ReportWire

Tag: mountain

  • 3 women charged in death of 6-year-old after years of abuse

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Court records describe a 6-year-old forced to live in a dog crate, weighing 27 pounds and with severe injuries when the child was found dead in a West Charlotte home.

    Susan Robinson, 61, and Tonya McKnight, 51, were arrested in connection with the case after the child was found over the weekend at a home off Gwynne Hill Road, according to arrest warrants and court documents filed in Mecklenburg County.

    Robinson’s niece, Tery’n McKnight, 22, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.   

    What You Need To Know

    • A 6-year-old was found dead at a West Charlotte home, where court records say the child was forced to live in a dog crate, weighed 27 pounds and showed signs of prolonged abuse 

    • Three women — Susan Robinson, Tonya McKnight and Tery’n McKnight — have been arrested and each charged with felony child abuse resulting in serious physical injury and four counts of misdemeanor child abuse

    •  Authorities say the abuse was known and not stopped



    Investigators say the child suffered severe abuse over an extended period of time. Court records allege the child had multiple rashes on the genital area and buttocks caused by prolonged exposure to both human and animal feces. Authorities also documented broken bones, healed ligature marks and burns.

    According to investigators, Robinson and Tonya McKnight knew the child was being taped, restrained and denied food but failed to intervene. Robinson told police she witnessed the child being punished for stealing food, records state.

    Investigators say four other children were also living in the home.

    Spectrum News 1 crews who visited the property observed visible damage to the home, trash scattered across the yard and children’s toys outside. Mail overflowed from the mailbox, and several vehicles were parked on the property. Neighbors declined to speak on camera, though one told reporters he frequently heard a child crying but did not personally know the residents.

    Robinson, Tonya McKnight and Tery’n McKnight are each charged with one count of felony child abuse resulting in serious physical injury and four counts of misdemeanor child abuse, police said. Court records show Tonya McKnight was issued a $2 million secured bond.

    The investigation is ongoing.

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

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • 2025: End of year extravaganza

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    On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, it’s our annual holiday extravaganza. Host Tim Boyum and political insiders Billy Warden and Brian Lewis look back at 2025.

    They will honor longtime Gov. Jim Hunt, who died Dec. 18. The trio will also look back and review another wild year of politics in North Carolina and beyond. 

    Warden is a marketing and communications expert with RLF Communications. Lewis is a lobbyist with New Frame. 

    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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  • 2025: Weather in Review

    [ad_1]

    As we close out 2025, here’s a look back at the wild weather experienced this year. From snow to wildfires to tornadoes to flooding, 2025 will be one for the record books.

    What You Need To Know

    • Record snow fell in southern states, including Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, in January

    • A tornado outbreak in May saw an EF3 in St. Louis and an EF4 in south-central Kentucky

    • For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the United States



    It didn’t take long into the New Year for Mother Nature to become active.

    First big storm of the season Jan 3. to Jan 6

    On Jan. 3, a storm system moved onshore along the West Coast, producing snow in the mountains of Washington and Montana. The southern side of the storm produced severe weather, including the first tornado of the year in Northern California.

    As it moved east across the Great Plains and Midwest on Jan. 4 and 5, it intensified and pulled in moisture from the Gulf. Parts of Kansas, including the Kansas City metro, saw upwards of 12 to 18 inches of snow, nearly a season’s worth in one storm.

    The St. Louis metro accumulated 8 to over 12 inches, with Weldon Spring, Mo. being the big winner. The snow was so intense at one point, thunder snow was reported.


    Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport received 8 inches of snow, a new daily record, leading to canceled flights. At the height of the storm, the pressure dropped to 976 millibars, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

    The southern side of the system on Jan. 5 produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with 17 tornado reports and dozens of wind reports.

    The storm pushed east and was along the East Coast by Jan. 6. From Virginia to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, snow accumulated. Richmond, Va. experienced blizzard conditions leading to water outages, which took at least three days to fully restore.

    Southern snow Jan. 21 to 22

    Snow in the south happens, but it’s usually a few flakes, not half a foot or more. A large southern storm system brought big snows to states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida in late January. Pensacola, Florida, shattered its two-day snowfall record, accumulating 8.9 inches of snow.

    New Orleans was transformed into a winter wonderland, with snowball fights captured on Bourbon Street. For the first time it their history, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, La., issued blizzard warnings.

    People walk around on Bourbon Street as snow falls in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    Snow wasn’t the only big weather event in January.

    Los Angeles wildfires

    The Santa Ana winds led to dangerous fires across California. 14 fires burned throughout the entire month, with the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fires as the two largest. Tens of thousands of structures were damaged or destroyed, and fatalities are estimated in the hundreds.

    A car travels down East Mendocino Street as a wildfire burns in the hills near Eaton Canyon, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    May 15 to 16 tornado outbreak

    Spring saw bouts of severe weather, with several storms producing destructive tornadoes. 

    In May, a deadly tornado outbreak hit the Midwest and Ohio River Valley, with more than 60 tornadoes reported. An EF3 tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, touched down in the Greater St. Louis area on May 16, bringing destruction across the northern part of the city and killing four people.

    Damage in the St. Louis metro after an EF3 tornado touched down on May 16, 2025. (Pic: NWS St. Louis)

    The same storm system produced a large EF4-rated tornado, with winds estimated at 170 mph, across south-central Kentucky. This long-tracked tornado caused 19 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage.

    Texas Hill Country flooding

    Turning to summer—During the early morning hours of July 4, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry combined with Pacific moisture, producing heavy thunderstorms across the Texas Hill Country. Rainfall totals ranged from 8 to over 20 inches in just a few hours, leading to the dramatic rise of the Guadalupe River.

    Camp Mystic stands next a creek that feeds into the Guadalupe River, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas, after flash flooding swept through the area. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)

    One of the worst-hit areas was in Kerrville, Texas, where Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the river, flooded. The water rose so quickly that the camp did not have time to evacuate. Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors perished during the devastating floods.

    Tampa hits 100 degrees

    2025 saw its fair share of weather records shattered. On July 28, the Tampa International Airport recorded the first triple-digit temperature since records began in 1890. The area hit 100 degrees!

    Hurricane season 

    Speaking of numbers… This was the first time in a decade that no hurricane had made landfall in the United States. However, in late August, Hurricane Erin brought dangerous surf and rip currents to the East Coast.

    Numerous houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks fell into the sea because of coastal flooding and erosion.

    Five homes collapsed Tuesday in Buxton along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. (Spectrum News 1/Lauren Howard)

    Although no hurricane made landfall in the U.S., Hurricane Melissa made history as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane and made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph. The storm killed over 100 people and caused at least $10 billion in damage. 

    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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  • 2025: Weather in Review

    [ad_1]

    As we close out 2025, here’s a look back at the wild weather experienced this year. From snow to wildfires to tornadoes to flooding, 2025 will be one for the record books.

    What You Need To Know

    • Record snow fell in southern states, including Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, in January

    • A tornado outbreak in May saw an EF3 in St. Louis and an EF4 in south-central Kentucky

    • For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the United States



    It didn’t take long into the New Year for Mother Nature to become active.

    First big storm of the season Jan 3. to Jan 6

    On Jan. 3, a storm system moved onshore along the West Coast, producing snow in the mountains of Washington and Montana. The southern side of the storm produced severe weather, including the first tornado of the year in Northern California.

    As it moved east across the Great Plains and Midwest on Jan. 4 and 5, it intensified and pulled in moisture from the Gulf. Parts of Kansas, including the Kansas City metro, saw upwards of 12 to 18 inches of snow, nearly a season’s worth in one storm.

    The St. Louis metro accumulated 8 to over 12 inches, with Weldon Spring, Mo. being the big winner. The snow was so intense at one point, thunder snow was reported.


    Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport received 8 inches of snow, a new daily record, leading to canceled flights. At the height of the storm, the pressure dropped to 976 millibars, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

    The southern side of the system on Jan. 5 produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with 17 tornado reports and dozens of wind reports.

    The storm pushed east and was along the East Coast by Jan. 6. From Virginia to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, snow accumulated. Richmond, Va. experienced blizzard conditions leading to water outages, which took at least three days to fully restore.

    Southern snow Jan. 21 to 22

    Snow in the south happens, but it’s usually a few flakes, not half a foot or more. A large southern storm system brought big snows to states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida in late January. Pensacola, Florida, shattered its two-day snowfall record, accumulating 8.9 inches of snow.

    New Orleans was transformed into a winter wonderland, with snowball fights captured on Bourbon Street. For the first time it their history, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, La., issued blizzard warnings.

    People walk around on Bourbon Street as snow falls in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    Snow wasn’t the only big weather event in January.

    Los Angeles wildfires

    The Santa Ana winds led to dangerous fires across California. 14 fires burned throughout the entire month, with the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fires as the two largest. Tens of thousands of structures were damaged or destroyed, and fatalities are estimated in the hundreds.

    A car travels down East Mendocino Street as a wildfire burns in the hills near Eaton Canyon, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    May 15 to 16 tornado outbreak

    Spring saw bouts of severe weather, with several storms producing destructive tornadoes. 

    In May, a deadly tornado outbreak hit the Midwest and Ohio River Valley, with more than 60 tornadoes reported. An EF3 tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, touched down in the Greater St. Louis area on May 16, bringing destruction across the northern part of the city and killing four people.

    Damage in the St. Louis metro after an EF3 tornado touched down on May 16, 2025. (Pic: NWS St. Louis)

    The same storm system produced a large EF4-rated tornado, with winds estimated at 170 mph, across south-central Kentucky. This long-tracked tornado caused 19 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage.

    Texas Hill Country flooding

    Turning to summer—During the early morning hours of July 4, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry combined with Pacific moisture, producing heavy thunderstorms across the Texas Hill Country. Rainfall totals ranged from 8 to over 20 inches in just a few hours, leading to the dramatic rise of the Guadalupe River.

    Camp Mystic stands next a creek that feeds into the Guadalupe River, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas, after flash flooding swept through the area. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)

    One of the worst-hit areas was in Kerrville, Texas, where Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the river, flooded. The water rose so quickly that the camp did not have time to evacuate. Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors perished during the devastating floods.

    Tampa hits 100 degrees

    2025 saw its fair share of weather records shattered. On July 28, the Tampa International Airport recorded the first triple-digit temperature since records began in 1890. The area hit 100 degrees!

    Hurricane season 

    Speaking of numbers… This was the first time in a decade that no hurricane had made landfall in the United States. However, in late August, Hurricane Erin brought dangerous surf and rip currents to the East Coast.

    Numerous houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks fell into the sea because of coastal flooding and erosion.

    Five homes collapsed Tuesday in Buxton along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. (Spectrum News 1/Lauren Howard)

    Although no hurricane made landfall in the U.S., Hurricane Melissa made history as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane and made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph. The storm killed over 100 people and caused at least $10 billion in damage. 

    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.

    [ad_2]

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

    Source link

  • 2025: Weather in Review

    [ad_1]

    As we close out 2025, here’s a look back at the wild weather experienced this year. From snow to wildfires to tornadoes to flooding, 2025 will be one for the record books.

    What You Need To Know

    • Record snow fell in southern states, including Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, in January

    • A tornado outbreak in May saw an EF3 in St. Louis and an EF4 in south-central Kentucky

    • For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the United States



    It didn’t take long into the New Year for Mother Nature to become active.

    First big storm of the season Jan 3. to Jan 6

    On Jan. 3, a storm system moved onshore along the West Coast, producing snow in the mountains of Washington and Montana. The southern side of the storm produced severe weather, including the first tornado of the year in Northern California.

    As it moved east across the Great Plains and Midwest on Jan. 4 and 5, it intensified and pulled in moisture from the Gulf. Parts of Kansas, including the Kansas City metro, saw upwards of 12 to 18 inches of snow, nearly a season’s worth in one storm.

    The St. Louis metro accumulated 8 to over 12 inches, with Weldon Spring, Mo. being the big winner. The snow was so intense at one point, thunder snow was reported.


    Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport received 8 inches of snow, a new daily record, leading to canceled flights. At the height of the storm, the pressure dropped to 976 millibars, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

    The southern side of the system on Jan. 5 produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with 17 tornado reports and dozens of wind reports.

    The storm pushed east and was along the East Coast by Jan. 6. From Virginia to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, snow accumulated. Richmond, Va. experienced blizzard conditions leading to water outages, which took at least three days to fully restore.

    Southern snow Jan. 21 to 22

    Snow in the south happens, but it’s usually a few flakes, not half a foot or more. A large southern storm system brought big snows to states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida in late January. Pensacola, Florida, shattered its two-day snowfall record, accumulating 8.9 inches of snow.

    New Orleans was transformed into a winter wonderland, with snowball fights captured on Bourbon Street. For the first time it their history, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, La., issued blizzard warnings.

    People walk around on Bourbon Street as snow falls in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

    Snow wasn’t the only big weather event in January.

    Los Angeles wildfires

    The Santa Ana winds led to dangerous fires across California. 14 fires burned throughout the entire month, with the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton fires as the two largest. Tens of thousands of structures were damaged or destroyed, and fatalities are estimated in the hundreds.

    A car travels down East Mendocino Street as a wildfire burns in the hills near Eaton Canyon, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    May 15 to 16 tornado outbreak

    Spring saw bouts of severe weather, with several storms producing destructive tornadoes. 

    In May, a deadly tornado outbreak hit the Midwest and Ohio River Valley, with more than 60 tornadoes reported. An EF3 tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, touched down in the Greater St. Louis area on May 16, bringing destruction across the northern part of the city and killing four people.

    Damage in the St. Louis metro after an EF3 tornado touched down on May 16, 2025. (Pic: NWS St. Louis)

    The same storm system produced a large EF4-rated tornado, with winds estimated at 170 mph, across south-central Kentucky. This long-tracked tornado caused 19 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage.

    Texas Hill Country flooding

    Turning to summer—During the early morning hours of July 4, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry combined with Pacific moisture, producing heavy thunderstorms across the Texas Hill Country. Rainfall totals ranged from 8 to over 20 inches in just a few hours, leading to the dramatic rise of the Guadalupe River.

    Camp Mystic stands next a creek that feeds into the Guadalupe River, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas, after flash flooding swept through the area. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman)

    One of the worst-hit areas was in Kerrville, Texas, where Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the river, flooded. The water rose so quickly that the camp did not have time to evacuate. Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors perished during the devastating floods.

    Tampa hits 100 degrees

    2025 saw its fair share of weather records shattered. On July 28, the Tampa International Airport recorded the first triple-digit temperature since records began in 1890. The area hit 100 degrees!

    Hurricane season 

    Speaking of numbers… This was the first time in a decade that no hurricane had made landfall in the United States. However, in late August, Hurricane Erin brought dangerous surf and rip currents to the East Coast.

    Numerous houses along North Carolina’s Outer Banks fell into the sea because of coastal flooding and erosion.

    Five homes collapsed Tuesday in Buxton along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. (Spectrum News 1/Lauren Howard)

    Although no hurricane made landfall in the U.S., Hurricane Melissa made history as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane and made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph. The storm killed over 100 people and caused at least $10 billion in damage. 

    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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  • Pacific moisture delivers heavy rain for holiday travelers this week

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    Whether you’re flying or driving, the weather could impact your holiday travel next week. Here’s what to expect across the country.

    What You Need To Know

    • Heavy rain is expected in California and the Pacific Northwest

    • A clipper system brings heavy snow across the Northeast and New England before Christmas

    • Temperatures are trending significantly above normal for Christmas


    Here are the weather highlights for holiday travelers. 


    A more detailed forecast for each day can be found below.

    Monday

    A prolonged period of wet weather is on tap this week across Northern California and the intermountain west. Monday evening into Tuesday morning could see some showers across the Ohio Valley and snow in the Great Lakes. Southern California remains mostly dry today, but wetter trends ramp up tomorrow.


    Tuesday

    Snow is possible across New England and the Northeast on Tuesday, with parts of Maine seeing up to 6 to 8 inches. Totals remain on the low end with only a couple inches of accumulation everywhere else. Out west, rain and snow continues, with heavy rain spilling into southern California.

    Christmas Eve

    California will see wet weather on Christmas Eve as another atmospheric river brings in Pacific moisture, leading to periods of heavy rain and mountain snow. Some strong storms are also possible across Southern California. The possibility of showers will be present through the Ohio Valley.


    Christmas

    The Rockies and areas westward see wet and wintry weather on Christmas Day, with the higher elevations seeing a white Christmas. Much of the central and eastern U.S. will be warmer than normal with mostly dry conditions.


    Friday

    The day after Christmas could finally offer a break for some areas out west, but high elevation snow chances continue. Some rain is possible across the Northeast.


    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 Weather Staff

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  • ‘Touched so many lives’: Western NC remembers Biffle as a hero during Helene

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    SOUTH TOE, N.C. —For people in Western North Carolina, the sound of helicopter blades fill their memories, not only of Helene, but the hope that came in the days and weeks after the storm.

    “You know, without those private citizens bringing those supplies in, really early on, I think we would have been where we were seeing more mortality,” said Zac O’Donnell.

    O’Donnell is a firefighter at the South Toe Fire Department. He says it’s still hard to think of how cut off their community was from the outside world.

    What You Need To Know

    •  When Helene hit Western North Carolina, entire communities were cut off from the outside world

    •  By day two, Greg Biffle got in his private helicopter and started delivering aid across the mountains

    •  First responders say he brought medical supplies, chainsaws, generators, food and water to the most remote cut off communities

    • Biffle continued to return back over the last year to check on the small communities and continue to bring them aid


    “It was blocked off at the one in between here and and the main municipality, Burnsville,” said O’Donnell. “Just about 15 miles away. And then the other direction, too, we couldn’t go down the mountain, so we were truly cut off for, you know, that first day.”

    But by day two, help had arrived. Thanks to NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his friends.

    “I’m pretty sure Greg dropped off these helmets, actually, these chainsaw helmets,” O’Donnell said.

    O’Donnell says Biffle and his crew continued bringing aid to the rural mountain community.

    “He was very clear that, you know, he just wanted to assist his fellow North Carolinians,” said O’Donnell. “He wanted to be on the ground.”

    It wasn’t just South Toe and Yancey County. Biffle stopped his helicopter all over Western North Carolina.

    “He had a big crew come in and take notes on, you know, what was needed in the areas. And then they just flooded our area with all kinds of necessities that everyone needed,” said Fairview Fire Battalion Chief TJ Hill. “Not just for us, but stuff for us to hand out as well.”

    Fairview engineer Samuel Lightle grew up a huge NASCAR fan, and recognized Biffle immediately.

    “Like I say, I mean, I love the sport and seeing somebody given in the position he’s in, given what he gave and the time he gave,” said Lightle. “Just so selfless, I mean, it meant a lot to this community and all the communities in western North Carolina.”

    But the aid didn’t stop after October. Stephanie Johnson with Rebuilding Hollers says he continued to deliver aid, visiting multiple times to check on how recovery efforts were going.

    “The personal resources that he used and his connections to bring awareness to what happened here. I don’t think people would have known how bad it was, and how much we desperately needed help. If it wasn’t for him telling the whole world,” Johnson said.

    The news of his death has been absolutely devastating for the people in the mountains.

    “He touched so many lives and, you know, I just pray that he knows how thankful we are that he advocated for us,” Johnson said. “Because when other people forgot and when other people had moved on, he did it. He kept coming back.”

    Losing not only a racing legend, but a community hero in the mountains.

    “We should learn from, from Greg’s example and, and really help out when we can,” said O’Donnell. “You know, make sure that the people in our communities are taken care of, when, when there is struggle and when there’s, you know, hard times. Especially whether it’s a hurricane or, or anything else, that’s really important.”

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

     

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    Courtney Davis

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  • Pacific moisture delivers heavy rain for holiday travelers next week

    [ad_1]

    Whether you’re flying or driving, the weather could impact your holiday travel next week. Here’s what to expect across the country.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mostly dry weather is on tap across the central and eastern U.S. this weekend

    • Heavy rain is expected in California and the Pacific Northwest

    • Temperatures are trending significantly above normal for Christmas


    Here are the weather highlights for holiday travelers. 


    A more detailed forecast for each day can be found below.

    Saturday

    If you’re traveling Saturday, a weak disturbance will bring some light snow across the Great Lakes and interior Northeast during the afternoon and evening. Heavier snow accumulation should remain into Canada.  Most of the Midwest is looking at dry, sunny weather. 

    Northern California and the intermountain west will continue seeing periods of wet weather.


    Sunday

    Wet weather continues out west on Sunday, especially for parts of Northern Calfornia, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Heavy snow and rain is expected.

    Some snow showers are possible around the Great Lakes and rain across the Southeast, but activity remains light.

    Monday

    A prolonged period of wet weather is on tap into early next week across Northern California and the intermountain west. Monday evening into Tuesday morning could see some showers across the Ohio Valley and snow in the Great Lakes.


    Tuesday

    Snow is possible across New England and the Northeast on Tuesday, but totals remain on the low end with only a couple inches of accumulation. Out west, rain and snow continues.

    Christmas Eve

    California will see wet weather on Christmas Eve as another atmospheric river brings in Pacific moisture, leading to periods of heavy rain and mountain snow. The possibility of showers will be present through the Ohio Valley.


    Christmas

    The Rockies and areas westward see wet and wintry weather on Christmas Day, with the higher elevations seeing a white Christmas. Much of the central and eastern U.S. will be warmer than normal with mostly dry conditions.


    Friday

    The day after Christmas could finally offer a break for some areas out west, but high elevation snow chances continue. Some rain is possible across the Northeast.


    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 Weather Staff

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  • Investigating plane crash that killed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family

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    A business jet crashed Thursday while trying to return to a North Carolina airport shortly after takeoff, killing all seven people aboard, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, authorities said.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Cessna C550 business jet crashed late Thursday morning in Statesville 

    • Among the seven killed in the crash were retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, daughter and son, and friends of the family

    • Authorities said the plane took off from Statesville Regional Airport, then returned before crashing amid light rain and fog

    • The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the crash

    The Cessna C550 erupted into fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

    Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

    Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, according to the highway patrol and a family statement. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

    “Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the joint family statement said.

    Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.

    NASCAR said it was devastated by the news.

    “Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many,” NASCAR said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

    Scott Sain, who was working at the airport Thursday morning, said it was raining and foggy when the plane crashed. 

    “I knew something had happened pretty bad because of the smoke,” Sain said. “Looked down at the end of the runway and it was on fire.”

    AccuWeather says there was some drizzle and clouds at the time of the crash.

    Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

    “We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

    The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating.

    The plane had planned to fly later from Sarasota, Florida, to Treasure Cay International Airport in the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then to Statesville by evening, FlightAware.com data showed.

    The Cessna plane, built in 1981, is a popular mid-sized business jet with an excellent reputation, aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said. It has two engines and typically seats six to eight passengers.

    In 2024, Biffle was honored for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene struck the U.S., even using his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flooded, remote western North Carolina.

    “The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were,” U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina, said.

    Wadsworth was Biffle’s friend and helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to places hit by Hurricane Helene, roommate Benito Howell said.

    “He didn’t know how to say no,” Howell said of Wadsworth, who had worked for several NASCAR teams. “He loved everybody. He always tried to help everybody.”

    The airport offers corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams, its website says.

    North Carolina has seen several deadly small-plane crashes this year, including one in Sanford that killed four members of a well-known local family who run Buchanan Family Farms and a crash in the mountains that killed country singer Brett James, known for the hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and two others. 

    Outside the state, a plane-helicopter collision killed 67 in Washington, D.C., and a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky killed 14, including 11 on the ground.

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

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    Justin Pryor, Associated Press

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  • Deputy recovering after being shot in Franklin County, sheriff says

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    A Franklin County deputy was shot Thursday, the sheriff said, while pursuing a suspect.

    The suspect fired shots at Deputy Taylor Lucas during a chase late Thursday evening, Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White said in a Facebook post.

    “During efforts to detain the suspect, Deputy Lucas was shot,” the post said.

    Lucas was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and has since been released, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

    White said the suspect is in custody, and there is no threat to the community.

    Information on what led up to the chase, and the suspect’s identity, have not yet been released.

    The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has requested the assistance of the SBI to investigate the incident, which is standard procedure.

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

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Ahead of Trump’s visit, N.C. residents town say they feel squeezed by high costs

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    ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (AP) — She had worked 22 days straight in her job as a technician at an engine plant to save up, and now Daijah Bryant could finally do what she was putting off: Christmas shopping.

    What You Need To Know

    • President Donald Trump will visit the eastern North Carolina town of Rocky Mount on Friday, the second time this month he will have traveled to a presidential battleground state to focus on the economy and affordability concerns

    • The high prices Trump promised to solve during his 2024 campaign persist as a liability for the president and his party heading into next year’s midterm elections

    • In Rocky Mount, residents say they feel the same financial strains many Americans say they are under, with high prices for groceries, housing and utilities among their top concerns

    • Trump, meanwhile, is urging patience and says the economy is trending upward


    Bryant pushed her cart out of a Walmart in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and loaded her sedan’s backseat with bags of gifts. While they would soon bring joy to her friends and family, it was difficult for the 26-year-old to feel good about the purchases.

    “Having to pay bills, if you happen to pay rent and try to do Christmas all at the same time, it is very, very hard,” she said with exasperation.

    Ahead of President Donald Trump’s Friday evening visit to Rocky Mount, some residents say they are feeling an economic squeeze that seems hard to escape. The uneasy feeling spans political affiliation in the town, which is split between two largely rural and somewhat impoverished counties, although some were more hopeful than others that there are signs of reprieve on the horizon.

    This will be Trump’s second event this month aimed at championing his economic policies ahead of a consequential midterm election next year, both held in presidential battleground states. Similar to Trump’s earlier stop in Pennsylvania, Rocky Mount sits in a U.S. House district that has been historically competitive. But earlier this year, the Republican-controlled legislature redrew the boundaries for the eastern North Carolina district to favor their party as part of Trump’s push to have GOP-led states gerrymander their congressional districts to help his party retain its House majority for the last half of his term.

    Rocky Mount may be in a politically advantageous location, but the hardships its residents report mirror the tightening financial strains many Americans say they are feeling, with high prices for groceries, housing and utilities among their top concerns. Polls show persistently high prices have put Americans in a grumpy mood about the state of the economy, which a large majority say is performing poorly.

    Trump has insisted the economy is trending upward and the country will see some relief in the new year and beyond. In some cases, he has dismissed affordability concerns and encouraged Americans to decrease their consumption.

    ‘Without the businesses, it’s dead’

    Crimson smokestacks tower over parts of downtown Rocky Mount, reminding the town’s roughly 54,000 residents of its roots as a once-booming tobacco market. Through the heart of downtown, graffiti-covered trains still lug along on the railroad tracks that made Rocky Mount a bustling locomotive hotspot in the last century.

    Those days seem long gone for some residents who have watched the town change over decades. Rocky Mount has adapted by tapping into other industries such as manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals, but it’s also had to endure its fair share of challenges. Most recently, financial troubles in the city’s government have meant higher utility prices for residents.

    The city has been investing to try to revitalize its downtown, but progress has been slow. Long stretches of empty storefronts that once contained restaurants, furniture shops and drug stores line the streets. Most stores were closed Thursday morning, and not much foot traffic roamed the area.

    That’s left Lucy Slep, who co-owns The Miner’s Emporium jewelry store with her husband, waiting for Trump’s promised “Golden Age of America.”

    The jewelry store has been in downtown Rocky Mount for nearly four decades, just about as long as the 64-year-old said she has lived in the area. But the deterioration of downtown Rocky Mount has spanned at least a decade, and Slep said she’s still hoping it will come back to life.

    “Every downtown in every little town is beautiful,” she said. “But without the businesses, it’s dead.”

    Slep’s store hasn’t escaped the challenges other Rocky Mount small businesses have endured. Instead of buying, more people have recently been selling their jewelry to the shop, Slep said.

    Customers have been scarce. About a week out from Christmas, the store — with handmade molded walls and ceilings resembling cave walls — sat empty aside from the rows of glass cases containing jewelry. It’s been hard, Slep said, but she and her husband are trying to make it through.

    “This year is just not a jewelry Christmas, for whatever reason,” she said.

    Better times on the horizon — depending on whom you ask

    Slep is already looking ahead to next year for better times. She is confident that Trump’s economic policies — including upcoming tax cuts — will make a marked difference in people’s cost of living. In her eyes, the financial strains people are feeling are residual effects from the Biden administration that eventually will fade.

    Optimism about what’s to come under Trump’s economy might also depend on whether residents feel their economic conditions have changed drastically in the past year. Shiva Mrain, an engineer in Rocky Mount, said his family’s situation has not “become worse nor better.” He’s been encouraged by seeing lower gas prices.

    Bryant, the engine technician, feels a bit more disillusioned.

    She didn’t vote in the last election because she didn’t think either party could enact changes that would improve her life. Nearly a year into the Trump administration, Bryant is still waiting to see whether the president will deliver.

    “I can’t really say … that change is coming,” she said. “I don’t think anything is going to change.”

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

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    Associated Press

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  • Lumbee Tribe set to recieve Federal Recognition

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    After more than 100 years pursuing full federal recognition, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is set to receive recognition. The National Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions to recognize the Lumbee, passed the U.S. House and Senate and heads to the president’s desk. 

    Who are the Lumbee?

    The Lumbee Tribe, or the People of the Dark Water, is a group of Indigenous people whose tribal complex is in Pembroke, North Carolina. 

    The ancestors of the Lumbee came from various tribal backgrounds, sheltering together while seeking safety along the Lumber River, also known as the Lumbee River, through times of colonization, disease and war, according to the tribe’s website.

    They were recognized by the state of North Carolina as an Indigenous tribe in 1885.

    Today, the tribe consists of almost 60,000 members and their tribal territory spans four counties — Robeson, Scotland, Hoke and Cumberland — their website states. 

    What difference will federal recognition make?

    Gaining federal recognition is a milestone for any Indigenous tribe. 

    With federal recognition, the Lumbee Tribe will now be allowed to access resources, such as the Indian Health Service, the ability to take land into trust and the rights of self-governance.

    Federal recognition also allows for the Lumbee to be covered by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). 

    Part of NAGPRA requires federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to work with recognized Indigenous tribes in returning human remains and cultural objects.

    Prior to federal recognition, if the Lumbee wanted to have any items or ancestral remains repatriated, a federally recognized tribe would have to work with the Lumbee on a joint request for repatriation, according to the Department of the Interior. 

    Why has it taken so long to become federally recognized?

    Since 1888, the Lumbee Tribe has been working toward federal recognition, but their efforts have been rejected by the government. 

    In 1956, Congress recognized the Lumbee as an Indigenous tribe, but denied them of any federal benefits that are associated with federal recognition, which they have been fighting for since. 

    During their 137-year push for recognition, they have received backlash from other tribes. 

    The Eastern Band of Cherokee, North Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe, has opposed the recognition of the Lumbee out of fear that the federal grants given to recognized tribes would decrease. 

    However, the backlash the Lumbee has received comes from tribes across the nation, not just the Eastern Band of Cherokee. 

    Critics from other tribes claim that the Lumbee do not have a clear historical or genealogical background that proves their Indigenous history, according to a letter sent to Congress by the Eastern Band of Cherokee and eight additional tribes in 2022.

    Historically, the Lumbee were accepting of inter-tribal and inter-racial marriages – with the formation of the tribe originating from their ancestors of different tribal backgrounds seeking safety.  

    According to the tribe’s website, the Lumbee counter this argument by explaining that they come from “survivors of tribal nations from the Algonquian, Iroquoian and Siouan language families, including the Cheraw and other affected tribes.”

    Will the Lumbee be allowed to participate in gaming?

    With federal recognition, the Lumbee will now be allowed to create a reservation. This is crucial in determining whether they can open a casino.

    Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, only federally recognized tribes with tribal sovereignty are legally allowed to build and open casinos, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission.

    This means that any casinos that a federally recognized tribe wishes to build must be on the tribe’s own reservation.

    While the Lumbee have said that gaming is the least of their concerns while fighting for recognition, legally the tribe can now participate. 

    Will the Lumbee legally be allowed to grow and sell marijuana?

    Due to tribal sovereignty, it is possible that the Lumbee will be legally allowed to sell marijuana, but only on tribal land. 

    In North Carolina, it remains illegal to grow, use or sell marijuana. 

    However, in 2021, it was legalized for the Eastern Band of Cherokee to sell medical marijuana on tribal land. In 2023, a referendum was passed to allow the sale of recreational marijuana as well. 

    So, if the Lumbee choose to allow the growth and sale of marijuana, their tribal sovereignty could make it legal. 

    What will the process look like from here/what’s next?

    With the National Defense Authorization Act receiving a 77-20 Senate vote Wednesday, it was sent to President Donald Trump’s desk, where it awaits his signature. 

    Trump has previously expressed his support of federally recognizing the Lumbee Tribe. 

    After Trump signs the act, the Lumbee will be able to control their own economic growth with the establishment of a reservation. 

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

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    Blair Hamilton

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  • Doctor pleads guilty to felony larceny in Buncombe County

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    A Florida doctor pleaded guilty to five counts of felony larceny after stealing relief donations intended for victims of Hurricane Helene’s flooding in North Carolina, the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office said. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Mark Anthony Smith, 56, is a licensed physician from Jacksonville, Florida

    • Smith admitted to posing as a volunteer in the aftermath of Helene for a nonprofit organization in the Swannanoa area, stealing more than $12,000 in donated supplies

    • Smith pleaded guilty to five counts of felony larceny and was sentenced to nine days in jail and a suspended sentence of at least 2 1/2 years in prison

    Mark Anthony Smith, 56, admitted to posing as a volunteer for a nonprofit organization in the Swannanoa area during the aftermath of Helene, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

    He admitted to stealing more than $12,000 in donated disaster relief supplies. 

    “The defendant’s actions violated public trust and insulted the generosity of those who donated to help our community in a moment of need,” District Attorney Todd Williams said in a news release. 

    The Swannanoa Valley faced severe flooding from Helene’s torrential rain on western North Carolina in September 2024, destroying homes and businesses. 

    Smith stole items such as camping stoves, heaters, propane tanks and generators, which he sold for cash at a pawn shop, according to the district attorney.

    Smith also admitted to stealing $2,000 worth of personal items from the organizer of the nonprofit, the sheriff’s office reported. 

    The sheriff’s office recovered the stolen items.

    Buncombe County Judge George Bell sentenced Smith to nine days in jail and gave him a suspended sentence of at least 2 1/2 years in prison.

    Smith also has to report his felony convictions to the Florida state medical licensing board. 

    Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before moving inland toward Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas in September 2024. 

    Western North Carolina received up to 30 inches of rain, devastating unsuspecting communities as the dams burst and rivers overflowed, some cresting at more than 24 feet. 

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

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Kyle Kondik discusses early expectations about 2026 midterms

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    Political prognosticator Kyle Kondik joins host Tim Boyum to talk about early expectations for the 2026 midterm elections.

    They will talk about the nation’s most watched Senate race for next year, for North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’s seat. They will also discuss how redistricting could impact the power in Congress, and whether affordability and the cost of living will drive voters’ choices in the midterms.

    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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  • Two western North Carolina restaurants reopen after Helene

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    ASHEVILLE, N.C. — It’s been over a year since Helene struck western North Carolina, and in that time, 93% of small businesses have reopened.

    For some, it’s been a much longer road just to get to this point. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Ole’s Guacomoles and Okie Dokie Smokehouse reopen after Helene

    Both of the Ole’s Guacamoles locations suffered severe damage during Helene. Ole’s Guacamoles recently reopened this location in Black Mountain after many months of repairs.

    Co-owner Elena Delatorre is prepping a classic appetizer, fresh guacamole, which is also the namesake for her family’s business. She says customers were excited to return, filling every table including the patio.

    “We felt the love all the way, all day long since we opened at 11 a.m. for lunch. We got busy. We got crowded.”

    About 13,000 people lost their jobs in Buncombe County after Helene, the largest number of any western North Carolina county.  

    Though the restaurant suffered great loss, Delatorre says Ole’s Guacamole was able to employ most of their staff throughout the past year to help with the rebuild and operate their temporary location.

    “A lot of them have been with us over 10 years, 10 years, 12 years, and a lot of them depend on us. You know, they have family to support children,” Delatorre said.

    But the Mexican restaurant may be an exception.

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Asheville’s employment rate in leisure and hospitality fell nearly 10% since August of last year through August 2025.

    In Swannanoa, Okie Dokies Smokehouse also recently reopened its doors, welcoming lines of hungry customers.

    But co-owner Jody Dunning said, while they still have some positions to fill, all the employees who stayed in the area have returned to work. 

    “We’ve actually had former staff who have moved on to different careers come back and offered to help during the transition times, and they just have called us up and said, hey, we’ll come help you,” Dunning said.

    Both Ole’s Guacamoles and Okie Dokies Smokehouse said their comeback is thanks to their communities, which have shown immense support.

    “We just feel that we’re part of Black Mountain and Black Mountain strong. We feel stronger than the hurricane. Stronger than the storm, Delatorre said.

    Economic revitalization is one of the key recovery areas in the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan. 

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

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    Jordan Grantz

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  • Climber rescued from Eldorado Canyon State Park after getting lost in dark

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    Crews rescued a climber who had become lost in Eldorado Canyon State Park without a working cell phone or headlamp early Thursday morning.

    About 1:49 a.m., the Boulder Communications Center received a report of an overdue climber at the park, a popular destination for climbers, according to a Boulder County Sheriff’s Office release.

    The climber, a 24-year-old man, had taken longer than expected to complete the Naked Edge route, and his headlamp and cell phone had run out of battery, the release said. When the man didn’t return for several hours, his family called for help.

    In an operation that took six hours, rescue personnel used a drone to find the man, and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group helped the man down a technical descent.

    The Boulder Police Department and Eldorado Canyon State Park rangers also assisted in the rescue operation.

    In the release, the sheriff’s office said those venturing outdoors should tell someone their plans, establish check-in procedures and bring appropriate equipment to prevent potential emergencies and ensure safety.

    Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.

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  • Chief Estella Patterson’s plan to rebuild trust and safety in Charlotte

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One week after being sworn in as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s first female chief, Estella Patterson says her focus is on rebuilding trust, reducing violent crime and filling hundreds of officer vacancies.

    What You Need To Know

    • Spectrum News 1 sat down with Estella Patterson, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s new chief

    • “I served in the military for nine years. Growing up, I liked to babysit and serve others and help. That’s always been the person who I am,” she said

    • The department is short nearly 200 officers, a gap Patterson says affects public safety and officer wellness

    • When asked what success looks like after her first year in office, Patterson said community trust will be key

    • Patterson said increasing officer visibility is closely tied to residents feeling safer across Charlotte



    Patterson returned to Charlotte after serving as police chief in Raleigh, where the department saw two consecutive years of declining violent crime and a significant reduction in staffing shortages.

    “When the opportunity presented itself to come back home, it was a no-brainer for me. When Chief Jennings announced his retirement, I said, wow, it would be nice to be able to come back,” she said.

    Patterson began her career with CMPD in 1996 as a recruit and later rose to deputy chief. She said service has always guided her career.

    “I served in the military for nine years. Growing up, I liked to babysit and serve others and help. That’s always been the person who I am,” she said.

    The department is short nearly 200 officers, a gap Patterson says affects both public safety and officer wellness.

    “Right now, we’re down significant number of officers, almost 200 officers,” she said. “That is difficult to be able to do the work of serving the community adequately. So we really want to work to to fill those gaps, make sure that we fill those vacancies as much as possible.” 

    Patterson said low staffing affects morale and leads to burnout.

    “When you’re short like that, your employees are telling you we’re tired or running from call to call. We can’t take adequate vacation time. And because wellness is so important to me, it is crucial that we get our staffing levels to where we have that flexibility to be able to do things so people can take time off,” she said.

    Addressing violent crime is another priority, particularly following recent stabbings on Charlotte’s light rail system. While CMPD reports violent crime is down overall, Patterson said the department must remain proactive.

    “It’s so unfortunate those incidents that happen and, you know, coming in and seeing that, it is disturbing to see, but also to it is important that we’re taking proactive steps. And I feel that we’re working very closely with CATS to do that,” she said, referring to the Charlotte Area Transit System. “One of the things I really want to work on as a department is bringing all our partners in. We can’t do this work in silos.”

    Patterson emphasized that isolated incidents should not discourage residents from using public transportation.

    “I mean, we have not seen where it’s every time you get on the light rail, there’s an incident or every time you’re on a CATS bus kind of thing,” she said. “I think we just have to put it in perspective.”

    When asked what success looks like after her first year in office, Patterson said community trust will be key.

    “One, that we rebuilt trust with the community, so that they can feel safe,” she said. “That will be really important.”

    Patterson added that increasing officer visibility is closely tied to residents feeling safer across Charlotte.

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

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • The earliest sunset isn’t on the winter solstice

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    The winter solstice will occur at 10:03 a.m. ET on Dec. 21 this year, and even though the day of the winter solstice is the shortest of the year, the latest sunrise and earliest sunset do not occur on this day.

    What You Need To Know

    • The solar day impacts sunrises and sunsets

    • A solar day is longer near the winter solstice

    • The sun rises later in the winter and sets later



    Understanding a solar day

    Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. The time from one solar noon to the next solar noon is called a solar day.

    The length of a solar day changes throughout the year because of the tilt and position of the Earth. Because of this, a solar day can be more than or less than 24 hours depending on the time of the year.

    The problem is that we count our days as exactly 24 hours. So, with the solar day being more than 24 hours near the winter solstice, this means solar noon will occur at a later time each day. The sun will also rise later and set later.

    If the sun is setting later each day before the solstice, that means the earliest sunset has already happened.

    Since the sun also rises later each day, this means the latest sunrise has yet to occur. The latest sunrise will happen a few weeks after the official start of winter.

    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 Weather Staff

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  • Settlement announced in Michael Jordan’s antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has reached a settlement of the bruising antitrust lawsuit filed against it by two of its race teams, including one co-owned by NBA great Michael Jordan.

    The Thursday settlement was announced following a lengthy delay on the ninth day of the trial in federal court. Details were not immediately released.

    U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell opened the day preparing the hear motions but called an hour-long sidebar. Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, emerged from a conference room at the end of the hour to inform a court clerk “we’re ready.” Kessler then led Jordan and 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin, as well as Front Row owner Bob Jenkins, out of the courtroom to another room for more talks.

    23XI and Front Row filed suit last year after refusing to sign agreements on the new charter offers NASCAR presented to teams in September 2024. Teams had until end of day to sign the 112-page document and 13 of 15 organizations reluctantly agreed. Jordan and Jenkins sued instead and raced the bulk of 2025 uncharted.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • No charges in stabbing death of student at North Forsyth High

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    The surviving student involved in a deadly stabbing at North Forsyth High School will not face any charges, the Forsyth County district attorney announced Thursday.

    “What happened at North Forsyth this week was an accident,” District Attorney Jim O’Neill said during a news conference. “It was unintentional.”

    What You Need To Know

    • A student was fatally stabbed during an altercation with another student Tuesday at North Forsyth High School, officials said

    • Authorities said the 16-year-old student produced a three-inch knife during the argument and the 18-year-old defended himself

    • The 16-year-old was fatally stabbed in the chest during the altercation, officials said


    The district attorney said because of the evidence gathered in the case, the surviving student in the case will not face any criminal charges.

    The stabbing happened around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in a bathroom at the school, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Lt. J.D. Sloan said. The fight between the two students, one 16 and the other 18, was over a THC vape pen, Sloan said.

    Authorities said the 16-year-old student produced a three-inch knife during the argument and the 18-year-old defended himself.

    The 18-year-old suffered defensive wounds on his hands from trying to wrestle away the knife, officials said. The 16-year-old was ultimately stabbed in the chest during the altercation and died from his injuries.

    O’Neill said the incident was a senseless tragedy.

    “These two young men knew each other very well,” O’Neill said. “They were friends.”

    O’Neill said the 18-year-old tried to render aid to the 16-year-old after the stabbing, packing the wound and trying to keep pressure on his chest.

    “He cried and cried when he learned his friend was dead,” O’Neill shared. “It was not an intentional act by the 18-year-old.”

    “There’s not a shred of evidence that this was anything more than an accident,” the district attorney continued.

    O’Neill said the 18-year-old has received numerous threats since the incident, and for that reason, as well as evidence gathered in the case, his name is not being released.

    “We will not tolerate any acts of retaliation or revenge,” O’Neill said.

     

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    Justin Pryor, Spectrum News Staff

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