RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes battled through the regular season to claim the Eastern Conference’s top seed for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet the coming weeks will determine whether this season is considered a success, starting with a best-of-7 series against the Ottawa Senators.

This is the eighth consecutive playoff appearance for the Hurricanes, whose active postseason streak is surpassed only by Colorado and Tampa Bay at nine years. So regular-season success isn’t new. Nor is postseason success with 10 series wins in this run.

But they’ve hit a familiar ceiling, falling in the Eastern Conference final in two of the past three years and thrice in the current playoff streak. Now they’ll try again to play their way back to that position, then take that final step.

“They’ve all worked for 10 months to get to this point to have this opportunity,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We just want to put our best foot forward.”

The first-round tussle, with Game 1 set for Saturday, pairs teams with very different recent histories.

Going back to the 2020-21 season, Carolina is second among all NHL teams behind Colorado in points (632) and regulation wins (238). Meanwhile, the Senators ranked 20th with 484 points and 173 regulation wins in that span. They’re back for a second straight postseason, with last year’s team losing a six-game first-round series to Toronto. Before that, Ottawa had languished through a seven-year postseason drought following a seven-game loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 Eastern Conference final.

But the Senators won five of six to secure a wild-card spot, a run that began with a 6-3 home win against the Hurricanes. They clinched their trip with a 3-0 win against the New York Islanders on April 11, followed by Detroit’s regulation home loss to New Jersey later that day.

“Last year, we were playing good hockey at this time of the year, too,” Ottawa center Claude Giroux said. “We’re not shooting ourselves in the foot. We just have confidence in how we’re playing and that we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win.”

January revival

The Senators were 15th out of 16 teams in the Eastern Conference on the morning of Jan. 25, and their playoff hopes looked dire. They won 20 of their next 29 games to clinch a spot for a second consecutive season.

“We’ve talked a lot about just embracing pressure and wanting the pressure,” coach Travis Green said. “Good teams that win Stanley Cups, they want pressure. There’s going to be pressure to win. And when you get into the playoffs, we learned a lot last year about our group, about our game. They feel comfortable in their game.”

Captain Brady Tkachuk, Selke Trophy-caliber forward Shane Pinto and top defenseman Jake Sanderson are all a big part of that. The biggest factor is goaltender Linus Ullmark, who went 6-2-1 down the stretch to get Ottawa into the postseason.

Scoring punch

Carolina finished second in the NHL by averaging 3.55 goals, with its 291 goals marking the most for the franchise since relocating to North Carolina before the 1997-98 season. The Hurricanes are the league’s only team with seven players having scored 20-plus goals.

Going back to Jan. 25, Ottawa ranked fifth by averaging 3.58 goals in 31 games and finished eighth in the regular season, led by Tim Stutzle (34 goals) and Drake Batherson (33).

Special teams

The Hurricanes’ penalty kill could represent a special-teams edge. Carolina ranked 11th in the regular season by stopping 80.5% of power plays, while the Senators were 29th out of 32 teams (75.7%) and last among any team to reach the postseason.

Carolina ranked fourth with the man advantage by scoring on 24.9% of its power plays, while Ottawa was eighth at 24%.

Canes in net

Brind’Amour hasn’t named a Game 1 starter between veteran Frederik Andersen (16-14-5, 3.05 goals-against average) and Brandon Bussi (31-6-2, 2.47), who went from waiver pickup to earning a three-year extension through the 2028-29 season in February.

Andersen, with 32 starts in the past three postseasons, improved after the Olympic break (9-4-0, 2.70). Bussi cooled from a 23-3-0 start that saw him have a 2.16 GAA, posting a 3.16 GAA after the break.

One positive for Bussi: he finished strong, posting a 1.44 GAA and .943 save percentage in season-closing games at Philadelphia and the New York Islanders.

The schedule

Carolina hosts the first two games, with Game 2 set for Monday. The series shifts north to Canada’s capital city with Game 3 next Thursday and Game 4 on April 25.

If necessary, the series would return to Raleigh for Game 5 on April 27, move to Ottawa for Game 6 on April 30 then conclude at Carolina with Game 7 on May 2.

___

AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Darian Mensah played a big role in helping Miami make a run to the College Football Playoff national championship game last season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices dropped back to where they were in the early days of the Iran war, and U.S. stocks raced to another record. The S&P 500 leaped 1.2% Friday after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open again for commercial tankers carrying crude. The Dow Jones Industrial Average leaped as many as 1,100 points before paring its gain and ended with a jump of about 870 points, or 1.8%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.5%. A freer flow of oil could take pressure off prices not only for gasoline but also for groceries and all kinds of other products. Oil prices fell 9%.

NEW YORK (AP) — Don Schlitz, the storied country music songwriter known for such hits as “The Gambler,” “On the Other Hand” and “Forever and Ever, Amen,” died Thursday at a Nashville hospital. He was 73.

An investigation by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, has led to multiple felony drug charges and the seizure of marijuana-infused edibles packaged to resemble well-known snack brands.

David Moreno Rodriguez, 23, of Siler City, was arrested following a traffic stop on April 14, 2026. During a probable cause search of his vehicle, deputies located a felony quantity of marijuana, marijuana-infused edibles, and a concealed firearm.

A subsequent search warrant executed at Rodriguez’s residence resulted in the seizure of additional marijuana and a large quantity of marijuana-infused edible products.

Investigators say many of the edible products were packaged to closely mimic popular snack foods, including items designed to resemble children’s cereals, chips, and candy. The packaging, which often features bright colors and familiar branding styles, can make it difficult to distinguish these illegal products from legitimate items found on store shelves.

“These products are clearly designed to catch the eye,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson in a release announcing the case. “When you see packaging that looks like something a child might grab off a shelf or an adult might not think twice about, it raises serious concerns.”

Rodriguez faces multiple charges, including felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, and possession of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school, and carrying a concealed gun. He was given a combined $20,000.00 secured bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at the Chatham County Justice Center in Pittsboro.

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office urges parents and community members to be aware of these types of products and to speak with children about the dangers of consuming unknown substances.

In a release Friday (April 17), police say The Johnston County Sheriff’s office has  arrested 37 year old Chao Li, , of Garner, for charges taken out by the Pittsboro Police Department.

During the investigation, Li was identified as one of the owners of the Blue Jade Spa. Li was arrested on the following charges:  Promote Prostitution – Advanced (Felony) ; Aid and Abet Prostitution (Misdemeanor) ; Unlicensed Practice of Massage/Body Work (Misdemeanor) ; Advertising without a License (Misdemeanor)

Li posted a $3,000 bond on the misdemeanor charges. He is being held on the felony charge and is scheduled to appear in Chatham County Court on April 22, 2026.

According to an earlier release from police, they have been investigating complaints since October in connection with suspicious activity at Blue Jade Spa on West Street in Pittsboro. The complainant alleged that an illegal, unlicensed massage business was operating.

Additional concerns were raised about individuals reportedly residing at the business and rarely leaving the premises. Investigators developed probable cause indicating illegal sexual activity and potential human trafficking occurring at the business.

On Friday (April 10), police executed a search warrant at the location.

The North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy and Hope for Justice, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking assisted the Pittsboro police.

He says Scammers are using “deepfake” technology to create ads across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to lure investors into high-stakes scams and take their money through “pump and dump” scams, confidence scams, and cryptocurrency fraud.

“Scammers are using familiar faces and new technology to build trust and steal your money,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “No legitimate investment should require you to act immediately. Take your time, do your research, and don’t let anyone pressure you into making a big financial decision.”

Pump & Dump Scams

In a “pump and dump” scheme, scammers lure people into online investment groups and pressure them to buy low-cost stocks or cryptocurrency. The scheme often starts with fake ads on Facebook or Instagram that use well-known figures like Cathie Wood, Joe Kernen, or Kevin O’Leary without their permission. These ads promise insider access or guaranteed high returns. After someone clicks, scammers urge them to continue the conversation on apps like WhatsApp or other encrypted platforms like Telegram. Victims are then added to group chats with fake “expert” advice and testimonials. At first, the investment may look like it is making money, but scammers later sell their shares at high prices, causing the value to drop and leaving victims with major financial losses.

Confidence Scams

In a confidence scam, fraudsters build trust with victims and convince them to invest through fake platforms that steal their money. The scam often begins with online ads that promise easy profits and may feature well-known people or trusted organizations. After someone clicks, they may be asked to enter their contact information or taken to another website that looks like a news article and promotes the investment opportunity before asking for their details. Scammers then contact the victim, offer to teach them how to invest, and direct them to professional-looking websites or apps that appear real. These platforms may show early profits or allow small withdrawals to gain trust. Over time, victims are encouraged to invest larger amounts. When they try to withdraw their money, they are told to pay extra fees, but even after paying, they never receive their funds, and the scammers disappear.

Be careful before you invest money through an opportunity you learn about from a social media ad.

• Watch out for red flags
  • Promises of guaranteed returns: No legitimate investment is “risk-free” or offers a guaranteed return.
  • High-pressure tactics: Warnings that you will “miss out” or demands to invest immediately.
  • Celebrity endorsements: Scammers often use AI-generated images or videos of famous entrepreneurs to lure victims.
  • Cryptocurrency demands: Requests to use crypto ATMs or to send crypto to private wallets or platforms.
  • Requests to accept other people’s money: Scammers will sometimes ask victims to accept other people’s funds in their bank accounts and convert them to cryptocurrency.
  • Requests to move the conversation from Facebook to encrypted apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.

• Verify before you invest
  • Verify credentials: Use FINRA’s BrokerCheck to confirm a professional is registered but be aware that scammers may impersonate real people or firms.
  • Search for reviews: Look up the company or salesperson online with terms like “scam” or “complaint.”
  • Check email addresses: Make sure emails match the official company domain, scammers often use slight variations.
  • Look for spelling errors: Watch for mistakes in ads or messages, which can be a sign of fraud.
  • Consult with a trusted advisor: Speak with a legal or financial professional before making any investment.
  • Follow warnings from current advisors: If your bank or investment/financial advisor cautions you about your new investment, take time to further investigate the new “investment opportunity”.
  • Trust your instincts and think twice before investing: If an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is.

To protect yourself, be aware that scammers are increasingly using technology to create deepfake videos that mimic real people. If a video seems slightly off or the audio does not match the speaker’s movements, it may be fake, and you should verify it by searching for the original source. Be especially cautious of anyone promoting investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency, as these transactions are largely irreversible and difficult to trace once sent. If you choose to invest, keep a record of all communications and remember that scammers often pose as trusted professionals to take advantage of unsuspecting investors.

Attorney General Jackson is urging Meta to crack down on these ads by strengthening its review practices for ads.

Attorney General Jackson encourages anyone who may have been a victim of these types of scams to report it to the North Carolina Secretary of State at https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/securities/file_a_complaint

BEIRUT (AP) — Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S., including on its nuclear program.

Ingredients

• 1 package (14–16 oz) chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
• 1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
• Gummy worms (for topping)

Instructions

1. Crush the cookies
Place the cookies in a bag or food processor and crush into fine crumbs. Set aside.

2. Make the pudding
In a bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. Let it thicken (about 5 minutes).

3. Make the cream mixture
In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.

4. Combine
Fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture, then gently fold in the whipped topping.

5. Layer the dessert
In a large dish (or cups): Start with a layer of crushed cookies (“dirt”) then add a layer of pudding mixture. Repeat the layers, ending with cookies on top

6. Decorate & chill
Top with gummy worms and refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours before serving.

7. Enjoy
Dig in!

Well, if it seems like déjà vu, it is. It is another week with hot weather, dry weather, no precipitation, and it is going to continue to wreak havoc on not only the farmers but the drought map in general. We’ve got assistant climate Corey Davis here. Corey, another week, another hot, dry Carolinas. Is there any end in sight?

“Well, you said it, Kyle. It has been hot, it has been dry, and certainly that is not helping our drought situation across North and South Carolina. We see that reflected on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map. We have seen more expanded extreme drought in parts of North Carolina, including getting into the Raleigh and Durham areas now. And in South Carolina, we saw a big expansion of severe drought this week.

We’ve now got more than 93% of South Carolina that’s in severe to extreme drought and more than 95% of North Carolina in those higher categories. Regardless of what the numbers show, they point to one thing, and that’s that there are very few parts of the state that are not feeling the effects of this drought right now.

We can also see this based on the temperatures. You said it’s been summerlike over the last few days, well into the 90s in some areas, very much above normal for this time of year, almost 20 degrees above normal in parts of the state. We also see that in the rainfall totals, or really the lack thereof.

So far this month, only one-tenth of an inch of rain so far in April in Raleigh, only one-hundredth of an inch down in Charleston, South Carolina. Across the rest of the Carolinas, we’re seeing totals of mostly a half-inch or less so far in April. Even the lucky places right along the coastline, like New Bern and Hatteras, have barely had an inch so far this month, so that is still drier than normal.

And again, with the forecast looking fairly dry as well, this near-record dry April will continue for at least the next couple of weeks.”

Now, you’re talking about some of the changes to the drought map, talking about like 95% of North Carolina in either severe or extreme drought, 93% now in South Carolina. Are there any new impacts because of the changes to the drought map?

“Yeah, when we go through a hot and dry week like this, we do start to see impacts emerging. First, thinking about our friends in the farming sector, it is just really the worst time for them to get hit with this dry weather.

I drove through parts of Sampson County earlier this week, seeing some of the tractors out in the fields. They’re just kicking up clouds of dust, and that is the reality of soil moisture right now, which is that there isn’t any. So, I know the farmers really want to get those fields prepped and ready for planting, but right now, anything that is planted is really going to struggle to come up.

We’re also seeing that some of the lake levels are continuing to struggle, and again, that’s just a matter of not having the rain to recharge those lakes and also seeing higher evaporation rates with these warmer temperatures.

Out in parts of western North Carolina along the Catawba River Basin, they have now gone into their low inflow protocol. That basically means that they won’t be releasing as much water out of some of their lakes so that they can hold on to a little bit more moisture closer to home.

In the Raleigh area, the city of Raleigh has now announced that outdoor watering restrictions will begin next week. Namely, this is affecting spray irrigation, how often folks can use that every week, how much water they can use for that.

As I like to remind people, this is not a sign that we are running out of water. This is just a way to make sure that we are smartly using our water and that we’re able to stretch our supply, just in case this drought were to last through the summer.”

So, I’ve got to follow up. A lot of people out in country areas rely on well water. Is this going to impact them as well? Not necessarily the city of Raleigh instituting water restrictions on irrigation, but just the drought in general and just the lack of rain that’s come through the area.

“You know, we talked last week about the similarities to that 2007 and 2008 drought. That was the last time we had this level of widespread severe and extreme drought in North Carolina.

Also looking at some of the rainfall deficits in places like Raleigh, we are now past the deficits that we had during the peak of that 2007 drought. So we know it has been very dry, but also one of the impacts that we saw during that 2007 drought is that some of those groundwater wells started to run a little bit low.

Looking at some reports earlier this week from western North Carolina about folks in 2007 who really couldn’t pull any more water from their wells, in some cases they were having to go down to the creek and get water from there, or they were having to purchase water from their local town or water supply.

Now, the good news for folks across the Piedmont in North Carolina and South Carolina is that we tend to have a little bit deeper groundwater stores in those areas. So I’d say the chances of us running out of groundwater are very slim for folks in eastern North Carolina, where those groundwater stores are a little shallower. This is something they might deal with more regularly, knowing that a few dry weeks and months can definitely cut back on their availability.

But again, right now, no concerns about groundwater running out. But as we see these parallels continue to the 2007 drought, that is always a possibility.”

Well, let’s take a look at the forecast, and let’s just dispense with it. Is there any rain in the forecast over the next week or so, and is it going to be meaningful, or is it going to be just a flash in the pan?

“Yeah, I think the answer is very little rain wherever you can find it, and it will not rain everywhere. The big event that we’re looking at over the next seven days is a cold frontal passage that’ll move through on Sunday. That’ll have two big effects.

One of those is bringing at least a few scattered showers, especially later in the day on Sunday. These will not be widespread. Not everywhere will see a shower on Sunday, and the places that do see those showers will probably only pick up maybe a tenth of an inch at most, so certainly not a drought-buster-type event, at least more rain than we had over the last week. But that’s not saying a whole lot.

The other big impact that front will have is knocking back our temperatures. We will stay in the low 90s this afternoon and tomorrow. By Sunday, as that front is approaching, we’ll only be in the 80s, and then by Monday, it looks like upper 60s to low 70s, and that’ll last for a few days next week.

Now, it does look like we will start a warming trend again by the middle of next week. So this cooler, or at least more seasonable weather, won’t last too long, but it will definitely be nice to have a break after feeling this sign of summer over the last week.”

So what you’re trying to say is we’re not getting off the temperature roller coaster anytime soon?

“That’s right. You know, it’s the spring. We’re used to seeing some ups and downs, but we’re not used to seeing 90s down to 40s for lows over just a few days. So yeah, definitely a roller coaster.

And then looking out beyond this week, there are some indications that we may get better rain chances by the very end of April or the first part of May. Now, this is also not likely to end our drought in one fell swoop, but at least if we can start seeing some more regular rainfall, that will help replenish the soil moisture, it’ll help refill those reservoirs, and it may at least put the brakes on this expanding drought across the Carolinas.”

So possibly May showers bring June flowers.

“Yeah, I think those showers may be delayed a little bit this year, and I know it’s hard to believe that we might flip patterns and suddenly get into a wetter pattern with how dry it’s been. But there’s one thing about this timing that is very believable, and that’s that it would follow essentially the same script as last year.

We were fairly dry coming out of last winter through March and April. Once we got into May, we started seeing those better rain chances, and those lasted through at least the first half of the summer. So if we follow that same script that Mother Nature is writing, I think maybe the end of spring and early summer this year could be a little bit wetter for us.”