Category: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Local News
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — Christmas Day may still be two days away, but for many Latino and Hispanic families, the main celebration happens on Christmas Eve during Noche Buena, a long-standing cultural tradition centered on food, family and faith.
In the days leading up to the holiday, families across the community are busy preparing for the festive evening meal. One staple that often appears on the table is pan dulce, a sweet bread enjoyed throughout the year but especially popular during the holiday season.
The tradition of pan dulce originated in Mexico and includes a wide variety of baked goods. One of the most recognizable and popular types is the concha, named for its seashell-like pattern on top. The pastry features a soft, brioche-like base topped with a sweet, crumbly layer that comes in different colors and flavors.
Local Mexican-owned bakeries in Fayetteville are seeing an increase in demand as families prepare for Noche Buena. Sandra Torres, owner of Mi Vida Dulce, said pan dulce is one of her bakery’s top sellers during the holidays.
“It’s a Mexican pastry where each one has a different taste and different flavor,” Torres said. “Conchas are the most popular, especially the bigger ones. There’s chocolate conchas, strawberry, vanilla, and all of them have their own special flavor.”
While traditions may vary from family to family, pan dulce remains a symbol of togetherness and celebration for many households observing Noche Buena.
At a busy downtown intersection where cars, scooters, cyclists and pedestrians cross paths, Raleigh traffic engineers are testing a new approach to managing congestion as the city continues to grow.
Using existing traffic cameras paired with artificial intelligence and mapping software, the city is analyzing how people and vehicles move through select intersections in near real time. City officials say the goal is not to eliminate traffic but to make signals operate more efficiently and safely, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian activity.
“One of the core challenges of traffic engineering is moving vehicles efficiently,” said Jed Niffenegger, Raleigh’s city transportation manager. “We can’t change the fact that an intersection is busy. What we can do is make sure it’s operating as efficiently as possible.”
The pilot program relies on computer vision technology that converts live video into data. Software tracks turning movements, traffic volumes and different modes of travel, replacing a manual process that once required staff to stand at intersections and count vehicles by hand.
“The cameras allow us to make changes much more quickly,” Niffenegger said. “With analytics, the amount of work it takes has been reduced to a fraction of what it used to be.”
Raleigh has roughly 250 closed-circuit traffic cameras citywide. For now, the AI system can analyze data from about 10 to 12 cameras at a time because of computing limits. Transportation staff rotate intersections into the program based on where signal timing studies or corridor reviews are underway, including along Glenwood Avenue and in parts of downtown.
The technology allows engineers to fine-tune signal timing during peak hours, sometimes by only a few seconds, based on real-world conditions rather than assumptions.
“We’ll look at the evening rush and see whether a signal is running too long or needs to start a little later,” Niffenegger said. “It’s about fine-tuning what we’re already doing.”
City officials say that focus on intersections matters. While widening roads has long been used to relieve congestion, engineers say intersections are often the true bottlenecks.
“If we can maximize efficiency at intersections, we can delay costly road-widening projects,” Niffenegger said. “That saves money and allows us to invest in other places where it can have a bigger impact.”
James Alberque, Raleigh’s emerging technology manager, said the project is part of a broader effort to better understand how the city moves as its population grows. Raleigh surpassed 500,000 residents last year, putting new pressure on streets that were not designed for current traffic volumes.
“Cameras record video, and we’re turning that video into data,” Alberque said. “That data helps traffic engineers understand what’s happening across the city, not just at one camera at one moment.”
The data is visualized using a high-resolution, three-dimensional model of Raleigh, sometimes called a digital twin. City staff can compare traffic conditions before and after signal changes and evaluate whether adjustments are working as intended.
The pilot initially focused on vehicle traffic. After validating those results, the city expanded the analysis to include pedestrians and bicycles, particularly in downtown areas with heavy foot traffic and scooter use.
“We wanted to understand all modes of transportation,” Alberque said. “GIS allows us to integrate traffic data with other information and analyze it in one place.”
City officials emphasized that privacy protections are built into the system. The city does not store video or collect personally identifiable information. The data is limited to anonymous counts, such as whether an object is a vehicle, pedestrian or bicycle, aggregated in 15-minute intervals.
“There’s no identifying information at all,” Alberque said. “We’re not recording video.”
The technology is not used to automatically change signal timing. Instead, the data is reviewed by engineers and used to inform decisions, with humans remaining in control throughout the process.
During the pilot, the city has validated the AI results by running manual counts alongside the software. Alberque said more than a dozen test cases have been reviewed so far, helping staff build confidence in the accuracy of the data.
Beyond traffic management, Raleigh’s camera network already supports other city departments. Police, 911 dispatchers and stormwater crews use the cameras during emergencies, including flooding events, to better understand conditions on the ground.
Scaling the system beyond the pilot phase would require additional investment. Alberque said the city has so far relied on existing infrastructure and limited resources while testing the technology’s potential.
“The technology is advancing very quickly,” he said. “We’re trying to be thoughtful about how we invest so we’re making good decisions as this evolves.”
For now, city leaders say the pilot offers a way to improve safety and efficiency at busy intersections without expanding roadways, an approach they see as increasingly important as Raleigh continues to grow.
Two former employees of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractor are alleging a toxic environment at the Sacramento ICE facility where the former employees say, some case specialists routinely abused and sexually harassed fellow employees and undocumented immigrants.
In sworn declarations filed to the California’s Civil Rights Department, Sandy Nogales and Jorge Zinzun are described as former employees of BI Incorporated, which develops electronic monitoring systems for ICE and other government agencies. Nogales said in her declaration that she worked for BI Incorporated for eight years and was in charge of the Sacramento office where some ICE contractors, “start out with good intentions, but over time, the absolute power granted them over (undocumented immigrants) makes some of them start to feel superior over the people they are monitoring.”
Nogales identified a BI Inc. employee named Luis Ruiz in her declaration as a “predator preying on the people he is supposed to be helping.” Zinzun declared under penalty of perjury that he was fired by BI Incorporated in December 2023 as retaliation after reporting Ruiz’s aggressive behavior to his superiors.
Nogales and Zinzun came forward publicly after reading in The Sacramento Bee that Ruiz and BI Incorporated were among the defendants named in an October lawsuit filed by Sacramento area undocumented woman alleging that Ruiz harassed her over the course of 18 months.
‘I felt I needed to come forward’
The declarations were filed in support of the 14-page suit in which Silvia Reyna claims that Ruiz texted her nude photos of himself and made many aggressive and unwanted advances during her mandated meetings with Ruiz at the Sacramento ICE facility between March 2023 and November 2024.
“I started paying attention to the news and I thought, ‘Wait a minute. I used to work there,” Zinzun said in an interview with The Bee. “I felt I needed to come forward, to share what I witnessed.”
In October, a representative of BI Incorporated told The Bee in a prepared statement that it has a “zero tolerance” policy against sexual harassment.
“BI takes all allegations of sexual abuse and harassment with the utmost seriousness,” said Christopher V. Ferreira, director of corporate relations for BI Incorporated, which is owned by The Geo Group Inc, according to the complaint.
In the last week, representatives of BI Incorporated have not responded to requests for comment on the allegations made by Nogales and Zinzun. Ruiz has not been reached for comment.
In his sworn declaration, Zinzun said he worked in an office next to Ruiz’s office while at BI Incorporated. Though he does not recall a specific incident of Ruiz mistreating Reyna, Zinzun said in his declaration he could hear Ruiz, “loudly verbally abusing, cursing and berating,” the undocumented people assigned to him by BI Incorporated.
“We were in charge of monitoring 170 to 200 participants,” Zinzun said in an interview. “We had direct contact with ICE officers, but we had a lot of independence.” Nogales states in her declaration that Ruiz was accused of sexual harassment by other BI Incorporated employees before Silvia Reyna filed her lawsuit against Ruiz and BI Incorporated.
“When I read in the paper about the complaints made against Ruiz, I was not surprised,” Nogales states in her declaration. “A female employee at BI offices in Stockton complained about Ruiz. She reported that Ruiz had repeatedly sent her unwanted sexually-explicit texts and emojis about her buttocks and used sexually coded and squirting emojis to crudely proposition her, which made her very uncomfortable.”
Nogales and Zinzun both state the Geo Group, parent company of BI Incorporated, did not act on sexual harassment complaints against Ruiz and at least one other employee.
“Ruiz was allowed to continue working without having to answer for the consequences of his actions and, we were basically directed to ignore the complaint,” Nogales says in her declaration.
Reyna, 52, is a mother of eight and raised her kids in the Tehama County town of Corning. Reyna was allowed to stay in the U.S. and surrender to ICE custody in November. She remains in ICE custody, while her family seeks justice for her.
“We had gotten a court-approved emergency stay before her removal (on Oct. 25),” Reyna’s son, Francisco Govea, a U.S. Army veteran, said to The Bee. “It’s been horrible.”
Nogales and Zinzun both expressed sympathy for Reyna and stated in their declarations that she inspired them to speak out about what they saw while working for BI Incorporated.
“I came forward…because I wanted to do the right thing,” Nogales says in her declaration.
In an interview, Zinzun said he was moved by a photo of Reyna’s family that included a photo of Govea in his Army uniform.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Zinzun said. ”Here her son served in our armed forces, and we are treating her this way?”
Israel Ramirez, a Sacramento-based lawyer representing Reyna in her lawsuit, said he hopes the declarations from Nogales and Zinzun will trigger an investigation by California’s Civil Rights Department.
“One of the saddest things about this whole affair is the way BI, Incorporated is recruiting young, bilingual, college-educated Mexican-Americans and using them to prey upon their own people,” Ramirez said. “Some of these BI Incorporated employees are the children of immigrants and I highly doubt their parents are proud of what they are doing.”
This story was originally published December 23, 2025 at 4:49 PM.
Marcos Bretón oversees The Sacramento Bee’s Editorial Board. He’s been a California newspaperman for more than 30 years. He’s a graduate of San Jose State University, a voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and the proud son of Mexican immigrants.
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — A Duke University Hospital nurse is being accused of sexually assaulting a third patient.
The incident took place back in May of this year, according to court documents.
Jomil Uy Tugado, 39, of Durham was already facing charges including sexual battery, sexual acts by a government or private institution employee, and sexual contact or penetration under the guise of medical treatment, according to documents obtained by ABC11.
University police allege he assaulted two female patients while they were incapacitated, with one incident occurring in May and the other earlier this month.
Tugado’s nursing license was suspended last week, according to state records. Also as of last week, Eyewitness News learned he was placed on administrative leave at the hospital on Dec. 7th.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality released an update to the “Air Quality Trends in North Carolina” report that shows promising improvements to the air citizens are breathing in. According to the NCDEQ, air quality has improved in the state since the 1990s, with “all-time lows” for statewide carbon and […]
North Carolina State Highway Patrol said a pickup truck driven by Linwood Beasley collided with an SUV driven by Nichols, pushing her vehicle into a ditch. Nichols was turning into a driveway leading to the highway. Troopers believe Beasley was impaired at the time of the crash, according to a warrant.
The crash happened near Old Cornwallis Road in Princeton.
Beasley faces charges for felony death by vehicle, reckless driving and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
Nichols was married, had several children and worked as a substitute teacher at Princeton Elementary School, according to her obituary. She was 34 years old.
A plane crashed early Thursday at Statesville Regional Airport, killing seven people, including NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his wife and two children, and three other people. Biffle, who flew aircraft in WNC to help victims of Hurricane Helene, owned the Cessna that crashed mid-morning north of Charlotte.
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Statesville Regional Airport said it has reopened after clearing debris created by the plane crash that killed seven people last week, including NASCAR star Greg Biffle and his family.
Airport officials combined their reopening announcement with an acknowledgment of the impact the crash has had on the community and the NASCAR industry.
“The City of Statesville NC and Statesville Regional Airport extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in Thursday’s crash. We remain mindful of this loss as our community continues to grieve,” the airport wrote in a Dec. 21 Facebook post.
“Thank you to our emergency responders, partner agencies, and the community for their patience and cooperation.”
Charlotte is a NASCAR hub and the airport serves “several NASCAR teams,” according to its website. It is about a 45-mile drive north from uptown Charlotte.
The crash happened around 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, and resulted in the Cessna Citation C550 bursting into flames that spread to the surrounding runway turf, videos show. Instagram Atlas.news3 video screengrab
About the Greg Biffle plane crash
The plane crash happened around 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, and resulted in the Cessna Citation C550 bursting into flames that spread to the surrounding turf, videos show.
Investigators report the plane was flying low enough prior to the crash to hit trees, airport lighting and a perimeter fence.
Investigators have yet to determine who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash, due to multiple people on board having pilot’s licenses. The investigation is continuing.
This story was originally published December 23, 2025 at 8:49 AM.
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion, after the 46th drawing passed without a big winner.
The numbers drawn Monday night were 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and the Powerball 7.
Since Sept. 6, there have been 46 straight drawings without a big winner.
The next drawing will be Christmas Eve on Wednesday, with the prize expected to be the 4th-largest in U.S. lottery history.
Powerball’s odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are three drawings each week.
The estimated $1.6 billion jackpot goes to a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which for Monday night’s drawing would be an estimated $735.3 million.
Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Associated Press videojournalist Emilie Megnien in Atlanta contributed to this report.
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Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
ROLESVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — With Christmas just days away, ABC11 sat down with the family of Fidel Rivera, the undocumented Rolesville man who self-deported earlier this year amid concerns about the growing immigration crackdown.
Rivera left on a flight back to Mexico on Oct. 13, despite working and paying taxes in the United States for 30 years, to avoid the worst-case scenario of ending up in an immigration detention facility.
“I didn’t want to have him go into one of these facilities,” said Jenni Rivera, Fidel’s wife of 17 years. “I didn’t want him to experience any of the horrors that we had heard about. And I didn’t want him to come out, not the person that he was when he went in.”
For the Rivera family, Christmas is usually family time: a chance to play games, craft, watch movies — but most importantly, be together.
Everybody gets to have their parents or like their guardian with them, and we don’t. Like, how is that fair?
– Isabella Rivera, Fidel’s daughter
“My kids deserve to be able to have both their parents. We were a unit of four, always together. It’s sad. I feel sad for them,” Jenni Rivera said.
Fidel Rivera had been in the US for three decades without legal status, working in construction for more than 20 years and receiving several promotions. Since he entered the country without authorization, he cannot adjust his legal status even though Jennifer and his daughters are US citizens. That means Fidel’s best chance to return is to stay in Mexico for at least 10 years, then reapply for legal status because of his marriage to Jenni.
For his daughters, 15-year-old Isabella and 17-year-old Mackenzie, it’s a Christmas that looks and feels incomplete this year.
“We have traditions that have been since I’ve been born, and they’re not even the same. Like, we took longer to set up anything. And as you can see, there’s no lights outside because usually he would do all the lights outside,” Mackenzie said.
The Rivera family in a happier moment.
It’s an experience they know not everyone will have to live through.
“Everybody gets to have their parents or like their guardian with them, and we don’t. Like, how is that fair?” said Isabella.
With the holidays here, the family says they’re hoping their story can create change — and they’re leaning on each other that much more.
“I’m thankful for my family. And I want, like, other people to be thankful for what they have. But like, some people have too much or can do more, and my family needs some help,” Mackenzie said.
Fidel Rivera is living in the Yucatan city of Merida, and the family is in the process of buying a home there. Jenni Rivera said they plan to visit as a group about once a year.
HOPE MILLS, N.C. (WTVD) — An injured Army veteran in Hope Mills got a life-changing surprise.
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John “Mike” Fairfax thought he was just getting a home makeover, but the Tunnel to Towers Foundation surprised him by paying off his entire mortgage as well.
“Truthfully, there are no words to describe how this feels. All I can say is that it is a great blessing and my heart is full of gratitude for everyone at Tunnel to Towers,” Fairfax said.
Fairfax lost his leg in 2005 and sustained other injuries when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck his patrol during his third deployment to Afghanistan.
The home renovations include an ADA-compliant kitchen, bathroom, a reconfigured laundry room, automatic doors with push-button operation, and a lift from the garage to the main floor, among other modifications.
An ADA-compliant kitchen is one of the many improvements to the Fairfax home.
Courtesy of Tunnels to Towers
Now retired from the military, Fairfax is pursuing a Master of Divinity in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“For the past couple of years, I have wanted to quit my job so that I can transition to working in ministry….Tunnel to Towers paying my mortgage will allow me to make that transition because I won’t have to worry about paying my mortgage,” Fairfax said.
The home rededication was part of Tunnel to Towers’ annual effort to deliver 50 mortgage-free homes to America’s heroes in the 24 days leading up to Christmas Eve.
“Delivering a renovated smart home that restores independence to 1st Sgt. Fairfax is the very least we can do for a man who has given so much to this country,” said Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “His determination to return to duty after devastating injuries is nothing short of remarkable, and we are honored to support his next chapter as a spiritual leader.”
Editor’s note: ABC11 and the Whitley Law Firm are paying tribute to our everyday heroes — those who are currently serving or who have previously served in the armed forces. You can nominate your hero for their chance to be featured on ABC11 Eyewitness News.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Caleb Wilson had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 12 North Carolina had its highest point total of the season in a 99-51 victory over East Carolina on Monday night.
Wilson also had four blocks and three steals, while Henri Veesaar finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Luka Bogavac added 15 points and Seth Trimble scored 12 for the Tar Heels (12-1), who hit 12 3-pointers and shot 54% from the field.
Gio Emejuru finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds for ECU (5-8). Jordan Riley, who came in averaging a team-high 21.7 points, scored a season-low 11 on 4-of-24 shooting.
ECU missed its first seven shots and went 5:46 without a field goal. Offense came easily for the Tar Heels, who rolled into halftime up 49-26 while shooting 58.6%.
The Tar Heels stretched their lead to 50 points in the second half.
Trimble was playing his first home game since breaking his left forearm in a Nov. 9 weight room accident. The senior guard returned with 17 points in Saturday’s 71-70 victory over Ohio State in Atlanta.
The win was UNC’s 52nd straight over an in-state, non-Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.
East Carolina: Hosts Tulane on Dec. 31 in American Conference opener.
North Carolina: Hosts Florida State on Dec. 30 to begin ACC play.
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After a nail-biter on Saturday in Atlanta, No. 12 North Carolina men’s basketball treated its home crowd to a comfortable 99-51 win over ECU to close out nonconference play.
The game had tilted so far in UNC’s favor that, by the later minutes of the second half, the loudest sound from the crowd was the jeering of a lone — and very loud — ECU fan in the upper level of the Dean E. Smith Center. With just under two minutes remaining, UNC cleared its bench, allowing Hubert Davis’ son, Elijah, and Ivan Matlekovic to record their first points as Tar Heels.
“Apparently, my little brother took his shirt off, hurling it around,” Elijah Davis said. “That was funny.”
The Tar Heels (12-1) are now 5-0 all-time against the Pirates (5-8) and 4-0 on the season in games Seth Trimble has played.
North Carolina led by 23 points at the half and stretched its lead to as much as 46 points after halftime. Caleb Wilson led UNC in scoring (21), rebounds (4), blocks (4) and free throws attempts (he went 7-of-13 from the line) but also turned the ball over a team-high four times. Wilson’s 21 points makes him the second freshman in program history to record 20 or more in five straight games. Phil Ford was the first.
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson (8) soars above the rim for a dunk in the second half against East Carolina on Monday, December 22, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Wilson scored 21 points in the Tar Heels’ 99-51 victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Henri Veesaar also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Luka Bogavac added 15 points and Trimble recorded 12.
North Carolina will take a break for the holidays before returning on Dec. 30 to host Florida State and open ACC play.
Here’s what we learned from Monday night’s contest:
Jarin Stevenson impresses in the post
Stevenson said he’s been getting more practice reps recently in the post and had been “gearing up” toward a performance like Saturday, which saw the Alabama transfer paired in stretches with Wilson in the frontcourt.
“I think that’s one of my biggest traits and things that I bring to the team — being able to play multiple positions and just bring different looks for the team,” Stevenson said on Saturday. “If somebody’s in foul trouble, I just take us through.”
Stevenson’s versatility can also bail the Tar Heels out of trouble if a pick-and-roll action forces him to switch onto a five — a position he picked up multiple times on defense against Ohio State.
North Carolina forward Jarin Stevenson (15) blocks a shot by East Carolina guard Jordan Riley (12) in the first half on Monday, December 22, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
UNC’s contest against ECU showed that this role for Stevenson isn’t just a flash in the pan.
On Monday night, Hubert Davis’ first substitutions — made roughly five minutes into the game — created a lineup with Wilson and Stevenson in the post. The next round of substitutions, just a few minutes later, left Stevenson on the floor to play alongside Veesaar.
Stevenson played in multiple lineups alongside Wilson or Veesaar in the post against ECU — another example of the flexibility that Trimble’s return gives Davis in terms of rotation options.
“Jarin’s a great player. I feel like he’s severely underlooked,” Wilson said on Monday. “He’s somewhat of a Swiss Army Knife. You can play him wherever you need and he’ll make an impact.”
Tar Heels still tinkering with backcourt rotation
UNC went with the same starting lineup again on Monday night of Bogavac, Kyan Evans, Veesaar, Trimble and Wilson.
Against Ohio State on Saturday, Evans and Bogavac played a combined 29 minutes, compared to an eye-popping 24 for Derek Dixon and 27 for Stevenson. Jonathan Powell, who also came off the bench, recorded 15 minutes against the Buckeyes.
On Monday night, Evans’ minutes (17) were more in line with those of Dixon (11) and Stevenson (17).
East Carolina forward Luke Davis (43) defends North Carolina guard Luka Bogavac (44) in the first half on Monday, December 22, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Bogavac saw a notable increase in playing time against ECU. He had managed just four points over UNC’s last two games, but that total in less than two minutes against the Pirates when he opened the contest with two layups.
Bogavac played just five minutes in the second half against the Buckeyes. Evans and Bogavac shot a combined 0-for-5 in that game, all shots taken from 3-point range.
On Monday night, Bogavac put his hands on his face — in a prayer-like formation — after he sank a 3-pointer in the second half. Bogavac opened the season by recording at least one triple in 10 straight games, but had gone cold since UNC’s Dec. 13 win over USC Upstate.
Evans shot 1-for-3 from deep against ECU.
Trimble said on Monday night that UNC’s multitude of backcourt lineups is a testament to the team’s versatility.
“We’re very dynamic,” Trimble said. “We can switch things up when certain things aren’t working and we don’t have to depend on someone who’s cold or someone when it’s just not their night. We don’t have to depend on them. We’re fortunate enough to go to a different guy.”
Henri Veesaar continues to drain it from deep
What if I told you, at the beginning of this season, that North Carolina’s incoming seven-footer from Arizona would be the team’s top threat from the perimeter?
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) puts up a three-point shot against East Carolina guard Corey Caulker (5) in the second half on Monday, December 22, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Veesaar scored 16 points in the Tar Heels’ 99-51 victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Well, that’s the reality right now in Chapel Hill. After a career-best 4-for-5 performance from deep, Veesaar is now shooting nearly 53% from three on the season. That’s the best percentage on the team with a minimum of six or more attempts. Second-best is Dixon with a 45.5% clip on the year so far.
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) works to secure an offensive rebound against East Carolina forward Reid Cason (23) in the second half on Monday, December 22, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Veesaar scored 16 points and collected 10 rebounds in the Tar Heels’ 99-51 victory Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
“Henri, his ability to shoot the basketball is real,” Davis said on Monday night. “Obviously he can score around the basket, but he’s pretty good beyond the arc… I felt like we took really good threes and we stepped up and were able to make them tonight.”
Entering Monday night, UNC was shooting 32.5% from deep on the season — good for 245th in the nation. The Tar Heels’ 48% performance from beyond the arc against ECU marked a season-best percentage.
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 10:24 PM.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — A North Carolina mother’s TikTok video has gone viral after she shared her search for the woman who donated Christmas gifts to her young son through the Angel Tree program. What started as a simple plea for help turned into an unexpected bond between two grieving mothers, united by love, loss, and an act of kindness.
Tanya Estrada, a mother of four, had signed her children up for the Angel Tree program, which helps provide new clothes and toys for children in need during the holiday season. It’s a program that turns Christmas wishes into reality for families who may be struggling.
But one particular donation stood out. When Tanya received the gifts for her 3-year-old son, Adrienne, she discovered a handwritten letter attached to the package. The note was from Andrea Gardner, a grieving mother honoring her late son, Tristan.
“I was shopping for him because I don’t get to shop for him for Christmas or for birthdays,” an emotional Gardner said. “It made me feel good to shop for a 3-year-old little boy.”
Estrada was deeply moved by the letter, which spoke to Gardner’s pain and compassion. “The fact that even in her grieving moment, you went out of your way to bless another child, you don’t even know… it takes a very strong woman to do what you did,” Estrada said, fighting back tears.
Determined to thank the woman behind such a powerful gesture, Estrada turned to TikTok for help, asking her followers to track down Gardner. “So, I need y’all help,” Estrada said in her now-viral video. It quickly gained traction, racking up more than 600,000 views, and soon, Estrada’s plea reached Gardner.
“I knew I had to find her,” Estrada said, explaining how she had tried other avenues before deciding to use social media. “I’ve seen people try to reach out to other people on TikTok. So I said, let me use TikTok for something good.”
When Estrada finally connected with Gardner, it was a moment neither mother would forget. In a heartfelt meeting, the two embraced, sharing tears and gratitude.
“I don’t want to let go,” Estrada said, as she hugged Gardner for the first time.
The connection between the two mothers grew even deeper as they shared their personal stories of love and loss. Gardner explained that donating to Estrada’s son helped her honor Tristan’s memory during a difficult time.
“I wasn’t expecting anything out of this,” Gardner said. “Just his Christmas and helping you … making you feel like someone cares.”
Estrada was so moved by the experience that she now feels inspired to give back next year.
The town of Cary has been in the spotlight since late November, when Town Manager Sean Stegall was put on administrative leave without any explanation from the town. Stegall resigned Dec. 13, 2025, amid reports of questionable spending. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer.
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Former Cary Town Manager Sean Stegall “operated in secrecy” in ways that favored a small group of council members, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht wrote on his blog Sunday.
Weinbrecht wrote that Stegall made a “false statement” about the town’s budget and that town staffers raised concerns over Stegall’s management. And the mayor provided a timeline of how and when town officials realized there were internal issues.
He also shared new information about how Stegall was able to spend over $1 million on a land purchase without the full town council’s approval. The land deal was previously reported by The News & Observer.
Stegall was placed on paid leave in November for “over-the-top” spending and incomplete financial reports, a lack of transparency with the town council and “an unhealthy work environment” he created, Weinbrecht said during an emergency meeting on Dec. 15. Stegall resigned shortly before that meeting and was set to receive a severance of $194,832, or six months of salary.
Stegall responded to the mayor’s comments Monday evening in a text to The N&O.
“Throughout my tenure as Town Manager, I prioritized open and consistent communication with the Town Council through regular one-on-one meetings, weekly reports, and ongoing calls and emails,” Stegall wrote. “And I sought Council input whenever possible.”
Now there are changes coming for the town of Cary, Weinbrecht writes. That includes eliminating the “one-on-one meetings” Stegall said were one way he “prioritized” communication. The changes also include streaming all council meetings, a move Weinbrecht sees as “an essential first step toward greater transparency.”
The information Weinbrecht posted in his blog raises more questions about decisions and money spent under Stegall’s leadership. But the mayor asserted that “there is no indication that he committed a crime.”
Weinbrecht has not responded to The N&O’s repeated requests for comment and clarification about several issues facing the town.
How did all this happen?
The mayor and the town council are not full-time employees and don’t have offices at Town Hall. Weinbrecht said that’s in part why he and other town leaders didn’t know what was going on with Stegall.
“As a result, the manager was able to conceal his actions from the policy board, and I was unaware of his inappropriate conduct until public records requests were submitted this fall,” Weinbrecht wrote on his blog.
A records request was submitted Sept. 1 and led the town to turn over emails and receipts related to Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush’s tuition payments. The town paid for a portion of Bush’s master’s degree tuition, money she returned after concerns were raised about the expense.
“When I first learned of the tuition expense in October, I immediately questioned the town manager about it,” Weinbrecht wrote.
Stegall defended the expenditure, Weinbrecht wrote, but then “cancelled nearly all of my one-on-one meetings for the following month and a half, until the council placed him on leave.”
Around that time, town staffers approached Weinbrecht anonymously to express their concerns with Stegall. That included allegations of Stegall’s “misrepresentations about the fund balance” and a land purchase using money budgeted for the town’s parking deck projects, Weinbrecht writes.
The mayor checked Wake County real estate records in early November to confirm that the town paid $1 million for two parcels in the 600 block of Kildaire Farm Road near Cary Elementary School.
And at a Nov. 13 meeting, Weinbrecht wrote in his timeline, “Stegall says fund balance never was below policy which was a false statement.”
By Nov. 15, Weinbrecht wrote, he was preparing “to convince my colleagues to remove Stegall.” Five days later, during a closed-session meeting, the council asked Stegall to resign and placed him on paid leave.
New details about $1 million land deal
Stegall instructed staff to buy the two land parcels in separate transactions in 2024. He had the power to spend up to $1 million of the town’s money without getting the council’s approval, according to Weinbrecht’s blog.
The land was acquired at a time when Cary was seeking space for “future affordable housing development,” Stegall told The N&O in mid-December.
The town was also facing financial issues, former Town Council Member Jennifer Robinson told The N&O at the time. The council had raised taxes just one month before Stegall’s land purchases.
The first parcel of land, just over half an acre, was “assessed at $149,064 but purchased by the town for $379,000,” Weinbrecht wrote. The second piece of land was around one acre, assessed at $248,292; the town paid $686,000 for it.
Buying the land in two purchases is “technically legal,” Weinbrecht said on his blog. Neither purchase exceeded the $1 million discretionary spending limit. But by doing so, Stegall cut the council out of the decision.
“This appears to have been done to avoid public discussion and to accommodate the preferences of a small subset of council members,” Weinbrecht wrote. “The land acquisition is one example of how Sean operated in secrecy and in ways that benefited individual council members.”
Stegall bought the properties using money budgeted for “smart technology” for the town’s parking deck, according to the blog.
Weinbrecht provided no other details about whether that was an appropriate use of the budgeted funds in his blog post and didn’t respond to The N&O’s request for comment about the issue.
What’s changing in Cary?
The former town manager’s exit came amid reporting by The N&O into Stegall’s land purchase, town money spent to fund Bush’s tuition and more funds spent on a pricey hotel stay in Austin, Texas, for the former town manager.
The town of Cary is facing public outcry for more transparency in the wake of Stegall’s departure. And Weinbrecht has taken notice.
A few things are changing for town leaders. All council meetings will be streamed and televised after the council passed a unanimous motion during a Nov. 20 meeting.
And there will no longer be “one-on-one” meetings with the town manager.
“Going forward, informational update meetings with the town manager will include two council members and the mayor, along with three additional staff members,” Weinbrecht wrote on his blog.
Womble, Bond, and Dickinson, the law firm hired by the town to investigate deeper into Stegall’s management and decision-making, will likely recommend more “procedural changes,” according to the blog.
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM.
Nathan Collins is an investigative reporter at The News & Observer. He started his career in public radio where he earned statewide recognition for his accountability reporting in Dallas, Texas. Collins is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a former professional musician.
After weeks of town turmoil, the town of Cary is paving a path forward to rebuild trust through transparency under the tutelage of its new interim Town Manager, Russ Overton.
The Dec. 14 resignation by Sean Stegall exposed vulnerabilities in how the town of Cary operates. Stegall’s departure was marked by over-the-top spending and inadequate financial reporting, lack of transparency with the full council, staff and citizens and an unhealthy work environment, according to the mayor.
“I just hate that we’re all going through this,” Overton said. “I hope some people might just hopefully not judge us by our worst day, and look at the bulk of the entirety of what Cary is and maybe give us a little grace in that.”
Overton is tasked with the rebound. After 27 years with the town of Cary, in a variety of roles, he’s leading the charge in restoring respect to the blemished role left by Stegall.
When asked about specific areas Stegall overspent money on, Overton says he’s learning things as we are.
“The focus now is obviously moving the town forward,” Overton said.
To do that, Overton is focused on transparency. The town is currently being audited by the state, its doing its own internal investigation and they’re being inundated with open records requests.
“We’ve had a lot,” Overton said. “We’ve put together a website to show all those records requests [to be more transparent.]”
The website shows a list of 28 records that have been requested thus far, including communication between Stegall and other staff, his resignation letter and more.
“Trust in government and trust with citizens’ needs to be gained back,” Overton said. “That’s one of the reasons they want to do their own internal review. I think it comes from transparency. It’s sharing information with everyone, the same way our budget process is a very transparent process.”
In a nearly 20-minute interview, Overton explained the other ways the town is transparent. But the changes to be more transparent are far from the only adjustments ahead, including how the town manager operates.
“They’ve said they want those things,” Overton said. “I want to cooperate with those things. I’m certain that the internal review will probably produce some recommendations and then we’ll work to enact what they are.”
Those spending concerns come after hefty increases to property taxes, raising questions about how Cary residents can trust leadership’s spending.
“The first thing that I think they could do is be part of the budget process,” Overton said. “Every place that we spend money is documented in our budget. We’re a financially sound organization despite what people are reading or maybe hearing or feeling. I’d say, just come be part of what we’re doing and learn. Maybe there’s a way that we can be even more transparent with them this year.”
WRAL reported last week that Stegall spent more than $3,000 on a four-night, 4-star hotel stay in Austin, Texas in 2023 for a conference, while other employees stayed at a different hotel across the street. He also spent hundreds more for a “luxury” car service to and from the airport.
Additionally, former Councilmember Jennifer Robinson called into question a $1.3 million check that was intercepted by a bad actor in the mail. It is unclear if the town ever got that money back.
Then there are the records showing the town of Cary bought two parcels of land near Cary Elementary School totaling more than $1 million, against the recommendation of the assistant town manager. Plus, not every councilmember knew about the transaction.
And upon Stegall’s resignation, it was learned he’d receive a nearly $200,000 severance as part of his contract.
“Do you think people will accept that you guys are financially sound when they see improper spending?” WRAL asked Overton.
“Well, I’d hope they’d verify and not just trust,” Overton said. “Go look at what we’ve shared with everyone else [through records requests] and maybe draw your own conclusions. But, at the same time to your point, it’s not earned quickly. It’ll be over time. Hopefully, they’ll come in and be part of neighborhood meetings and district meetings and all of these things that we’ll have. I think it’s important to [the] council in the actions that they show for their constituents. That’s how you earn back that trust.”
That type of severance will not be available to Overton while serving in the interim role. He says that language in contracts for town managers is an “industry standard” and any changes to it would need to be considered by the Town Council.
And change is surely on the horizon. Overton says as part of the town’s internal review, they will be looking at policies and procedures to ensure something like this never happens again.
“The Council briefly mentioned thinking about delegated authority,” Overton pointed out as an example. “Who signs what contract and possibly reporting structure back to [the] council. There just needs to be transparency. Hey, we signed a contract this week or last month. Whenever that information is technically available, maybe you report on it somehow.”
The timeline on this internal review could take months, according to the mayor.
North Carolina quarterback Bryce Baker throws during UNC football’s Practice Like a Pro open practice at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
Chapel Hill
North Carolina true freshman quarterback Bryce Baker plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, which opens Jan. 2, according to On3 and 247Sports. On3 was first to report the news.
Baker, a 4-star prospect from East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, was the first high school recruit to commit to UNC under head coach Bill Belichick. After Belichick was hired last December, he made it a priority to re-recruit Baker, who had originally committed to the Tar Heels under former coach Mack Brown in 2023. Baker had waited to finalize his decision after Brown’s firing, but ultimately signing with Belichick in December 2024. Shortly thereafter, Belichick famously introduced Baker at halftime of a UNC men’s basketball game against La Salle to a roaring home crowd.
North Carolina football recruit Bryce Baker shakes hands with recently hired football coach Bill Belichick as they are introduced during halftime of the Tar Heels’ men’s basketball game against La Salle on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Despite the fanfare, Baker didn’t see any game action in 2025. He fell to fourth on the quarterback depth chart behind Gio Lopez, Max Johnson and fellow true freshman Au’Tori Newkirk.
Baker’s departure leaves UNC with two returning quarterbacks, Lopez and Newkirk, whose intentions for the upcoming season have not been announced. Johnson plans to enter the transfer portal and appeal for an extra year of eligibility.
The news of Baker’s exit on Monday comes several hours after news broke of the reported hiring of Bobby Petrino as UNC’s new offensive coordinator.
Baker was a consensus top-five player in the state of North Carolina coming out of high school. His decision to enter the portal marks a swift departure from a program he joined amid high-profile fanfare.
For a tracker of UNC’s transfer moves, click here.
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