JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1061

Raleigh. Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt died Thursday at 88, his daughter Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt announced. Hunt served four terms (1977–1985, 1993–2001) and led state education initiatives, including Smart Start and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. He founded the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, raised teacher pay, and chaired the Hunt Commission nationally. Governor Josh Stein and others praised his leadership and legacy in economic and education policy. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced. Hunt’s career reshaped state governance and education priorities over decades, drawing tributes across parties. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The U.S. Department of Justice this week filed federal lawsuits against Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia after officials declined to produce full voter-registration lists requested in July; several states, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, announced voluntary compliance, bringing the number of cooperating jurisdictions to ten. Illinois previously provided a public-version file omitting sensitive identifiers, and Georgia cited state privacy law in a Dec. 8 reply. DOJ cites enforcement authority under NVRA and HAVA and seeks records to evaluate list maintenance. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing federal agencies to expedite reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Officials said the change recognizes medical use and will ease research barriers, banking access, and tax treatment such as 280E relief. State researchers and attorneys general offered mixed reactions, noting potential benefits for clinical studies and continued regulatory constraints, heightened federal oversight. Cannabis companies and payment firms welcomed the move, citing improved operations and investment prospects. The executive order does not legalize recreational use. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Nashville — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pardoned country singer Jelly Roll on Thursday for past state convictions, citing the artist’s rehabilitation and advocacy. Jason Deford, a Grammy-nominated recording performer, previously pleaded guilty to a 2002 robbery and later drug-related offenses; he has discussed recovery publicly and testified before Congress. Lee included Deford among 33 people granted clemency after a months-long review process. Supporters and civic leaders backed the application, and Lee met Deford at the governor’s residence following the announcement. The pardon may ease international travel and missionary work by reducing paperwork requirements. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington: The Kennedy Center board, composed of trustees appointed by President Donald Trump, voted Thursday to rename the John F. Kennedy Center the Trump-Kennedy Center, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X. Leavitt credited Trump's role in financing and rebuilding the facility and the board updated branding online. Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex‑officio trustee, said she was muted during the vote and denied the chance to object, disputing the claim the decision was unanimous. Kennedy family members and legal historians said Congress originally named the center and may need to amend law. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MINNEAPOLIS, Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that they charged five additional defendants and expanded an investigation into alleged widespread fraud across multiple Minnesota Medicaid waiver programs. Investigators said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data dating to 2018 flagged 14 programs and about $18 billion in claims, including over $3.5 billion in 2024, for potential fraud. Officials said some defendants pocketed funds—about $750,000 in one case—and one submitted $1.4 million in claims and fled after a subpoena. The Justice Department and partner agencies said the probe follows earlier charges and continues this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday announced regulatory proposals that would restrict gender-affirming care for minors by cutting Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgical interventions and by prohibiting federal Medicaid coverage for those procedures. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called such treatments 'malpractice' at a news conference. The measures would affect access in two dozen states and include a proposal to remove gender dysphoria from a disability definition. Major U.S. medical organizations criticized the actions as contrary to clinical guidance. Based on 11 articles reviewed and research.

MINNEAPOLIS — Federal and state officials announced new charges and detailed findings this week in a multi‑program fraud probe that has implicated assisted living, housing stabilization, autism and other social services programs. A federal prosecutor on Thursday charged six additional people and alleged more than $11.6 million was stolen from two programs; lawmakers said millions may have been improperly funneled into assisted living and that some indicted individuals continued receiving state payments. State hearings and a whistleblower portal generated hundreds of tips. Federal and state probes. Investigations continue and authorities expect more charges. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Statesville, N.C. — A Cessna C550 business jet crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning, erupting in flames and causing multiple fatalities, officials said. The FAA and NTSB opened investigations into the Dec. 18 accident, and the airport closed while crews cleared debris. Flight tracking showed the aircraft took off and then turned back to land; FAA records link the plane to GB Aviation Leasing, which is affiliated with former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. Local fire and rescue units attended the scene. Authorities have not released passenger identities. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.