CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of protesters marched through the streets of Uptown Charlotte demanding justice for the woman who was killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
People gathered at First Ward Park Thursday for the “Stop ICE Terror” protest. It was held in response to the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis Wednesday.
What You Need To Know
Dozens of protesters gathered in Charlotte to demand justice for Renee Good
Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis Wednesday
DHS said the shooting was justified because the officer feared for his life
Protesters are demanding the officer who killed Good be charged with murder
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the fatal shooting was justified because the ICE officer feared and believed Good was attempting to run him over with her car.
Protesters in Charlotte demanded the officer who killed Good be charged with murder.
“It’s an injustice,” Paris Labelle said. “People should not be murdered senselessly. People should not be murdered at all.”
“As soon as we saw the video and before the identity of Rene Nicole Good was revealed, we knew it was outrageous and wrong,” Asha Patel, an organizer for Party for Socialism and Liberation, said. “It was just so disgusting that we had to do something about it. We have to be out in the streets and show that we will not tolerate this.”
Thursday’s protest came two months after Border Patrol agents arrested more than 400 undocumented immigrants in Charlotte as part of “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
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The 9th Street Station stop along the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, December 8, 2025.
KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH
Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
The head of the Federal Transit Administration is coming to Charlotte after the city’s transit system spent much of 2025 in the spotlight for a pair of violent incidents.
Asked if Molinaro’s January trip is related to the FTA’s investigation, Cagle told media after the MPTA meeting that while it’s “routine for the FDA administrator to show interest in transit systems … clearly, I think there is a focus on security, which is a direct result of the incidents that we have had.”
“The FTA administrator has stated publicly that security of passengers in all transit systems is a priority for him,” Cagle said.
Molinaro’s visit will include a ride on the Blue Line and a roundtable with local officials and business leaders, according to Cagle.
“The intent of that roundtable is to bring the FTA administrator together with CATS and other city staff … as well as local business people so that the FTA administrator can understand our priorities around security (and) safety,” Cagle said.
The FTA will determine what portions of the visit, if any, are open to the public, Cagle said.
Molinaro’s visit isn’t the first time federal and state officials have looked into safety in Charlotte since the first light rail stabbing.
The state House Oversight Committee announced this week it would hold a hearing Jan. 29 on safety in Charlotte, the city’s public transit system and DEI initiatives. Cagle is among those asked to testify, alongside Mayor Vi Lyles, County Manager Mike Bryant, City Manager Marcus Jones, Sheriff Garry McFadden, District Attorney Spencer Merriweather and Police Chief Estella Patterson.
Mary Ramsey is the local government accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky. Support my work with a digital subscription
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On the heels of holiday travel, cold and flu season is in full swing. For those who aren’t fully vaccinated against measles, however, experts at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services say they could be putting themselves at high risk.
“Measles is what we call airborne,” Dr. Erica Wilson said. “The droplets that it travels in are so tiny that they will stay in the air for up to two hours after that person has cluster sneezed or coughed in that room, which is part of what makes it so infectious.”
What You Need To Know
At least five cases of measles have been reported in North Carolina in the last two weeks
One case reported in Polk County, three in Buncombe County, and one case of a reported exposure by a traveler passing through Gaston County that was infected
Experts say the best way to protect against measles is to get the vaccine
Health Experts say it can be especially serious for children who may not be vaccinated yet
Wilson is the medical director in the Medical Consultation Unit for NCDHHS. She says after the measles vaccine was introduced, it was rare to see cases of measles.
But in the last few years, cases have reappeared.
“We’re certainly concerned,” Wilson said. “These cases are part of a larger trend in decreased vaccination rates. And we will continue to see more and more cases of these vaccine-preventable diseases as vaccination rates go down.”
Wilson says that while measles may start like a common cold, it can be much more serious long term.
“Measles can have some serious sequelae. It can cause inflammation of the brain in severe cases,” Wilson said. “In kids who have been infected, it can affect their immune system and their immunity to other diseases, so that they lose immunity that they’ve gained through all those colds that kids get in daycare and elementary school.”
Over the last two weeks, NCDHHS has reported at least five cases of measles in the state.
One in Polk County, three in Buncombe County, and one report of an exposure in Gaston County after a traveler passing through ate at a restaurant and later tested positive.
“This virus doesn’t follow state lines,” Wilson said. “So, you know, there’s a risk of spread, as we’ve seen with several travelers coming through the state.”
NCDHHS officials have praised the restaurant for its response to the situation. They say the restaurant quickly alerted staff and patrons of the exposure and advised them to take proper precautions.
“The restaurant putting out that notification is exactly the right thing to do,” Wilson said. “There’s nothing the restaurant could have done to prevent that. Somebody who was infectious ate there, and they had no way of knowing that.”
Still, Wilson says the best option for people to prevent the spread of measles is to get vaccinated.
“Every child that gets sick, every child that dies, is a death that could have been prevented with vaccination,” Wilson said. “And that’s something that we never want to see, is a child dying when we could have prevented it.”
Wilson says most children are vaccinated against measles after they turn 1 year old. However, Wilson says if you are traveling with a baby that is even 6 months old to a high-risk area, or internationally, talk to your child’s doctor about whether they should get the vaccine early to protect them.
Measles symptoms often appear 7-14 days after exposure, DHHS said, but can appear up to 21 days after. Health officials say to watch for the following symptoms:
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) 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
Anyone who comes in contact with the disease and experiences these symptoms should seek immediate medical care and contact their local health department.
Wilson says to keep in mind that measles is not the only virus on the rise. Flu and other respiratory illnesses are very common this time of year.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The sun was barely even up, but educators across North Carolina were already making their voices heard on Wednesday.
“Teachers who are investing their own time and energy into teaching. It feels like our state is not investing their money back into us,” said high schol art teacher Kody Hall.
What You Need To Know
Teachers across North Carolina call for better pay and benefits
These include restoring longevity and masters pay, restoring retiree health coverage for new hires and fully funding Leandro, the court ruling that requires the state to fund education equitably
Organizers say three more statewide protests are planned through April, taking place on the seventh of each month
Educators walked out of their classrooms to call on the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a state budget and to draw attention to a number of demands.
These include restoring longevity and masters pay, restoring retiree health coverage for new hires and fully funding Leandro, the court ruling that requires the state to fund education equitably.
“We need the kids to know that teachers and education is worth something. We need our teachers to feel valued so that our teachers can then put their time and energy back into the students,” Hall said.
These demonstrations continued throughout the day Wednesday.
English teacher Mechelle Vaughn is another teacher who took to the streets, saying she believes her profession is under attack.
“No one goes into education to get rich, but I think we deserve to live. If we don’t get something changed soon, you’re going to show up to school, and there will not be a teacher in your child’s classroom,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn hopes the community sees this as an urgent call to action.
“I hope that the community recognizes that we are all in this together. Your children spent more time with us than they do with you during a school year, right? Don’t you want the best and the brightest there?” Vaughn said.
Organizers say three more statewide protests are planned through April, taking place on the seventh of each month.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Most children born during the COVID pandemic are now in their first year of school, often being referred to as “COVID kindergartners.”
Research from the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that experiences in early childhood can have long-term impacts on development and growth.
What You Need To Know
The “COVID kindergartener” class refers to children born around the time of the pandemic who are now about halfway done with their first year of school
The Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center conducts around 2,500 speech screenings each year across the Carolina region
In 2025, in the Charlotte area alone, the failure rate was around 35%, compared to20% prior to the pandemic. A 15% increase just five years later
They just launched “Tools for Transformation,” which is a campaign to raise money for essential tools needed to help these kids with their therapy
Jack, 6, was born right before the start of the pandemic and is part of that “COVID kindergarten” class, which are students now almost halfway done with their first year of school.
Jack’s mom said that since the pandemic was a huge part of his early years of life, it had impacts on his speech development.
“You know, he only saw people outside of the house. When his sister was born, we kind of, like, locked down again, because she was born in 2021, so it was still shaky ground as far as seeing people. Even though I can’t say this is the specific way that he was affected by it, like there’s no way that it didn’t,” said Maggie Patterson, Jack’s mother.
Seeing speech and language delays in children born around the time of the pandemic isn’t uncommon.
The Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center conducts around 2,500 speech screenings each year across the Carolina region. In 2025, in the Charlotte area alone, the failure rate was around 35% and before the pandemic, it was 20%. That’s a 15% increase in only five years.
“We were so shut down that children did not have that exposure to language stimulation they normally would have. Then, on top of that, everyone was wearing a mask. So that’s an important piece for children to develop language is to actually read lips,” said Shannon Tucker, executive director of the Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center.
The center helps kids from across North Carolina and just launched its “Tools for Transformation” campaign to raise money for essential items needed to help these kids with their therapy.
“A couple of examples of tools is, tools to build vocabulary. That can even be apps on an iPad that we have to pay for, that can be specialized books that help develop certain types of vocabulary. That could be oral motor tools to stimulate the development of the muscles of the mouth. Those are very specialized tools and are very expensive,” Tucker said.
Tucker also has some everyday advice for parents to help children with speech development.
“Read and have a lot of two-way conversation. So, reading a book is great. What’s even better than reading a book is asking questions about that book, engaging in dialog about what you’re seeing. If you don’t have books, you can do it on the bus, on the way to the grocery store. Just talking and talking, we tell all of our parents to be a radio announcer. Just talk about everything you can see and everything you do, and that child’s brain will just soak that up,” Tucker said.
Jack’s mom says even though he’s still working on communicating, it’s nice to see her son improving.
“If it was “R” or “L” heavy, he really had a hard time getting his point across, and as a 5-year-old, that’s infuriating. So it’s just nice to see him be able to communicate what he wants,” Patterson said.
For more information about the Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center and resources it provides, visit its website here.
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Tying it Together podcast host Tim Boyum sits down with a Colombian native and U.S. citizen with his unique perspective on the November immigration raids by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
Manolo Betancur owns a bakery but shut it down when the raids began.
About the Podcast
With the speed of the local news cycle, it’s easy to forget that the politicians who represent us and the influencers in our communities are more than just a sound bite. North Carolina’s veteran reporter and anchor, Tim Boyum, loosens his signature bow tie to give listeners a glimpse behind the curtain, showing us who these power players really are and why they do what they do. Through Tim’s candid conversations on “Tying It Together,” his guests reveal their most fascinating life stories, passions, and help all of us get a better grasp on the issues affecting our communities.
Do you have any thoughts or questions for Tim? Weigh in on X with the hashtag #TyingItTogetherNC. Afterward, rate the podcast and leave a review to tell us what you think!
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been asked to launch an investigation into Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden after a petition for his removal was recently submitted to the county’s district attorney.
What You Need To Know
The Mecklenburg County district attorney has asked the SBI to investigate the county’s sheriff, Garry McFadden
A petition filed with the district attorney to remove McFadden accuses the sheriff of several crimes and wrongdoings, which prompted the call for the investigation
The investigation comes as McFadden and other city and county leaders have also been called to testify before the N.C. House Oversight Committee on Jan. 22 to discuss topics like city and county safety, spending and DEI initiatives
“On the evening of Sunday, January 4th, I was made aware of the intention of five qualified Mecklenburg County electors to submit a petition for the Removal of Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden on a number of grounds, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 128-16,” Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather said in a release.
A letter submitted to the SBI on Jan. 5 by Merriweather said the petition calls for McFadden to be removed on the grounds of “willful or habitual neglect or refusal to perform the duties of his office,” “willful misconduct or maladministration in office,” “corruption,” and “extortion.”
The petition also alleges several crimes against McFadden, according to the letter, including state campaign finance violations, Hatch Act violations, extortion and bribery, economic threats made to influence legislation. The district attorney has also asked that these allegations be included in the investigation.
While the approval of such petitions has rarely ever been granted, according to Merriweather, the district attorney said, “Nevertheless, our removal statute creates obligations for the District Attorney (or the County Attorney, if he so chooses) to exercise due diligence in the wake of such a petition. In this Office, a substantive review of any allegations will typically come only after a state or local law enforcement agency has had an opportunity to investigate any reported claims.”
“Accordingly, before an approval determination comes from this Office, I will, in my discretion, request that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) investigate each allegation and report its findings to my office directly. As with any inquiry, a request for an investigation is not itself a confirmation of the existence of wrongdoing.”
Spectrum News 1 reached out to the sheriff for an interview but was denied, saying, “I can’t discuss this matter and plan to move forward with day to day business.”
The investigation request comes as McFadden and other city and county leaders have been asked to testify before the state’s House Oversight Committee on Jan. 22.
A letter from committee co-chairs Rep. Jake Johnson, Rep. Brenden Jones and Rep. Harry Warren said the sheriff and others are expected to speak about their office’s roles in “ensuring public safety throughout the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, including the Charlotte Area Transit System.”
The letter also said strategic plans like spending and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives will also be discussed.
McFadden responded to the request to testify by saying in part, “I respect the oversight process and welcome the opportunity to testify. I have nothing to hide.
“Unlike municipal police departments and most other sheriff’s offices across the state, MCSO does not answer calls for service. Our responsibilities are focused on operating the county jail system, courthouse security, civil processes, and detention-related duties. That distinction matters when evaluating policies, resources, and accountability. I will ensure that state lawmakers receive accurate and credible information.
”The MCSO remains committed to transparency, accountability, and working collaboratively with local, state, and federal partners in the interest of public safety and good governance.”
City and county leaders have come under intense scrutiny as safety concerns mounted following the deadly stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail in August of last year, and then another stabbing on the light rail in December.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Mecklenburg County Manager Mike Bryant, Interim CEO of CATS Brent Cagel and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson are also among those asked to testify before the committee.
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In a video statement on Sept. 17, 2025, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said he has been betrayed by former staffers who came out and criticized him to reporters.
McFadden, a Democrat who has been sheriff since 2018, faces the prospect of being removed from office after more than a year of public controversies.
In a superior court petition filed Monday, four former sheriff’s office employees and a state lawmaker laid out a long series of allegations. Among their claims: McFadden had deputies drive people to bars and strip clubs, ordered other sheriff’s office staff to work on his campaign website and threatened state Rep. Carla Cunningham in a phone call.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt; you live in my county,” the petition alleges the sheriff told Cunningham when trying to convince her to vote a certain way on an immigration- and law enforcement-related bill.
Merriweather, also a Democrat, said in a news release that he learned of the petition on Sunday evening.
“District Attorneys have only rarely granted the approval of such a petition, with the understanding that election of a community’s official is a binding choice of the public, which should only be superseded under the most grave circumstances,” he said in that release.
State law requires that a district attorney or county attorney approve a removal petition before it can move forward.
In his letter to the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, Merriweather noted that McFadden is not just accused of misconduct, but crimes in some instances.
McFadden did not respond to phone calls and messages seeking comment on Monday. Spokesperson Sarah Mastouri said he was aware of the petition, but had no comment.
“The request has been assigned to the SBI’s Professional Standards unit for investigation,” SBI spokesperson Chad Flowers confirmed in an email. “The SBI will not comment further on the status of the investigation.”
Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. His work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 4:48 PM.
Ryan Oehrli writes about criminal justice for The Charlotte Observer. His reporting has delved into police misconduct, jail and prison deaths, the state’s pardon system and more. He was also part of a team of Pulitzer finalists who covered Hurricane Helene. A North Carolina native, he grew up in Beaufort County.
The N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services has confirmed a measles exposure in Gaston County
An unvaccinated person passed through the county on Dec. 26, officials said, and visited several areas while infected with the disease
DHHS says anyone who visited Constantine’s Restaurant in Gastonia after 8:30 p.m. on that day has the highest chance of exposure risk and should monitor for symptoms
Health officials say a person traveling through the county was not vaccinated for the disease and had recently visited areas in Spartanburg, South Carolina, linked to an ongoing outbreak in the northern part of the state.
The person passed through Gaston County on Dec. 26, according to DHHS, and visited Constantine’s Restaurant on S. New Hope Road in Gastonia.
Officials say anyone who was at the restaurant after 8:30 p.m. on that day may have been exposed to measles and should monitor for symptoms until Jan. 16.
The person also visited Christmas Town USA in nearby McAdenville, North Carolina, between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 26, officials said, but did not visit any indoor places. This makes the risk of transmission to anyone attending around that time low, DHHS said.
Measles symptoms often appear 7-14 days after exposure, DHHS said, but can appear up to 21 days after. Health officials say to watch for the following symptoms:
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) 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
Anyone who comes in contact with the disease and experiences these symptoms should seek immediate medical care and contact their local health department.
Health officials also recommend anyone age one year and older who is unvaccinated to get the measles vaccine to help protect themselves and others. NCDHHS also offers a measles immunity checker tool to help those who are unsure whether they are protected against measles.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte realtor originally from Venezuela is reacting to the capture of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro and his first court appearance in the U.S.
What You Need To Know
The U.S. military captured former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores Saturday and brought them to the U.S.
Maduro faces narco terrorism charges and pleaded not guilty to them at his first court appearance Monday
Rosemara Espinoza, a realtor in Charlotte, from Venezuela supports his removal of power but worries about the future of the country
Espinoza hopes Venezuela becomes free one day and Venezuelans reclaim the power of the country
Maduro made his first appearance Monday alongside his wife Cilia Flores in a New York City courtroom.
The U.S. military captured Maduro and Flores Saturday morning in Venezuela, bringing them to the U.S. to face narco terrorism charges.
During the court appearance, Maduro declared himself the president of Venezuela and claimed he was innocent.
Rosemara Espinoza, who was born and raised in Venezuela, is watching developments closely.
She moved to the U.S. on Jan. 3, 2000 and the capture of Maduro fell on the anniversary of her arrival.
“It had a great meaning for my life to see that after 26 years, we at least have some hope,” Espinoza said.
Espinoza remembers the positive memories she had of her home country growing up.
“Life was good in Venezuela with a welcoming environment and friendly people,” Espinoza said
She and her family left for the U.S. because she said her father had concerns over the country’s future under the leadership of Hugo Chavez, a self-described socialist.
Espinoza recalls visiting Venezuela in 2009 and seeing a drastic change from the country she grew up in.
“It was my last time there because I didn’t like how I felt and the lack of safety, lack of basic food, toothpaste and soap,” Espinoza said.
Maduro took power in 2013 and since then CNN reports Venezuela has lost 72% of its economy and nearly eight million Venezuelans have left the country.
“Starting with Chavez and then Maduro, Venezuela started to crumble at all levels, not only politically but also economically,” Espinoza said.
While she favors removing Maduro from power, she questions what’s next for the Latin American country.
“There is a lot of uncertainty because there are a lot of people in the Venezuelan government that have his same ideology,” Espinoza said.
She’s following closely the developments of Maduro’s legal case, including his first court appearance Monday where he pleaded not guilty of drug trafficking charges.
“I’m fearful, he’ll be found not guilty because it will be another dream for Venezuelans that doesn’t come true,” Espinoza said.
Her dream moving forward would be to see Venezuela become free.
“I would like to see Venezuela being in power of the country, of their oil, of everything,” Espinoza said.
She hopes to return to visit Venezuela one day and hopes this can be a steppingstone to make it possible.
As far as her family back in Venezuela, she said while they share the excitement of seeing Maduro removed from power, they haven’t celebrated in fear of retaliation.
Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.
Federal authorities in North Carolina announced charges against an 18-year-old, who they say was planning to carry out a New Year’s Eve terror attack in support of ISIS. CBS News homeland security correspondent Nicole Sganga reports.
George Walker photographed with his wife, Elizabeth, around 2021. The beloved high school teacher and accomplished runner, who died this week at 64, showed extraordinary grace and dedication till the end.
Courtesy of the Walker family
As an accomplished distance runner who figured he logged some 120,000 miles in his lifetime, George Walker’s biggest claim to fame was shocking the competition with an underdog win at the 1986 Charlotte Observer Marathon. As a beloved teacher at Independence High School in Charlotte for more than 27 years, he mastered the gift of gab in the classroom, where he made lasting impressions on legions of students.
Walker loved both running and teaching with all his heart, and that’s why his wife, Elizabeth, said “there couldn’t be a worse disease” — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), which over time robbed him of his ability to move and speak — “for someone like George to have.”
George Walker died Friday at Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Union in Monroe after a roughly two-year battle, surrounded by family. He was 64.
He had, of course, been thinking about this day for a long time.
George Walker was diagnosed with ALS in May 2024, but had been experiencing symptoms for several months before that. Courtesy of the Walker family
In an interview with The Charlotte Observer in his bedroom on Nov. 10, Walker was able to manage just a handful of words at a time between labored breaths, in a weakened, raspy voice. But he gave a clear-eyed answer regarding his imminent passing: “I’ve accepted it. We talk about it openly. It’s not taboo. It’s 100% terminal, so it’s not like cancer, where you can fight.” He added that he had “no regrets” about the life he lived. “I don’t think there’s one person on this earth who hates me.”
And in the end, he was ready — as Elizabeth puts it, “for the next great adventure.”
In fact, George was very likely as prepared as he could have possibly been.
An auspicious (and sneaky) marathon debut
A native of the Charlotte area by way of Charleston, S.C., George Walker’s running career started on the track team at Albemarle Road Junior High and blossomed at the high school where he’d eventually return to teach: Independence, for which he starred both in cross-country and track.
He chose to remain in North Carolina for college, majoring in history at UNC Wilmington while also making history, as the first cross-country runner to earn an athletic scholarship from the university.
There was no slowing down for him after graduation.
While trying to find work as a teacher, Walker saved money by living with his parents in Matthews and pieced together income by chasing prize money in races all over the country that offered them, as long as he could get there cheaply.
But it was here in Charlotte where he claimed his biggest payday.
At age 24, Walker entered the 1986 Charlotte Observer Marathon — his first 26.2-mile race — on a bit of a whim, without even giving his personal running coach a heads-up. “I was gonna pretend,” he joked, wryly, “that I got in the wrong race by accident.” (The event also featured a 10K race.)
His bib number, 3381, actually suggested he wasn’t on anyone’s radar; in competitive running, numbers in the single or low-double digits typically are reserved for the bibs worn by professional, elite or at the very least sub-elite runners.
Walker got out in front of most of them early, though. And although the final miles nearly broke him, he was able to surge into a lead he maintained till he crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 5 seconds. At the time, it set the mark for fastest marathon ever run by a North Carolinian on a North Carolina course.
In a televised post-race interview, WBTV legend Bob Lacey asked Walker, “What kept you going the last few miles?” The winner replied: “I knew if I quit, I … would be forgotten. If I held on and won, it would be something I would remember forever.”
He went home with $4,000, which would help pay for two-thirds of the new car he bought later that year.
George Walker of Mint Hill, photographed in November while watching a YouTube video featuring a recap of his victory at the 1986 Charlotte Observer Marathon. Walker, 64, died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) this week. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
‘The most impassioned teacher I ever had’
Later that year, Walker landed the job at his high school alma mater, where he would go on to develop a sterling reputation, both as a beloved goofball of an 11th-grade history teacher — famous for, among other things, teaching his students to say “King George the Third” with a British accent — and as the coach of the Patriots’ cross-country team.
Independence also helped him find the love of his life in Elizabeth, a fellow teacher, whom he married in 2004.
Elizabeth Walker told the Observer her husband was “Independence’s biggest fan and biggest advocate,” someone who would show up at school board meetings if he was needed to stand up for his kids or his fellow faculty members. Among the many videos sent to Walker over the summer by former students who’d gotten wind of his terminal illness, one featured a woman who gushed: “He was by far the most impassioned teacher that I ever had growing up.”
He was by far the most tireless, as well, when it came to both his vocation and his fitness.
Walker went 18 years — from October 1995 until June 2013, when he retired — without missing a day of school. It dwarfed his longest running streak — one eclipsing 1,000 straight days — though that was still a massively impressive feat in its own right.
The more invested he became in his students, he told the Observer, the less-important running became to him over the course of his career.
“Running is selfish, but teaching is selfless,” he wrote in a speech delivered by Elizabeth on his behalf in August, when Independence dedicated the school’s track in his name. “As a runner, your focus is on trying to develop and improve yourself. … As a teacher, your focus is on trying to make everyone in front of you the best they can be.”
Two years after retiring, Walker returned to Independence as a regular substitute teacher.
“I had told everyone it was to earn some extra money,” he wrote in his speech. “But the truth was, I missed the students. I missed being in the classroom.”
Independence High School dedicated its track to George Walker over the summer. Courtesy of the Walker family
Deciding to move gracefully toward death
Sometime in the middle of 2023, George Walker started getting a tingling sensation in his feet. His running went downhill fast, lacing up for what would be the last run of his life on Labor Day in 2023.
He continued walking, often six or seven miles per day, and could still bang out bunches of push-ups on command. But diminished dexterity in his fingers came next, and his endurance decreased to where — by the following spring — he was mostly just going out to walk the dogs a short distance.
Doctors diagnosed Walker with ALS on May 4, 2024.
“When I first found out, I read 5% make it 20 years,” he recalled. “So I said, ‘OK, that’ll be me.’” He changed his outlook, however, upon learning it would mean eventually being on a feeding tube. “I said, ‘That’s not living, as far as I’m concerned.’”
Instead, he decided to move gracefully toward death by spending time reflecting on his past, appreciating what he could appreciate despite his circumstances in the present, and planning for the future.
That meant leafing through copious newspaper clippings that celebrate him in some way or another, smiling over them, and sharing iPhone photos of his favorites with anyone he thought might be interested.
That meant snuggling with his devoted toy poodle; binge-watching TV shows on Netflix; sending gift cards to about 200 friends, including some he hadn’t seen in decades, “just to tell ’em ‘thanks,’” he said; and, after losing most of his ability to chew and swallow, putting Hershey’s Kisses into his mouth and letting the sweet chocolate just melt there.
But most importantly, that meant making sure Elizabeth would enjoy golden years that were truly golden.
Although George hadn’t left the bedroom since May, he kept busy by phone, email and text in his final months, with a laser-focus on generally getting the couple’s finances in order for Elizabeth and, more specifically, managing renovations of a paid-off townhouse that was previously a rental property.
She’ll move into it and net the profits from the sale of their house, which also is paid off. She’ll get life insurance money from a policy taken out before he was diagnosed. She’ll want for nothing, according to George’s plan.
“I even told her, ‘If you meet the right person, get married.’ It’d be very selfish to not say that.”
He paused, then broke the somberness hanging in the air with another wry quip: “I also told her, ‘Just don’t pick up a gambling habit.’”
George Walker had no children of his own, but in addition to Elizabeth leaves behind a stepson, Jeffrey Caleb Canipe; a sister, Brenda Walker Lloyd; a collection of in-laws; his toy poodle Leo; a seven-month-old black Lab, Arya (named for “Game of Thrones’” heroine Arya Stark); dozens of cards and appreciation videos from former students; two very fat scrapbooks full of running memories; several bags of miniature chocolates; and a piece of simple advice:
If there’s something you want to do with your life, do it. Don’t put it off. Because you just never know when it will be too late.
A framed photo of George Walker running a road race in Charlotte in 1992, on display in the Walkers’ bedroom. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published January 2, 2026 at 2:43 PM.
Théoden Janes has spent nearly 20 years covering entertainment and pop culture for the Observer. He also thrives on telling emotive long-form stories about extraordinary Charlotteans and — as a veteran of three dozen marathons and two Ironman triathlons — occasionally writes about endurance and other sports. Support my work with a digital subscription
The first full moon of 2026 rises this weekend and it just so happens to be one of only three supermoons this year.
What You Need To Know
The ‘Wolf Moon’ rises this weekend
It will one of only three supermoons this year
Saturday evening will be the best time to see it across the U.S.
January’s full moon, called the ‘Wolf Moon’, will brighten the night sky throughout this weekend. It technically will peak at 5:03 a.m. ET Saturday morning, but the best time to see it will be after it rises above the horizon that evening.
The ‘Wolf Moon’ also happens to be a supermoon this year. This occurs when the moon is closer to earth (parigee) so it appears larger and brighter than normal. You’ll have to wait until November to see the next supermoon.
Visibility looks good across the Central U.S. Saturday evening, but clouds could be an issue on the opposite coasts.
Potential cloud coverage Saturday evening across the U.S. (weathermodels.com)
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon gets its name due to it being a time you can hear the call of wolves. Though we know that happens year-round, the vocal calls of wolves can be haunting during the winter months.
Other names given by various Native American tribes include Cold Moon (Cree), Center Moon (Assiniboin), and Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin).
The next full moon will be the Full Snow Moon which will occur on Sunday, February 1st.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The first full moon of 2026 rises this weekend and it just so happens to be one of only three supermoons this year.
What You Need To Know
The ‘Wolf Moon’ rises this weekend
It will one of only three supermoons this year
Saturday evening will be the best time to see it across the U.S.
January’s full moon, called the ‘Wolf Moon’, will brighten the night sky throughout this weekend. It technically will peak at 5:03 a.m. ET Saturday morning, but the best time to see it will be after it rises above the horizon that evening.
The ‘Wolf Moon’ also happens to be a supermoon this year. This occurs when the moon is closer to earth (parigee) so it appears larger and brighter than normal. You’ll have to wait until November to see the next supermoon.
Visibility looks good across the Central U.S. Saturday evening, but clouds could be an issue on the opposite coasts.
Potential cloud coverage Saturday evening across the U.S. (weathermodels.com)
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon gets its name due to it being a time you can hear the call of wolves. Though we know that happens year-round, the vocal calls of wolves can be haunting during the winter months.
Other names given by various Native American tribes include Cold Moon (Cree), Center Moon (Assiniboin), and Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin).
The next full moon will be the Full Snow Moon which will occur on Sunday, February 1st.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The first full moon of 2026 rises this weekend and it just so happens to be one of only three supermoons this year.
What You Need To Know
The ‘Wolf Moon’ rises this weekend
It will one of only three supermoons this year
Saturday evening will be the best time to see it across the U.S.
January’s full moon, called the ‘Wolf Moon’, will brighten the night sky throughout this weekend. It technically will peak at 5:03 a.m. ET Saturday morning, but the best time to see it will be after it rises above the horizon that evening.
The ‘Wolf Moon’ also happens to be a supermoon this year. This occurs when the moon is closer to earth (parigee) so it appears larger and brighter than normal. You’ll have to wait until November to see the next supermoon.
Visibility looks good across the Central U.S. Saturday evening, but clouds could be an issue on the opposite coasts.
Potential cloud coverage Saturday evening across the U.S. (weathermodels.com)
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon gets its name due to it being a time you can hear the call of wolves. Though we know that happens year-round, the vocal calls of wolves can be haunting during the winter months.
Other names given by various Native American tribes include Cold Moon (Cree), Center Moon (Assiniboin), and Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin).
The next full moon will be the Full Snow Moon which will occur on Sunday, February 1st.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The first full moon of 2026 rises this weekend and it just so happens to be one of only three supermoons this year.
What You Need To Know
The ‘Wolf Moon’ rises this weekend
It will one of only three supermoons this year
Saturday evening will be the best time to see it across the U.S.
January’s full moon, called the ‘Wolf Moon’, will brighten the night sky throughout this weekend. It technically will peak at 5:03 a.m. ET Saturday morning, but the best time to see it will be after it rises above the horizon that evening.
The ‘Wolf Moon’ also happens to be a supermoon this year. This occurs when the moon is closer to earth (parigee) so it appears larger and brighter than normal. You’ll have to wait until November to see the next supermoon.
Visibility looks good across the Central U.S. Saturday evening, but clouds could be an issue on the opposite coasts.
Potential cloud coverage Saturday evening across the U.S. (weathermodels.com)
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon gets its name due to it being a time you can hear the call of wolves. Though we know that happens year-round, the vocal calls of wolves can be haunting during the winter months.
Other names given by various Native American tribes include Cold Moon (Cree), Center Moon (Assiniboin), and Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin).
The next full moon will be the Full Snow Moon which will occur on Sunday, February 1st.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
An 18-year-old allegedly planned a terror attack for New Year’s Eve in a town near Charlotte, North Carolina, the FBI said Friday.
Federal agents arrested Christian Sturdivant on Dec. 31. The FBI said he planned to attack a Burger King and a grocery story in Mint Hill, a bedroom community just outside Charlotte.
“Sturdivant planned a massacre,” said the FBI’s James Barnacle, the special agent in charge for the FBI in Charlotte.
What You Need To Know
The FBI said agents foiled a New Year’s Eve terror plot inspired by ISIS
Federal officials say an 18-year-old planned to attack a Burger King and a grocery store in Mint Hill, a town just outside Charlotte, North Carolina
Investigators say the suspect discussed his plans with an undercover agent with the New York Police Department
Christian Sturdivant is charged with attempted material support of a foreign terrorist organization and could face 20 years in prison if convicted
Sturdivant, who turned 18 in December, has been charged with attempted material support of a foreign terrorist organization. He could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
“This investigation unfolded quickly,” Barnacle said. He said Sturdivant had been on the FBI’s radar since 2022, but the investigation into this plot took place over about two weeks during the holidays.
He planned to attack New Year’s Eve shoppers with two hammers and two knifes that investigators found hidden under his bed, according to court records.
The planning came to light when Sturdivant began chatting online with someone he thought was an ISIS member but was in fact an undercover agent with the New York Police Department, according to U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson.
Sturdivant began chatting with the undercover officer on Dec. 12, according to court records.
He then also communicated with a second undercover agent with the FBI, Ferguson said.
“We had to act quickly,” he said. Sturdivant had been planning the attack for a year, the U.S. Attorney said.
“Americans deserve to celebrate New Year’s Eve without worrying about their personal safety,” Ferguson said. “That is why we worked non-stop to thwart this alleged violent terrorist attack. I am proud of the work done here and thankful for the time spent by law enforcement away from their families during the holidays to ensure public safety.”
A chorus of high ranking federal officials praised investigators.
“This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a news release. “The Department of Justice remains vigilant in our pursuit of evil ISIS sympathizers — anyone plotting to commit such depraved attacks will face the full force of the law.”
“The accused allegedly wanted to be a soldier for ISIS and made plans to commit a violent attack on New Year’s Eve in support of that terrorist group, but the FBI and our partners put a stop to that,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.
Jerry Bledsoe reads a favorite passage from his favorite book, “A Long and Happy Life”, by NC writer Reynolds Price.
Harry Lynch
File photo
Jerry Bledsoe, a former newspaper reporter who rose to national acclaim as the author of “Bitter Blood” and other true-crime bestsellers, died Wednesday night after a fall at his Asheboro home, his son said. He was 84.
“He had a long, distinguished career as a journalist and stuck up for the underdog in his reporting and as an author,” Erik Bledsoe said Thursday.
Bledsoe was born in 1941 in Danville, Virginia and grew up in Thomasville. He served in the Army for three years before becoming a reporter and feature columnist for The Greensboro Daily News and The Charlotte Observer.
He was a contributing editor at Esquire magazine when he began writing books, according to Penguin Random House, his publisher. “Bitter Blood,” his seventh book, became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller that was made into a CBS miniseries.
Jerry Bledsoe gave voice to people who’d never had one, “the common folk,” said Erik Bledsoe, who lives in Cary
The author lived with Alzheimer’s Disease for years, and a brain bleed caused his fall at the home he shared with his wife, Linda, his son said.
No service is planned, although a gathering of family and close friends may occur in a couple of months, the author’s son said.
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
Jerry Bledsoe reads a favorite passage from his favorite book, “A Long and Happy Life”, by NC writer Reynolds Price.
Harry Lynch
File photo
Jerry Bledsoe, a former newspaper reporter who rose to national acclaim as the author of “Bitter Blood” and other true-crime bestsellers, died Wednesday night after a fall at his Asheboro home, his son said. He was 84.
“He had a long, distinguished career as a journalist and stuck up for the underdog in his reporting and as an author,” Erik Bledsoe said Thursday.
Bledsoe was born in 1941 in Danville, Virginia and grew up in Thomasville. He served in the Army for three years before becoming a reporter and feature columnist for The Greensboro Daily News and The Charlotte Observer.
He was a contributing editor at Esquire magazine when he began writing books, according to Penguin Random House, his publisher. “Bitter Blood,” his seventh book, became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller that was made into a CBS miniseries.
Jerry Bledsoe gave voice to people who’d never had one, “the common folk,” said Erik Bledsoe, who lives in Cary
The author lived with Alzheimer’s Disease for years, and a brain bleed caused his fall at the home he shared with his wife, Linda, his son said.
No service is planned, although a gathering of family and close friends may occur in a couple of months, the author’s son said.
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
Workers test the lights on a crown backstage at Charlotte’s New Year’s celebration in this file photo. During the city’s 2025 New Year’s Eve celebrations in uptown, police made fewer arrests than in 2024.
David T. Foster III
Observer file photo
Officers arrested two teens on weapons charges and seized two guns during Charlotte’s New Year’s Eve celebration in uptown, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Thursday.
A 14-year-old was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a stolen firearm, police said. An 18-year-old was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
CMPD didn’t say if they know how the 14-year-old got a gun or whether a parent will be charged. Police didn’t reply to an email Thursday.
Police reported no major incidents at the city’s annual celebration , including at Romare Bearden Park and Truist Field.
Eight adults were also arrested on drug, weapon, disorderly conduct and other charges during the 2025 celebration. And 10 young people ages 10 through 15 were arrested on charges of violating the city’s youth protection ordinance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Thursday, CMPD thanked these agencies for helping protect public safety on Wednesday night: Charlotte Fire Department, MEDIC, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Mecklenburg County Alcohol Beverage Control, N.C. Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the FBI.
This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 10:47 AM.
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
