ReportWire

Tag: coastal

  • Live blog: Debbie expected to bring torrential rains to N.C.

    Live blog: Debbie expected to bring torrential rains to N.C.

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    Slow-moving Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring heavy rain to North Carolina this week. Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane Monday morning along the Gulf Coast of Florida before weakening to a tropical storm.


    The heaviest rain in North Carolina is expected Wednesday through Friday, according to Spectrum News 1 meteorologists. The highest rainfall is expected in southeastern North Carolina, where some spots could see over a foot.

    Gusty winds could also lead to power outages, and the storm could bring a threat for a few brief tornadoes near the coast.

    North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Monday as Debby approached. The emergency declaration helps first responders get where they need to go and allows farmers to move crops around quickly. The state of emergency also protects against price gouging. 

    Related article: N.C. Gov. Cooper declares state of emergency in anticipation of Debby

    If you live in a flood prone area, be ready to move to higher ground.

    Meteorologists and reporters with Spectrum News 1 are spread out across the state tracking the forecast and impacts as Debby moves into North Carolina. 

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • N.C. Gov. Cooper declares state of emergency in anticipation of Debby

    N.C. Gov. Cooper declares state of emergency in anticipation of Debby

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    Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Monday afternoon ahead of Debby, which is expected to bring a large amount of rain to parts of the state throughout the week.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Monday afternoon ahead of Debby’s rain and storm impacts

    • It initiates operation plans and suspends select transportation rules to expedite the movement of essential supplies 

    • The storm is expected to move northward through the Tar Heel state later in the week

    • Get interactive radar and hyperlocal weather alerts on the Spectrum News App


    Anticipating the storm, the governor’s state of emergency initiates operation plans and suspends select transportation rules to expedite the movement of essential supplies.

    The emergency mode is beneficial for first responders, farmers, and protects against price gouging. The governor can call up the national guard if and when needed because of the declaration.

    Gov. Cooper asked residents to monitor the forecast carefully and restock whatever emergency supplies they may need.

    The storm is expected to move northward, and start impacting the Tar Heel state with rain Tuesday and Wednesday as it moves closer to the Carolinas, and is expected to arrive later in the week. 

    As North Carolina braces for impacts from the storm’s remnants, the governor and emergency officials offered these tips to help people be prepared:

    • Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on a cell phone and download a weather app

    • Have an emergency plan. Know where to go if there’s a need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort

    • Gather some emergency supplies or refresh an emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit

    • If people live at the coast, be aware if you live in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are located in a pre-determined evacuation zone. Learn your zone and listen for it if evacuations are ordered by local governments

    Get interactive radar and local weather alerts on the Spectrum News App.

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    Daniel Gray

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  • Tropical Storm Debby bringing heavy rainfall

    Tropical Storm Debby bringing heavy rainfall

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    Debby has weakened into a tropical storm again as it continues to push inland over the Florida Panhandle. Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee, Fla., early on Monday, Aug. 5 as a Category 1 hurricane. It will continue to move inland in the Southeast U.S.

    Debby strengthened into the second hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed into a tropical storm on Saturday, Aug. 3, and became a hurricane on Sunday, Aug. 4. Debby is the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Debby is a tropical storm

    • It made landfall near Steinhatchee, Fla. on Monday, Aug. 5, as a Category 1 hurricane

    • It’s forecast to stall out and bring heavy rainfall to the Southeast U.S.


    Debby is weakening as it pushes inland. It’s a tropical storm with max winds of 50 mph and is slowly moving northeast. It moved inland along Florida’s Big Bend coast near Steinhatchee and made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with max winds of 80 mph early on Monday morning.

    The track of Debby has it moving across the northern Sunshine State, then moving back over the Atlantic where it will scrape the southeastern coast. It looks to stall along the Southeast coast for several days, bringing inches to possibly feet of rain to the region.

    Tropical Storm Warning

    • St. Augustine, Florida to South Santee River South Carolina

    Storm Surge Warning

    • Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South Carolina

    Debby looks to cross the northern part of Florida and eventually it will slow down to a crawl. This would bring days of rain to the coastal Southeast for areas from Savannah to Charleston.

    Areas of flash flooding are possible through the week. The highest rainfall totals will be in parts of coastal Georgia and South Carolina, where significant flooding is expected. 

    There is a high risk of excessive rainfall for the next three days.

    Rainfall totals will climb up to 12 to 15 inches this week with locally higher totals possible

    Here’s a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    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.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • 20 minutes that left 4 officers dead: DA gives new details in Charlotte shooting

    20 minutes that left 4 officers dead: DA gives new details in Charlotte shooting

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Early afternoon on April 29, Terry Hughes Jr. was outside his home on Galway Drive in Charlotte when he saw the U.S. Marshals Service task force pull up. The wanted man ran inside and armed himself with an assault-style rifle, according to a report released by the Mecklenburg County district attorney Thursday. 

    In the minutes that followed, Hughes would fatally shoot four law enforcement officers and injure four more, officials said. 

    In the report, District Attorney Spencer Merriweather cleared the officers who returned fire and killed Hughes, and gave new details about what happened that day on Galway Drive in Charlotte. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  The Mecklenburg district attorney released a report giving new details about what happened when a wanted man opened fire on a U.S. Marshals Service task force, killing four officers and wounding four others

    •  The DA cleared all officers of wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Terry Hughes

    •  “This incident signifies the single deadliest assault on law enforcement in our community’s history,” the DA said



    There were 18 members of the task force that went out that day to arrest Hughes, the DA said. When Hughes ran inside, they surrounded the home and used a loudspeaker to call for him to come out and surrender. 

    Then Hughes began to fire at the officers, first from an upstairs rear window, then he moved to a side window, the report said. He alternated positions as he shot at the task force members with a Radical Arms RF-15 rifle. 

    “DUSM Thomas Weeks Jr. was struck as he took cover with Task Force Officer (TFO) Samuel Poloche behind a tree in the backyard. TFO William Alden Elliott and another task force officer were struck at the fence line on the west side of the home,” the report states. 

    At 1:33 p.m., the one member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on the task force radioed that “shots had been fired, and officers were down.”

    “By 1:35 p.m., the first of hundreds of CMPD officers, including Officer Joshua Eyer, began arriving on scene to assist and extract the fallen officers,” the report states. “Officer Eyer and numerous other CMPD officers approached the rear of the decedent’s residence through the backyard of an abutting home, searching for a safe route to get to the three downed officers.”

    “At 1:46 p.m., Officer Eyer and others made their way to the tree in the backyard of the residence where DUSM Thomas Weeks Jr., had been struck. Officer Eyer and TFO Samuel Poloche were struck by additional shots fired by the decedent as they took cover behind this tree. Three additional CMPD officers were also shot as they took cover in various locations behind the house,” according to the DA.

    At about 1:50 p.m., Hughes, still armed with the rifle, jumped from a second floor window, the report states. 

    “Officers in front of the residence issued commands to drop the gun, then opened fire, killing the decedent,” according to the DA.

    An autopsy report said Hughes was shot 10 times.

    Other officers in the back of the home did not know Hughes was dead and saw movement in a window, the DA wrote. One fired a single shot at the window.

    “This shot caused officers who had received the earlier communication that the decedent was down to believe that there was an additional shooter in the residence. Over the course of the next ten minutes, officers in the rear of the residence discharged cover fire at the rear window of the home as they evacuated TFO Poloche, Officer Eyer, and DUSM Weeks Jr.,” the DA said.

    “At 1:59 p.m., CMPD  officers used an armored utility vehicle to drive to the side fence line and evacuate TFO Elliott,” the report states.

    At 2:39 p.m., Hughes’ girlfriend called 911 to tell police she was hiding in the closet with her 17-year-old daughter, according to the DA.

    Elliott was taken to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center and pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m.

    Poloche, Weeks and Eyer were all transported to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.

    Poloche was pronounced dead at 2:25 p.m. Weeks underwent surgery but was pronounced dead at 3:10 p.m. Eyer also underwent surgery and was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. 

    Hughes fired 29 rounds from the rifle that day, the DA said. Twenty-three officers returned fire, firing 340 rounds, according to the report.

    “This incident signifies the single deadliest assault on law enforcement in our community’s history,” the DA wrote in the report. 

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    Charles Duncan

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  • Study: Gen X, Millennials at higher risk for developing 17 cancers

    Study: Gen X, Millennials at higher risk for developing 17 cancers

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    Researchers from the American Cancer Society found, in a new study, that American Generation X and Millennials are at a higher risk of developing 17 different cancers when compared to the generations above them.

    What You Need To Know

    • Generation X and Millennials are at a higher risk of developing 17 different cancers when compared to the generations above them, study shows

    • The study found an increase in mortality trends for various cancers as well

    • The study looked at data on 23,654,000 patients with 34 kinds of cancer and the mortality data on 7,348,137 deaths across 25 cancers

    • They looked at people ages 25-84 from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31., 2019

    A press release from the ACS confirms the study found an increase in mortality trends for various cancers as well.

    “These findings add to growing evidence of increased cancer risk in post-Baby Boomer generations, expanding on previous findings of early-onset colorectal cancer and a few obesity-associated cancers to encompass a broader range of cancer types,” said Dr. Hyuna Sung, lead author of the study and a senior principal scientist of surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society, in the release. “Birth cohorts, groups of people classified by their birth year, share unique social, economic, political, and climate environments, which affect their exposure to cancer risk factors during their crucial developmental years. Although we have identified cancer trends associated with birth years, we don’t yet have a clear explanation for why these rates are rising.”

    The study looked at data on 23,654,000 patients with 34 kinds of cancer and the mortality data on 7,348,137 deaths across 25 cancers. They looked at people ages 25-84 from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31., 2019.

    “To compare cancer rates across generations, they calculated birth cohort-specific incidence rate ratios and mortality rate ratios, adjusted for age effect and period effect, by birth years, separated by five-year intervals, from 1920 to 1990,” the release reads.

    The study found that, since 1920, each cohort born has had an increased incidence rate for eight of the 34 cancers. They note that “the incidence rate was approximately two-to-three times higher in the 1990 birth cohort than in the 1955 birth cohort” for the following cancers:

    • Pancreatic
    • Kidney
    • Small intestinal
    • Liver cancer in women

    Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president, surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study, said the increase in cancer rates indicates a generational shift in risk and “an early indicator of future cancer burden” in the U.S.

    “Without effective population-level interventions, and as the elevated risk in younger generations is carried over as individuals age, an overall increase in cancer burden could occur in the future, halting or reversing decades of progress against the disease,” Jemal said in the release. “The data highlights the critical need to identify and address underlying risk factors in Gen X and Millennial populations to inform prevention strategies.”

    The release also noted a higher incidence rate in younger cohorts for these other cancers as well:

    • Breast cancer for estrogen-receptor positive only
    • Uterine corpus cancer
    • Colorectal cancer
    • Non-cardia gastric cancer
    • Gallbladder cancer
    • Ovarian cancer
    • Testicular cancer
    • Anal cancer in men
    • Kaposi sarcoma in men

    The release also states that mortality rates—alongside the incidence rates—saw increases in younger birth cohorts for the following cancers:

    • Liver cancer for women only
    • Uterine corpus
    • Gallbladder
    • Testicular
    • Colorectal cancers

    “The increasing cancer burden among younger generations underscores the importance of ensuring people of all ages have access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance, a key factor in cancer outcomes,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, in the release. “To that end, ACS CAN will continue our longstanding work to urge lawmakers to expand Medicaid in states that have yet to do so as well as continue to advocate for making permanent the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax subsidies that have opened the door to access to care for millions.”

    The study was published in “The Lancet Public Health.”

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    Cody Thompson

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  • The bioluminescent beetles and how we can protect them

    The bioluminescent beetles and how we can protect them

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    It’s summer, and you might spend your days at the pool, or hiking on the trails, but popular nighttime activities include catching those glowing beetles. Whether you refer to them as fireflies or lightning bugs, the glow of these insects becomes magical.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Lightning bugs and fireflies are the same beetle, just have different names depending on your location

    • The biggest threat to the beetles right now is habitat loss

    • Lightning bugs (fireflies) are flying, bioluminescent insects


    The ideal weather for these beetles is warm and humid. Unlike most humans, they thrive under these conditions. That’s why summer is when they are present.

    Bioluminescence

    “Fireflies use a trick called bioluminescence to create their amazing light,” says Dan Zarlenga, with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

    The insects contain an enzyme called luciferase, which produces light, yet very little heat. The glow we see, he adds, “is similar to the chemical reactions much like we see in glow sticks.”

    Remi Lynn holds a lightning bug on a warm summer night. (Spectrum News/Stacy Lynn)

    Is it a firefly or lightning bug?

    One could guess how they got their name, but why do some refer to them as fireflies and others say they are lightning bugs? “Lightning bug and firefly are just different popular names for the same type of insect,” says Zarlenga. But the naming convention comes down to location.

    About ten years ago, Joshua Katz, then a PhD candidate from the NC State Department of Statistics, mapped out results from a survey he created on the name of these insects. The results showed nearly 40% of participants used the terms firefly and lightning bug interchangeably, whereas around 30% only referred to them as lightning bugs and the other 30% only considered them fireflies.  

    Based on his map, areas to the west of the Rockies are more likely to call them fireflies, whereas the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and South are more inclined to refer to them as lightning bugs. New England, Florida and Texas use the terms interchangeably.

    Small but mighty

    You can find beetles in less developed areas, like forests or meadows or even your backyard, anywhere that contains wood or leaf litter. “The females lay their eggs late summer in wet soil, rotting wood and damp leaf litter,” explains Zarlenga. 

    The larvae, known as glowworms, live in this damp environment. The worms may be wingless, but he says these larvae are “voracious predators with jaws containing toxins to overpower snails, slugs and other prey.”

    Once they reach the mature or adult stage, usually in late spring, they can fly. However, they only last for approximately two months. The light they emit is a means of communication, especially for mating.

    When done mating, some females will flash their light for their next meal. They will attract additional males to consume.

    Habitat loss

    These beetles thrive in warm weather with minimal light pollution. What is threatening their population is habitat loss, says Zarlenga. “Such as paving over fields and forests where they live and the use of pesticides and herbicides, which hurt their numbers by killing them too.”

    Excess light pollution isn’t good for lightning bugs either. “It confuses and disrupts their flashes used in communication and mating activities,” he adds.

    He says to help the fireflies, “We urge people to limit or avoid the use of these chemicals in their yards, leave some leaf litter and portions of tall grass as habitat, and reduce the use of artificial light.”

    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.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • Vacationers beware: BBB warns of rental scams across the Carolinas

    Vacationers beware: BBB warns of rental scams across the Carolinas

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    MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas is cautioning customers about a travel scam targeting rental properties in the region, they said in a news release Wednesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • The scam involves major cabin or home rental brands, like Airbnb or VRBO, according to the BBB

    • The scammer offers to book the property around the rental brand to avoid the heavy fees

    • The person the customer is messaging is a con artist as soon as it’s sent via Venmo or Cashapp

    • Airbnb and VRBO may be pricey, a BBB official explained, but they also have policies in place to protect both the customer and the host in these instances


    The scam involves major cabin or home rental brands, like Airbnb or VRBO.

    The home is listed on Facebook, or another site, and the owner, who may actually be the owner or not, offers to book the property around the rental brand to avoid the heavy fees. The customer simply has to pay in advance.

    The BBB says one of two things has been going wrong at this point. First, the person the customer is messaging is a con artist as soon as it’s sent via Venmo or Cashapp. Second, the exchange could be legitimate, but in the event the customer needs to cancel, the host is tending to not respond with no contact information.

    “Just because a vacation home is posted on a site you’ve used before doesn’t necessarily mean it’s trustworthy. Always read reviews and do your research before booking,” Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of BBB serving Eastern Carolinas said.

    Airbnb and VRBO may be pricey, Wojciechowski explained, but they also have policies in place to protect both the customer and the host in these instances.

    If you find a scam while booking online travel, you can help consumers by reporting it here.

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    Daniel Gray

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  • Boar’s Head expands recall to include 7 million more pounds of deli meats

    Boar’s Head expands recall to include 7 million more pounds of deli meats

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    The popular deli meat company Boar’s Head is recalling an additional 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat products made at a Virginia plant as an investigation into a deadly outbreak of listeria food poisoning continues, U.S. Agriculture Department officials said Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Boar’s Head is recalling an additional 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat products as an investigation into a deadly listeria outbreak continues

    • The new recall includes 71 products made between May 10 and July 29 at the company’s Jarratt, Virginia plant

    • The new items include meat intended to be sliced at delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products

    • Two people have died and nearly three dozen have been sickened in 13 states



    The new recall includes 71 products made between May 10 and July 29 under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. It follows an earlier recall of more than 200,000 pounds of sliced deli poultry and meat. The new items include meat intended to be sliced at delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold in stores.

    They include liverwurst, ham, beef salami, bologna and other products made at the firm’s Jarratt, Virginia, plant.

    The recalls are tied to an ongoing outbreak of listeria poisoning that has killed two people and sickened nearly three dozen in 13 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly all of those who fell ill have been hospitalized. Illnesses were reported between late May and mid-July.

    The problem was discovered when a liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Further testing showed that the type of bacteria was the same strain causing illnesses in people.

    “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility,” the company said on its website. It has also halted production of ready-to-eat foods at the plant.

    The meat was distributed to stores nationwide, as well as to the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama, Agriculture Department officials said.

    Consumers who have the recalled products in their homes should not eat them and should discard them or return them to stores for a refund, company officials said. Health officials said refrigerators should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to prevent contamination of other foods.

    An estimated 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year and about 260 die, according to the CDC.

    Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems and during pregnacy.

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    Associated Press

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  • ‘We need a hunger’: N.C. Democratic Party chair talks 2024 presidential race

    ‘We need a hunger’: N.C. Democratic Party chair talks 2024 presidential race

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    North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton rejoins host Tim Boyum this week to talk about the tumultuous month since the debate. Their conversation spans from President Joe Biden’s exit to her role in leading the state party’s delegation, which unanimously supported Vice President Kamala Harris during the uncertain time.

    “Every single delegate was exploding with excitement,” she said when holding a state call on Harris. “I didn’t want to go into that convention not unified.”

    She also responds to the question of the process in which Harris has become the Democratic nominee. 

    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.

    Listen and Subscribe

    Apple | Spotify | Stitcher

    Join the Conversation

    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!

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • More than 30 with N.C. ties are headed to the Paris Olympics

    More than 30 with N.C. ties are headed to the Paris Olympics

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    As the 2024 Olympic Games kick off July 26, more than 30 athletes with ties to North Carolina will be there to compete. 

    Six swimmers from N.C. State University in Raleigh will be there, but not all will be on Team USA. The Wolfpack swimmers will also be representing Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Greece.

    Eleven athletes with ties to Charlotte will be in Paris, including four current players with the Hornets.

    Fayetteville native Naya Tapper will be on the U.S. Rugby Team. Madison Wiltrout, at UNC Chapel Hill, with compete in the most traditional of Olympic sports: the javelin. 

    Jesse Ssengonzi, of Cary, will swim for the Ugandan team. 

    This map shows each Olympic athlete competing in Paris with ties to North Carolina. 



     

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    Charles Duncan

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  • Here’s why standing near a tree during a storm is dangerous

    Here’s why standing near a tree during a storm is dangerous

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    Unfortunately, August alone has tallied six lightning deaths in the United States. 

    What You Need To Know

    • August’s six lightning deaths brings the 2022 total to 14 so far

    • Some of the deaths happened when people were under or near a tree

    • Ground current affects a larger area than the strike itself

    (NOAA)

    It’s been a tragic month for lightning deaths, including a Central Florida woman who was killed by lightning while waiting for her daughter to get off the school bus. Reports say lightning hit a nearby tree. Earlier this month, three people near the White House were killed when lightning struck the tree they were under.

    Being under a tree is one of the leading causes of lightning casualties. But why is being under–or even near–a tree so dangerous?

    When lightning strikes a tree, the energy travels out along the ground’s surface. The ground current affects a larger area and can lead to multiple injuries or deaths.

    John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council says the most recent multi-fatality incidents all have one feature in common: trees. 

    When it rains, don’t seek shelter under a tree. Find a building or a hard-topped vehicle and don’t wait until the last minute to seek shelter. Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

    If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck by lightning, even if it’s not raining where you are. 

    Remember: “When thunder roars, go indoors!”

    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.

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    Meteorologist Juli Marquez

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  • Here’s why standing near a tree during a storm is dangerous

    Here’s why standing near a tree during a storm is dangerous

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Seven people have been killed in the U.S. this year by lightning and two of them have been in Florida. 

    Based on the past 10 years, the U.S. averages 12 lightning deaths through July 22.

    What You Need To Know

    • Seven people have been killed in the U.S. in 2024 by lightning and two of them have been in Florida

    • Some of the deaths happened when people were under or near a tree

    • Ground current affects a larger area than the strike itself


    A 19-year-old man was struck and killed Sunday, June 30 in Davie, Florida, while walking in a park.  He was under a tree when the lightning struck.  

    Florida leads the nation in lightning deaths, now with 90 since 2006, including the two this year.

    Both Florida lightning fatalities this year were related to walking in parks.  The National Lightning Safety Council offers these tips to people planning to go out for a walk.

    http://lightningsafetycouncil.org/Graphics/Tips-For-Walkers-And-Runners.png

    Being under a tree is one of the leading causes of lightning casualties. But why is being under–or even near–a tree so dangerous?

    When lightning strikes a tree, the energy travels out along the ground’s surface. The ground current affects a larger area and can lead to multiple injuries or deaths.

    John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council says the most recent multi-fatality incidents all have one feature in common: trees. 

    When it rains, don’t seek shelter under a tree. Find a building or a hard-topped vehicle and don’t wait until the last minute to seek shelter. Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

    If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck by lightning, even if it’s not raining where you are. 

    Remember: “When thunder roars, go indoors!”

    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.

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    Meteorologist Juli Marquez

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  • Senior N.C. House Republican will resign next month. He tells Tim why.

    Senior N.C. House Republican will resign next month. He tells Tim why.

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    Lincoln County Republican Rep. Jason Saine abruptly filed his resignation letter July 15, confirming he would step down from his 97th House District seat on Aug. 12.

    Saine talks to host Tim Boyum about his reasons for leaving public office while his party holds the supermajority and what’s next for him in the private sector.

    Boyum and Saine also talk freely about the financial and time challenges state lawmakers face in a part-time system that requires full-time work. He says he’s tired of being poor at his age, but thankful for the lifelong friendships he’s made.

    He also gives us some behind-the-scenes insight into the battle over approving sports betting and the budget.

    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.

    Listen and Subscribe

    Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google

    Join the Conversation

    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!

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Full buck moon peaks on Sunday morning

    Full buck moon peaks on Sunday morning

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    This month when the full moon peaks on Sunday at 6:17 a.m. Eastern Time, it will be the climax of the full buck moon, aptly named for those furry, even white-tailed, creatures who possess the woods and fields alike.

    What You Need To Know

    • Full July moon peaks Sunday morning but will be visible this weekend

    • Named the full buck moon for male deer that shed their antlers

    • Origins come from several sources, including Native Americans


    The origins of the name come from several sources, including Native Americans, early American settlers and even European foundations. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it gets its name from the time of the year when male deer or bucks shed their antlers.

    Other names include the Berry Moon, Thunder Moon, Halfway Summer Moon, Salmon Moon and Feather Molting Moon.

    You can download the moon app to see when the moon will rise from your location. 

    Does the full moon make people or animals act differently? Here are five myths about the full moon.

    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.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • Everyday Hero: African dance teacher offers free senior classes

    Everyday Hero: African dance teacher offers free senior classes

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    DURHAM, N.C. — Being active and moving our bodies really makes a difference in how we feel, and one 70-year-old Durham choreographer says movement can be fun and enjoyable. She offers African dance classes to seniors for free. 

    Experts say movement is one of the most important things we can do for our health.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A 70-year-old choreographer and dancer has spent her life learning and teaching African dance and drums

    •  Donna Graham learned from world-renowned African dance guru Baba Chuck Davis of Durham

    •  Graham teaches free classes for seniors at the Durham Center for Senior Life


    Donna Graham has traveled the world teaching folks young and old the rhythms of African dance and drums. 

    Donna Graham and Baba Chuck Davis (Donna Graham)

    We first met Graham at a Kwanza event in January leading the drum and dance celebration. She credits African dance master Baba Chuck Davis of Durham with fueling her passion to spread the spirituality and joy of the art form.  

    “I knew I could teach children to drum so I figured I could teach adults as well,” Graham said.  

    She now shares her love of African Dance every Thursday morning at the Durham Center for Senior Life. But it’s no walk in the park. Even in retirement, Graham keeps these seniors moving and grooving mentally and physically for a healthier life.  

    “A lot of it is spiritual, for many of us, culturally speaking for many of us. And then we have the health benefits,” Graham added.  

    These classes are designed to get seniors moving and dancing to the beat of the drum. But Graham says it’s a chance for her to share her culture. 

    “In order to really know where you come from, it’s really best to know your history. It’s kind of like a tree trying to grow without roots. You need a firm foundation, and build on it,” Graham said while teaching an advanced class.  

    (Donna Graham)

    “We perform for Black history here, we perform for Kwanza here. It reaches a lot of different people here at the center, it makes it comfortable for everyone to be a part of,” said Regina White Brewer, a student of the class.  

    The classes have become so popular, Graham added an additional free low-impact class at the Durham Center for Senior Life for those new to the art form. It’s a movement through movement that continues to grow in size each week, and one Graham credits with saving her life.  

    In 2022, Graham almost died after she suffered a cerebral posterior aneurysm, causing her brain to bleed.  

    “They couldn’t remove it all because it was heart-shaped and there’s a titanium clip,” Graham said.   

    At times, she thought she might not make it. But Graham pushed on, fighting to get back in the classroom even earlier than doctors expected. She credits her miraculous story of survival to her mental and physical fitness, grounded in African dance. 

    “Because after an 8-hour brain surgery I feel like I’m still here because of this place,” Graham said while looking around the Durham Center for Senior Life.   

    It’s a place that keeps her moving and sharing her passion in life while helping others along the way. Her passion for teaching and dance is only outshined by her passion for life. 

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    Caroline Blair

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  • After Trump assassination attempt, bipartisan condemnation in N.C.

    After Trump assassination attempt, bipartisan condemnation in N.C.

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    Former President Donald Trump is safe after what law enforcement described as an assassination attempt at a rally Saturday in Pennsylvania, according to the Associated Press. 

    The suspected shooter and one person who was attending the rally died, AP reported. The shooting happened at a rally Saturday evening in Butler, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. 

    In North Carolina and nationally, elected leaders from both sides of the aisle condemned the shooting. 

    “Violence has no place in our politics or communities. I am grateful for the quick response by law enforcement today and hope former President Trump is not seriously injured,” Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said on social media Saturday.


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    Charles Duncan

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  • Protecting youth online: Officials address rising sextortion threat

    Protecting youth online: Officials address rising sextortion threat

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As families across North Carolina embrace the freedom of summer break, officials are sounding the alarm about a disturbing trend: the rise in online sextortion cases targeting teens.

    According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, tips related to these cases have more than tripled from 2019 to 2022, and a continued upward trajectory is expected this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Internet activity can increase among kids and teens during the summer away from school, leading to heightened opportunities for online predatory behavior targeting youth

    • Tips related to online sextortion cases in North Carolina have more than tripled from 2019 to 2022, according to the State Bureau of Investigation

    • U.S. Attorney Dena King shares tips and resources for parents and guardians to keep kids safe, including monitoring their devices and having frequent conversations about the topic


    U.S. Attorney Dena King, the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of North Carolina, says her office sees cases of predatory behaviors across all social media, messaging features on games and other online platforms.

    “What predators seek to do is be able to gain trust… oftentimes they pose as that child’s peer, or they pretend to be another child,” King said. “Generally, predators target children who are young, typically teenagers, but increasingly we’re seeing that predators are targeting young people at younger and younger ages.”

    King said parents should be proactive in safeguarding children online.

    “What parents and guardians should do [is] really have conversations with their young people, and we would encourage them to have those conversations often and frequently,” King said. “Just having that conversation one time is not going to be sufficient.”  

    For younger children, she advises parents to establish clear guidelines on acceptable online behavior and monitor their digital interactions closely.

    “They should monitor their children’s devices,” she said. “Children should be kind of encouraged to leave those devices in common places throughout the home. And then they should really just limit the amount of time that young people actually have exposure to these online tools.”

    Even seemingly innocent platforms like gaming apps can harbor risks.

    “Parents need to educate themselves about privacy settings and ensure their children understand the dangers of sharing personal information online,” King added.

    As children grow older and gain more independence online, King urged guardians to educate teens about the perils of sextortion and the importance of setting boundaries. She advises parents to stress the permanence of digital content and the risks associated with sharing intimate photos.

    King also underscored the need for teens to verify the authenticity of online acquaintances and to be vigilant for signs of grooming or exploitation.

    She urged parents and guardians to watch for behavioral changes that could signal distress in children, such as withdrawal, anger or anxiety.

    If you suspect online enticement or exploitation of a child, alert law enforcement or file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org.

    Learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Safe Childhood initiative and find more information and resources for parents here.

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    Sarah Rudlang

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  • ‘Magical place’: Highland Games kicking off in North Carolina’s High Country

    ‘Magical place’: Highland Games kicking off in North Carolina’s High Country

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    The Highland Games kick off Thursday night at Grandfather Mountain and people from all over the world are coming to participate. 

    Beverly Baker has been coming to the Highland Games in Avery County for 18 years. She and her husband sleep in a cargo trailer turned camper.

    “He put in windows, [a] ceiling fan,” Baker said.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Highland Games kick off Thursday on Grandfather Mountain

    • The games will continue in Avery County all weekend

    • Organizers expect up to 30,000 people to head up the mountain for the games


    They have everything they need, including friends that have become family. The campground even has its own street names made up by campers that are now on the map.

    “It’s a celebration of our heritage. I don’t know, there are celtic festivals everywhere but there is something special about here,” Baker said.

    The games feature vendors along with bagpipes and athletics, including the iconic caber toss, where competitors try to flip a log on the field.

    “We are at the base of Grandfather Mountain and it’s a very magical place,” Baker said.

    Operations Manager Levin Sudderth said he expects between 25,000 and 30,000 people will attend the games between Thursday and Sunday.

    He’s been doing this his entire life. He took his first steps there at 9 months old.

    People come in from all over the world for the annual event on Grandfather Mountain. 

    “We had people from Canada. We had people from the West Coast that drive out here from Utah, California,” Sudderth said.

    The Highland Games will continue through Sunday. Organizers ask people attending the games to remember they must park at one of the designated lots and be shuttled in.

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    Rose Eiklor

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  • Photo Gallery: Beryl’s impacts across the Caribbean, Mexico and U.S.

    Photo Gallery: Beryl’s impacts across the Caribbean, Mexico and U.S.

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    Beryl was the first hurricane to make landfall in 2024.

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    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Race and class: New book ‘White Poverty’ looks at how to reduce racism

    Race and class: New book ‘White Poverty’ looks at how to reduce racism

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    On this week’s episode, Tim talks with Rev. Dr. William Barber and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove about their new book, “White Poverty.”

    The book looks at historical myths about race and class and makes a case that addressing white poverty might be key to mitigating racism and uniting a massive group of voters to demand change.

    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.

    Listen and Subscribe

    Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google

    Join the Conversation

    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!

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    Spectrum News Staff

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