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Tag: APP Local & State Politics

  • Teacher attendance seems normal, schools say, despite calls for walkout

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    School districts across the state were concerned about teacher shortages after an anonymous social media post pushing for teachers to call out of work Friday and Monday went viral.

    What You Need To Know

    • An anonymous post called on North Carolina teachers to call out of work Friday and Monday

    • Schools in Durham and Guilford counties said there were not an unusual number of teacher absences as of Friday morning 

    • The post called for the protest because of the lack of a state budget, leading to stagnant wages for teachers 

    • Teachers’ unions across the state criticized the anonymous post and asked its members to not participate in the walkout 


    Some schools alerted parents Thursday to warn them of the potential disruption.

    “While students may have a different teacher or classroom location for the day, learning will continue as planned,” reads an email from North Garner Middle School sent to parents Thursday night.

    But administrators from Durham and Guilford county schools said they had not seen an increase in teacher absences as of Friday morning.

    The post calling for the protest cited the lack of a state budget, leaving schools to operate with the same amount of funding as last year. Without money for regular raises, teacher’s wages were left stagnant. 

    None of the large teacher unions in North Carolina have claimed credit for the post, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators asked its members not to take part in the walkout.

    “CMAE does not endorse and will not participate in the anonymously organized social media campaign encouraging educators to call out on Nov. 7 and 10,” reads a statement issued by the union Thursday. “Our power as educators comes from unity, strategy, and collective action—not isolated walkouts.”

    Wake North Carolina Association of Educators also criticized the post.


    “Big serious actions aren’t generated by viral social media posts,” reads its post reacting to the call for the walkout.

    It highlighted the months of planning and organizing that it took for previous walkouts in 2018 and 2019.

    On May 16, 2018, more than 1,000 teachers called out of work in Durham County Schools alone, causing the county’s schools to close that day.

    The following year, Raleigh’s streets were once again filled with teachers, who called out of work to protest and demand higher compensation.  

    “Winning campaigns are strategic,” the post from the Wake North Carolina Association of Educators reads. “They have specific targets, with well-designed tactics, and demands.”

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Caroline King

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  • Cleveland mayor announces moratorium on utility disconnections amid shutdown

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    CLEVELAND — Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced a 30-day moratorium on utility disconnections to help residents affected by the federal government shutdown. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  As of Nov. 7, 2025, Cleveland Water and Cleveland Public Power customers will not have service disruptions because of unpaid bills

    • The city said account balances will continue to accrue

    • As of Thursday, the federal government remains in shutdown, the longest in U.S. history

    Bibb said as of Nov. 7, 2025, Cleveland Water and Cleveland Public Power customers will not have service disruptions because of unpaid bills through the moratorium. The city said account balances will continue to accrue, but the step was being taken to help residents keep their services.

    “Our city understands what Cleveland families are going through right now,” said Bibb in a news release. “The federal shutdown and cuts to SNAP benefits have placed an unfair and unexpected burden on households that were already stretched thin. No one should have to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table. This moratorium is about giving our residents breathing room, stability and dignity while Washington works to resolve this crisis.” 

    As of Thursday, the federal government remains in shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, on its 37th day.

    Residents who are seeking help or payment plan options can contact the utilities at:

    “In moments like these, local government must step up,” Bib said. “We are doing everything we can to make sure families stay connected to water and power — the basic services every person deserves.” 

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Advocates highlight Lung Cancer Awareness Month in D.C. 

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    WASHINGTON, D.C. — November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and advocates warn that the federal government shutdown is disrupting potentially lifesaving research.

    What You Need To Know

    • November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month

    • The LUNGevity Foundation held a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday

    • The organization planted 60,000 flags on the National Mall to represent the 120,000 Americans killed by the disease annually


    “A lot of the research that was ongoing or is about to start, or hopefully will start, is brought to a halt. And unfortunately, science isn’t something you can just turn on and off, so it really needs that sustainability and the continuity that federal funding provides to them,” said Andrea Ferris, president and chief executive officer of LUNGevity Foundation.

    On Wednesday, the LUNGevity Foundation held a news conference on the National Mall to advocate for research funding. Terri Ann DiJulio, a member of the LUNGevity Foundation’s board of directors, was first diagnosed with lung cancer when she was just 42 years old. She said early detection is key. 

    “We need research funding, not only to develop better treatment options, but to create better, more accessible detection tools to find lung cancer earlier, when it’s most treatable and when people have the most, greatest chance for a cure,” DiJulio said. 

    The Trump Administration has cut thousands of employees at the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the National Institutes of Health. Meanwhile, Democrats are seeking an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies as part of any government funding deal. 

    “Right now, we’re in the fight of our lives with the extension of the ACA tax credits that provides literal lifesaving health care coverage for health care patients,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said.

    “So, we already have the difficulty and challenge of getting people to be aware of the opportunity to get screened for lung cancer. If you don’t have health care coverage, then you’re not going to be able to have access to that because you won’t be able to afford the cost of it.”

    A group of bipartisan House lawmakers, including Wasserman Schultz, have co-sponsored the Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention Act requiring Medicare to cover more screenings, and the Mobile Cancer Screening Act to expand access to rural and underserved communities. 

    The disease kills roughly 120,000 Americans every year, according to the LUNGevity Foundation. 

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    Corina Cappabianca

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  • Jerry Demings sits down 1-on-1 with Spectrum News

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    Since Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has filed to run for governor in the Sunshine State, many are wondering why he wants Florida’s top job. He sits down with Spectrum News 13’s Ybeth Bruzual to share his thoughts.

    The Orlando native shared memories of the Pulse Nightclub terror attack, how faith and family guided him to run for governor, how the Florida DOGE fueled his fire to run, how he plans to flip a red state blue, plus why his message to Floridians is different from Zohan Mamdani’s, who has won the New York mayor’s race and is a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist.

    “It can’t happen without the people believing that I’m the right person at the right time,” Demings said. “I believe that because of the sum total of my experiences, the relationships that I have across the state, some of the dynamics of the politics is happening within the state right now, we will be able to appeal to a broader, much more diverse audience of voters within our state. And so I’m just excited to go on the campaign trail to be able to talk to people and convince them that I’m the right person at the right time.”

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    Ybeth Bruzual

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  • ‘We are desperate’: Stein calls session on Medicaid funding as cuts hit

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — As a budget stalemate continues in Raleigh, Gov. Josh Stein is renewing calls for the General Assembly to get back to work on a deal.

    With no budget, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cut Medicaid reimbursement rates, saying it needed to make up for a gap in funding.

    What You Need To Know

    • DHHS cut Medicaid reimbursement rates for some services by 3% to 10% on Oct. 1, citing a funding shortfall

    • Parents sued DHHS over cuts to behavioral health treatment and a judge awarded a pause

    • Gov. Josh Stein called on lawmakers to return to Raleigh and reach an agreement to fund Medicaid

    • Republicans in the House and Senate are at odds over a potential state investment in a children’s hospital and have not reached a budget deal


    Now, some of those cuts are being pulled back by a judge’s order.

    Health care providers saw Medicaid reimbursement rates drop less than a week ago.

    On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins issued a temporary restraining order that puts a pause on cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral health treatments.

    The state Department of Health and Human Services cut Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain services by 3% to 10% on Oct. 1.

    It included a 10% rate decrease to research-based behavioral health treatments.

    Twenty-two parents of children diagnosed with autism or who are receiving therapy sued DHHS, saying the cuts would keep kids from being treated.

    They said it’s a violation of the state’s constitution.

    The plaintiffs in the lawsuit against DHHS filed a motion for a preliminary injunction.

    That would keep the Medicaid rates for behavioral health services in place until the case is decided in court.

    A judge will choose whether to grant that request in a hearing on Nov. 10.

    Stein did not address that lawsuit in a press conference outside the state capitol on Thursday but acknowledged the cuts’ potential impact to people with autism and vulnerable populations.

    He called on lawmakers to come back to Raleigh for an extra session on Nov. 17 to hammer out a deal to fund Medicaid.

    “We are desperate to restore the funding levels to where they were before, but by law we cannot spend money that we do not have, nor should we spend money that we do not have,” Stein said. “The legislature has not fully funded Medicaid, they know they’ve not fully funded Medicaid.”

    DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said the state’s Medicaid shortfall is roughly $319 million.

    He said the department is starting to receive emails from a handful of larger providers saying they may exit Medicaid at the end of the month.

    Republicans have been critical of Stein and DHHS, saying the cuts to Medicaid were unnecessary.

    House Speaker Destin Hall has called it a “manufactured crisis.”

    The governor today used the same term but blamed the General Assembly.

    To this point the House and Senate appear no closer to funding Medicaid or reaching a budget agreement, with leadership from both chambers signaling they’ve likely already cast their final votes of the year.

    The chambers have been at odds over potential state funding for a children’s hospital system and money for a rural health care initiative.

    Republicans in the Senate are in favor, but Republicans in the House are opposed.

    Stein said his most recent conversations with Republican leadership in the House and Senate did not go as he had hoped.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Marshall Keely

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  • Bill would impose stiffer penalties for drivers not disclosing identifying info

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bill is currently in Ohio House committee that would include stiffer penalties for drivers who refuse to give officers their name, address and date of birth when it is requested.

    What You Need To Know

    • House Bill 492 is currently in the Public Safety committee

    • The bill would introduce stiffer penalties to those who refuse to give their name, address and date of birth to an officer during a traffic stop

    • It would become a fourth-degree midemeanor

    The bill’s primary sponsors are Rep. Sharon A. Ray, R- District 66, and Rep. Cindy Abrams, R-District 29.

    If the bill would become law, refusing to disclose your name, address or date of birth when requested by an officer during a traffic stop would be considered a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

    “If someone fails to identify themselves at a traffic stop the charge is an unclassified misdemeanor, which is a fine-only offense,” Ray said in a press release. “By enacting House Bill 492 and changing it to a misdemeanor of the fourth degree it carries a possibility of a maximum of 30 days in jail and more importantly a fourth-degree misdemeanor gives jails the authority to fingerprint and identify the person before they are let go. In some cases, these people have warrants out for their arrests for dangerous crimes and without being able to identify them, whether at the traffic stop or the jail, there is no way to know.”

    The bill is currently in the Public Safety Committee after having been introduced on Oct. 1.

    “Law enforcement across the state and nation are put in an unsafe situation during a traffic stop when some people believe that they do not need to identify themselves to law enforcement,” Abrams said in the release. “Our law enforcement face risks each day they put their uniforms on and start their shift. House Bill 492 provides our law enforcement with an extra tool in the toolbox as they work to keep our communities safe.”

    You can view the full version of the bill here:

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lumbees push for federal recognition in Senate hearing

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    For the first time since 2021, North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe made its case in a Senate hearing that it should be granted federal recognition.

    Wednesday’s hearing could be a positive step for the tribe, which has long sought the designation from Congress. 

    Designation would make the tribe eligible for additional federal dollars.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lumbee federal tribe recognition was the focus of a Senate hearing Wednesday

    • The North Carolina tribe has pushed Congress for recognition for years, but it always has stalled in the Senate

    • Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina testified in support of recognition before the committee

    Senators on Wednesday held a hearing on a bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, that would grant the tribe recognition.

    “This issue has come before Congress many times over the decades but never with this level of unity and support. These days it’s rare to see Republicans and Democrats come together on anything. But when it comes to Lumbee recognition, the support is overwhelming and it’s bipartisan,” Tillis told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

    The Senate has always been the place where efforts to achieve Lumbee recognition have stalled, but it has support from President Donald Trump. It also had support from former President Joe Biden.

    Before the hearing, a number of lawmakers from the state, including Tillis, joined the Lumbees to show their support.

    But seeking recognition through Congress is controversial.

    Numerous tribes, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have spoken out against it. The Eastern Band has said there are more than a hundred tribes in the country that oppose the Lumbees going through Congress for recognition.

    The Eastern Band argues the Lumbees can’t demonstrate Native ancestry and if they want recognition they should go through the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs process, not Congress.

    “This issue in North Carolina has become so emotional and politically driven that it takes away from the true process that should be doing the evaluation… we just don’t feel that Congress has the tools to be able to look at the details of the merit… we need experts to make the determination,” Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chair Michell Hicks told Spectrum News.

    Hicks worries about the impact if the Senate approves Lumbee recognition. The bill has already passed the House.

    “I think it potentially opens Pandora’s box because of not properly reviewing the requests, and that’s very concerning for identities in a lot of Indian country,” Hicks said.

    The Lumbee chair said Wednesday that the process run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs takes too long and expressed concerns that if it went through that path, it could end up in court.

    A few senators reiterated the power of Congress when it comes to granting recognition.

    “If you want to make the argument that we need to build a historical record and you trust this agency within an agency more than you trust us that’s fine, that’s fair. But this is still our authority,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Reuben Jones

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  • Mecklenburg Co. voters pass sales tax increase for transit improvements

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Voters in Mecklenburg County have passed a one-cent sales tax increase to fund transportation improvements over 30 years. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Voters in Mecklenburg County passed a sales tax increase in Tuesday’s election to fund transportation improvements over the next 30 years

    • The sales tax will increase from 7.25% to 8.25% starting July 1, 2026

    • The additional tax revenue will go to rail projects, road improvements, bus and microtransit service

    • Prior to Election Day, supporters said it would bring better transit options while opponents argued the cost would impact low-income families 


    Beginning July 1, 2026, the sales tax will increase from 7.25% to 8.25%, which the city of Charlotte estimates will be about $19 more a month per household. 

    The tax will fund the 2055 Transit System Plan, according to Charlotte Area Transit interim CEO Brent Cagle, which includes rail construction, road improvements, and better bus and microtransit service. 

    “It increases frequency, reliability, security and options accessibility throughout transit, so it’s really a holistic plan to address mobility needs,” Cagle said. 

    Charlotte estimates the increased tax revenue will generate $19.4 billion over 30 years. Forty percent will go to rail projects, another 40% to roads, and 20% to buses and microtransit service.

    The plan includes a new commuter rail connecting Uptown to North Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, expanded streetcar and light rail with access to the airport. 

    Officials say it will improve traffic flow on roads and add more bike lanes, sidewalks and traffic signals to communities. Buses will also have expanded service hours and come to the busiest stops more often and microtransit will be expanded across the county.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Estephany Escobar, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Mayor showdown tight, strong voter turnout expected

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    CINCINNATI — Election Day is underway across Ohio, and all eyes are on Cincinnati as voters decide whether to reelect Mayor Aftab Pureval or hand the city’s leadership to Cory Bowman — the half brother of Vice President J.D. Vance.

    What You Need To Know

    • Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval cast his ballot this election day, his opponent Cory Bowman, the vice president’s half brother, cast his ballot on the first day of early voting 

    • The two candidates have debated on their approach to public safety and policing, issues they both say will be top priorities should either become elected 

    • Nine city council seats are also up for grabs. Candidates also campaigned and pushed for anti-violence efforts 

    At the Clifton Recreation Center polling place, a steady flow of voters filed in throughout the day, including Pureval himself. He cast his ballot alongside his wife and children Tuesday morning.

    The Democratic mayor is in a tight race to keep his seat after a contentious campaign that has focused heavily on policing, public safety and housing.

    “We’re really focused after today on continuing to govern,” Pureval said after voting. “As I look at the next 100 days, the next four years, our priorities will remain largely the same — public safety, basic services, housing and growing our economy.”

    Bowman, who voted early, has debated Pureval over the city’s approach to crime and community safety. The race has drawn national media attention due to Bowman’s family ties to the vice president. 

    Nine Cincinnati City Council seats are also on the ballot. Candidates have emphasized the city’s anti-violence plan as a key issue for voters.

    “There are a few things that we need to do,” said council candidate Mark Jeffreys. “One is hire more officers. We’ve added twice as many officers in the last four years than in the previous four, but it’s still not enough.”

    The Hamilton County Board of Elections expects voter turnout to reach between 25% and 28%, similar to the city’s last mayoral election.

    Voter Karen Morris said every ballot matters. “It’s important for everyone to contribute,” she said. “People like to complain, but if you don’t raise your hand and raise your voice, then you’re out of the process.”

    Polls close at 7:30 p.m Tuesday., with results expected to begin rolling in shortly after.

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    Sheena Elzie

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  • How not extending ACA subsidies will affect N.C. residents

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An issue at the center of this government shutdown is extending the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans.

    Open enrollment began Nov. 1, and people are seeing premiums skyrocket for 2026. 

    What You Need To Know

    • An issue at the center of this government shutdown is extending the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans

    • Open enrollment began Nov. 1 and people are seeing premiums skyrocket for 2026

    • These enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. If they’re not extended, 157,000 North Carolinians will become uninsured and another 888,000 will see their health care premiums double, according to Gov. Josh Stein



    Charlotte residents Steve Goodson and his husband, Carlos Mendez, are no exception.

    “Anyone dependent on the ACA is looking at undue stress right now,” Goodson said.

    In 2021, the Biden administration approved enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans, meaning people were given more money from the government for health care costs than in the past.

    “To really make sure that people were able to access care that they needed, that they were able to, you know, get vaccinated for COVID and things like that. So they just wanted to make sure that everybody was healthy in the midst of this pandemic,” said Julieanne Taylor, program director of Family Support and Health Care Program for Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy.

    These enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. If they’re not extended, 157,000 North Carolinians will become uninsured and another 888,000 will see their health care premiums double, according to Gov. Josh Stein.

    “With the premiums going up, we have to collectively reassess going to the doctor,” said Mendez, an ACA insurance recipient.

    According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the average rate for individual ACA coverage will increase by over 28% in 2026.

    As the government shutdown enters its second month, Taylor said this could have a huge impact on residents.

    “It may keep people from renewing their coverage. I mean, as we know right now, prices are just very expensive. It’s expensive for food, it’s expensive for housing and so this is just one more thing,” Taylor said.

    Goodson and Mendez said if their premium doubles, it won’t be easy in the long run.

    “Initially we would deal with it, but I think a year from now, resources would get very limited. But it could perhaps impoverish us over a few years,” Goodson said.

    On the other side of the issue, according to the Cato Institute, these subsidies cost almost half a trillion dollars and have produced enrollment fraud and many believe temporary emergencies should not justify permanent solutions.

    Taylor says health insurance navigators are available across North Carolina to help, if you need assistance picking a plan or understanding the changes to ACA insurance plans. Visit here for more information.

    Since being interviewed for this story, Carlos says he has signed up for healthcare through ACA Enrollment and the cost went up by 26% for 2026.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • AARP talks new report on caregiving, including Florida

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    WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to a recent state-by-state report from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), there are now more than four million caregivers in Florida assisting loved ones with disabilities or “complex medical conditions.”

    Advocates say as a result of that growing number, Congress should pass legislation to help ease the financial strain. 

    What You Need To Know

    • AARP has a new state-by-state look at caregiving across the country

    • Advocates say Congress should pass legislation to help ease the financial strain on caregivers

    • Some of the measures they support include the Credit for Caring Act and the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act


    “We are in a caregiving crisis with 63 million caregivers in this country. And they are increasingly facing helping with medical tasks. We know there’s a huge financial toll on families as well,” said Megan O’Reilly, Vice President for Health and Family, AARP Government Affairs.

    Jessyca Sosa of Miami is what is called a “sandwich” caregiver. She is raising teenagers while also caring for her mother, Grisel, who has been recovering from strokes. 

    “We converted our garage in our house and made like a full apartment for her to live in,” Sosa said. “She has suffered several strokes, which have made the whole caregiving process a little bit more difficult and more taxing.”

    O’Reilly says the financial strain on caregivers is substantial and multifaceted. “On average, family caregivers are spending about $7,200 out of pocket. But, there’s also implications as it relates to, are you having to dig into retirement savings?” O’Reilly said. 

    Advocates are pushing lawmakers in Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to ease that strain. 

    “We have two bills that AARP has advocated for, bipartisan, bicameral — the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide a non-refundable $5,000 tax credit to really help family caregivers alleviate some of those financial responsibilities they’re taking on as they care for their loved ones,” O’Reilly said.

    “A second bill, the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, would allow you to use your existing FSA or HSA to help pay for expenses that you’ve paid for your parent or parent-in-law,” she said.

    Sosa says the tax credit is needed.

    “Absolutely, we should have those tax deductions the same way that I get tax credits for my children under the age of 17,” Sosa said. “I should have the same thing when I am the person that is constantly caring for my older parent.”

    So far, the bills haven’t gained enough support to pass either the House or Senate. The government remains in a shutdown.

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    Corina Cappabianca

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  • McCarley wins Lakeland mayoral race; Election results from around the Bay area

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The quad of candidates vying to be the next mayor of Lakeland came down to previous political experience.

    Sara Roberts McCarley, a city commissioner who was the first candidate to announce a bid, won the mayoral race with 5,970 votes (50.3%). Cedrick Valrie placed second while Kay Klymko and Kaitlin Gracie Kramer placed third and fourth, respectively.

    McCarley said she plans to work alongside fellow commissioners to build on efforts toward accessibility, budget transparency and community involvement. Having served on the City Commission since 2019, she says her familiarity with city departments and local partnerships would make for a smooth transition.

    In other Polk County races, Sean Levy won the Auburndale City Commission 3 seat. In Fort Meade, the City Commission 3 seat was claimed by Jim Watts and the Seat 5 post went to Candic Filyaw Lott.

    Lakeland voters also decided on three charter amendments:

    AMENDMENT 1: Proposed charter amendment modifying Commission district boundaries to be as equal in population as practicable.
    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to modify City Commission district boundaries to be as equal in population as practicable consistent with State law?

    AMENDMENT 2: Proposed Charter amendment modifying term limits applicable to City Commissioners and Mayor.
    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to modify term limits applicable to City Commissioners and Mayor, other than members in office on January 1, 2020, from the current term limits of no more than 3 complete terms in any combination of the positions of Mayor and Commissioner to new term limits of no more than 3 complete terms as a Commissioner and 2 complete terms as Mayor?

    AMENDMENT 3: Proposed Charter amendment eliminating obsolete provisions; renumbering sections; amending other miscellaneous provisions.
    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to eliminate obsolete provisions; specify that mayor or commissioner elected to fill vacancy shall take office upon receiving election certificate; authorize any commissioner to call special commission meeting; require neighborhood posting of special assessment notices rather than newspaper ad; provide that ordinances subject to referendum petition shall not be suspended pending referendum and petitions shall be voted on at regular elections; conforming civil service provisions to current practices?

    In Manatee County, voters in the city of Holmes Beach elected Steven Oelfke, Jessical Patel and Terry Schaefer for City Commission.

    You can find the complete results from across the Bay area here as well. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Election Day: A quick voting guide for N.C. municipal elections

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    Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and will remain open until 7:30 p.m.

    What You Need To Know

    • The General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4

    • There are more than 1,000 seats up for election across the state 

    • In addition to voting for elected officials, some will get to vote directly on local legislation through referendums 

    • Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.




    There are more than 1,000 seats up for election and several referendums to be voted on.

    The map of where municipal elections are happening can be accessed online here. 

    To participate in a municipal election, people have to live and be registered to vote there. People can check their registration status and view more voter details, including jurisdictions, polling place and more, by clicking here.

    Voter Requirements

    • Be a U.S. citizen

    • Be at least 18 years old by election day 

    • Not serving a felony sentence





    People will also be asked to show a photo ID when voting. The list of acceptable IDs can be found here. If someone does not have a photo ID, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form.

    More information on what to expect when voting on Election Day, click here.

    Here are some elections across the state to look out for:

    Mayoral race in Greensboro

    After the primary election narrowed the field from four to two candidates, Marikay Abuzuaiter, who secured 39.89% of the primary vote will face Robbie Perkins, who received 32.49%. Abuzuaiter is the current at-large council member and Perkins previously served as Greensboro’s Mayor from 2011 to 2013, prior to the incumbent Nancy Vaughan, who did not run for reelection.

    Mayoral race in Durham

    Leonardo (Leo) Williams and Anjanée Bell were the top two candidates out of the five that ran in the primary, receiving 55.35% and 29.78% of the vote, respectively.

    Williams has been Durham’s mayor since 2023, and Bell is the daughter of William V. “Bill” Bell, who was the city’s longest serving mayor, holding the office from 2001 to 2017.

    Cary Town Council race

    This year, the at-large representative seat and seats for districts A and C are up for election. The map of the town’s districts can be viewed here.

    Carissa Kohn-Johnson is the current at-large representative and will face Marjorie K. Eastman, who is challenging her for the seat.

    Jennifer Robinson, who has served as the representative for District A since 1999, is challenged by Brittany Richards.

    Jack Smith, the current representative for District C, opted not to run for reelection, leaving Bella Huang and Renee Miller in competition for the seat.

    A North Carolina voter fills out her ballot. (Associated Press)

    Referendums:

    Voters in some municipalities will get the chance to vote on legislation directly. The full list of referendums that will be on this year’s ballots can be viewed here.

    Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte, proposed a new sales tax that would add one cent to every dollar of local sales. The proceeds from this new tax would go toward paying for public transportation. Eligible voters will be able to mark if they are for or against this tax on their ballots.

    Nearby in Union County, residents of Stallings and Indian Trail will get to vote on a new room occupancy tax of up to 5% which if approved, would apply to all guests staying at hotels and other short-term rentals in the towns.   

    The counties of Cleveland, Columbus and Richmond are considering allowing mixed drinks to be sold in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theaters, and convention centers and allowing malt beverages and unfortified wine to be sold in qualifying locations. It will be up to voters to decide whether or not to allow these sales.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Columbus announces more than $3M to support SNAP recipients

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Although a federal judge sided with Columbus and others on Friday by ruling the federal government must continue to pay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Mayor Andrew Ginther announced more than $3 million in local support for recipients on Monday. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Of the funds, $500,000 will go to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective

    • Additionally, $2 million will be going toward emergency rental assistance

    • Other funds will be going toward the Children’s Hunger Alliance, LifeCare Alliance and more

    Of the funds, $500,000 will go to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Ginther said a vote will go to county commissioners on Tuesday to match the award with $500,000 additional funds. 

    Additionally, $2 million will be going toward emergency rental assistance, which Ginther said will soon be available to extremely low-income households. It’ll be available through the city’s Resilient Housing Initiative, and those seeking rental assistance can find more information here.

    Grants of $125,000 will be awarded to Columbus City Schools to distribute packaged meals and shelf-stable food items to food and families. Another $40,000 will go to the Children’s Hunger Alliance to fund 1,500 meal boxes to families through after-school programs. 

    The remainder $30,000 will be given to LifeCare Alliance to provide frozen meals and snack items through a distribution at Columbus Recreation and Parks Mobile Produce Markets.

    As another way to get food, Columbus Public Health will launch Point of Distribution centers at the city’s Mobile Produce Markets this week. There will be meals, produce, toiletries and more. The Point of Distribution centers will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations: 

    • Thursday, Nov. 6 – Glenwood Recreation Center, 1888 Fairmont Ave.
    • Friday, Nov. 7 – Scioto-Southland Recreation Center, 3901 Parsons Ave.
    • Monday, Nov. 10 – Linden Recreation Center, 1350 Briarwood Ave.
    • Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Far East Recreation Center, 826 Lattimer Dr.

    “This pooling of resources cannot replace the $31 million that should be flowing unimpeded to Franklin County SNAP recipients this month,” said Ginther in a release. “But we’re going to do what Columbus does best – stack hands and rise to the occasion to so we may help as many residents as possible stay healthy, safe and stable.”

    To offset food costs, Ginther also offered these resources: 

    • Columbus Water & Power is pausing utility turnoffs related to non-payment and waiving late payment fees. SNAP recipients can also receive a one-time bill credit of $65 for water and $50 for power and an ongoing 25% discount on monthly utility usage. Apply by clicking here or by calling 614-645-8276.
    • COTA is offering a 50% discount on all fixed-rate fares to SNAP recipients who are enrolled in COTA’s digital payment system. Riders can enroll at the COTA Customer Experience Center at 33 N. High St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Florida bill would require public schools to teach cursive writing

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    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — If a bill submitted to the Florida House passes, public elementary school students would be required to learn cursive writing in grades two through five.

    House Bill 127 would go into effect on July 1, 2026, which means the requirement would start in the 2026-2027 school year.

    What You Need To Know

    • If a Florida House bill is passed, students in second through fifth grade would be required to learn cursive writing

    • The bill would require students to be proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade

    • The interim dean for the College of Education at the University of South Florida said teaching handwriting is important

    • If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026, meaning the requirement would start in the 2026-2027 school year


    The bill would require students to be tested by the end of fifth grade to prove that they are proficient in cursive writing.

    Jenifer Schneider, the interim dean for the College of Education at the University of South Florida, said studies have shown that teaching handwriting is important for students.

    “There is science behind it,” said Schneider, who is also a professor of literacy studies at USF. “There’s research behind it that it shows that it’s beneficial for students to learn letter formation and to do it quickly so that they can ease up their brain power for the things that matter.”

    Schneider said cursive is another tool for students to get their ideas down on paper. Whether it’s print or script, Schneider said, the cognitive benefits of handwriting are similar, but noted that learning cursive adds a cultural benefit.

    “You could read an old document. You could read handwritten notes from different generations,” Schneider said. “So, there’s the ability to read cursive writing, if you learn cursive letters.”

    While instruction on cursive writing is currently required by Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards for English Language Arts for grades three through five, there is no requirement to test students’ proficiency, which would change if House Bill 127 is passed.

    The bill, which was filed by state Reps. Toby Overdorf and Dana Trabulsy, is now in the Florida House’s Student Academic Success Subcommittee.

    The regular legislative session begins in January.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Mecklenburg voters to decide on sales tax increase for transit improvements

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Voters in Mecklenburg County are considering a one-cent sales tax increase on Election Day to fund transportation improvements over 30 years. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Voters in Mecklenburg County will decide on a sales tax increase to fund transportation improvements over the next 30 years

    • If passed, the sales tax would increase from 7.25% to 8.25%

    • The additional tax revenue would go to rail projects, road improvements, bus and microtransit service

    • Supporters say it would bring better transit options while opponents argue the cost would affect low-income families 


    If passed, the sales tax would increase from 7.25% to 8.25%, which the city of Charlotte estimates would be about $19 more a month per household. 

    Charlotte Area Transit interim CEO Brent Cagle said it would fund the 2055 Transit System Plan, which includes rail construction, road improvements, and better bus and microtransit service. 

    “It increases frequency, reliability, security and options accessibility throughout transit, so it’s really a holistic plan to address mobility needs,” Cagle said. 

    Charlotte estimates the increased tax revenue would generate $19.4 billion over 30 years. Forty percent would go to rail projects, another 40% to roads, and 20% to buses and microtransit service. 

    Related: Election Day Preview: A look at who’s running in Durham, Fayetteville and Greensboro

    The plan includes a new commuter rail connecting Uptown to North Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, expanded streetcar and light rail with access to the airport. 

    It would improve traffic flow on roads and add more bike lanes, sidewalks and traffic signals to communities. Buses would also have expanded service hours and come to the busiest stops more often and microtransit would be expanded across the county. 

    Transit rider Juan Contreras Juarez, who volunteers for the Yes for Meck campaign, supports the plan. 

    “I think in general, understanding that there’s a bus that comes every 15 minutes would take a lot of stress from the families. They depend on the bus system. There’s a lot of anxiety that comes with it. You go to your bus stop, you’re hurrying because if you miss it, the next bus is in 30 minutes,” Contreras Juarez said. 

    Opponents, including Action NC, say a permanent tax unfairly affects people who can least afford to pay and that more than $200 per year would be a burden to the working class and low-income families. 

    Cagle argues these groups make up the majority of transit riders. 

    “We also think about who benefits from this the most: our riders and how do we benefit them. And they will benefit from this,” Cagle said.

    Craig Reynolds opposes the sales tax and is working with Action NC on their campaign. 

    In his perspective, there are no guarantees with the plan and the current half-cent sales tax has not delivered. 

    “My main point is just look at the failed promises that have happened over the last 27 years,” Reynolds said. 

    He also takes issue with the new regional transit authority that would oversee spending of this investment. 

    “My concern is there’s lack of accountability in this plan. If you look at it, this is an appointed authority of 27 members. It’s not elected, but yet it has the ability to tax citizens. It has the ability to take their property through eminent domain,” Reynolds said. 

    Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs is reviewing applications for the board. The Republican and self-described fiscal conservative worked to put this item on the ballot. He’s chair of the Transportation, Planning and Development Committee of the city council and is part of the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. 

    He said the board can improve transit safety, which has been in the spotlight since the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the light rail in August.

    “They will be able to have a police force of their own and that will help provide a better level of security and they will also have more resources to invest,” Driggs said. 

    Cagle said if the referendum doesn’t pass, the 2055 Transit System Plan cannot be implemented.

    “We are utilizing all of the existing funding. and this transit system plan cannot be implement, cannot be implemented without additional funding,” Cagle said.

    If it fails, CATS will also need to evaluate current spending and ensure the transit system meets financial metrics. A future referendum would then be placed in the hands of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. In addition, the PAVE Act, which gave approval for this item to be on the ballot, would have to be amended due to the timeline outlined in it. 

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings files to run for Florida governor

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has thrown his hat into the ever-widening pool of candidates seeking to become Florida’s next governor.

    What You Need To Know

    • Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced his run for mayor last week

    • For more than three decades, Demings has led the Central Florida community through triumph, tragedy and tough times

    • He started with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department before making his way to City Hall

    For more than three decades, Demings has led the Central Florida community through triumph, tragedy and tough times.

    The Orlando native and Jones High School and Florida State University graduate spent two decades with the Orlando Police Department. In 1998, Demings became the city of Orlando’s first Black police chief.

    “With the help of the men and women of the Orlando Police Department, I will dedicate myself to keeping Orlando a safe city, with livable neighborhoods,” he said in 1998.

    Demings retired from the Orlando Police Department in 2002, but his lifelong service to Central Florida was just ramping up.

    He spent six years as Orange County’s public safety director, which included serving as director for the Orange County Jail.

    And in 2008, he ran for Orange County sheriff and won, becoming the first Black sheriff in the county’s history.

    “If you are doing crime in Orange County, look forward to dealing with Jerry Demings and the entire Orange County Sheriff’s Office,” he said in 2008.

    On what was Demings’ 57th birthday, he found himself responding to the tragedy at the Pulse nightclub during one of Orange County’s darkest days after 49 people were killed in what was at the time, the worst mass shooting in United States history.

    Demings transitioned from law enforcement to county government in 2018, when he successfully ran for Orange County mayor. And in 2020, when the world came to a grinding halt as the coronavirus pandemic emerged, Demings led the county’s response to the pandemic, and pushback to mask mandates.

    Throughout his two terms as Orange County mayor, Demings has unsuccessfully pushed for a penny sales tax to pay for transportation costs, a measure that voters have so far rejected.

    But it’s state of Florida DOGE audits and questions into Orange County government spending, as well as demands for local cooperation with state immigration enforcement, that have sparked perhaps the most contentious political remarks we’ve heard from Demings, including this response to state Attorney General James Uthmeier.

    “I find it somewhat ironic that the 37-year-old attorney general is attacking me personally, attacking our board. I’ve spent more years on the streets of Florida patrolling our streets than he’s been alive,” Demings said.

    Demings eventually signed an agreement that allows Orange County jail staff to transport state immigration detainees. He said it was his only choice. “Yes, I signed the damn thing because we really had to. We were put in a tough spot. I can’t let our entire board of county commissioners and myself be removed from office,” Demings said.

    It’s a political tug of war that will likely come up in his run for Florida governor.

    Records from the Florida Division of Elections show that Demings filed the paperwork to kick off his candidacy on Oct. 31.

    A Democrat, Demings would have to make it through a primary before making it to the 2026 General Election.

    Republicans lost no time in responding to the news. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is also running for governor from across the aisle, said that Demings was “weak” in a released statement. 

    “Jerry Demings is the candidate the radical Florida Democrat party has been dreaming of,” Donalds said. “As police chief, Demings pushed weak-on-crime policies. As Orange County Mayor, he refused to work with ICE to deport criminal illegals and pushed radical ideas like allowing grown men in girls’ locker rooms and men to compete in girls’ sports.

    “And as a candidate, his entire campaign will be about fighting President Trump and his policies that are making Florida safer and stronger. Jerry Demings is weak. He’s woke. And he’s wrong for Florida.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • People aging out of foster care get help thanks to new law

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    ST PETERSBURG, Fla. — “Yes, in God’s backyard.” That was the push for a bill that recently went into effect this summer.

    It allows churches to use their property to develop affordable housing, regardless of zoning restrictions.

    A local nonprofit is using that model to tackle the issue of homelessness and affordable housing for young people aging out of foster care.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nonprofit organization Spring Zone St. Pete is using the Yes in God’s Backyard house bill as the model to tackle the issue of homelessness and affordable housing for young people aging out of foster care

      •  

    • They will be providing housing on the land of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist in St. Pete

    • The project is expected to be completed within the next two years and some of the people who will live in the units will also get a chance to help with the building and construction process

    • RELATED: ‘Yes, In God’s Backyard’ bill part of proposed affordable housing solution


    Graduation, homemade desserts and a culinary career in the making are what 20-year-old Lexi Allison does have. But it’s what she’s had to face after aging out of foster care that’s always top of mind.

    “Homelessness, unemployment, a mental battle, jail. Like I know a lot of people just struggling and constantly going to jail. That’s another thing that not having somewhere stable can cause,” Allison said. “One thing I realized when I didn’t have nowhere to go it was either hard to keep a job, it’s hard to think about your next step when you’re not even in the place you want to be, or be in a place you want to live in or feel comfortable at.”

    That’s the kind of information Christopher Warren with the nonprofit, Spring Zone St. Pete, said they took into account when they came up with a plan to help solve the housing issue for young people.

    “The Yes in God’s Backyard house bill that passed has been a tremendous blessing in this effort. The ability for us to be able to provide housing, but provide housing on church property, is amazing. It’s essential to success because what we need is community,” Warren said. “When it’s fully developed, we’ve got ten units with two young people in each unit. They each have their own room, which was something I wanted to make sure they had, because in the foster system they can be three, four, five — sometimes six to a room.”

    He said each unit will be equipped with the comforts of home and a house of worship on the same property.

    Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Senior Pastor G. Gregg Murray said his church is excited about leasing their land for this housing.

    “Here at Mt. Zion, we want to make sure that whatever we do with our land, we be about ministry,” Murray said.

    At Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist in St. Pete, Murray said their focus is on ministry that makes a difference in the lives of their members and members of a community that’s often forgotten.

    “For foster children who have aged out of the program between the ages of 18 to 23, and we know that’s a time they get displaced and somehow, they disappear into the community, they’re no longer getting services,” he said.

    Pastor Murray is also a social worker. And for his wife, Pauline, working with foster children is part of her life’s work.

    “Working with foster children for pretty much all my life and supervisor of a foster care program here in Pinellas County,” Pauline said. “When you get a child that’s aging out of foster care and coming into an independent living program, they need a lot of wrap-around services. They need a lot of love and attention — you’re their parent. And the same thing you would do with your children, you do with those children.”

    A handful of other churches have also signed on to help with the affordable housing crisis hitting this vulnerable population. It’s something Allison says she can only be thankful for.

    “Yeah, that’s all God’s work,” she said.

    The project is expected to be completed within the next two years. Some of those young people who will live in the units will also get a chance to help with the building and construction process.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Gigglewaters has food for kids impacted by suspended SNAP benefits

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    SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — While the uncertainty around SNAP benefits remain, restaurants in the bay area are making sure kids are getting fed.

    Gigglewaters in Safety Harbor has free lunches for kids in need.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gigglewaters has free to-go lunches for kids impacted by suspended SNAP benefits

    • The restaurant started giving out  “GiggleBags” on Saturday

    • They gave out about 25 bags on the first day

    • “GiggleBags” will be available every day until SNAP is back in Florida


    The restaurant is making as many bags as they need.

    “Today, we’re doing Uncrustables, apples, juice boxes, granola bars,” said Rachel Fine Wilson, owner and founder of Gigglewaters.

    “GiggleBags” are free to-go lunches for kids impacted by suspended SNAP benefits. The founder and owner Wilson said no purchase is necessary.

    “I don’t know if it’s going to be busy or steady, but we’re committed to making sure everybody has one,” she said.

    Wilson was inspired by her own life experience. She said that when she was a young adult, she was on food stamps for several months, which is why she said she wanted to help.

    “I was embarrassed to use those, that felt awful, but I was hungry and I will never forget that feeling and I don’t want anyone else, especially kids, to have to feel embarrassed or hungry,” Wilson said.

    Saturday was the first day of “GiggleBag” distribution, and Wilson said they handed out about 25 bags.

    “It’s an easy decision, I know this is a complicated situation, but feeding a hungry kid isn’t complicated, give them food,” she said.

    Gigglewaters has a history of giving back during times of need, but Wilson said this is the first time that about two dozen other restaurants were inspired to take part.

    “It is an honor; it’s making me emotional, honestly. If you think you can do a little bit of good, you might be able to inspire other people to do the same and then the movement grows,” Wilson said.

    No matter how long the SNAP disruption lasts, Wilson said they will find a way to keep kids full.

    If a “GiggleBag” will help feed your child, Wilson is encouraging pick-ups between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. but she said they are accommodating other times.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Polk County commissioners OK purchase of land to house new wastewater facility

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County commissioners recently approved the purchase of 200 acres in the eastern part of the county. The property will house a new wastewater treatment facility, which officials say is needed as the county continues to grow.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County Utilities is establishing a new wastewater treatment facility in the eastern region of the county

    • Commissioners recently approved the purchase of 200 acres to house a wastewater treatment

    • County leaders say the facility is needed as the population in the area continues to grow


    As more development makes its way into Polk County, Tamara Richardson, the utilities director for the county, says her department is working to keep up.

    “It’s about 200 acres, and utilities needs about 50 acres, and we’re planning to tuck our facility up into the corner,” she said.

    The county’s eastern region needs more utilities. The recent approval to purchase property off Masterpiece Road will aid in adding a wastewater treatment facility.

    Part of the land will also house a road and training facility, the sheriff’s district command office and part of it will be for conservation.

    The county currently has three facilities — each one helps to collect and treat wastewater, which in turn is sent back out for irrigation.

    It’s a cycle that Richardson believes will continue to have a positive impact for new residents.

    “Part of growth is being able to provide services that meet the needs but also do not damage the environment, and that’s what this project will do,” she said.

    But the new facility won’t be like the ones already in the county. Jason Jennings, the operations manager with utilities, says this one will use new technology known as membrane bioreactor technology.

    “So, what this process will allow us to do, is it’ll give us the opportunity for more effective removal of solids, protozolins, viruses,” he said.

    Unlike the traditional facilities, the new one will take up less space.

    And the future facility is already playing a role on the existing ones, so that they’re ready to accommodate more people looking to call Polk County their home.

    The project could take anywhere from three to five years to complete.

    With the new technology, it will help reduce labor but provide expanded opportunities for employees to learn how to handle new technology to treat wastewater.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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