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CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL REELECT SENATOR TILLIS AND NOVEMBER." -- TILLIS IN NOVEMBER." THE SENATOR AND A FEW OTHERS ANNOUNCED AN EFFORT TO STOP SANCTUARY CITIES FROM POPPING UP IN THE U.S., INTRODUCING A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE AGENCIES THE POWER TO ARREST SUSPECTED ILLEGAL AGREEMENT -- IMMIGRANTS. THIS COMES AFTER BOTH SENATOR TILLIS AND CONGRESSMAN BUD INTRODUCED A SIMILAR BILL THAT HOLD SANCTUARY CITIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH LAWFUL DETAINER AND REQUESTS MADE BY AUTHORITIES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE END MAY BE NEAR IN THE ONGOING MULTI-MONTH STATE BUDGET BATTLE. SENATE REPUBLICANS FILED A NOTICE TODAY TO BRING UP THE VETO BUDGET OR AN OVERRIDE VOTE THIS MONDAY. THE HOUSE, AS YOU MAY RECALL, OVERRODE THE TWO YEAR BUDGET BILL DURING AN UNEXPECTED VOTE LAST MONTH. DEMOCRAT WOULD NEED TO JOIN ALL REPUBLICANS TO COMPLETE THE OVERRIDE OR TWO DEMOCRATS WOULD NEED TO BE ABSENT. MEDICAID EXPANSION, CORPORATE TAXES, AND TEA

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(Video: A look at other evening headlines from WXII 12 News)A ride from Charlotte to Atlanta could take just two hours and six minutes, without the hassle of highway traffic.This could be the new reality on a proposed high-speed rail that would be able to travel at speeds between 90 and 150 mph, or faster, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.The United States Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration is looking to build a high-speed intercity rail that also connects to other rails up to the Northeast. The creation of the corridor from Atlanta to Charlotte is a part of the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, which creates a network of efficient rails to connect the nation and make transportation easier. The key objectives of the program include:Building new high-speed rail corridors that expand and improve passenger transportationUpgrading existing intercity passenger rail corridors to improve reliability, speed and frequency of servicesLaying the groundwork for future high-speed rail services through planning initiativesThe Charlotte-to-Atlanta rail would be a part of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, one of 11 USDOT-designated corridors in the country. The corridor would provide transportation from Washington, D.C., through Richmond, Virginia and Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina, and from Charlotte to Atlanta.The GDOT identified that growing this corridor in the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion would continue to help with economic expansion and create benefits like:Creation of new jobsImproved mobility by providing new transportation optionsReduced air pollutant emissions from transportationReduced dependence on non-renewable fossil fuelsImproved land utilization and investment in livable urban and rural communitiesThe goal of the rail is to improve reliable transportation and economic growth between the two cities, according to the GDOT.The Atlanta-to-Charlotte corridor spans about 280 miles and connects the cities in a northeasterly direction. "The study area generally follows I-20 (between Atlanta and Columbia), I-77 (between Columbia and Charlotte), and the Norfolk Southern rail line (between Charlotte and Atlanta)," according to the GDOT. " The study area also contains I-85 between Charlotte and Atlanta as well as parts of surrounding metropolitan areas."Between 2000 and 2010, the study area has grown, especially in the cities, in population size and economic opportunity. If the trends continue, the growth in the areas will benefit from the intercity rail corridor, according to Georgia Department of Transportation.The GDOT identified seven transportation needs in the study area:Population and employment growthImprove regional transportation system and connectivityIncrease transportation capacityProvide alternative modes of travelTraveler safetyImprove energy efficiency and air qualityMaintain and enhance economic growth and vitalityThe project requires clearance from the National Environmental Policy Act because of potential involvement from the federal government. The North Carolina and other state departments of transportation would seek federal financial assistance for the project's construction and implementation.The environmental review is a multitier process. The first tier is a broad assessment of the potential transportation, social, economic and environmental impacts of the corridor.Because of the size and complexity of the project, the second tier will include the alignment of the corridor, the location of the stations and facilities, the operating equipment, the type of locomotive and operating characteristics. This is also where more funding questions will be considered, including options identified by stakeholders and the public. There are three other main alternatives being considered for the rail corridor. You can see their paths below and read more about them and the entire plan here.