Mark Simpson

United Kingdom

Founder and Host at The Boostly Podcast

The X Account the Online Travel Agents does not want you to know about 🤫

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Articles

Blue Cross NC announces prices for ACA plans

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Adam Owens |Mark Simpson

North Carolina's largest health insurer is telling consumers how much it will charge individuals under terms of the Affordable Care Act. Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina announced Thursday that it will offer 26 plans on the health insurance exchange. Monthly premiums will range from as little as $145 for a 25-year-old subscriber to one of two catastrophic plans, up to as much as $594 for one of six plans for a 60-year-old.
McCrory team, Junior League swing into inaugural weekend

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Ken Smith |Mark Simpson |Jodi Leese Glusco

Continuing three days of traditional festivities, North Carolina's top elected leaders on Friday were cutting the rug on the eve of their public swearings-in. The North Carolina Governor's Inaugural Ball at the Raleigh Convention Center was the site Friday of a celebration of the best of the Tar Heel state. The Avett Brothers and Parmalee were among the bands with North Carolina ties to entertain as new Gov. Pat McCrory and Lt. Gov. Dan Forest mingled with the estimated 3,500 guest.
Baby struggles to survive after pregnant mom killed in crash

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Renee Chou |Mark Simpson

Brian "Casey" Riggans and his wife, Megan Riggans, were looking forward to the birth of their first child when the unthinkable happened. Megan, 22, went into labor Sunday night, so the couple got into their car and headed to the hospital from their home in Staley. As they drove along Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road, their car hydroplaned on the rain-soaked roadway, veered off the pavement and struck a tree. Megan was rushed to Alamance Regional Medical Center, where doctors delivered her baby boy.
McCrory lights State Capitol Christmas tree

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Arielle Clay |Mark Simpson |Matt Burns

Hundreds of people gathered on the south grounds of the State Capitol Thursday evening to watch Gov. Pat McCrory light the Capitol Christmas tree. "It's advent, so every day we have an activity," said Annie Frank, who brought her daughters, Lola and Sophie, to the event to help them learn the importance of family and traditions. "I have all sorts of different things on like driving around to go see the lights and coming to do this," Frank said.
US debt panel heads fear partisan politics will stall solutions

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bridget Whelan |Adam Owens |Mark Simpson

The heads of a bipartisan commission that were appointed by the president to study the federal debt said Wednesday that thick partisan politics in Washington are preventing good solutions to the nation's debt crisis. Duke University hosted former University of North Carolina system president Erskine Bowles and former Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson for a discussion on what to do about the federal budget and restoring the nation's confidence.
'Tree of Life' marks N.C. traffic deaths

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Adam Owens |Kathy Hanrahan |Mark Simpson

A Christmas tree at the state Capitol isn't a festive sign of the holiday season but a somber reminder of tragedy. The Governor's Highway Safety Program is presenting a "Tree of Life" on the lawn of the Capitol. The tree was lit on Friday with 1,346 lights, representing the number of people who died in vehicle crashes on North Carolina roads in 2009. Most of the lights are white, but 394 of them are red, for the number of fatalities linked to alcohol.
Etheridge concedes defeat in congressional race

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bruce Mildwurf |Ken Smith |Keith Baker |Mark Simpson

Republican Renee Ellmers has unseated veteran Congressman Bob Etheridge, according to unofficial results of a recount in the tight Second District race. "What's done is done," Etheridge said Friday afternoon in conceding defeat. The seven-term Democrat picked up six votes on Ellmers after voting results were tabulated a second time, but it was nowhere near enough to overcome her 1,489-vote lead following the Nov. 2 election.
Bertie County honors tornado victims, survivors

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bridget Whelan |Adam Owens |Mark Simpson

Candles burned brightly Tuesday evening in the North Carolina county where more people were killed by tornadoes last month than anywhere else in the state at a special ceremony planned by county officials. The ceremony, held in Bertie Middle School's gym in Windsor, honored tornado victims, survivors and recovery workers. "Tonight we're going to remember those that we lost and we're going to honor those that survived the storm," said county spokeswoman Misty Deanes before the ceremony.
Hands salute NC veterans in new state park

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bryan Mims |Mark Simpson |Matt Burns

North Carolina's first park honoring military veterans from all branches of service opened Monday in Fayetteville with an Independence Day dedication. The North Carolina Veterans Park includes sculptures, fountains, monuments and a visitors center. The tallest structure, called the Pride and Purpose Tower, is made of stainless steel and granite and rises about 35 feet. "We deserve it ... because of what we have done," said Joyce Ellington, a 21-year Air Force veteran from Orange County.
Perdue tries to clear air with Mississippi governor

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bridget Whelan |Adam Owens |Mark Simpson

Gov. Beverly Perdue has spoken to Mississippi's governor after she criticized the approval of Amendment One by saying it made North Carolina "look like Mississippi." But her spokesman said Perdue didn't apologize for her remarks. In an interview with WITN in Greenville, Perdue expressed disappointment that the amendment, which made marriage between one man and one woman the only legal union recognized by the state, passed with 61 percent of the vote Tuesday.