Former WNC Congressman Attempts Georgia Court Move
(Fulton County, GA) -- A former western North Carolina congressman is attempting to move his Georgia election interference case to federal court. Mark Meadows is one of nearly 20 defendants accused of racketeering charges brought down by a Fulton County grand jury this week. The AJC says a switch to federal court would give Meadows a more conservative jury pool in northern Georgia. He served as former President Trump's chief of staff after his time serving North Carolina's 11th district.
Tornado Confirmed In Yancey County
(Yancey County, NC) -- A tornado is being confirmed in a western North Carolina county. The National Weather Service reports an EF-1 twister traveled five-miles through Yancey County on Monday afternoon. WLOS-TV reports it's only the second tornado to touchdown in Yancey's recorded history. Winds hit up to 95-miles-an-hour.
Former Cherokee Cannabis Board Member Accused Of Ethics Violations
(Cherokee, NC) -- A former Cherokee cannabis program board member is facing ethics violations. An internal audit from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians shows Jeremy Wilson was fined four-thousand-dollars after soliciting money from contractors in the medical marijuana program. The allegations date back to late 2021 through last August.
NC Approves New Political Party
(Raleigh, NC) -- Voters in North Carolina have a new choice when it comes to political parties. The No Labels Party is now being recognized by the state board of elections after the organization gathered enough signatures to appear on the ballot. Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory is serving as a co-chair for the group, which has been recognized in ten-states.
Buncombe Animal Shelter Halts Stray Dogs
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County's animal shelter is having to make changes due to reaching capacity. WLOS-TV reports the shelter is not able to accept stray dogs at this time because there's no space. The local humane society's communications director says they're now looking for people to foster animals as a way to alleviate the issue. The current need to turn away strays isn't expected to last no longer than a month.
Applications Open For Mountain State Fair
(Fletcher, NC) -- The North Carolina Mountain State Fair is in search of more workers. Applications are available online now for dozens of positions, including ticket takers and security officers. Pay will start at 15-dollars-an-hour. The fair will be held at the Ag Center in Fletcher from September 8th through 17th.
Shelby Dealership Employees Charged By DMV
(Shelby, NC) -- North Carolina's DMV is cracking down on employees at a Shelby car dealership. Investigators have filed more than 400 charges against a dozen employees at Nissan of Shelby after a months-long investigation. The probe revolves around alleged failure to inspect vehicles and transfer titles properly. WBTV reports the former general manager for the dealership is facing more than 100-counts himself.
American Airline Workers Picket At CLT
(Charlotte, NC) -- Passenger service employees for American Airlines are demanding higher pay. WSOC-TV reports a group picketed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport yesterday. The union says workers like ticket counter agents and customer service reps want better pay, working conditions and safety. Charlotte is considered the southeastern hub for American.
Suspect Arrested After Pipe Bomb Found In Kannapolis
(Kannapolis, NC) -- A man is accused of possessing a pipe bomb in Kannapolis. He was pulled over while driving near South Main Street early Tuesday morning after officers noticed he had a fake registration out of Virginia. Agents were called out to detonate a device after police discovered a pipe bomb inside his truck. The suspect was arrested on drug charges and possession of a weapon of mass destruction.
New Party Okayed By NC Elections Board
(Raleigh, NC) -- Voters in North Carolina have a new choice when it comes to political parties. The No Labels Party is now being recognized by the state board of elections after the organization gathered enough signatures to appear on the ballot. Former North Carolina Governor and ex-Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory is serving as a co-chair for the group, which has been recognized in ten-states.
One Shot At Charlotte Restaurant
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a shooting at a southwest Charlotte fast food restaurant. Officers say one person was injured when shots were fired at a Bojangles on South Tryon Street shortly before noon yesterday. The business was closed for the rest of the day. The victim's injuries were not considered life-threatening, while no arrests have been made.
New 49ers Coach Prepping For Season
(Charlotte, NC) -- UNC Charlotte is embarking on a new football season under new leadership. Head coach Biff Poggi spoke yesterday about the 49ers ahead of the team's first year in the American Athletic Conference. The 63-year-old Poggi said Charlotte has blinders on, despite being picked at the bottom of the conference in the preseason. The 49ers finished three-and-nine in 2022.
Straight-Line Winds, Rain Wreak Havoc Across Triangle Area Yesterday
(Durham, NC) -- Cleanup efforts are underway across central North Carolina today, after a powerful storm system tore through the region on Tuesday, bringing with it heavy rain and strong damaging winds that knocked down dozens of trees and powerlines, resulting in at least one fatality. Authorities in Durham confirm that a woman was killed when a large tree fell on her car at the intersection of Anderson Street and Morehead Avenue. There were also numerous reports of flash flooding in parts of Johnston, Edgecombe, Wilson and Nash counties. At last report, there were still around 50-thousand power outages in Durham County alone.
Durham School Officials Cancel Classes Today Because Of The Weather
(Durham, NC) -- Hazardous road conditions and widespread power outages have forced the Durham County and Durham City School Districts to cancel classes today. However, staff at Durham Public Schools year-round, specialty high schools and central service offices will operate on a two hour delay. The EMA is reporting many roads across the county remain impassable today.
Meadows Among 19 Defendants Named In Election Interference Indictment
(Fulton County, GA) -- Former North Carolina Congressman and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was among 18 allies of Donald Trump named in a 41 count indictment yesterday. The indictment, handed down by a Fulton County, Georgia grand jury, charged the former president and the others with felony racketeering and conspiracy, in connection with his efforts to overturn 2020 election results in Georgia. An arraignment hearing has been set for August 25th.
VinFast IPO Debuts On The Nasdaq Stock Exchange Tuesday
(Chatham County, NC) -- Vietnamese automaker VinFast made its debut on the Nasdaq stock exchange Tuesday. Limited trading saw shares of the IPO sell for as high as 38 dollars and 49 cents, before closing at 37.23 by the end of the day. VinFast, which is building a four-billion-dollar electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Chatham County, recently completed a merger with global investor Black Spade Acquisition.
NC Lottery Commission Approves Online Digital Instant Games
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Lottery Commission Tuesday, voted to approve a resolution authorizing digital instant games online, as early as November. This is in addition to an online sports betting bill that was approved by the General Assembly earlier this year. According to the Commission, the digital instant games will be similar to the current paper scratch-off tickets.
Bulls Defeat Stripers In 8-4 Comeback Win At The DBAP
(Durham, NC) -- Last night at the DBAP, the Durham Bulls staged an impressive 8-4 come from behind victory over the Gwinnett Stripers. Led by second baseman Vidal Brujan, who had two home runs and drove in three other scores, the home team also got help from designated hitter Alex Jackson who hit a late home run to push the Bulls ahead for good. The two teams go at it again tonight starting at 6:35 pm.
Two Earthquakes In Guilford Co
(Greensboro, NC) -- The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that two earthquakes shook the Triad. Both earthquakes took place early yesterday in Guilford County. The first centered two and a half miles west of McLeansville and was a two-point-three magnitude quake. The second was a two-point-two magnitude quake that happened three minutes later, just west of the first one.
Storms Hit Piedmont Triad
(Greensboro, NC) -- Crews are cleaning up debris after severe weather hit the Piedmont Triad. Storms rolled through the region yesterday, downing trees in Greensboro and Pleasant Garden. Some of the trees blocked road and fell into homes. There is no word of any injuries.
Teen Killed In Stolen Car Vs Winston-Salem City Bus Crash
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A teen is dead following a stolen car vs Winston-Salem City Bus crash. Police say the crash happened yesterday at the intersection of Linn Station and Brownsboro roads when the vehicle collided with the bus. A 17-year-old died from injuries suffered in the wreck, while a 15-year-old was hospitalized. The car was reported stolen out of High Point on Saturday morning.
Man Sentenced To Prison For Statutory Rape of 11-YO Girl In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A man is going to prison for the statutory rape of an 11-year-old girl in Winston-Salem. Joshua Hernandez-Figueroa was sentenced to a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 24 years after pleading guilty this week to first-degree statutory rape and taking indecent liberties with a child in the 2019 assault. Hernandez-Figueroa was considered a family friend of the victim. He communicated with the girl via Snapchat before going to her home and assaulting her.
Guilford Co School Board Extend Superintendent's Contract
(Guilford Co., NC) -- The Guilford County Board of Education is extending the contract of Superintendent Whitney Oakley. The extension is the maximum allowed by law. Oakley will remain superintendent of Guilford County Schools through June 30th, 2027. She was officially named the fifth superintendent of Guilford County Schools in August of last year following a short stint as acting superintendent.