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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

NC Seniors in DC to Fight for Social Security, Medicare

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Wednesday, October 12, 2011   

DURHAM, N.C. - Fifty-three North Carolina seniors today are taking a hands-on approach to potential cuts to their Social Security and Medicare benefits. They boarded a bus early this morning for Washington to tell their congressional representatives about the impact cuts would have on their well being.

The group is part of nearly 500 seniors on Capitol Hill who intend to share information that half of all Americans age 65 and older earn less than $20,000 a year, according to AARP figures.

Helen Featherson, president of the Durham AARP chapter, is on the bus.

"If you want to cut, cut someplace else, but don't balance the budget off the backs of us who are dependent; because we were promised that if you worked, you will get Social Security. "

Under the Budget Control Act, a congressional "super committee" is responsible for trimming $1.5 trillion from the nation's debt, and changes to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid could be part of that. If the committee doesn't reach consensus, automatic cuts take effect in 2013 - and it's unclear if they will include the three programs.

AARP legislative liaison Chip Modlin, 75, of Fayetteville, says Social Security should not be part of the budget debate.

"Social Security is something that we earned, we pay into it all of our lives. Social Security hasn't added one dime to this deficit and it's not in trouble financially."

According to AARP, half of all Medicare beneficiaries spend at least $3,000 out-of-pocket annually on their health care. The North Carolina group joins seniors from eight other states on Capitol Hill today.

AARP says those who couldn't be part of the bus trip can call 1-888-722-8514 to voice their views.



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