who founded the group that now boasts roughly 230,000 members.

Washington is taking a hard look at China’s aggressive investment into US entertainment

Chinese tycoon Wang Jianlin is wrapping up his latest Hollywood acquisition while Washington recently made a decision to review foreign investment that was inspired by his aggressive moves. Wang, who owns Dalian Wanda Group, a Chinese real estate and entertainment conglomerate, visited California over the weekend to finalize the deal to buy Dick Clark Productions for about $1 billion, according to Variety .

Charlotte has 4th night of protest over police shooting

Demonstrators carried signs, chanted and marched in a peaceful protest hours after the family of a black man shot by police released video showing the events leading up to his death. Friday's march through Charlotte's business district was the fourth night of demonstrations over the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott earlier in the week.

N.C. pol says protesters ‘hate white people’ because of success

A North Carolina congressman said that protesters against police brutality "hate white people because white people are successful and they're not." Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger made the remarks about unrest in Charlotte after the police shooting death of Keith Scott during an interview with the BBC on Thursday when asked to describe the "grievance" of people in the street.

NC lawmaker: Charlotte protesters ‘hate white people’

Rep. Robert Pittenger on Thursday said people are protesting in Charlotte, N.C., because they "hate white people" and that welfare is holding them back from being successful. "They hate white people because white people are successful and they're not," Pittenger said in an interview with "BBC Newsnight."

Hillary Clinton to speak in Charlotte today

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is scheduled to speak to thousands of members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte Monday, as the Democratic National Convention begins in Philadelphia. Clinton will speak at the 117th VFW National Convention at the Charlotte Convention Center in uptown, located at 501 S. College Street.

New culture wars erupt in the House

When Rep. Scott Peters offered a measure last summer to forbid funds in an underlying spending bill from being used by federal contractors discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, it was approved with little fanfare. President Obama a year earlier had issued an executive order prohibiting such discrimination by federal contractors.

Early voting ends next Saturday

Early voting started Thursday at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office on Caroline Street in Rockingham and runs until June 4. This election is for the the Republican primary for the 9th District of the U.S. House of Representatives and the nonpartisan N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice, according to Connie Kelly, county elections director. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote in the Republican primary, but Democrats and Libertarians can only vote the nonpartisan ballot, she added.

GOP conservatives scuttle energys pending measure over LGBT rights

In this May 17, 2016 file photo, a new sticker is placed on the door at the ceremonial opening of a gender neutral bathroom at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle. Conservatives in Congress angered by the inclusion of LGBT protections in an otherwise routine spending bill scuttled the measure Thursday.