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  • Tuition for in-state undergraduates is going up across UNC system. What to know

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    The University of North Carolina Board of Governors voted to increase the cost of tuition for in-state undergraduate students. This is the first tuition hike for the UNC system in nine years.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The University of North Carolina Board of Governors voted Thursday morning to increase the cost of tuition for in-state undergraduate students

    •  Tuition costs will be raised 3%, with an average increase of $125 per student starting with the 2026-27 school year

    •  The increase will not apply to current students, only new students


    The board voted in favor of the 3% increase Thursday morning. Officials say the hike amounts to about $125 per student, but is more or less depending on the university.

    The average cost of tuition systemwide will increase from $4,684 to $4,809 in 2026-27, according to a release, and will only apply to new students. Current students will not see a change in their tuition cost.

    “Low tuition is at the heart of our compact with the people of North Carolina,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “We’re focused on reducing administrative costs, keeping student debt down, and making sure every UNC degree delivers value for our graduates.”

    Officials say the increase is in response to rising operating costs and inflationary pressures.

    “For so much of the UNC System’s history, the debate was not about if tuition would go up, but about how much it would go up,” said UNC Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy. “This Board, working with our president and our chancellors, changed that expectation. We created a new affordability baseline for North Carolinians, one that prioritizes families and their needs.”

    In addition to the tuition hike, the board also approved an increase in mandatory student fees. “Fees during the 2026-27 academic year will increase by an average of 1%,” a release said.

    The hikes only apply to the 12 universities across the UNC system that are not designated NC Promise schools. Officials say in-state undergraduate tuition at NC Promise schools will stay at $500 per semester.

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

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Red flags for teen dating violence: UNCG student shares her story

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — Teen dating violence often begins with behaviors that may seem small at first — jealousy, pressure or attempts to control a partner. However, experts say those warning signs can quickly escalate into emotional, physical or sexual abuse. 

        What You Need To Know

    • Teen dating violence often begins with behaviors that may seem small at first — jealousy, pressure or attempts to control a partner — but experts say those warning signs can quickly escalate into emotional, physical or sexual abuse

    • For University of North Carolina at Greensboro senior Elizabeth Dorton, those red flags appeared when she was just 15

    • The FBI found 73% of abusive teen relationships involved a boyfriend and girlfriend
    • Simple assault was the most commonly reported offense among victims 15 and older, while rape was most frequently reported among victims 14  and younger
    • If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship, help is available through local crisis centers and the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)


    For University of North Carolina at Greensboro senior Elizabeth Dorton, those red flags appeared when she was just 15.

    Sitting on a bench on campus, Dorton shared a story she has rarely spoken about publicly. What started as a friendship with a fellow robotics teammate during high school soon turned into something more.

    “I was on a robotics team, it was somebody who was also on the team,” Dorton said. “Our friendship started there, and then it turned into more than just a regular friendship.”

    She said jealousy and isolation quickly followed.

    Dorton recalled repeated threats tied to something as simple as wanting a septum piercing.

    “He consistently told me if I had ever gotten that specific piercing, he would take, like the nine volt battery and hold it up, which closes the circuit and then it’s like an electrical current runs through it,” Dorton said.

    She said the threats eventually escalated into sexual violence, leaving her feeling trapped and alone.

    “Even though because I was never hit, that doesn’t mean that I deserved any of that … and it wasn’t my fault that that happened,” Dorton said.

    According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, nationwide data from 2020 through 2024 shows more than three-quarters of victims in violent teen relationships were female, accounting for 79.2% of reported cases.

    The report also found 73% of abusive teen relationships involved a boyfriend and girlfriend. Simple assault was the most commonly reported offense among victims 15 and older, while rape was most frequently reported among victims 14 and younger.

    Sydney Wray, a trauma therapist with House of Sparrow Counseling, said sexual coercion, emotional manipulation and digital monitoring are among the most common forms of abuse she sees in teens.

    “Studies have shown that an abusive relationship, both in teens and adults, the victim’s brain mimics a drug addiction, so in a lot of ways they’re addicted to their abuser,” Wray said.

    She said parents play a critical role in prevention by creating safe spaces for teens to speak openly about their struggles.

    “Make sure that you just provide them non-judgmental support and show them what healthy love looks like,” Wray said.

    Dorton said therapy helped her understand the relationship was unhealthy. She said she didn’t tell her parents about the abuse until two years after it ended.

    “I was scared that they would be upset with me or that I would get in trouble for some reason,” Dorton said.

    By sharing her experience, Dorton hopes other teens recognize the warning signs sooner and know they have options.

    “Once you recognize, maybe this is not what I want or this is not like how we used to be, that’s the first step. The next step is knowing that you can leave, you can go,” Dorton said.

    Mental health professionals say parents should watch for warning signs including teens constantly checking their phones, withdrawing from friends or family, or appearing fearful of upsetting a partner.

    “One of the biggest warning signs that your teen is in an abusive relationship or an unhealthy relationship is the constantly checking their phone or worrying about their partner and saying, I don’t want to do this or I can’t do that. Not wanting to see friends, not wanting to see family, isolating themselves, staying in their room,” Wray said.

    If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship, help is available through local crisis centers and the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). 

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

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Crowded Republican field lines up to take on Democrat Don Davis

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    It’s a small group at the Nashville Exchange in Nash County on a Monday night, a little more than two weeks before the North Carolina primary election. But each person here is a dedicated Republican and an almost certain voter.

    What You Need To Know

    • Five Republicans are running in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District primary

    • The district was recently redrawn to benefit the Republican Party

    • The winner of the Republican primary will challenge Democratic Rep. Don Davis


    They are hearing from two of the Republicans running in the state’s 1st Congressional District. It’s a race with national attention because the party thinks it can flip the seat red for the first time in more than 140 years.

    Issues in this district include farming, where tobacco is very prevalent, health care, there’s been a number of hospital closures, and poverty. While there’s been a decline in the poverty rate, eastern North Carolina has some of the highest rates in the state.

    There’s a flood of Republicans running in the primary, which is March 3. The number of candidates makes it hard to predict who could win.

    President Donald Trump, an influential voice in Republican primaries, has not endorsed a candidate.

    “He’s really proven over and over to be a kingmaker in Republican politics,” said East Carolina University political science professor Peter Francia. “If he had decided to endorse one of the candidates, then I think we would be able to say with a lot of confidence that that candidate had a really good chance of winning.”

    Related: A closer look at N.C.’s only toss-up congressional House race

    Of the five Republicans running, the candidate who’s probably received the most attention is Laurie Buckhout.

    Democratic Rep. Don Davis is seeking reelection in the 1st Congressional District. (AP File Photo/David Yeazell)

    She ran for the seat in 2024, losing to Democratic Rep. Don Davis by two points. Despite the loss she has name recognition. She’s a retired Army colonel who recently served as acting assistant secretary of war for cyber policy in the Trump administration.

    Asa Buck is the longtime sheriff of Carteret County and is well-known in parts of the district.

    State Sen. Bobby Hanig represents some of this U.S. House district in the General Assembly and runs a pool cleaning and maintenance business in Currituck.

    Eric Rouse is a construction business owner who lives in Kinston and is a Lenoir County commissioner.

    And Ashley-Nicole Russell is a family law attorney with offices throughout the state.

    “The high number of candidates means there’s always the potential that a candidate doesn’t reach 30%, and in that case we have a runoff,” Francia told Spectrum News 1. “But my suspicion is that there will be a candidate who exceeds 30%.”

    Spectrum News 1 spoke with a number of voters at a poll site in Nash County.

    “I’ve met Laurie a couple of different times and I feel like her service to our country and I know that she has worked for Trump and I believe she is dedicated and loyal,” said JoAnn Everette, who said she voted for Buckhout.

    “Reducing it down to the top two would have been Laurie Buckhout and Asa Buck. I consider both of them to be near equals in different categories,” said Jerry Barnes. “The deciding factor for me was based on who stood the best chance in beating Don Davis and I felt that was Asa Buck.”

    The winner of the Republican primary will take on Davis, who’s vying for his third term.

    Davis is arguably one of the most moderate Democrats in the U.S. House and has a record of winning in the district.

    This November could be Davis’ toughest election because Republicans in the state legislature recently redrew the district boundaries to heavily favor their party’s candidate. It was part of the rare move of mid-decade redistricting that a number of states have taken in the country, started by Texas at Trump’s urging.

    “In this new map I think any political expert would tell you that the Republicans have a very good chance of winning the district this time around,” Francia said about the new 1st Congressional District.

    The district is wide, stretching from the Virginia border to the Democratic area of Rocky Mount and now the Republican stronghold of the Outer Banks.

    “In the 40 years that we’ve lived here we’ve been redistricted a lot of times, so it’s just a matter of OK, what’s coming up next,” said Republican voter Cynthia Carpenter.

    With so many candidates in the Republican primary, this race could be close as the GOP smells a chance to flip a blue seat to try to keep control of the U.S. House in November.

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

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    Reuben Jones

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  • Trump cites Charlotte light rail slaying, criticizes ‘pro-crime’ Democrats

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    In President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, he recognized Anna Zarutska in the audience. She is the mother of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian woman killed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

    Anna Zarutska cried as the president described the stabbing and blamed “pro-crime” Democrats for Iryna Zarutska’s 2025 death.

    “Iryna fled war-torn Ukraine to live with relatives near Charlotte, North Carolina,” the president said in his address. As an aside, he added, “And by the way, what’s going on with Charlotte?”

    “Last summer, 23-year-old Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no cash bail, stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body,” Trump continued.

    Cameras showed Anna Zarutska openly weeping as the president talked about her daughter’s killing. 

    RELATED: 8 takeaways from Trump’s State of the Union address

    The president falsely said the accused killer, DeCarlos Brown, was an immigrant. Brown is, in fact, an American citizen.

    “She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America, came in through open borders,” Trump said. 

    The stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska, caught in a graphic video, shocked Charlotte and drew national attention to the Queen City. 

    RELATED: Iryna’s Law already impacting some defendants’ pretrial process

    Brown had a long history of mental health issues and contacts with the criminal justice system, public records show. He served five years in prison for armed robbery. He was arrested most recently for misuse of 911 in 2025, a misdemeanor, and released from jail. 

    The killing on Charlotte’s popular Lynx Blue Line light rail drove action in Raleigh, where the North Carolina General Assembly passed Iryna’s Law.

    The law gets rid of judges’ ability to release people from jail on a written promise to appear. It also gives judges more authority to deny “no cash” bonds to people who could potentially be a risk to the community. 

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

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    Charles Duncan

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  • Remembering the ‘Greensboro Six’

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    Dec. 7, 1955, is a day that changed the course of history in Greensboro.

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    Zach Tucker

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  • Trump says he’ll enact additional 10% tariff after Supreme Court decision

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    Hours after the Supreme Court struck down many of President Donald Trump’s far-reaching tariffs in a 6-3 decision, the president said Friday he plans to sign an excecutive order imposing 10% global import duties “over and above our normal tariffs already being charged,” citing a different statute. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Hours after the Supreme Court struck down many of President Donald Trump’s far-reaching tariffs in a 6-3 decision, the president said he planned to impose a 10% global import duties through another statute

    • The country’s top court issued its long-awaited decision Friday, ruling the president does not have the authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, passed in 1977

    • “We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion

    • Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson all sided with Roberts in invalidating many of Trump’s import taxes levied on U.S. global trading partners; yhree justices –– Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito –– dissented from the majority opinion

    During a news conference at the White House after the ruling, Trump quoted Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s dissenting opinion as the president justified pressing on with his tariffs. “Although I firmly disagree with the Court’s holding today, the decision might not substantially constrain a President’s ability to order tariffs going forward,” Kavanaugh wrote.

    The country’s top court issued its long-awaited decision Friday, ruling the president does not have the authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, passed in 1977.

    “IEEPA’s grant of authority to ‘regulate . . . importation’ falls short. IEEPA contains no reference to tariffs or duties,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. “The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word ‘regulate’ to authorize taxation. And until now no President has read IEEPA to confer such power.” 

    Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson sided with Roberts in invalidating many of Trump’s import taxes levied on U.S. global trading partners. Three justices –– Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito –– dissented from the majority opinion.

    “We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” the opinion concluded.

    In his news conference, Trump called the ruling “deeply disappointing” and condemned the Supreme Court majority who struck down the IEEPA duties, accusing the justices of being “swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think.”

    Trump pledged to employ “very powerful alternatives.”

    “We’ll take in more money, and we’ll be a lot stronger for it,” he said. “We’re taking in hundreds of billions of dollars. We’ll continue to do so.”

    Separate tariffs that Trump had previously imposed, including ones on goods such as aluminum, steel, lumber and automobiles through Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, were not part of the case considered by the Supreme Court and still remain in place. During his remarks Friday, the president also highlighted several additional methods to levy tariffs, including Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits import duties of up to 15% to be imposed for 150 days. 

    “I can do anything I want with IEEPA, anything. I just can’t charge anybody for it,” he said. “It’s ridiculous.”

    In November, the nation’s top court heard oral arguments for a consolidated challenge from several Democratic-led states and a handful of small businesses over the president’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, as well as ones he levied on China, Mexico and Canada over what his administration described as “the flow of contraband drugs like fentanyl to the United States.” 

    In both, Trump contended that the situations constituted national emergencies and relied on IEEPA as the justification for imposing tariffs. 

    During nearly three hours of oral arguments before the justices late last year, attorneys for the plaintiffs insisted that only Congress has the power to tax and argued that tariffs are not included in the scope of IEEPA. They were followed by U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who contended that tariffs fell under the president’s authority to “regulate foreign commerce.”

    Liberal and some conservative justices at the time seemed to express skepticism about the Trump administration’s arguments.

    One of the plaintiffs in the case –– Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources and hand2mind –– praised the ruling in a statement Friday.

    “With today’s decision, we will continue to pursue our mission through innovation, investment, and hard work supporting educators, families, and children around the world, without the burden of unlawful tariffs,” Woldenberg wrote.

    What will happen with the tariffs that have been paid?

    Barrett had asked during oral arguments about logistics of giving refunds to importers if the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and remarked that the process may be “a mess.”

    During that exchange, Neal Katyal, who was representing small-business plaintiffs, contended that only the companies that were party to the suit would be entitled to receive their money back, and other businesses would have to individually seek repayment.

    To protect their right to request refunds, retail giant Costco and hundreds of other businesses have launched legal challenges. 

    It was not immediately clear from the ruling what would happen, regarding potential refunds.

    Kavanaugh in his dissent Friday echoed Barrett’s comments, writing that the U.S. “may be required to refund billions of dollars to importers who paid the IEEPA tariffs, even though some importers may have already passed on costs to consumers or others.” 

    “As was acknowledged at oral argument, the refund process is likely to be a ‘mess,’” Kavanaugh contended, adding that the Supreme Court’s ruling could also “generate uncertainty” about trade agreements Trump reached with other countries to lower the import duties. 

    On Friday, Trump criticized the Supreme Court majority for not addressing the issue in its opinion, suggesting that the refunds will be subject to a lengthy legal fight.

    “We’ll end up being in court for the next five years,” the president said.

    A coalition of roughly 800 small businesses, We Pay the Tariffs, called on the federal government to expeditiously refund tariff payments to U.S. companies. 

    “But a legal victory is meaningless without actual relief for the businesses that paid these tariffs,” the group wrote in a statement. “The administration’s only responsible course of action now is to establish a fast, efficient, and automatic refund process that returns tariff money to the businesses that paid it.” 

    Customs and Border Protection estimated in December it collected more than $200 billion from new tariffs last year. Of that figure, approximately $133.5 billion was brought in from IEEPA import duties through Dec. 14, 2025, but that number is believed to have ticked up in the weeks since. Reuters reported Friday that more than $175 billion in tariffs may need to be refunded if the Supreme Court rules against Trump, citing an estimate from Penn-Wharton Budget Model economists.

    Trump had previously speculated that the amount would be even higher.

    “The actual numbers that we would have to pay back if, for any reason, the Supreme Court were to rule against the United States of America on Tariffs, would be many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars,” he said Jan. 12 on social media. 

    In a statement, the Committee For a Responsible Federal Budget called on lawmakers to address the lost tariff revenue.

    “With the national debt already the size of the entire U.S. economy and interest on the debt costing more than $1 trillion this year, this is very bad news,” the nonpartisan think tank wrote. “Congress should work quickly to fill that hole.”

    Before Trump’s tariffs took effect last year, the U.S. saw a surge of imports of foreign goods in the first few months. The trade-gap then narrowed for most of the rest of the year, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. 

    But, while the overall trade deficit of goods and services fell to $901 billion last year, the gap between the amount of goods imported versus exported rose to a record-high $1.24 trillion in 2025, the report found, meaning the U.S. ultimately brought in more foreign products than American exporters sent overseas.

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    Christina Santucci

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  • N.C. toy store owner says impact of Supreme Court tariff decision is unclear

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs are illegal.

    A toy store owner in Charlotte says after the past year’s tariffs, “you kind of become numb to it.”

    “You have to run your business,” Dan Weiss, owner of Harper and Skyler’s Toys and Sweets, said. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The U.S. Supreme Court ruled many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs illegal

    • It’s unclear what the ruling means for local businesses that had to deal with the tariffs 

    • The owner of Harper and Skyler’s Toys and Sweets in Charlotte sells a variety of items other than toys in order to keep his business afloat 

    • Regardless of the ruling, owner Dan Weiss says he’s keeping a level head about the future 


    Weiss says it’s unclear what this ruling could mean for his business or the industry in general. Over the last year, he absorbed most of the extra costs due to tariffs.

    “Some prices I kept the same. I again, 20% of the stuff in the store might have went up in price, but for the most part, we ate a lot of it. We kept our pricing the same and we tried to not burden the customer,” he said.

    The justices ruled that the president does not have the authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, but other Trump duties, including on goods such as aluminum and lumber through the Trade Expansion Act, were not part of the case considered by the Supreme Court and still remain.

    Trump responded to the Supreme Court ruling in a press conference Friday afternoon, saying, “Their decision’s incorrect, but it doesn’t matter because we have very powerful alternatives that have been approved by this decision. You know they’ve been approved by the decision, for those that thought they had us.”

    Weiss has dealt with surcharges from companies and discontinuation of some items because of tariffs, but in the short term, he said, “You’re not going to get money back. I’m not going to see money back.”

    “And if it happens, it’s going to be years down the road,” Weiss said. “Today and tomorrow mean nothing.”

    That’s why he’s focused on the day to day of his business.

    “I have to run my business the way I run it. I have to order the way I order. I have to get products. The way I get products, whether they’re 10% more, 20% more, or I’m getting a check back next week, it doesn’t affect what I do day to day,” he said. 

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

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    Melody Greene

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  • Salisbury officals, firefighters respond to staffing worries

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    SALISBURY, N.C. — A Salisbury firefighter said staffing shortages are straining crews and contributing to increased overtime for workers, while city leaders said they take staffing concerns seriously and remain committed to maintaining reliable emergency response for residents. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  A North Carolina fire department union is voicing major concerns about staffing 

    •  A worker said crews are facing burnout due to repeated overtime shifts 

    •  The union is asking to meet with city leaders one-on-one to address solutions for the staffing concerns 


    Ethan Chirico is a Salisbury firefighter and union board member with the Salisbury Professional Fire Fighters Local 2370.

    Chirico has been working for the Salisbury Fire Department for eight years, and said staffing has been a growing issue during his time with the department.

    He said the city’s growth has increased demand for emergency response, including medical calls and fires, requiring crews to staff stations and be ready to respond around the clock.

    “Since COVID, we have been pushing over 6,000 calls. Last year, we ran nearly 10,000,” Chirico said. 

    “We have to respond to every emergency that comes out, and that’s fire departments everywhere,” Chirico said. “Except, Salisbury is growing rapidly. The number of people, that increases our number of medical calls, increases our numbers for fire.” 

    He believes challenges worsened as demand for services increased, further stating the environment can make it difficult to retain newer firefighters as call volume and workload continue to rise. 

    “If you’re starting to feel like this job is dragging on you in the first five years, that’s a major problem,” Chirico said. “People get burned out way sooner than they need to.”

    Chirico said the department wrote a letter to city council leaders in 2021, expressing impending staffing challenges. 

    “We knew the writing was on the wall,” Chirico said. 

    Chirico’s concerns were amplified on Feb. 13, when he said the department’s Ladder 3 was temporarily taken out of staffing service because of a shortage of firefighters available to safely staff the apparatus. 

    “It went back in service that evening because someone responded from home,” Chirico said. “That is asking somebody to leave their family on their off day.” 

    Chirico said there are five stations in the city with seven frontline trucks. He said to safely operate the apparatus, they need 22 firefighters, one being a battalion chief, ready for call response. 

    When staffing numbers aren’t being met, Chirico said they must go through a process to fill in the gaps. 

    This includes the battalion chief asking for hirebacks, which is an employee working an additional 24-hour shift voluntarily. One of the last options Chirico said, is requiring mandatory shifts to keep citizens safe. 

    “The city has to follow through with that support. They’re asking enormous amounts from us,” Chirico said. “Not a single shift right now because of injuries and vacancies can staff a full 22 firefighters.”

    In a written statement to Spectrum News 1, City of Salisbury Community Engagement Director Anne Little said temporary removal of an apparatus from service is “a common and necessary practice in fire operations when staffing levels require adjustment,” and said the decision was made to protect firefighter safety and ensure appropriate staffing on active equipment. 

    Little said personnel were reallocated, mutual aid agreements were in place, and other apparatus remained available for response. Little further stated that operational decisions are made routinely across fire departments nationwide and are part of responsible resource management. 

    Chirico said when an apparatus is taken out of service routinely in fire departments, it is typically for training, maintenance, or scheduled operational needs, not staffing.

    “Unstaffed, there’s no people,” Chirico said. 

    The city said discussions about staffing and resources should be grounded in complete and accurate information. Their statement further said the narrative being presented does not reflect the full context of the situation and “risks creating unnecessary concern among residents.”

    Little said the city remains committed to supporting firefighters, responsibly managing staffing challenges, and maintaining reliable emergency response for residents.

    Little also said that at no time was the community left without emergency coverage and that the city remains committed to responsibly managing staffing challenges while maintaining reliable emergency response for residents. 

    The firefighters’ union said the truck has been unstaffed multiple shifts since December, citing department records.

    The union also said mutual aid is meant to supplement, not replace, a fully staffed department. 

    Chirico said that when an apparatus is out of service, response coverage dependent on mutual aid can delay operations at incidents.

    “If one’s out of service, we’re waiting on a response from a mutual aid service,” Chirico said. “That is going to delay the overall safety of the fire ground.” 

    Concerns about staffing and retention are being raised in other parts of North Carolina, according to statements from municipalities and firefighter organizations. 

    The International Association of Fire Fighters, a labor union representing professional firefighters and emergency medical and rescue workers across the United States and Canada, has said staffing levels are a key factor in fireground safety and response effectiveness. 

    The union advocates for standards and policies aimed at improving recruitment and retention. 

    Scott Mullins, president of the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina, which is affiliated with the IAFF, said he is concerned about Salisbury’s staffing situation and its impact on recruitment and retention. 

    “Salisbury has a lot of structure fires,” Mullins said. “Unfortunately, the way they’ve handled staffing, and the firefighters’ pay is a big reason why firefighters are leaving.” 

    Mullins said staffing levels at fire scenes directly affect emergency operations and outcomes. 

    “The science continues to share with people what is most important is staffing and how many firefighters are placed on scene to mitigate an incident,” Mullins said. “The National Institute of Standards and Technology says that four-person crews are most effective at mitigating hazardous incidents.”

    Chirico said Salisbury currently staffs a minimum of three firefighters per truck and said the department is operating below what he believes is needed to meet growing demands. 

    “National standard is four firefighters per truck so already we’re behind,” Chirico said. “We are floating between 60 and 70 ready to work firefighters, and we need closer to 90 ready to work firefighters. That would put 28 firefighters on the shift plus a battalion.”

    Salisbury Mayor Tamara Sheffield addressed staffing during a recent city council meeting, saying the city takes public safety seriously and has secured a federal SAFER grant to fund the hiring of six firefighters who are currently in rookie school. 

    “The city takes public safety and fire safety very seriously,” Sheffield said during the meeting. “I support them all and I think my track record proves that this city is an awesome place to serve. Our citizens are awesome.”

    Sheffield also said the city remains focused on strengthening staffing levels while continuing to support firefighters and maintain emergency services for residents.

    Although the addition of six workers is a step in the right direction, Chirico said the department is still short of staffing levels he believes are needed to support operations. 

    “We do not keep people long enough to retire them,” Chirico said. 

    Firefighters said pay plays a significant role in recruitment and retention efforts for stations. 

    Reports from IAFF state compensation and staffing levels are closely tied to recruitment and retention challenges in departments across the country and have highlighted cases where low wages contributed to vacancies. 

    Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2024, the median annual wage for firefighters was $59,530. 

    Chirico said pay levels can affect retention as costs rise and other departments increase compensation. 

    “For Salisbury, the average firefighter is making low 50s,” Chirico said. “That on its own is not a problem, except that inflation is running away from us and other cities are responding to that [issue].”

    The city tells Spectrum News 1 it has started the fiscal year 2027 budget process, during which the city manager reviews compensation for all city employees.

    Spectrum News 1 asked the City of Salisbury if an-in person meeting is being scheduled with the Salisbury union to further discuss staffing and operations. 

    Little said the city manager meets regularly with employees and is encouraging workers to “meet regularly with their supervisors and department directors.”

    Chirico said the union is inviting and working to secure a meeting with city leaders, focused on long-term staffing solutions and retention improvements. 

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

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Gov. Stein visits N.C. ski resorts, celebrating industry during Winter Olympics

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    Gov. Josh Stein celebrated the ski industry in North Carolina on Friday, as the Winter Olympics are underway in Milan, Italy. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Gov. Stein is visiting three North Carolina ski resorts Friday and this weekend to highlight the industry

    • North Carolina is known as the “Winter Capital of the South”

    • The Winter Olympics are currently being held in Milan, Italy. Three North Carolinians, and five members of the Carolina Hurricanes are competing

    Stein was at the Appalachian Ski Mountain on Friday and plans to visit Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain this weekend to highlight the winter sport here at home, while three North Carolinians compete overseas.

    “For more than 60 years, North Carolina has been recognized as the Winter Capital of the South, offering the highest-elevation skiing in the eastern United States and welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors annually,” Stein’s office said in a news release on Thursday.

    According to Stein, North Carolina is home to six different ski resorts, each offering a wonderful experience for visitors, “whether you like zipping down the slopes, or sipping hot cocoa.”

    Just under 800,000 skiers and snowboarders of every level, beginner or expert, visit each year for the unique peaks and slopes, with some rising above 5,000 feet in elevation.

    “With the highest mountains, the biggest variety of activities and the best instruction for beginners, our ski areas have helped make North Carolina the winter sports capital of the South,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC. “Each year, it’s exciting to see the mountain landscapes extend their appeal with new developments on and off the slopes.”

    The ski industry in North Carolina supports about 2,000 jobs each year, bringing in nearly $250 million in economic activity.

    “Today, in the spirit of the Winter Olympics, I’m here to urge everyone to consider western North Carolina for your next winter vacation,” Stein said at an event on Friday at the Appalachian Ski Mountain.

    Last week, Stein announced his well wishes for each of the North Carolinians who are currently competing in the Winter Olympics, including Eunice Lee, a student at Duke Univerosty who is competing in speed skating, Mystique Ro, an alumnus of Queens University who is competing in skeleton racing, and Kayden Beasley, a North Carolina native who is competing in sled hockey. 

    In addition to these North Carolinians, five members of the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team are competing in men’s ice hockey, representing four different countries.

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



     

     

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    Blair Hamilton

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  • More possible measles exposures identified in the Triangle, health officials say

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    The Orange County Health Department is warning of a possible measles exposure in Chapel Hill, officials announced Thursday.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Orange County health officials say a person infected with measles visited a Goodwill in Chapel Hill on Feb. 6

    •  Anyone also there during that time could have been exposed and should contact 919-245-2400 to speak to a communicable disease nurse to assess measles risk if unvaccinated

    •  Johnston County on Wednesday reported its first confirmed measles infection since 2018 

    •  Durham and Wake counties also identified several possible exposure areas in their counties earlier this week


    “A person infected with measles visited a public place in Orange County while contagious,” a statement from the county’s health department said.

    Officials say the person visited the Goodwill Store at 1115 Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill on Friday, Feb. 6 between 9 a.m. and noon.

    Anyone who was in the store during that time could have been exposed to measles, officials say. If you have never received the measles vaccine (MMR vaccine), county health officials say to contact 919-245-2400 to speak to a communicable disease nurse and assess your measles risk.

    The news comes a day after officials in Johnston County reported their first confirmed measles infection since 2018.

    Earlier this week, officials in Durham and Wake counties also reported possible measles exposures involving several locations throughout those areas where an infected person is reported to have visited.

    Health officials say measles is highly contagious and can live for up to two hours in the air where an infected person was present. “Vaccination and isolation are key to limiting disease spread,” officials said.

    The following symptoms of measles usually start 7-14 days after exposure, health officials say, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure.

    • High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
    • Cough
    • Runny nose
    • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
    • Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots), appearing two to three days after symptoms begin
    • A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
    • Measles can also cause complications including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system

    As of Feb. 10, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports 18 confirmed measles cases since December. That total does not include the case confirmed in Johnston County this week.

    Only one case since December, the department says, has required hospitalization.

    In South Carolina, there have been 933 confirmed cases of measles in an outbreak. That outbreak is centered around Spartanburg County, which sits on the border with North Carolina west of Charlotte.

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

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Group that helps grieving children marks milestone graduation

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A community organization is helping grieving children and young adults succeed. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Connecting the Gap is a nonprofit organization that provides therapy, mentorship and educational resources

    •  The group is celebrating a milestone after a participant of the program graduated college

    •  Christopher Daylin Carter lost his mom and grandmother at age 17 but has persevered thanks to the support of the group


    Through partnerships and supports, Connecting the Gap is providing therapy, mentorship and educational resources. 

    The group recently reached a milestone when Christopher Daylin Carter graduated from East Carolina University.

    “After hearing people be proud of me, I kind of just start to resonate with me, like this is a big deal. You pushed through and you made it,” Carter said. 

    His mentor, Quaneka Falls, attended the ceremony and cheered for him as he crossed the stage.

    “Just to see how much throughout the years Christopher has grown so much,” Falls said. 

    Carter said he appreciates the support of his late mother and grandmother.

    “I think it’s closest I can really get to spending time with them and really having them with me throughout my accomplishments, whatever I do in my life,” Carter said. 

    He lost both of them in a car crash in Greensboro in 2020 after a driver hit them head-on. Carter, who was 17 at the time, survived.

    “If it was something that was powerful enough to take lives, how did I continue?” Carter said. 

    His family rallied around him, and he got support from Connecting the Gap.

    Since 2020, the Charlotte nonprofit has helped around 60 children and young adults who lost a parent around the state. The group links them to resources to ensure they are successful post-graduation while they tackle grief. 

    “I feel like the support is important because when kids feel that you really, genuinely care about them, that gives them motivation to keep going,” Falls said. 

    The mission is personal for Falls because she lost her mother when she was 14. 

    “She had me and she had my brother, and we took two different paths, and I feel like because I’ve had the resources, I had community, I had mentors in my life, I was still able to be successful,” she said. 

    Carter said after his mom and grandmother died, the organization supported him right away. 

    “I was still kind of in shock. I was still kind of going through the motions, but just having that support there was definitely helpful, and just another person that’s looking for my success,” he said.

    The support stayed with him through college.

    “Therapy and just my freshman year or even pretty much every year up until I moved out, college, [Falls] was helping me get anything that I need from my dorms,” Carter said. 

    He’s the first student from the program to graduate college, an accomplishment that exemplifies their motto. 

    “I’ve firsthand witnessed Christopher grieve, believe and succeed,” Falls said. 

    He credits part of his success to Connecting the Gap and his family.

    “It’s amazing. I feel like God put a lot of people up in amazing ways, and I feel like without the support system that I have now, most likely wouldn’t be where I’m at,” Carter said. 

    Thanks to his uncle, Carter said he graduated debt-free from ECU with a degree in psychology and nutrition.

    In previous years, the organization received funding from United Way and Canopy Housing Foundation.

    This year, they are hoping to secure grant funding and donations to continue their mission. 

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

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • 17 former N.C. State athletes join lawsuit alleging abuse by ex-head trainer

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    RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Seventeen additional former N.C. State male athletes have joined a state lawsuit alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack’s former director of sports medicine, pushing the total number to 31 in a case that began with a federal lawsuit from a single athlete more than three years ago.

    What You Need To Know

    • Seventeen additional former N.C. State male athletes have joined a state lawsuit alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack’s former director of sports medicine

    • That pushes the total number to 31 in a case that began with a federal lawsuit from a single athlete more than three years ago

    • The complaint filed in Wake County Superior Court late last week expands a case alleging years of misconduct by Robert L. Murphy Jr.

    • Allegations include improper touching of the genitals during massages and intrusive observation while collecting urine samples during drug testing


    The complaint filed in Wake County Superior Court late last week expands a case alleging years of misconduct by Robert L. Murphy Jr., including improper touching of the genitals during massages and intrusive observation while collecting urine samples during drug testing.

    All but two of the 31 athletes are “John Doe” plaintiffs to protect anonymity, while two former men’s soccer players are named.

    One is Benjamin Locke, who filed the original complaint in August 2022. The other is one of two athletes who filed their own federal lawsuits in February 2023 and April 2023. The Associated Press typically doesn’t identify those who say they have been sexually assaulted or abused unless the person has spoken publicly about it, which Locke has done.

    Durham-based attorney Kerry Sutton, who has represented plaintiffs in each lawsuit, filed to dismiss those pending Title IX lawsuits before moving the case to state-level jurisdiction in September. That complaint added 11 new athletes to bring the total to 14 — and now the case has more than doubled with the latest filing.

    “While it is never good news to hear there are other men that have been suffering in silence due to what they experienced, I am encouraged by the bravery, vulnerability, and willingness of these men to come forward against injustice,” Locke said Monday in a statement released by Sutton.

    In a separate statement, Sutton said: “I hate to say it, but I expect to hear from more men in coming days who were sexually harassed or assaulted by Mr. Murphy.”

    Seth Blum, a Raleigh-based attorney who has represented Murphy, didn’t immediately return an email from The Associated Press on Monday. He has forcefully defended Murphy in past comments, saying he has been falsely accused and there has yet to be “one scrap of credible evidence he assaulted anyone.”

    “Put simply, Robert Murphy did not do this,” Blum said in a statement after the September lawsuit.

    Murphy, at N.C. State from 2012-22, is among nine defendants named individually. Others are school officials accused of negligence in oversight roles.

    The lawsuits outline similar allegations of Murphy’s conduct and the school’s response in failing to stop it, even when concerns reached senior levels of the athletic department. The latest filing describes the 31 former athletes as “victims of sexual assaults, sexual exploitation and sexual harassment” while saying Murphy “violated his position of trust to abuse rather than treat.”

    The allegations from 17 new plaintiffs largely centered on Murphy’s handling and observation of drug testing. Those allegations centered on athletes being instructed to raise their shirt above their chest and lower their shorts or pants to their ankles while Murphy stared at their genitals from a few feet away and sometimes from within the same bathroom stall.

    One athlete described feeling “uncomfortable and vulnerable,” while another was left “feeling humiliated,” according to the lawsuit. In another case, an athlete was so uncomfortable that he couldn’t urinate “even after consuming three Diet Cokes” and had return a day later “to repeat the same invasive process,” the lawsuit said.

    Roughly a half-dozen of the 17 also alleged Murphy improperly touched their genitals during massage or other rehabilitation treatments amid injuries. One athlete dealing with an Achilles tendon injury to his lower leg alleged Murphy began massage treatments but gradually moved higher until reaching the athlete’s groin; that athlete asked Murphy to stop and refused to let Murphy treat him again, according to the complaint.

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

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    Associated Press

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  • Flyng without your REAL ID? TSA $45 ‘ConfirmID’ fee is now in effect

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    Travelers without a REAL ID are required to pay a $45 identity verification fee.

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    Nick Buffo

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  • Live updates: Dangerous travel conditions expected as snow falls across N.C.

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    BY

    Spectrum News Staff

    North Carolina

    UPDATED 4:16 AM ET Feb. 01, 2026
    PUBLISHED 2:00 PM ET Jan. 30, 2026
    PUBLISHED 2:00 PM EST Jan. 30, 2026

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Raleigh driving instructor provides tips on driving during the winter

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is in the winter weather season. With sleet and/or freezing rain coating the roads, that makes driving dangerous.

    One expert shares some tips on how you can stay safe if you have to drive in the elements.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sleet or freezing rain coating the roads makes driving dangerous

    • Drive slower than posted speed limit when roads are slippery

    • Highway Patrol said they responded to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide early last year


    Savannah Gregory trains drivers for safety and success.

    She is the director of Drivers of the Future, a driving school based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

    Gregory dedicates over 30 hours each week to instructing drivers who are beginners, anxious, or new to the state’s laws.

    “The issue in North Carolina is not that it’s unpredictable. It’s that it’s unfamiliar,” Gregory said.

    This week, the driving instructor is preparing everyone for the roads that come along with winter weather.

    “In this area in particular, we have some of the most adverse winter weather conditions in the sense that roads are not treated as aggressively as they are up north,” Gregory said.

    Gregory said a major concern during the winter weather months — black ice.

    Related: Icy roads cause a 10-13 car pile-up in Winston-Salem. How to stay safe

    It’s slippery, but it’s also virtually undetectable. Gregory said it’s best to take it slow and be careful on highways, especially near bridges and overpasses.

    She also said to leave a space between you and other drivers.

    “You’re following distance. It’s going to increase from 2 to 3 seconds to somewhere around 9 to 10, potentially,” Gregory explained.

    In addition, Gregory said braking and accelerating should be smooth, not abrupt.

    She said drivers should be going slower than the posted speed limit during this time.

    “And keep in mind that traction is your currency when it comes to winter weather, and once you spend it, it is no longer there,” Gregory said.

    Slippery roads caused a series of crashes on I-40 in Orange County, involving more than 50 vehicles early last year.

    The State Highway Patrol said it responded to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide around the same time.

    Gregory, unfazed, stated that driving in poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, ice, or extreme heat, often leads to dangerous situations or unforeseen delays.

    “Sometimes it’s the safest choice to not drive at all,” Gregory said.

    Gregory said during her five years of operating, she’s heard some of the most dangerous stories of drivers being hurt or injured are due to slippery road conditions.

    She thinks it’s best to play it safe.

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

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    Jatrissa Wooten, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Buddhist monks, supporters battle freezing temperatures after winter storm

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    LOUISBURG, N.C. — The Buddhist monks aren’t slowing down despite the winter weather.

    For the past week the group journeyed across North Carolina on their way to Washington, D.C., through rain, sleet and sunshine. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Monday was Day 93 for the Buddhist monks on their Walk for Peace 

    • The monks will be out of North Carolina this week 

    • They are heading to Warrenton on Tuesday


    The monks were making their way through the state Monday, Day 93 of their Walk for Peace. The group has been welcomed and admired by thousands.

    “They’re walking in faith. They’re walking in faith,” said supporter Jeannette Bucher.

    Despite the road conditions after this weekend’s winter storm, the monks continue to walk while spreading their message. 

    Bucher said she and her friends were waiting at the airport in Louisburg for two hours. 

    “When I first saw them marching, I’ve been following them for months, and I just feel so blessed to be able to be here today. And I just can’t wait to be in their presence and just root them on,” she said.

    Louisburg native John Yarborough said he and his son grabbed their jackets and hats, then hit the road to see the monks.

    Yarborough said the group’s message, motivation and mission is nothing short of inspiring.

    “Because this world is about to be corrupt, there is so much hatred in this world, Black against white, that’s why we need peace,” he said.

    Yarborough said the Walk for Peace is the most exciting thing the area has seen in a long time. 

    “Something they have never been to here before, other than the civil rights stuff, when we used to march back in the day,” he said. “Other than that, that’s it.”

    Supporters seem to have one thing in common — they were ready to endure this weekend’s winter weather to support the message of peace for all.

    The monks are almost out of North Carolina but have a couple of more stops. 

    The group will be in Warrenton on Tuesday.

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

     

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • Duke Energy warns of scam targeting consumers

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    Duke Energy said it’s aware of a scam going around that’s trying to trick customers.

    Related: Track and report power outages in your area

    Customers have reported receiving a text claiming to be from Duke Energy, saying they will be affected by a scheduled outage. 

    It then asks the recipient to click on a link. 

    “This message did not come from Duke Energy,” Duke Energy wrote in a Facebook post. “Customers should avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from businesses or individuals they do not know, and they should contact Duke Energy directly to discuss their account or visit company communications channels for the latest updates.”

    Duke Energy said it will only use official communication channels to communicate grid conditions. 


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    Lydia Taylor, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Clearing ice from parking lots after winter storm

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    Crews have been working to clear roads and parking lots after a winter storm brought snow, sleet and ice across the state.

    What You Need To Know

    • Craig Whitley, owner of Tim Whitley Hauling and Grading, spent Monday traveling around the Triad to clear parking lots before covering surfaces with salt

    • His company has been in business since 1992 

    • He says weather can be unpredictable this time of year but that preparation is key

    “Parking lots that don’t get completely dried like this one right here, in the morning, it’s going to be a solid sheet of ice,” said Craig Whitley, owner of Tim Whitley Hauling and Grading.

    Whitley knows a thing or two about keeping people safe when inclement weather strikes. His company has been in business since 1992. They help remove ice during the cold months. 

    “This storm wasn’t near as bad as we’ve had some in the past,” he said. “I think [one of the worst] was 2002. We talked about that ice storm that came through. We pushed snow for three or four days. It was pretty bad.”

    Whitley and his crew spent Monday traveling around the Triad, using a skid steer to clear parking lots before covering the surface with salt. His phone has been ringing off the hook as residents try to clean up from the winter storm. 

    “We’ve had a bunch,” he said. “I don’t even know. There’s been so many. I can’t keep up with them. We’ve been to Asheboro, Albemarle, Thomasville, Kernersville and now we’re in High Point.”

    Weather can be a little unpredictable this time of year. That’s why Whitley says preparation is key.

    “Friday and Saturday, we went around a lot of these businesses, like this one, and other ones and we pretreated them with salt,” he said. 

    No matter how long it takes to clear each lot, he enjoys helping clients get back up and running. 

    “It feels good to help them out where they can get back rolling, because if they’re making money, they’re spending money with me,” he said.

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

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    Zach Tucker

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  • Live blog: Winter storm on the move with more freezing rain in the forecast

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    A winter storm is forecast to bring ice and snow to much of North Carolina this weekend. Get updates from our live blog here.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Church services changed, canceled as winter storm approaches North Carolina

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As a winter storm approaches North Carolina, churches and places of worship are altering plans for weekend services.

    The Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh are not requiring Catholics to attend Mass Saturday evening or Sunday.

    “We want to make sure that folks stay safe and do not put themselves in any kind of harm’s way,” Diocese of Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin said.


    What You Need To Know

    • The Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh are not requiring Catholics to attend Mass Saturday evening or Sunday

    • Catholic pastors will decide if they will cancel or change their Mass schedule amid the storm

    • Some churches plan to stream their services online


    Bishop Michael Martin dispensed Catholics in Western North Carolina from attending Mass this weekend — a decision he does not make often or lightly.

    “The Lord wants us to be safe,” Bishop Martin said. “For any of us, in any given circumstance for whatever reason, if we’re sick or we can’t, God understands that. We want our folks to do what they have to do and to not worry that God’s somehow not loving them, gracing them or giving them all that they need.”

    Bishop Martin is allowing each pastor or administrator to cancel or change their Mass schedule amid the storm. Some are planning to stream Mass online.

    “I think most of our parishioners who can’t come will be able to access Mass from their local parish, or if their parish isn’t live streaming, there are so many other options from around the country and around the world where they can, and are encouraged to, to prayerfully attend mass online,” Bishop Martin said

    First United Methodist Church in Charlotte canceled its Sunday service and has recorded a service that will play online in its place.

    “We’re glad to be able to offer that,” Rev. Dr. Valerie Rosenquist of First United Methodist Church in Charlotte said. “My message to my people is stay home, stay warm and take care of yourselves and each other.”

    While the threat of the storm is making some feel uneasy, spiritual leaders are encouraging North Carolinians to maintain their faith over the coming days.

    “I certainly want everyone in Western North Carolina, no matter whatever their faith affiliation, to know that God is watching them,” Bishop Martin said. “My prayers are with all of our people that they might know God’s presence and that they might be blessed by God’s grace with safety during these days. Amen.”

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

     

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    Chloe Salsameda

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