Tag: greensboro

Winter storm’s ‘major impacts’ could last for days, N.C. governor warns
As North Carolina begins preparing for a winter storm this weekend, Gov. Josh Stein said impacts from snow and ice could last for days. He said people should prepare for power outages that could last for days.

Much of North Carolina could see ice accumulation of a quarter inch or more, which could cause power outages and make travel treacherous.

“Our greatest concerns remain for travel and power outages that could last for days,” the governor said.

The governor said people should stay off the roads starting Saturday evening. Icy roads could last for days with cold temperatures in the forcast well into next week, he said.

Earlier this week, crews with the state Department of Transportation began treating the roads with brine and removing abandoned vehicles from the side of roadways in preparation for icy conditions.

Officials say high-rise vehicles have been prepped and are ready to be deployed for any rescue efforts, the forest service is prepared to remove any downed trees and aviation units from the State Highway Patrol and N.C. National Guard are ready to be deployed if necessary.

Equipment is also being prestaged, Daniel Johnson, the state’s transportation secretary said, in areas that are known trouble spots for rapid response.

Duke Energy is also bringing in crews from across the country to respond as quickly as possible to any outages that may occur, Stein said. At this time, the governor said there is no estimate as to how many people may lose power across the state, but everything that can be done is being done to ensure it is restored as quickly as possible to those impacted.

Power outages should not be reported to 911. All outages should be reported directly to the power companies through their websites. The North Carolina Department of Public Saftey has created an interactive map to track power outages across the state, with the number of homes and business impacted.

Related: 10 tips to help you get through another winter storm in N.C.

To help residents prepare for the coming winter storm, North Carolina Emergency Management officials are recommending the following tips:
- Pay close attention to your local forecast and be prepared for what’s expected in your area
- Keep cell phones, mobile devices, and spare batteries charged
- Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts
- Dress warmly. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing
- Store an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, and road map
- Gather emergency supplies for your pet, including leash and care supplies, enough food for several days, and a pet travel carrier
- Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather
- Look out for your friends, neighbors, and the elderly during winter weather
If your power goes out:
- Ensure generators are operated outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
- Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors
- Properly vent kerosene heaters
- Use battery-powered sources for light, instead of candles, to reduce the risk of fire
Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.
Justin Pryor, Blair Hamilton

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January 23, 2026
Jerry Bledsoe, bestselling NC true-crime author, has died. He was 84.

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.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Joe Marusak

The Charlotte Observer

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.
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January 1, 2026
Jerry Bledsoe, bestselling NC true-crime author, has died. He was 84.

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.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Joe Marusak

The Charlotte Observer

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.
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Joe Marusak

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January 1, 2026
Rockingham County band director to march in Rose Parade
EDEN, N.C. — In his 11th year teaching at Morehead High School in Eden, director of bands Nathan Hines is getting to check an item off his bucket list.
What You Need To Know

Nathan Hines was selected to be a part of the 350-member Band Directors Marching Band in the 2026 Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California

The group features music educators from all over as part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project

Hines, one of 12 North Carolina band directors to be selected for this honor, will play trumpet along the parade route
Hines was selected to be a part of the 350-member Band Directors Marching Band in the 2026 Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. The group features music educators from all over as part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project.

“There’s no better professional development for a teacher than being able to interact with teachers from all around the country and even some from other countries,” Hines said.

Hines, one of 12 North Carolina band directors to be selected for this honor, will play trumpet along the 5.5-mile parade route. He previously played with some of the band members at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and expects a similar experience in California.

“When [the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade] was over, that was two and a half miles, and it felt like it lasted 20 minutes,” he said. “Getting to play in front of millions of people there is pretty, pretty neat.”

Nearly 10% of the students at Morehead High participate in the band program, and many of Hines’ students are excited to see him perform.

“To get that recognition, to put Morehead and Eden on the map, sort of in a sense, that’s pretty cool to be a part of that,” said senior percussionist Enrique Garcia.

“He really cares for everyone in [the] band,” said senior flute player Diana Mor Martinez. “He makes sure everyone here is OK. He likes to remind us that everyone in [the] band is important, no matter how small your part.”

Hines said he hopes his journey will be an inspiration to students.

“I hope actually for my students that they see that and say, ‘Well, you know, he’s still doing these things and maybe I can do that too in the future,’” he said.

This isn’t the first time Hines was selected for the Rose Parade. He got a call to participate in 2021, but that event was canceled due to COVID.

Now, five years later, this will be Hines’ first trip to California, and he’s planning to do some sightseeing on the West Coast.

The Morehead High School Band will perform in Hershey Park, Pennsylvania, in the spring, and the band recently received invitations to play at Pearl Harbor next December and in Ireland in 2027.

Hines also completed a service through music project with the Morehead High band as part of a Saluting America’s Band Directors initiative.

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

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December 29, 2025
USDA letter to livermush-maker Neese’s Sausage cites positive listeria test
A USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service letter that partially shut down production at North Carolina-based Neese’s Country Sausage cited positive tests for listeria among the causes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a rare but serious foodborne bacteria. It’s a public health concern especially to high-risk populations including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Positive tests for listeria were found on Sept. 3 on a stainless steel table in two other areas described as the “bottom boot” and “pudding line floor under sink.”

However, USDA testing first detected listeria at the Neese’s facility on Sept. 08, 2024. “At the time, it was the first entry for the establishment,” the letter said.

“Despite all the results, there is no record that the establishment reassessed their written HACCP [Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points] program. The last documented Fully Cooked Not Shelf Stable HACCP plan reassessment is dated August 2, 2024,” the letter said.

CharlotteFive requested a copy of the letter under the federal Freedom of Information Act on Thursday, Dec. 4, and an electronic copy of the letter including redactions of trade secrets and personal privacy matters was provided Thursday, Dec. 11.

Neese’s owner Tommy Neese told CharlotteFive on Thursday that he would send a statement via email, but as of publication, that statement has not yet been received.

Commercial customers and home cooks alike in North Carolina had noticed Neese’s livermush and liver pudding products had been unavailable for weeks, and its country sausage had become harder to find.

This screenshot shows a portion of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service’s Sept. 11, 2025, letter that partially suspended production at Neese’s Country Sausage in Greeensboro, NC. Some information has been redacted.

Problems cited

A USDA-FSIS spokesperson previously explained the suspension notice, saying: “FSIS issued a Notice of Suspension that only applies to a specific portion of the facility on September 11, 2025, after a determination that the establishment was not meeting the requirements of 9 C.F.R. § 430 for its ready-to-eat processes. The establishment has responded to the Notice of Suspension, which is under review.”

That specific USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service regulation involves a requirement to have effective controls in place to keep listeria contamination away from already-cooked food.

Among the other problems in operating procedures cited in the complaint were:

“On 09/10/2025, EIAO observed a plant employee wearing dark blue smock and hairnet while smoking and standing outside the building. EIAO also observed another employee outside the building, wearing a white smock near the outside box room. The door into the cooler directly from the outside was left open with an approximately 24” opening.” (An EIAO is an Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officer.)

Rust in areas including the hoist and chain above the cooker, and on buckets, metal cart shelves, drop ceiling tracts and blast chiller coils.

“EIAO observed numerous rubber gloves tied to metal springs and other sections throughout the inside of the Pan Washer in the RTE Kitchen area. In addition, the metal cover/lid has a crack (approximately 3”) and there is a loose guide on the machine that is cracked and worn.”

Loose insulation and flashing

“Shipping Cooler sliding door was open (approximately 24”) directly to the outside.”

“In addition, IPP documented SSOP NR# ALA2610085108N-1, dated August 7 2025, for a Roof leak in the RTE PIE Kitchen Area with the roof leaking onto a FCS table and cart holding empty pans from four (4) seams of the ceiling area and two (2) other leaks near the double doors leading from the RTE PLE Kitchen area into the RTE PLE Packaging room. Exposed product passes through these double doors to get into the cooler. The establishment currently has plastic sheeting hung diverting the leak to the floor area.”

North Carolina-based Neese’s Country Sausage makes both livermush and liver pudding. Chris Seward News & Observer files

Redactions of information

Some information was redacted from the USDA-FSIS suspension letter. Its response to CharlotteFive’s FOIA request included a letter saying, in part: “FSIS has determined that certain information contained therein should be withheld pursuant to U.S.C. § 552 (b)(4) and (b)(6) (FOIA Exemptions 4 and 6).”

Exemption 4 of the FOIA protects trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person that is privileged or confidential, the letter explained.

It continued, “Exemption 6 generally is referred to as the “personal privacy” exemption. It provides that the disclosure requirements of FOIA do not apply to “personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” Application of the exemption involves balancing the public’s interest in disclosure against individuals’ privacy interests.

“The information withheld under Exemption 6 consists of identifying information of FSIS in-plant personnel.”

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Heidi Finley

The Charlotte Observer

Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits.
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Heidi Finley

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December 12, 2025
How Americans are feeling about their chances on the job market, according to an AP-NORC poll

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are growing increasingly concerned about their ability to find a good job under President Donald Trump, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds, in what is a potential warning sign for Republicans as a promised economic boom has given way to hiring freezes and elevated inflation.

High prices for groceries, housing and health care persist as a fear for many households, while rising electricity bills and the cost of gas at the pump are also sources of anxiety, according to the survey.

Some 47% of U.S. adults are “not very” or “not at all confident” they could find a good job if they wanted to, an increase from 37% when the question was last asked in October 2023.

Electricity bills are a “major” source of stress for 36% of U.S. adults at a time when the expected build-out of data centers for artificial intelligence could further tax the power grid. Just more than one-half said the cost of groceries are a “major” source of financial stress, about 4 in 10 said the cost of housing and health care were a serious strain and about one-third said they were feeling high stress about gasoline prices.

The survey suggests an ongoing vulnerability for Trump, who returned to the White House in January with claims he could quickly tame the inflation that surged after the pandemic during Democratic President Joe Biden’s term. Instead, Trump’s popularity on the economy has remained low amid a mix of tariffs, federal worker layoffs and partisan sniping that has culminated in a government shutdown.

Linda Weavil, 76, voted for Trump last year because he “seems like a smart businessman.” But she said in an interview that the Republican’s tariffs have worsened inflation, citing the chocolate-covered pecans sold for her church group fundraiser that now cost more.

“I think he’s doing a great job on a lot of things, but I’m afraid our coffee and chocolate prices have gone up because of tariffs,” the retiree from Greensboro, North Carolina, said. “That’s a kick in the back of the American people.”

Ioan Barsan a recruiter with the Miami Dade School Police Dept. talks to a a job seeker during a job fair Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Voters changed presidents, but they’re not feeling better about Trump’s economy

The poll found that 36% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling the economy, a figure that has held steady this year after he imposed tariffs that caused broad economic uncertainty. Among Republicans, 71% feel positive about his economic leadership. Yet that approval within Trump’s own party is relatively low in ways that could be problematic for Republicans in next month’s races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, and perhaps even in the 2026 midterm elections.

At roughly the same point in Biden’s term, in October 2021, an AP-NORC poll found that 41% of U.S. adults approved of how he was handling the economy, including about 73% of Democrats. That overall number was a little higher than Trump’s, primarily because of independents — 29% approved of how Biden was handling the economy, compared with the 18% who currently support Trump’s approach.

The job market was meaningfully stronger in terms of hiring during Biden’s presidency as the United States was recovering from pandemic-related lockdowns. But hiring has slowed sharply under Trump with monthly job gains averaging less than 27,000 after the April tariff announcements.

People see that difference.

Four years ago, 36% of those in the survey were “extremely” or “very” confident in their ability to get a good job, but that has fallen to 21% now.

Biden’s approval on the economy steadily deteriorated through the middle of 2022 when inflation hit a four-decade high, creating an opening for Trump’s political comeback.

President Donald Trump walks with Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson, Commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, from Marine One to board Air Force One, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., for a trip to Florida. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Electricity costs are an emerging worry

In some ways, Trump has made the inflation problems harder by choosing to cancel funding for renewable energy projects and imposing tariffs on the equipment needed for factories and power plants. Those added costs are coming before the anticipated construction of data centers for AI that could further push up prices without more construction.

Even though 36% see electricity as a major concern, there are some who have yet to feel a serious financial squeeze. In the survey, 40% identified electricity costs as a “minor” stress, while 23% said their utility bills are “not a source” of stress.

Kevin Halsey, 58, of Normal, Illinois, said his monthly electricity bills used to be $90 during the summer because he had solar panels, but have since jumped to $300. Halsey, who works in telecommunications, voted Democratic in last year’s presidential election and described the economy right now as “crap.”

“I’ve got to be pessimistic,” he said. “I don’t see this as getting better.”

At a fundamental level, Trump finds himself in the same economic dilemma that bedeviled Biden. There are signs the economy remains relatively solid with a low unemployment rate, stock market gains and decent economic growth, yet the public continues to be skeptical about the economy’s health.

Some 68% of U.S. adults describe the U.S. economy these days as “poor,” while 32% say it’s “good.” That’s largely consistent with assessments of the economy over the past year.

In addition, 59%, say their family finances are “holding steady.” But only 12% say they’re “getting ahead,” and 28% say they are “falling behind.”

People see plenty of expenses but few opportunities

The sense of economic precarity is coming from many different directions, with indications that many think middle-class stability is falling out of reach.

The vast majority of U.S. adults feel at least “minor” stress about the cost of groceries, health care, housing, the amount they pay in taxes, what they are paid at work and the cost of gas for their cars.

In the survey, 47%, say they are “not very” or “not at all” confident they could pay an unexpected medical expense while 52% have low confidence they will have enough saved for their retirement. Also, 63%, are “not very” or “not at all” confident they could buy a new home if they wanted to.

Young adults are much less confident about their ability to buy a house, though confidence is not especially high across the board. About 8 in 10 U.S. adults under age 30 say they are “not very confident” or “not at all confident” they would be able to buy a house, compared with about 6 in 10 adults 60 and older.

For 54% of U.S. adults, the cost of groceries is a “major source” of stress in their life right now.

Unique Hopkins, 36, of Youngstown, Ohio, said she is now working two jobs after her teenage daughter had a baby, leaving Hopkins with a sense that she can barely tread water as part of the “working poor.” She voted for Trump in 2016, only to switch to Democrats after she felt his ego kept him from uniting the country and solving problems.

“It’s his way or no way,” she said. “Nobody is going to unite with Trump if it’s all about you, you, you.”

___

The AP-NORC poll of 1,289 adults was conducted Oct. 9-13, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

___

This story has been corrected to reflect that the name of the NORC Center is NORC Center for Public Research, not Public Affairs.

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October 31, 2025
Former Raleigh top cop will be Charlotte’s first female police chief

Estella Patterson, who formerly led Raleigh’s force, will be the next Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department chief, making her the first woman to hold the title in the Queen City’s history.

She will replace Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Chief Johnny Jennings, who announced his retirement at the end of the year in May.

“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has a long history of incredible leaders, who have collectively led CMPD to be one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country and Chief Patterson will continue that tradition,” City of Charlotte Manager Marcus D. Jones said in a news release Friday. “Chief Patterson’s deep experience with CMPD in addition to her recent experience leading the Raleigh Police Department made her an ideal candidate to continue CMPD’s successes but also bring new ideas to further the agency’s growth.”

Patterson served with Raleigh’s police department from August 2021 to March 2025, and she led the department through big changes, the release states. During her time as Raleigh’s chief, she created a recruitment plan that upped the department’s manpower, taking their vacancy rate from 150 to 40 over three years.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to return to Charlotte to serve the community and lead CMPD into its next chapter,” Patterson said in the release. “Reducing violent crime and disorder, enhancing community engagement, and increasing employee morale and wellness are among my top priorities. I look forward to working collaboratively with law enforcement partners and community stakeholders to make Charlotte one of the safest cities in the nation.”

Patterson also started the Raleigh Police Foundation, and that organization raised $4 million over two years for special projects.

Jones said the city included “significant input” from the public during the hiring process.

“Charlotte City Council members, as well as leaders from civil rights organizations, community groups and faith-based organizations provided input as part of the search process,” the news release says.

Patterson has an extensive history in law enforcement, as well as a military background, serving combat tours in Kosovo and Iraq. She was also twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. She rose to the rank of captain in the armed forces and is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

She is set to step into her new role when Jennings retires at the year’s end. Jennings served as the department’s chief since 2020 after becoming with the department since 1992, according to Jones.

“It has been an honor and sincere pleasure to serve as Chief of Police for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department,” Jennings said. “I’d like to congratulate Chief Patterson and proudly welcome her back to CMPD as the next Chief of Police. She accomplished great things during her previous tenure here and I’m thrilled that she is returning to lead the department. As an internal candidate with external experience, she brings familiarity with the agency and already-established, strong relationships in the community. I look forward to supporting her and seeing all that she will accomplish for the department and for the City of Charlotte.”

Jennings departure comes after he faced controversy last spring over a six-figure settlement from the city after a former city council member sent threatening messages to the chief.

Elizabeth Townsend

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October 31, 2025
‘A very dangerous place.’ Franklin Graham on Gaza, as relief flight departs NC.

A resident of Gaza carries a box of relief supplies from Samaritan’s Purse after a relief flight by the Boone-based international Christian relief organization.

Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse

N.C. evangelist Franklin Graham watched Saturday as a Samaritan’s Purse 767 departed Greensboro for Israel with relief supplies for Gaza. He prayed earlier with the flight crew.

“It’s a very dangerous place, even though a peace agreement has been signed,” Graham told The Charlotte Observer by phone 15 minutes after the flight departed for Ben Gurion Airport.

N.C. evangelist Franklin Graham Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

“Hamas has held 2.5 million people hostage for the past 18 years,” he said, referring to the armed Palestinian group and political movement in the Gaza Strip, and the estimated population of Gaza.

“They are a wicked group of people,” Graham said. “They could care less about Gaza.”

Graham is president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, the Boone-based international Christian relief organization.

Residents of Gaza receive supplies from Samaritan’s Purse from a previous flight by the Boone-based international Christian relief organization. Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse

Saturday’s flight was the 13th with supplies for Gaza by Samaritan’s Purse and its disaster response specialists. Because of its size, the plane held as many supplies as the organization’s 757 and DC-8 cargo planes combined, Graham said.

767 packed with supplies

The flight included more than 290,000 packets of vitamin-rich, peanut-based supplementary food for women and children, 12,000 blankets, 12,000 solar lights and other relief items.

A Samaritan’s Purse worker makes sure that relief supplies are secure on one of the organization’s planes. Ron Nickel Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse

“Gaza has no electricity,” Graham said, explaining the importance of the hand-held solar lanterns for families.

The blankets are because colder temperatures arrive in Gaza, too, in winter, he said.

The supplies will be taken to a Samaritan’s Purse warehouse in Israel before being distributed to families in Gaza, Graham said.

Samaritan’s Purse flies relief supplies to more than 100 countries to help victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution, according to the organization. Grace Carson Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse

“We have to work very carefully,” Graham said when asked about the specter of violence in Gaza.

In a statement announcing Saturday’s flight, Graham said Hamas also “held 251 innocent people hostage from Israel.”

“They executed anyone who spoke out against them, as we witnessed on the streets of Gaza last week,” Graham said in the statement. “We pray this flight will bring relief to people who are suffering.”

Armored ambulances, 223 tons of food

Samaritan’s Purse disaster response specialists have worked in Israel and Gaza since immediately after the conflict began two years ago, he said.

The organization has delivered more than 223 tons of supplemental food and a million food rations, and its medical teams have treated more than 1,700 patients, according to the statement.

In Israel, Samaritan’s Purse has given 42 ambulances — 28 armored — to Magen David Adom, the country’s emergency services provider.

Samaritan’s Purse also has 11 major construction projects in Israel, including two ambulance response stations, nine community centers with bomb shelters, and an equine therapy center for youth.

Despite the risk of violence, his organization will continue reaching Gazans and others in need, Graham told the Observer.

“You still have 2.5 million people who need help,” with food and other supplies, he said.

“We’re just one of a number of organizations working there,” he said. “We’re going to do all we can to help as much as we can in Jesus’ name, to show that God hasn’t abandoned them. I ask people to pray for them.”

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Joe Marusak

The Charlotte Observer

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.
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Joe Marusak

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October 25, 2025
Stowaway found dead in plane’s landing gear at Charlotte airport

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are investigating after a stowaway was found dead in an airplane’s landing gear at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Police say the body was discovered shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday during a maintenance check on an American Airlines plane that had recently arrived from Europe.

The CMPD’s Homicide Unit responded to the scene for an investigation and was assisted by Crime Scene Search units and CMPD’s Operations Command and MEDIC representatives.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective.

Adam Penale

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September 27, 2025
Broadway is back in North Carolina
DURHAM, N.C. — Broadway is officially back in North Carolina. From Wilmington to Durham and Greensboro to Charlotte, some of Broadway’s finest productions are set to grace stages across the Tar Heel state.

Following a record-breaking 15th anniversary season at the Durham Performing Arts Center, thousands of people are making their way to the Bull City this week for the kick off to a brand new Broadway season.
What You Need To Know

Broadway is officially back in North Carolina

Major Broadway productions are coming to Wilmington, Greensboro, Durham and Charlotte this fall

These Broadway series are huge economic drivers for the city, generating millions of dollars for the local economy

Single and season tickets are still available
“We opened in 2008 and we’re proud to say that we have contributed over a billion dollars to the local economy since then. Just last year we had over 600,000 guests in our door, which was a new record. So we keep growing bigger and better every year,” said Josette Roten, director of marketing and sales for the Durham Performing Arts Center.

On the menu for the season opener this week is Clue, a side splitting comedy based on the cult classic film and wildly popular board game. It will continue its run at the DPAC through September 8.

“This is the first comedy Broadway play that we’re bringing to DPAC, so that makes it really special. But if you love the classic board game, the movie, this is the show for you,” Roten added.

And joining the murder mystery this season are other new popular shows like & Juliet, Neil Diamond the Musical and Back to the Future.

“There’s nothing like seeing a show live on stage. The energy of the audience and the cast connecting, it’s just magical. You can get an experience from a movie or television show, but nothing will compare to a live event,” Roten said.

In May, we took you behind the scenes in Durham of the groundbreaking Disney musical The Lion King. And after a month of reigning supreme over the Queen City, the show is leaving Charlotte on Sunday to make room for a new season of performances that are expected to draw people from near and far.

Last year, Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts Center saw 191 Broadway performances, making an estimated economic impact of more than $64 million. And this fall, the center is kicking off two different Broadway series featuring new shows like Shucked, Some Like It Hot and Kimberly Akimbo, and other classics like Six The Musical and Wicked.

Just down the road in Greensboro, the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts is also coming off a banner Broadway season, where thousands of guests attended shows, staying in hotels and eating in local restaurants.

“You add up 7 performances, we also offer specials, and all the one-night performances we host. So it’s a $100 million plus economic impact for the community,” said Scott Johnson, general manager for the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts.

And with big-time shows like MJ the Musical, Hamilton and Mama Mia gracing the stage in a few short weeks, the venue’s already setting a new record with more than 17,500 season seat members.

“The shows that we present are just as good as New York and those that come do appreciate seeing them local. And you can save a lot of money by seeing them in Greensboro, North Carolina versus New York City,” Johnson added.

Meanwhile the Wilson Center in Wilmington is welcoming a slew of big shows starting next month with Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and then in March of next year, The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy.

Exciting seasons that are officially getting underway across the state, proving you don’t have to go all the way to New York to experience the best of Broadway!
Caroline Blair

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September 6, 2024

High-A South Atlantic League Glance

All Times EDT
North Division
	W	L	Pct.	GB
x-Greensboro (Pittsburgh)	21	17	.553	—
Hudson Valley (N.Y. Yankees)	21	17	.553	—
Aberdeen (Baltimore)	19	19	.500	2
Jersey Shore (Philadelphia)	18	20	.474	3
Wilmington (Washington)	17	20	.459	3½
Brooklyn (N.Y. Mets)	16	23	.410	5½

South Division
	W	L	Pct.	GB
Bowling Green (Tampa Bay)	24	13	.649	—
Greenville (Boston)	23	15	.605	1½
Hickory (Texas)	21	17	.553	3½
Winston-Salem (CWS)	18	20	.474	6½
Asheville (Houston)	16	23	.410	9
x-Rome (Atlanta)	13	23	.361	10½

x – First Half winner

_____

Rome 4, Greensboro 1

Brooklyn 3, Hudson Valley 2, 1st game

Hudson Valley 7, Brooklyn 0, 2nd game

Jersey Shore 5, Wilmington 4

Asheville 4, Bowling Green 2

Hickory 9, Aberdeen 8

Greenville 12, Winston-Salem 8, 10 innings

Rome at Greensboro, ppd.

Jersey Shore at Wilmington, ppd.

Bowling Green 12, Asheville 5

Aberdeen at Hickory, ppd..

Hudson Valley 4, Brooklyn 3, 10 innings

Greenville at Winston-Salem, ppd.

Rome at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

Bowling Green at Asheville, 6:35 p.m.

Aberdeen at Hickory, 7 p.m.

Hudson Valley at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Greenville at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

Aberdeen at Hickory, 2, 5 p.m.

Rome at Greensboro, 2, 5 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Wilmington, 2, 5:05 p.m.

Hudson Valley at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.

Bowling Green at Asheville, 6:05 p.m.

Greenville at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Wilmington, 1:05 p.m.

Bowling Green at Asheville, 1:05 p.m.

Rome at Greensboro, 2 p.m.

Aberdeen at Hickory, 2 p.m.

Hudson Valley at Brooklyn, 2 p.m.

Greenville at Winston-Salem, 2 p.m.

No games scheduled

Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

Hickory at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

Hickory at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

Hickory at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Hickory at Hudson Valley, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

Hickory at Hudson Valley, 5:05 p.m.

Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:05 p.m.

Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

Asheville at Rome, 1 p.m.

Brooklyn at Wilmington, 1:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 1:05 p.m.

Greenville at Aberdeen, 2:05 p.m.

Hickory at Hudson Valley, 2:05 p.m.

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 2:05 p.m.

No games scheduled

Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 2, 1:35 p.m.

Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 5:05 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.

Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 2 p.m.

Asheville at Greensboro, 2 p.m.

Bowling Green at Hickory, 2 p.m.

Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 2:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 2:05 p.m.

Rome at Greenville, 3:05 p.m.

No games scheduled

Aberdeen at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

Hickory at Asheville, 6:35 p.m.

Greensboro at Rome, 7 p.m.

Brooklyn at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

Hudson Valley at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

Greenville at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

All Times EDT
North Division
	W	L	Pct.	GB
x-Greensboro (Pittsburgh)	21	17	.553	—
Hudson Valley (N.Y. Yankees)	21	17	.553	—
Aberdeen (Baltimore)	19	19	.500	2
Jersey Shore (Philadelphia)	18	20	.474	3
Wilmington (Washington)	17	20	.459	3½
Brooklyn (N.Y. Mets)	16	23	.410	5½

South Division
	W	L	Pct.	GB
Bowling Green (Tampa Bay)	24	13	.649	—
Greenville (Boston)	23	15	.605	1½
Hickory (Texas)	21	17	.553	3½
Winston-Salem (CWS)	18	20	.474	6½
Asheville (Houston)	16	23	.410	9
x-Rome (Atlanta)	13	23	.361	10½

_____

Greenville 12, Winston-Salem 8, 10 innings

Greenville at Winston-Salem, ppd.

Greenville at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

Greenville at Winston-Salem, 2 p.m.

No games scheduled

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

Greensboro at Bowling Green, 2:05 p.m.

No games scheduled

Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

Rome at Greenville, 3:05 p.m.

No games scheduled

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August 9, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Greensboro, her sixth trip to NC

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) — Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Greensboro on Thursday.

This will be Harris’ sixth trip to NC this year.

She will be speaking at James B. Dudley High School.

Other speakers include Governor Roy Cooper, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Deputy Minority Leader State Senator Gladys Robinson, community leader and civil rights activist Shirley Frye, and field organizer Avi Dintenfass.

The Vice President is expected to emphasize the stakes of the 2024 November election for North Carolinians and Black communities in particular. She may call attention to Project 2025 and highlight the stark contrast between President Biden, who fights for the American people, and Donald Trump, who cares only about himself.

This marks the Vice President’s sixth trip to North Carolina this year and 14th visit since taking office. Vice President Harris was last in Greensboro in September 2023 and visited NC A&T on her “Fight for Our Freedoms” College Tour.

The Vice President stopped at NC A&T to talk to students about the importance of voting.

It all comes as the Biden campaign has gone all in on making a play for North Carolina in 2024 and the state may become even more important after a poor debate performance by the president against former president Donald Trump.

First lady Jill Biden made another campaign stop in the state with a visit to Wilmington on Monday.

Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

WTVD

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July 11, 2024
One dead after police shooting in Greensboro

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A police officer shot and killed a man armed with a knife Wednesday morning, according to a release.

Greensboro Police were sent to the 2100 block of Crestridge Road at about 8:20 a.m. after the man called threatening suicide.

Police shot at Titus Kopp, 28, when he charged at them with a knife. He was sent to an area hospital, where he died.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating and the officer is on administrative duty, which is standard procedure.

Daniel Gray

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June 26, 2024
UNCG provost to step down as she battles cancer, stands by controversial program review

UNC Greensboro Provost Debbie Storrs

Martin W. Kane

Martin Kane

UNC Greensboro Provost Debbie Storrs will step down from her role at the university at the end of the month as she fights stage-four breast cancer.

Chancellor Frank Gilliam announced Storrs’ departure in a campus message Wednesday, saying Storrs had authorized him to share that she will begin disability leave. Storrs will leave her posts as provost executive vice chancellor and will not return to the faculty, she said in a separate message.

Storrs began her role as the university’s provost in June 2021. She said in her message to campus that she was diagnosed with the disease in January 2022, noting that “some” at the university knew of the diagnosis as she continued to work while receiving treatment.

“That she has continued to serve our community with her tireless drive — amid medical treatments and challenging side effects — underscores Provost Storrs’ indomitable courage, commitment, and spirit,” Gilliam said. “She is a visionary leader with a spine of steel. She has been the best person for the provost’s key leadership role during this period of historic change for UNC Greensboro and higher education at large.”

Storrs’ departure comes just months after the university completed an “academic portfolio review” that resulted in 20 academic programs being cut from the university’s offerings and drew criticism from faculty, students and staff. She faced separate faculty votes to censure her and express “no confidence” in her as a result of the review.

But both she and Gilliam stood by the review, and Storrs’ actions during the months-long process, in their messages Wednesday.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that the decision was hers, and hers alone,” Gilliam said. “She has performed admirably and effectively in her role as provost. She has demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and personal integrity.”

Storrs said she is stepping away due to her diagnosis, noting that she would rather join the university community “on the journey into the future” if she was able.

“It’s been the professional honor of a lifetime to walk alongside you in support of our students today and plan for the generations to come,” Storrs said.

Chancellor, provost stand by review as Storrs steps down

Throughout the roughly yearlong program review, Gilliam described the process as a necessary way “to put the university on solid financial footing” following undergraduate enrollment declines and a change to the UNC System’s funding model for its campuses.

“During my time as provost, UNCG has continued to thrive and serve as a path of opportunity for our students and faculty. At the same time, we have experienced enrollment decline, budget reductions, and an uncertain future, and have deployed strategic methods to plan for the future, including an academic portfolio review,” Storrs said Wednesday.

The program review launched protests and outcry from members of the university who consistently raised concerns about the process by which the review was conducted, saying it was not transparent and that they received mixed messaging about why the review is needed and the possible outcomes. One professor said the review was “mismanaged by this administration at every stage of the process.”

Storrs said Wednesday she handled her duties in the provost role, which included “maintaining academic excellence; supporting faculty, staff, and students; and balancing our budget” in “an honest, fair, and transparent manner.” She acknowledged that some decisions, including those that led to the discontinuation of academic programs, “will make some angry.”

Storrs said her actions throughout the review “served as a lightning rod for criticism and backlash,” pointing to the no-confidence vote as an example. But she said the “pedestrian” backlash was not constructive.

“I understand that it can temporarily feel satisfying, even empowering, for some faculty members to stage rage, attack leadership, question integrity, and critique change when confronted with a decision not to their liking,” Storrs said. “However, after a year-long, inclusive, and transparent process in response to actual conditions, I have zero confidence in this impulse. Pedestrian oppositional behavior at the end of this stage of our thoughtful process offers no constructive and essential solutions for the future of UNCG.”

Still, Storrs encouraged faculty to remain involved in university affairs and committed to their work.

“The University is deeply fortunate to have a brilliant faculty and staff, and my heartfelt thanks go out to you for your effort and your support. UNCG needs you all to exert your voices, and demand, create, and welcome constructive and thoughtful dialogue committed to solving challenges,” she said. “I have full confidence that, with your commitment, UNCG will emerge emboldened and proud.”

Gilliam announced Wednesday that Senior Vice Provost Alan Boyette would serve as acting provost, effective May 1, until the university names an interim appointment for the role. The university will launch a national search for a permanent provost in August using Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm.

“For her successor and for all of us, Provost Storrs established a model in her dedication to our students and the communities they represent,” Gilliam said. “The Board of Trustees, leadership team, and I are grateful for her voice of wisdom and calm — unfaltering in her integrity, unflappable in her resolve, incisive in her clarity.”

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Korie Dean covers higher education in the Triangle and North Carolina for The News & Observer. She was previously part of the paper’s service journalism team. She is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill and a lifelong North Carolinian.

Korie Dean

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April 24, 2024
8 Popular Greensboro Neighborhoods: Where to Live in Greensboro in 2024

In the heart of North Carolina sits Greensboro with its charming neighborhoods, vibrant arts scene, and rich history. Greensboro draws residents with beautiful parks and green spaces, proximity to Winston-Salem, Durham, and Raleigh, and community feeling. Whether you’re looking to buy your first home or rent an apartment in Greensboro, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic city.

For example, the median home sale price is $265,000, while the average rent in Greensboro is $1,562. If this city sounds like the place for you, Redfin has put together a list of 8 popular Greensboro neighborhoods to check out. From the historic Fisher Park to the eclectic College Hill, there are plenty of areas to suit your lifestyle and goals. Let’s explore them.

1. Adams Farm

Adams Farm is located in the southwestern part of Greensboro. This neighborhood is known for its beautiful parks, including Adams Farm Park near Adams Lake. Adams Farm features a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.

Median Sale Price: $322,500

Homes for Sale in Adams Farm | Apartments for Rent in Adams Farm

2. College Hill

College Hill is located in the heart of Greensboro, close to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. This vibrant neighborhood is home to historic landmarks such as the Weatherspoon Art Museum and the Blandwood Museum. College Hill has a blend of historic homes, apartments, and student housing. The architectural styles range from Victorian to Craftsman, adding to the neighborhood’s unique charm.

Median Sale Price: $182,000

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $600 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $1,295

Homes for Sale in College Hill | Apartments for Rent in College Hill

3. Downtown Greensboro

Downtown Greensboro is the bustling urban center of the city. It’s home to popular attractions such as the Greensboro Cultural Center, LeBauer Park, and the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. You can also find event venues like Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts and Carolina Theatre of Greensboro, making it a vibrant area. You can also explore the local shops and restaurants in Downtown Greensboro. In Downtown Greensboro, you can find modern condos, lofts, and apartments.

Median Sale Price: $237,500

Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $1,365

Homes for Sale in Downtown Greensboro | Apartments for Rent in Downtown Greensboro

Denis Tangney Jr via Getty Images

4. Fisher Park

Fisher Park is north of Downtown Greensboro and has historic architecture and tree-lined streets. The neighborhood is home to the Fisher Park Historic District, where you’ll find historic residences turned into charming bed and breakfasts. You can also enjoy the outdoors at Fisher Park, located in the center of the neighborhood. Fisher Park features historic homes, predominantly Queen Anne and Craftsman styles, adding to the neighborhood’s historic charm.

Median Sale Price: $415,000

Homes for Sale in Fisher Park | Apartments for Rent in Fisher Park

5. Lindley Park

Lindley Park has an eclectic and vibrant atmosphere. It’s west of downtown and is home to the popular Greensboro Arboretum, which has 14 unique collections showcasing a variety of plants. Lindley Park offers a mix of historic bungalows, apartments, and student housing – the architectural styles range from Craftsman to Tudor.

Median Sale Price: $293,000

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $850 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $895

Homes for Sale in Lindley Park | Apartments for Rent in Lindley Park

6. New Irving Park

New Irving Park is in the northern part of Greensboro, known for its lush green spaces and friendly atmosphere. The neighborhood is home to the popular Carolina Laurel Park and Buffalo Lake. New Irving Park has a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.

Median Sale Price: $395,000

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,229 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $1,330

Homes for Sale in New Irving Park | Apartments for Rent in New Irving Park

7. Old Irving Park

Old Irving Park is just south of New Irving Park. The area has plenty of historic homes and tree-lined streets. The neighborhood is home to the Irving Park Historic District and the Greensboro Country Club. You can also find plenty of shops and restaurants in the area. Old Irving Park has a lot of historic homes and luxury estates, predominantly Georgian and Colonial styles.

Median Sale Price: $412,500

Homes for Sale in Old Irving Park | Apartments for Rent in Old Irving Park

8. Westerwood

Westerwood has a vibrant community feeling, just outside of downtown. The neighborhood is home to the popular Lake Daniel Park, which has playgrounds, tennis courts, and walking trails. Westerwood features a mix of historic homes, apartments, and townhouses. The architectural styles in this area range from Craftsman to Colonial, reflecting the neighborhood’s character.

Median Sale Price: $325,500

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,350 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $1,399

Homes for Sale in Westerwood | Apartments for Rent in Westerwood

Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com during March 2024.

Alison Bentley

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March 20, 2024
Triangle teams gear up for ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) — Everything looked set last week for No. 11 Virginia Tech to carry its late-season surge into the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. Instead, the reigning champions are reeling and concerned about the status of their star player.

The Hokies (23-6) arrive in Greensboro this week as the top seed after finishing atop the league’s regular-season standings for the first time in program history. But their 10-game winning streak vanished with back-to-back losses. And it’s unclear whether graduate center Elizabeth Kitley — named league player of the year for a third straight season on Tuesday – will be able to play because of a left leg injury suffered last weekend at Virginia.

“We don’t know anything yet,” Hokies coach Kenny Brooks said Monday. “Obviously, we’re just waiting and praying for good results.”

Virginia Tech is the top seed and begins play in Friday’s quarterfinals, part of a field that includes No. 10 North Carolina State, No. 14 Notre Dame, No. 20 Syracuse and No. 24 Louisville.

First Team All-ACC Aziaha James looks to help NC State win its fourth ACC championship in five years.

Karl B. DeBlaker

The 6-foot-6 Kitley was an Associated Press All-America third-team pick in 2022 and second-teamer last year, and the soft-shooting big is the program’s all-time scoring and rebounding leader. She helped Virginia Tech follow last year’s first ACC Tournament title by advancing to the program’s first Final Four.

Kitley was hurt Sunday night with 6:05 left when her knee appeared to buckle when she landed on a transition layup. Kitley eventually walked off the court to the locker room and later returned to the bench but didn’t play again.

It marks the second straight year that the top seed enters the tournament with a major injury question mark. Last year it was Notre Dame losing star point guard Olivia Miles in the regular-season finale.

The Fighting Irish didn’t specify Miles’ status until saying she would have season-ending surgery. But that announcement came days after Notre Dame had secured a No. 3 regional seed in the NCAA Tournament, while Miles went on to miss this year because of the same injury.

THE SCHEDULE

The tournament opened Wednesday with No. 13 seed Boston College knocking off 12-seeded Clemson 85-72 in the first of three first-round games. In the second matchup, Georgia Tech handled Pitt, 73-60.

In Wednesday’s nightcap, No. 14 seed Wake Forest, who came in with only six wins in the regular season, stunned No. 11 Virginia 58-55 after trailing much of the second half. The Demon Deacons finished on a 23-9 run to end the game and pull off the shocker.

Duke freshman Oluchi Okananwa was named ACC Sixth Player of the Year.

Karl B. DeBlaker

Boston College moved on to play Louisville on Thursday at 11 a.m. Miami and UNC take the court at 1:30 p.m. In the afternoon session, Duke faces Georgia Tech and Florida State takes on the upset-minded Demon Deacons.

Syracuse is the No. 3 seed behind Virginia Tech and N.C. State, while Notre Dame is seeded fourth.

The championship is Sunday.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

In the first game of the day, Boston College had multiple changes to pull off the upset but fell to Louisville 58-55. The Eagles missed a long 3-pointer as time expired that would have sent the tilt to overtime.

Ninth-seeded Miami overcame an early double-digit deficit to knock out No. 8 UNC 60-59 in a later second-round matchup.

It was a disappointing end for the Tar Heels, who now await to learn their NCAA tournament seeding.

Lazaria Spearman had 12 points and 10 rebounds and scored the go-ahead points as ninth-seeded Miami erased a 14-point deficit.

The Hurricanes (19-11) will play top-seed and No. 11-ranked Virginia Tech in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Deja Kelly scored 15 points, though on just 6-of-20 shooting, and grabbed nine rebounds for the Tar Heels (19-12). Alyssa Ustby also scored 15 points and Lexi Donarski added 12.

Spearman scored on consecutive follows during a 10-0 run to give Miami the lead with 2:40 to go – its first lead since the opening minutes. Lattimore added a three-point play during which Spearman was called for an intentional foul for unnecessary contact. Donarski converted the awarded free throws and Kelly got the Tar Heels within a point on a drive with 1:54 left.

Neither team scored again, both turning the ball over twice, Spearman missing two free throws and Kelly missing two shots, including a final one in traffic that didn’t reach the rim at the buzzer.

After shooting 50% in the first half, UNC finished at 36%, the same as the Hurricanes. Miami outrebounded the Tar Heels 41-32, including a 13-7 edge on the offensive glass for a 16-5 advantage on second-chance points. The Miami bench outscored UNC’s 15-3.

UNC led 37-30 at halftime behind 11 points and eight rebounds from Kelly. The Tar Heels led 20-13 after one quarter and then used an 11-2 run early in the second to extend its lead to 14. Williams took an inbound pass with 5.5 seconds remaining and nearly fell dribbling through defenders before heaving a near-halfcourt shot that went in to get Miami within seven.

LURKING WOLFPACK

N.C. State (25-5) spent nearly all year in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 poll and won the tournament three straight times before Virginia Tech’s title last year.

“It’s a lot of new people, a lot of new pieces, so to speak,” Wolfpack coach Wes Moore said. “At least we know the formula, and know how we want to approach it and can go over there with some confidence.”

STAR WATCH

Notre Dame freshman Hannah Hildalgo has been a star all season, averaging an ACC-best 23.8 points to rank third nationally. The 5-6 guard was named ACC rookie and defensive player of the year on Tuesday.

She averages a national-best 4.86 steals per game and is the only player nationally averaging at least 20 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.0 steals.

NCAA OUTLOOK

The ACC is set for another strong haul of bids to the NCAA tournament, starting with that group of five ranked teams. FSU, Duke and UNC also look on solid ground.

UNC’s Deja Kelly made First-Team All-ACC and looks to take her team deep into the ACC Tournament.

Karl B. DeBlaker

The Associated Press contributed

Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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March 7, 2024
Donald Trump, Nikki Haley hosting rallies in North Carolina days ahead of Super Tuesday

RALEIGH, N.C. — The state is getting visits this weekend from major political players in the presidential race days before Super Tuesday.

Former President Donald Trump will be in Greensboro later today for a “Get Out the Vote” rally. He is speaking at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex at 2 p.m.

Republican candidate Nikki Haley will also be in Raleigh later today for a rally. She is speaking at Union Station at 12:30 p.m.

The former South Carolina governor is trailing behind Trump in the polls. But, she is vowing to stay in the race through Super Tuesday next week when North Carolina will host its primary election. .

Vice President Kamala Harris also made a trip to North Carolina.

On Friday, she was joined by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper at 12:40 p.m. on Durham’s historic Black Wall Street.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Durham on Friday to talk about the White House plan to invest millions in the economy.

This is her second trip to the state this year. In January, Harris visited a middle school in Charlotte and announced an additional $285 million in federal funding from the Safer Communities Act.

Saturday is the last day for early voting ahead of Tuesday’s election.

Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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March 2, 2024
Early voters make their voices heard ahead of Super Tuesday in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina’s 2024 primary election is approaching with top candidates, such as Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Kamala Harris all slated to visit this week.

As of Sunday, February 25, more than 25,000 people voted early in Wake County, with women and Democrats making up most of the turnout, according to Wake County’s unofficial early voting daily turnout.

“Saturday is the last day to participate in in-person early voting,” Wake County Board of Elections director Olivia McCall said. “We’re hoping that it picks up and people get involved.”

More than 820,000 voters have registered as of January 2024, according to the Wake County Board of Elections.

McCall said this is the first time the new ID requirement is in effect, so voters should make sure their information is up to date.

There’s a whole lot for voters in North Carolina for March 5, especially with the Republican party and the Democratic party both holding primaries that day, according to political analyst David McLennan.

“For the governor and for the president, both parties have a front runner and a pretty clear frontrunner for President,” McLennan said. “Donald Trump is well out in front of Nikki Haley and for governor, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson seems to be the front runner in that race. On the Democratic side, Joe Biden looks like he has a pretty easy time in North Carolina, and then Josh Stein is leading his challengers quite handily.”

McLennan said there are also more competitive races in addition to the race for Governor, other Council of State offices, House of Representatives, Congress, and legislative seats.

“Lieutenant Governor is a very competitive race,” McLennan said. “We have 14 candidates on the Republican side. We see some congressional races like the one just outside of Raleigh … another 13 candidates. So, we have a lot of people running for open seats.”

Many issues are at the forefront of candidates’ minds, including immigration, crime and abortion.

Eloise Best, who cast her ballot on Monday, said abortion is one of the main issues she cares about.

“I think women should have the right to make their own choice and not have the government decide for them,” Best said.

More than 106,000 people turned out in the 2022 primary on Election Day. McCall said they hope that number picks up and more people get involved.

“Vote early, avoid the lines,” McCall said.

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Cindy Bae

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February 27, 2024
The Pet Shop: Calendar of events

Pet Adoption Special: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 30, Burlington Animal Services, 221 Stone Quarry Road, Burlington. All dogs weighing more than 20 pounds and all cat adoptions are reduced to $20. Adoptions include…

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June 17, 2023
The Pet Shop: Calendar of events

Pet Adoption Special: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 30, Burlington Animal Services, 221 Stone Quarry Road, Burlington. All dogs weighing more than 20 pounds and all cat adoptions are reduced to $20. Adoptions include…

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June 17, 2023