Tag Archives: NC

North Carolina governor signs criminal justice bill into law after Ukrainian refugee’s death

North Carolina governor signs criminal justice bill into law after Ukrainian refugee’s death

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Democratic governor has signed into law a criminal justice measure pushed by the Republican-controlled legislature in response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte train. While Gov. Josh Stein criticized portions of the bill on Friday, his signature still affirms in law reforms sought by GOP politicians and their allies. The bill had received bipartisan support in the state House. The new law bars cashless bail for certain violent crimes and limits magistrates’ discretion in pretrial release decisions. The bill authors also seek to restart executions in North Carolina, where capital punishment has not been carried out since 2006.… Continue Reading

Authorities identify those killed in weekend North Carolina bar shooting

Authorities identify those killed in weekend North Carolina bar shooting

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (AP) — The three people killed in a mass shooting at a waterfront bar last weekend in Southport, North Carolina, have been identified. Police named Joy Rogers of Southport, Solomon Banjo of Virginia and Michael Durbin of Ohio. Five others were injured in the attack Saturday night. Authorities have arrested a former Marine and charged him with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder and assault. Police allege the suspect used a boat to approach the bar and opened fire on patrons. The investigation is ongoing, and the defendant has not entered a plea.… Continue Reading

Judge rejects claims of racial gerrymandering in North Carolina state Senate districts

Judge rejects claims of racial gerrymandering in North Carolina state Senate districts

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has decided that two legislative districts in northeastern North Carolina can remain intact. Black voters argued that Republicans manipulated the boundaries to prevent them from electing their preferred candidates. U.S. District Judge James Dever sided on Tuesday with GOP leaders, stating that the plaintiffs failed to prove the lines diluted Black voting power. The case involved two state Senate districts approved in 2023. The lines include a region where African American population is high. The ruling could be appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.… Continue Reading

US House members hear pleas for tougher justice policies after stabbing death of refugee

US House members hear pleas for tougher justice policies after stabbing death of refugee

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — U.S. House members have met in North Carolina’s largest city to hear from families of violent-crime victims. They called on Monday for tougher criminal justice policies after last month’s stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte train. The judiciary subcommittee meeting in Charlotte heard from speakers who criticized local court systems for failing to protect the public. The meeting was prompted by the death of Iryna Zarutska and the arrest of a suspect with a long criminal history. Public outrage intensified after the release of security video showing the attack.… Continue Reading

Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda threaten the Bahamas and Bermuda

Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda threaten the Bahamas and Bermuda

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities in the Bahamas have closed a majority of schools following mandatory evacuations for some islands in the archipelago as Tropical Storm Imelda drops heavy rain and unleashes flooding in the northern Caribbean. A tropical storm warning was in effect Monday for parts of the northwestern Bahamas, including Eleuthera, the Abacos, Grand Bahama Island and the surrounding keys. Heavy rains also were forecast along the coastline of North and South Carolina. Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto churned in open waters nearby, which forecasters said would cause Imelda to abruptly turn to the east-northeast, away from the southeastern United States coast.… Continue Reading

Suspected stowaway is found dead in plane’s landing gear at a North Carolina airport

Suspected stowaway is found dead in plane’s landing gear at a North Carolina airport

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Airplane maintenance workers in North Carolina have found the body of a suspected stowaway in the landing gear of an American Airlines flight that had recently arrived from Europe. The workers at Charlotte Douglas Internatonal Airport found the body on Sunday morning. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the death. Information about the person has not been released. The airport said it was saddned about the discovery and pledged support for the investigation. American Airlines is working with law enforcement and directed questions to police. Similar incidents have occurred recently with other airlines.… Continue Reading

3 killed and 8 injured in North Carolina waterfront bar shooting

3 killed and 8 injured in North Carolina waterfront bar shooting

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (AP) — A shooting at a waterfront bar in North Carolina has left three people dead and at least eight others wounded. Authorities say the incident happened late Saturday when someone fired from a boat into a crowd in Southport, a historic port town. The assailant approached the shore, fired and then sped away. About half an hour later, the U.S. Coast Guard detained a person matching the suspect’s description on nearby Oak Island. Investigators from multiple agencies are collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Officials have not released the names of the victims or the suspect.… Continue Reading

Tropical weather in the Atlantic is slamming the Caribbean and may strike Southeast US next

Tropical weather in the Atlantic is slamming the Caribbean and may strike Southeast US next

MIAMI (AP) — Crews have been preparing for a weather system forecast to hit South Carolina as a hurricane early next week. South Carolina’s governor urged residents to stay alert. North Carolina’s governor declared a state of emergency for Tropical Depression Nine. Forecasters said it could become Tropical Storm Imelda. Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto strengthened to a Category 5 storm on Saturday, threatening the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda with dangerous surf and rip currents. The Bahamas and Cuba faced heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Florida officials are also monitoring the system closely.… Continue Reading

Hurricane Helene hit the reset button on one town’s goal of becoming an outdoor tourism mecca

Hurricane Helene hit the reset button on one town’s goal of becoming an outdoor tourism mecca

OLD FORT, N.C. (AP) — The mountain “gateway” town of Old Fort, North Carolina, was well on its way to achieving a major goal: to become a hot spot for mountain biking and all things outdoors. Then nature, as one business owner put it, hit “the reset button.” A year ago, floodwaters from the remnants of Hurricane Helene inundated the town, washing out miles of multi-purpose trails and closing long stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a tourist lifeline. Chad Schoenauer has reopened his Old Fort Bike Shop, but he’s doing more repairs than sales these days. Tourism spending last year was way off in the mountains, but many are hoping for a successful fall foliage season to hit the reset button again.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Medicaid patients face care access threat as funding impasse continues

North Carolina Medicaid patients face care access threat as funding impasse continues

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Medicaid patients face a threat of reduced access to services due to a funding impasse. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein confirmed Thursday that the state program will lower reimbursement rates for doctors, hospitals and other providers starting next week. This decision comes as his administration says additional Medicaid funds approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly still leave the program with a shortfall. GOP lawmakers couldn’t agree on a way forward this week. The legislature is next scheduled to meet Oct. 20. Republicans argue the action is premature and unprecedented this early in the fiscal year.… Continue Reading

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