Amid President Trump’s call to ban large investment firms from buying single-family homes, purchases by investors are the highest they’ve been in five years, according to a new report from BatchData.
The research company used data from The Investor Pulse Report, prepared with business intelligence firm CJ Patrick Company, to track growth trends in investor-owned properties. The data included purchases by small-scale and large investors.
Investor-led purchases made up 34% of all single-family residential sales in the third quarter of 2025, up 25.5% year over year and 1% from the second quarter.
Investors currently own 18% of 86 million single-family homes nationwide. One-third of these investor-owned properties are concentrated in just five states — Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.
North Carolina (25%), Georgia (19%), and Texas (18.2%) surpass the national average for investor ownership.
But, BatchData researchers point out, there may be more to this trend upon deeper inspection.
“Two seemingly incongruous trends continue to show themselves,” said BatchData Co-Founder and President Ivo Draginov in a press release “While the percentage of homes purchased by investors rose to a five-year high, the actual number of homes purchased was 23,000 fewer than a year ago. This suggests [that] the higher percentage is due to traditional homeowners retreating from the market rather than overly aggressive investor activity.”
Notably, small-scale firms own the largest share of investor-held single-family homes. Investors owning one to five properties make up 92% of all investor-owned single-family homes and those with six to 10 properties hold 4%. Investors with over 1,000 properties account for a 2% share.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.
The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game — and the Hoosiers’ season.
Indiana would not be denied.
“I had to go airborne,” said Mendoza, who had his lip split and his arm bloodied by a ferocious Miami defense that sacked him three times and hit him many more. “I would die for my team.”
Mendoza’s TD gave turnaround artist Curt Cignetti’s team a 24-14 lead — barely enough breathing room to hold off a frenzied charge by the hard-hitting Hurricanes, who came to life in the second half behind 112 yards and two scores from Mark Fletcher but never took the lead.
The College Football Playoff trophy now heads to the most unlikely of places: Bloomington, Indiana — a campus that endured a nation-leading 713 losses over 130-plus years of football before Cignetti arrived two years ago to embark on a revival for the ages.
“Took some chances, found a way. Let me tell you: We won the national championship at Indiana University. It can be done,” Cignetti said.
Indiana finished 16-0 — using the extra games afforded by the expanded 12-team playoff to match a perfect-season win total last compiled by Yale in 1894.
In a fitting bit of symmetry, this undefeated title comes 50 years after Bob Knight’s basketball team went 32-0 to win it all in that state’s favorite sport.
That hasn’t happened since, and there’s already some thought that college football — in its evolving, money-soaked era — might not see a team like this again, either.
“Congratulations to Indiana,” said President Donald Trump, who was in attendance. “Turned out to be a great game. Two great teams, wonderful teams with a lot of talent.”
Players like Mendoza — a transfer from Cal who grew up just a few miles away from Miami’s campus, “The U” — certainly don’t come around often.
Two fourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter, after Fletcher’s second touchdown carved the Hurricanes’ deficit to three, put Mendoza in position to shine.
The first was a 19-yard-completion to Charlie Becker on a back-shoulder fade those guys have been perfecting all season. Four plays later came a decision and play that wins championships.
Cignetti sent his kicker out on fourth-and-4 from the 12, but quickly called his second timeout. The team huddled on the field and the coach drew up a quarterback draw, hoping the Hurricanes would be in a defense they had shown before.
“We rolled the dice and said, ‘They’re going to be in it again and they were,’” Cignetti said. “We blocked it well, he broke a tackle or two and got in the end zone.”
Not known as a run-first guy, Mendoza slipped one tackle, then took a hit and spun around. He kept his feet, then left them, going horizontal and stretching the ball out — a ready-made poster pic for a title run straight from the movies.
Maybe they’ll call it “Hoosiers.” This was a program so bad that a coach once stopped the game early to take a picture of the scoreboard when it read “Indiana 7, Ohio State 6.” The Hoosiers lost 47-7.
This year, though, they beat Ohio State in the Big Ten title game on their way to the top seed in the playoff.
They won their first two games by a combined score of 94-25 and Mendoza threw more touchdown passes (eight) than incompletions (five).
This one was nowhere near as easy.
Fletcher was a one-man force, hitting triple digits for the third time in four playoff games and turning a moribund offense into something much more.
His first touchdown run was a 57-yard burst through the right side that pulled Miami within 10-7 early in the third quarter.
But after forcing an Indiana punt deep into Miami territory, Hoosiers lineman Mikail Kamara slid past the ’Canes’ protectors and blocked the kick. Isaiah Jones recovered to make it 17-7 and Miami was in comeback mode the rest of the way.
It ended as a one-score game, and the ’Canes — the visiting team playing on their home field — moved into Indiana territory before Carson Beck’s heave got picked off by Jamari Sharpe, a Miami native who made sure the only miracle in this season would be Indiana’s.
“Did I think something like this was possible? Probably not,” Cignetti said. “But if you keep your nose down and keep working, anything is possible.”
Austin Thompson, who was a teen when accused of killing five people in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood, intends to plead guilty to all charges, according to Wake County court documents.
What You Need To Know
Austin Thompson is accused of killing five people and injuring two more in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood
Thompson plans to plead guilty Tuesday
“While the serious brain injury he suffered has made it such that Austin cannot explain why he committed this shooting, he has always accepted that he did this”
His attorneys noted in the court document that he doesn’t want to put the community through anymore grief.
“While the serious brain injury he suffered has made it such that Austin cannot explain why he committed this shooting, he has always accepted that he did this. He recognizes the deep pain he has caused the victims’ families as well as his own family,“ court documents showed.
It is alleged that on October 13, 2022, then 15-year-old Austin Thompson shot and killed his older brother in their family home.
Police and the district attorney say he went out with a shotgun and a handgun, killing four and injuring two in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood.
Five people died that day: Raleigh Police Officer Gabriel Torres, James Roger Thompson, Mary Elizabeth Marshall, Nicole Connors and Susan Karnatz. Marcille Lynn Gardner and Raleigh Police Officer C. Clark were injured in the shooting, according to police.
A sentencing date has yet to be made.
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BOONE, N.C. — With low temperatures in the mountains and some snowfall expected in the next few days, a pantry meant to help Helene victims is now seeing people in need of all types of help.
What You Need To Know
Foscoe Home Team helped more than 600 people in five days
The nonprofit was started after Helene to help victims but has grown fast
They are in need of donations as temperatures are dropping in the mountains
In just one hour, Foscoe Home Team Executive Director Sherrye Trice said two conversations had already brought her to tears. One, a woman calling to say she had no running water and no one to help. Another, a family in need with a 9-month-old baby.
“It’s -11 degrees, wind chill faster and there’s tent communities in Foscoe,” Trice said.
These are just two examples of what she says are the many people in need every day, which is why she is working tirelessly for the Foscoe Home Team. The team says it served hundreds of people in just five days last week.
Trice started Foscoe Home Team after Helene. It started with food and grew fast. Now, people can come get food, diapers, hygiene items, blankets, heaters and warm clothing to get through the winter.
“We need warm shoes, we need thick socks, we need sweaters; lined leggings would be great,” Trice said.
They only have a handful of heaters left and three packs of water, according to Trice, and are in need of donations, fast.
“This is the first interview. I’m begging, I’m begging someone to pay attention. I’m begging someone to take this up the chain to someone who has influence and funding,” Trice said.
She says people here are struggling.
“How many people in Foscoe have to live in a hot tent before people pay attention?” Trice said.
The weather could make the struggle even more severe.
“This is constant. There is no running water. There is no heat. Can you help us with our septic? We lost it during the flood. We applied with FEMA, we applied with Renew NC, we are paying our rent. Can you help us?” Trice said.
Distribution and receiving worker Brandi Karlick said the organization has seen hundreds in need just in the last two days.
“It’s not just hurricane relief; it’s life storm when you were originally financially fragile before the storm and then you lost the little bit you have. What is the plan for recovery here?” Trice said.
Any donations can be sent directly to Foscoe Home Team.
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RALEIGH, N.C. — For the last 20 years, The Flower Shuttle in Raleigh has provided joy to unsuspecting recipients.
What You Need To Know
Flowers are donated from florists or stores like Costco and Trader Joe’s
The shuttle has delivered more than 380,000 flower arrangements in 20 years
Recipients are in Durham, Raleigh and surrounding areas
The nonprofit celebrates 20 years in 2026
Every Tuesday, volunteers meet at Ridge Road Baptist Church to make bouquets.
The flowers are donated from florists or stores like Costco and Trader Joe’s that otherwise would have been tossed out.
The bouquets are then delivered to people who are experiencing terminal illness, disability or poverty.
In the last two decades, the shuttle has delivered more than 380,000 flower arrangements.
“Anything we can do to help bring nature in,” said Eileen Taylor, president of The Flower Shuttle. “And then again, research shows being around fresh flowers, fresh plants is very uplifting for people, so it should brighten their day.”
The shuttle delivers to more than 70 charities, rehabs and nonprofits in Durham, Raleigh and surrounding areas.
An off-duty Jacksonville police officer was killed at Cape Lejeune Marine Base during what is being called a “security incident,” investigators say.
McClatchy file photo
An off-duty police officer died during a “security incident” at Cape Lejeune Marine Corps Base near Jacksonville, according to investigators in eastern North Carolina.
It happened at 12:40 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, near the Tarawa Terrace Elementary School.
“Jacksonville police were notified by the Camp Lejeune Provost Marshal’s Office of an incident … involving an off-duty Jacksonville Police Department officer, Philip Chiorino,” Jacksonville police said in a Jan. 16 news release.
“Officer Chiorino sustained life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased. Due to the incident occurring on a military installation, NCIS is the investigating agency.”
Details of what led to Chiorino’s death have not been released.
Jacksonville Police Department Officer Philip Chiorino died in a “security incident” at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Based, investigators say. Jacksonville Police Department photo
Chiorino had been in the Marines and lived on the military base, police officials said an interview posted on social media by WCTI. He joined the Jacksonville Police Department July 2024, and his most recent assignment was as a school resource officer, officials said.
Camp Lejeune officials said the “security incident” caused on-base schools and child development centers to be placed on a “precautionary lockdown” for about an hour.
“No students, children or staff were harmed during the incident. Law enforcement actions during the incident resulted in one fatality,” base officials reported. “The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, and no additional details are available at this time.”
Camp Lejeune has 38,778 active duty personnel and covers 153,439 acres near Jacksonville. It is about a 140-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.
This story was originally published January 17, 2026 at 8:43 AM.
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
Aloka the Peace Dog was reunited with the Walk for Peace monks for the first time since undergoing leg surgery following an injury during the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace in early January. The reunion happened in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Aloka briefly appeared in front of supporters during the group’s lunch stop. He appeared to be in good spirits. The monks say his spirits remain high and he is healing well. “We are happy to share that Aloka is recovering very well from his surgery,” the group wrote on a Facebook post after his surgery.Video below: More about the Walk for Peace and the monks’ stop in North CarolinaA team at the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center in Charleston, South Carolina, performed the surgery and assisted Aloka through the early stages of his recovery.The monks say Aloka received a professional therapy massage and red-light therapy. He will not be walking with the group for now so he can continue healing.Find a map of the monks’ path on sister statin WXII’s website.
Aloka the Peace Dog was reunited with the Walk for Peace monks for the first time since undergoing leg surgery following an injury during the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace in early January.
The reunion happened in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Aloka briefly appeared in front of supporters during the group’s lunch stop. He appeared to be in good spirits.
The monks say his spirits remain high and he is healing well. “We are happy to share that Aloka is recovering very well from his surgery,” the group wrote on a Facebook post after his surgery.
Video below: More about the Walk for Peace and the monks’ stop in North Carolina
A team at the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center in Charleston, South Carolina, performed the surgery and assisted Aloka through the early stages of his recovery.
The monks say Aloka received a professional therapy massage and red-light therapy. He will not be walking with the group for now so he can continue healing.
DEEP GAP, N.C. — The FBI is looking into a threat involving a sign with racist language left at a peaceful community farm in Watauga County. The sign appeared just after Christmas Day, and shook up the owners, workers and patrons.
What You Need To Know
A sign with racist language was left at a farm that works with the community in Deep Gap
Farmers there have been shaken by it, and the FBI is investigating
Truck tires were also stabbed when the sign was left
Kara Dodson is the executive director on the farm, and she had a dream of starting it on this acre in Triplett for years before getting it going. Just over a year ago, her dream changed from a farm that sold crops to one that gives back to the community.
They are now the nonprofit, Full Moon Farm Collective.
“It’s one thing to provide shelf stable food to people that need it but also to provide nutrient-dense food. It’s also a health issue,” Dodson said.
They donate nearly all of the food they make to places like Hunger and Health, The FARM Cafe and Hospitality House.
“In 2025, we donated over 1,300 pounds of vegetables,” Dodson said.
(Photo provided: Kara Dodson)
They use horses for therapy and have educational events at the farm to help people learn.
The day after Christmas their safe place turned scary when a sign was left in front of the farm.
“We don’t want to hold back from teaching people of color how to grow food in this county. We don’t want to be gatekeeping information because of racism,” Dodson said.
It’s something Full Moon Farm Collective Tommy Lee says was shocking. He works at the farm and says that in 15 years of living in Boone, he’s never experienced racism like this before.
“It kind of shook our sense of peace a little bit,” Tommy Lee said.
He says the vandals not only left the sign, but also stabbed the tires on their trailer. They have moved all of their horses from the farm for their safety, but now the FBI is involved and is investigating the threat.
According to Justice. Gov, there were 172 hate crimes in North Carolina based on race in 2023. It states that 58.5% of all bias-motivated crimes were due to race/ethnicity or ancestry in North Carolina.
“I had to look out for cars look out for different people walking around whereas my first instinct would be a wave and a smile, and now I’m second-guessing who might be in a car what their motives might be,” Lee said. “Nobody wants to live like that nobody likes to live like that.”
Lee is hoping they find out who did this soon so the mountains that he calls medicine can go back to feeling like just that again.
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The crash happened Thursday at the Bargain Max in Gastonia, and the dispute involved a vintage sign embedded in the store’s wall, Gastonia police said in a Jan. 15 news release.
Gastonia Police Department image
A disgruntled store patron was trying to hit both employees and customers when he drove a vehicle through the front doors, according to investigators in North Carolina.
The crash happened Thursday at the Bargain Max in Gastonia, and the dispute involved a vintage sign embedded in a wall near the entrance, Gastonia police said in a Jan. 15 news release.
“A man had an altercation with employees and customers after he tried removing the gold-plated ‘Sears’ sign near the door,” Gastonia police said.
“After leaving, he returned making threats and rammed his car through the front doors of Bargain Max.”
Images posted on social media show the car stopped when it slammed against a Sun Drop vending machine at the back wall.
No one was injured, but court documents report the driver was attempting to strike staff and customers by driving towards them. He was also overheard threatening to kill the store’s manager, police said.
The driver was identified in court documents as 18-year-old Jack Boone. He lives in of Biscoe, which is nearly 100-miles to the east.
Boone is charged with:
Eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon
Two counts of communicating threats
Two counts of resisting a public officer with injury
Injury to real property
Injuring/tampering with a vehicle
Reckless driving to endanger
Gastonia is about a 20-mile drive west from uptown Charlotte.
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 7:16 AM.
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
A $25 million gift from Coca-Cola Consolidated has been given to North Carolina Children’s, the state’s first child exclusive health system, supporting children through behavioral healthcare.
N.C. Children’s is aiming to raise $1 billion in private funding to build its future 230-acre Apex-based hospital. The project had previously received $320 million from state legislators.
What You Need To Know
North Carolina Children’s was established in 2025 by UNC Health and Duke Health as a children exclusive healthcare system
The Coca-Cola Consolidation donated $25 million towards the $1 billion private funding goal for N.C. Children’s new hospital
The N.C. Children’s hospital will be based in Apex, with construction beginning in 2027. It is anticipated to open in the early 2030s
“We are deeply grateful to the entire Coca-Cola Consolidated family for this wonderful gift,” Dr. Wesley Burks, Chair of the N.C. Children’s Board of Directors, said in a news release.
“Their partnership will change children’s lives by allowing NC Children’s to build and expand behavioral health programs across the full continuum of care,” Burks said.
In 2025, NC Children’s was established as a partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health, creating the first standalone children’s hospital in the Carolinas.
NC Children’s announced the future facility will have approximately 570 hospital beds, with more than 100 beds in a children’s behavior-focused center.
The main UNC Children’s campus has 166 beds, while the main Duke Children’s campus has 202 beds, each including those in specialized units for intensive care.
With this gift from Coca-Cola, NC Children’s plans to create a hospital that attends to the medical, emotional, psychological and social well-being of children and families, according to the news release.
Coca-Cola Consolidated has been headquartered in Charlotte for over 124 years, and is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the country.
“At Coca-Cola Consolidated, serving others is at the heart of our purpose,” Morgan Everett, Vice Chair of Coca-Cola Consolidated’s Board of Directors, said in the news release.
“We are honored to collaborate with NC Children’s to establish a state-of-the-art hospital dedicated to delivering comprehensive care to children in need—both within our community and beyond,” Everett said.
The future hospital will be located in Apex, at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the hospital anticipated to open by the early 2030s.
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Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) said it will increase maximum daily parking rates starting March 1, according to a release.
What You Need To Know
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) said it will increase parking fees starting March 1
The airport said rising operational costs are to blame for the increase
More travellers are starting from CLT rather than flying through, as well
They’ll use they funds to improve parking facilities around the airport
Operational costs and shifting demand are the key reasons the airport said it had to increase fees to fliers. More CLT travelers are starting their trips at the airport, rather than just flying through.
The new bump will also help the airport make facilities better, improve their infrastructure and make things safer and reliable.
“These adjustments allow us to continue investing in our parking facilities while maintaining competitive rates, and our focus remains on safety, reliability and a positive customer experience,” Ted Kaplan, CLT Chief Business and Innovation Officer, said.
Here’s a look at new pricing starting March 1:
Valet – $50, up from $45 Available for pre-book and drive-up
Hourly Deck – $35, up from $32 Available for pre-book and drive-up
Daily Deck – $28, up from $20 Pre-book only
Express Deck Preferred – $24 (no change) Pre-book only
Express Deck Self-Park – $24, up from $20 Pre-book only
Daily North – $18, up from $14 Drive-up only
Long Term 1 – $14, up from $12 Pre-book only
Long Term 2 – $14, up from $12 Drive-up only
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PEMBROKE, N.C. — The melody from a drum filled the Boys and Girls Club in Pembroke. Among those playing an honor song in tribute to the Lumbees who stood up to the Ku Klux Klan in 1958 was Tribal Chairman John Lowery.
Recently he witnessed some new history for the tribe. He was in the Oval Office when President Donald Trump signed the legislation that gave the tribe the federal recognition it’s sought for decades. The president gave Lowery a special medal.
What You Need To Know
The year-long celebration of federal recognition will include a visit with Gov. Josh Stein in February at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh
A big gala event to celebrate is planned for May at the football stadium at UNC-Pembroke
The tribe expects to soon be placed on a national registry of federally recognized tribes, which will make it eligible for many programs and scholarships
“And to know that in 2025, I was standing in the Oval Office. You know, it’s a tremendous step for our people that we’ve not been allowed in certain buildings to standing in the Oval Office,” Lowery said.
Newspaper clippings from 1958 told the story of the confrontation with the Klan that Lumbees remember as “The Battle of Hayes Pond.” It happened on January 18.
Jack Lowery, who’s now a prominent attorney, was a college student back then. He’s not related to the tribal chairman. He remembered what happened.
“There was a boy. I think his name was Marvin Lowery, took a shotgun and shot out the flood light that was lighting the platform for the Ku Klux Klan. When he did that, all hell broke loose,” Jack Lowery said.
The confrontation with the KKK is remembered annually by Lumbees. And now after achieving federal recognition, there is a new anniversary to celebrate with equal fervor. That’s December 18, 2025. That’s the day federal recognition finally happened.
“It took 137 years,” John Lowery said. “And to be honest with you, you’re right. It’s worth a year-long celebration.”
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hundreds in the NASCAR community gathered for a memorial service at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum on Friday for former driver Greg Biffle, his family and others who were killed in a plane crash last month.
What You Need To Know
Hundreds from the NASCAR community gathered at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum for a memorial service honoring former driver Greg Biffle, his family, and others killed in a plane crash last month
Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children were among the seven victims
Garrett Mitchell, a close friend, spoke at the service, urging people to “Be Like Biff” by taking opportunities and helping others
The crash left the NASCAR community shaken, adding to a difficult offseason
Biffle was among seven killed along with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, when the plane crashed as it returned to the airport in Statesville, North Carolina, according to authorities. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.
A memorial song opened the ceremony before speakers began to reflect on the victims.
“We remember and celebrate Dennis, Jack, Craig, Emma, Ryder, Christina and Greg. What makes it meaningful is that we will all share together. Laughter and tears,” said Billy Mauldin, chaplain for Motor Racing Outreach.
Driver/influencer Garrett Mitchell, known as “Cleetus McFarland” in his YouTube videos and a close friend of Biffle’s, was among those who spoke at the service.
You can watch the service here:
“We have all been saying, ‘Be Like Biff,’ since we lost our hero,” said Mitchell, who befriended Biffle later in his life. “What does that mean? That means to take opportunities when you see them. Whether you are taking opportunity to pass somebody on the track or getting off your couch to chase a dream you have only been talking about for the past five years.
“It means showing up for your friends and family. It means using your heart to make the world a better place. It means being generous whenever you can and helping other humans when they’re down. That is what it means to be like Biff,” Mitchell added.
Biffle, who was 55, was selected by NASCAR as one of its top 75 drivers in history, was a Hall of Fame nominee for the stock car series and drove for 18 years at the top of the sport.
He drew headlines last year for his tireless humanitarian efforts as a helicopter pilot supplying aid in the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene.
Biffle’s niece, Jordyn Biffle, told stories about Ryder’s hero being his father, Emma’s laughter and Cristina’s loving nature.
She said the Biffle family “lived fully, loved deeply and gave freely.”
“Their lives remind us that what matters isn’t how long we are here, but how we use the time we are given and how fiercely we love while we are here,” Biffle added. “And while this loss is devastating beyond words, their impact remains etched into all of us that were lucky enough to have known them, loved them and be changed by them.”
Speakers also painted a fuller picture of Biffle beyond the racetrack… recalling his rebellious younger years, including a burnout in front of his high school that led to his expulsion and even having his car impounded by his own father.
In the parking lot outside of the coliseum, fans paused to peer inside three racecars Biffle drove during his career.
Inside, the pictures of the seven who lost their lives where shown on a videoboard above the makeshift platform in the center of the covered hockey rink. There were seven wreaths on the stage where Mitchell, Biffle and former drivers Jeff Burton and Phil Parsons addressed the crowd.
Dylan Zirkle, 28, of Archdale, North Carolina, worked one year for Biffle at Roush Racing as a pit support employee while he was in high school.
He said Biffle made a lasting impact on him, and felt he needed to attend.
“Greg was always a really good guy and I enjoyed being around him,” Zirkle said. “You could always talk to him at anytime and he was just a real person. You could talk to him about anything.”
Chaplain Billy Mauldin speaks during the NASCAR Plane Crash Memorial memorial in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Back home, Zirkle still has model racing trucks in his gameroom autographed by Biffle that he cherishes.
Zirkle said he didn’t believe the news of the crash when he heard it.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Zircle said. “I was watching some of his YouTube videos the other night and it just doesn’t seem real at all.”
Tanner Roberts and Jassamin Green made the four-hour trek from Wilmington, North Carolina, with their 7-year-old son Bentley after hearing about the memorial.
“He was a good racecar driver and I enjoyed him,” Roberts said. “And he was a good person. I grew up watching him and Dale Earnhardt. Them two were my favorites. They were good people and they loved to race.”
The Cessna C550 carrying the Biffle family and the others erupted in flames when it hit the ground shortly after it had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about an hour’s drive north of Charlotte.
The plane crashed while trying to return and land, authorities said.
The crash a week before Christmas left the NASCAR community shaken and was another blow in a long offseason. Ten days later, on the 52nd wedding anniversary of Denny Hamlin’s parents, the house the future Hall of Famer built to repay them for their years of sacrifice burned down. His father, Dennis, was killed, and Mary Lou Hamlin was rushed to a hospital burn unit.
Sheriff’s deputies are also investigating an alleged break-in and theft last week at Biffle’s home in Mooresville that netted $30,000 in cash, some guns and memorabilia.
As part of the public tribute, Mitchell planned to do a burnout later Friday near Biffle’s marker along the North Carolina Auto Racing Walk of Fame in Mooresville.
The victims’ families requested that, in lieu of flowers, people consider donating to charities that held special meaning to those lost in the crash, including the Davidson Day Fund, the American Red Cross, Lake Norman Humane and Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been two months since U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents were in Charlotte and other North Carolina towns and cities, and a Charlotte laundromat owner says his business remains down.
What You Need To Know
It’s been two months since U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents conducted operations in Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham
The immigrant community saw huge impacts in Charlotte with everything from low school attendance to businesses temporarily closing
A laundromat owner says the return to normalcy for his business is slow.
Weekends are the busiest time at North Tryon Laundromat, but owner David Rebolloso says even for a weekday things are slow right now.
“We used to be very busy, but as you can see right now, there’s nobody in here,” Rebolloso said. “As you can see, the parking lot, it’s, it’s pretty much empty, but we get so busy that, people could not park in here.”
It’s been two months since Customs and Border Patrol’s Charlotte’s Web Operation came through the city and right in front of Rebolloso’s business.
Since then, his bottom line is still being impacted.
“It’s down half, at least 50%,” Rebolloso said. “I’m making the same amount with two locations what I used to make in one location now making a pretty much the same, but with two locations.”
He opened his first laundromat location nine years ago.
CharlotteEAST, a nonprofit that serves the east side of Charlotte, says there are roughly 420 independently owned businesses in their area, and “nearly all were impacted in one way or another from CBP.”
In a survey with 90 responses, there was “an average daily loss of $2,500 in revenue.”
They say no businesses in the area they serve shut down during the Border Patrol’s operations, but they estimate that nearly half closed temporarily. They say “business is slowly picking back up to pre-CBP pace but still lower than 2024.”
Rebolloso says knowing customers that got picked up by Border Patrol and seeing what his community went through two months ago, things still aren’t the same.
“I’m hoping that things will stabilize, and maybe it’ll pick up a little bit, you know, but it’ll never go back to the way things used to be,” Rebolloso said.
He says he hates to be pessimistic, but calls what he sees happening sad.
“There’s optimism as an immigrant, as a migrant, there’s an optimism that things are going to get better if we work hard, you know, and if we strive and do what we’re supposed to do, life is going to get better. You know, the country’s getting better. We’re building the country, you know, and, and then we reached this point,” Rebolloso said.
Rebolloso says he and many others in the Latino community keep up with Spanish news where they’re consistently updated with immigration stories across the country, like in Minneapolis.
“This young lady that was killed a few days ago, I don’t why. God works in mysterious ways. I think her name really is going to carry on for a very long time. Do good, be good. Do good, be good. That’s all we can do,” Rebolloso said.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A petition to remove Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden was dismissed Thursday morning.
Judge R. Stuart Albright said the removal petition was filed without the approval of the county attorney or district attorney.
During the hearing, D.A. Spencer Merriweather was asked if he approved of the petition, and he responded “no.”
The same response was given from county attorney, Tyrone Wade.
The SBI investigation into McFadden’s office is still ongoing, which means this could resurface down the line. In the complaint, statements accuse the sheriff of corruption, extortion, neglect of his duties and other concerns, and as a result, District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has called on the SBI to investigate those claims.
“I feel great. It’s another day on the job,” McFadden said when asked how he felt about the hearing.
McFadden’s attorney told the judge that it would create chaos if disgruntled employees could file a petition without authorization from the D.A. or county attorney.
“Petitions would be filed all the time,” she warned.
Representative Carla Cunningham from the 106th District was one of the people listed on the petition, and she said she believes the SBI investigation could lead to the possbility of removal for the sheriff.
“I appreciate the court’s time today, though the dismissal does not change anything,” Cunningham said. “The SBI investigation will continue, and the DA will have an opportunity to seek Mcfadden’s removal based on the investigation. This is now in the courts hands, and I am focused on my reelection campaign to serve the 106th District in the North Carolina General Assembly.”
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — The hills are alive with the sound of racing. Several NASCAR Cup Series teams tested a new engine package at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Tuesday afternoon.
What You Need To Know
Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19
Testing on a new 750-horsepower package at the racetrack happened on Tuesday
Hundreds of racing fans attended the test
Single-day tickets for the race are now available online
“I’d like to maybe try to get a ticket for this,” said Collin Welborn, a racing fan from High Point.
Fans came out in numbers to secure their tickets for the Window World 450 on July 19. It’ll be the first NASCAR Cup Series points race at North Wilkesboro since 1996.
Some fans say they have gotten tickets to every race held at the historic speedway and see the upcoming event as a chance to carry on the exciting tradition.
Not only was it the first day fans could buy tickets for the race at the box office, but it was also the first time fans got to see NASCAR’s new 750-horsepower package in person. The new package will be used during select races this season, and fans say they are excited to see the difference in speed.
“It’s not just having it. It’s knowing how to use it,” said Bobby Mills, a racing fan from Winston-Salem. “You can’t just mash the gas and go. You’ve got all the power you need for this place now.”
Fans say the corners of the track are tight coming in, so the extra horsepower on the straightaways could help pick up a little of the difference from having to lift off so far back.
The Speedway hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race from 2023-2025 after sitting empty for decades following the infamous 1996 race.
Fans say they are glad to see action back on the track.
“The atmosphere here is unbelievable,” Welborn said. “Fans come from all across the world just to see the best of the best come here and tackle this track that’s been here since 1949.”
“I think it takes talent to get around this track with 30 or 40 other cars on the track, versus some other tracks that have more wider grooves,” Mills said. “I think this track makes you show your talent.”
Single-day tickets for the Window World 450 will be available online starting Wednesday morning, Jan. 14.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — College students are reacting after the State Board of Elections decided against early voting locations at multiple campuses.
What You Need To Know
The State Board of Elections voted not to have N.C. A&T, UNC-Greensboro, Elon and Western Carolina University serve as early voting sites in the upcoming primary election
UNC Greensboro and N.C. A&T will still serve as same-day primary election sites
Some students said reducing options could make it harder to vote
Three of them are in the Triad.
“It’s actually very disheartening,” N.C. A&T senior Nikkira McCall said.
N.C. A&T, UNC-Greensboro, Elon and Western Carolina University will no longer serve as early voting sites but will remain as primary sites on election day.
Students on the N.C. A&T campus believe this could make it harder for some to vote.
“It was very good to me to not have my car on campus and be able to vote,” junior Alauna Nelson said.
Students said those are the barriers they are worried about for students eager to vote in the primaries, and the campus isn’t alone.
Students from the schools affected expressed those concerns to the State Board of Elections in person at a meeting Tuesday.
“We’re all young. We’re the next generation. We’re voting for ourselves. So it’s just very inconvenient for everybody,” Nelson said.
The board ultimately voted not to put early voting sites at those universities.
Director of the Guilford County Board of Elections Charlie Collicutt said students can still vote at the various campus locations on election day and early vote at any of the other early voting sites in the county.
“There’s still 10 other early voting sites throughout the county that any Guilford County resident can go to. It includes our building downtown. There’s some other buildings in sites that might be in proximity for those students,” Collicutt said.
He said for every election, the Board of Elections sets early voting sites for that particular election.
“We use a lot of sites, some years we consolidate and the board chose 10 locations,” Collicutt said.
The state board Tuesday confirmed those 10 locations.
“We have used some in elections in the past and some not. So it’s not so much necessarily a change from a pattern for this type of election, but it is a change from what we did in the 2024 elections,” Collicutt said.
The board also voted not to approve Sunday early voting plans in six counties — Columbus, Craven, Greene, Wayne, Harnett and Brunswick.
Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter also reacted to the news of the campus cuts.
“We went through that during the municipal elections recently, and several of the early voting sites for the primary were not used anymore, ones that had primarily been used in the past. So it was kind of a gut punch that, you know, certain areas of town may not have appropriate access to the early voting sites,” Abuzuaiter said.
In-person early voting begins Feb. 12 and primary election day will be March 3.
It’s still unclear whether these cuts in early voting sites will apply during the general election in November.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Elon University is deepening its footprint in Charlotte with the launch of a full-time law program in the middle of plans to merge with Queens University of Charlotte.
The two universities announced their intent to merge in September, a decision solidified in December after trustees approved a definitive agreement.
On Tuesday, Elon announced it has applied to the American Bar Association for approval to launch a full-time Juris Doctor program in Charlotte with classes targeted to begin in fall 2027.
What You Need To Know
Elon University announces intent to launch full-time law program in Charlotte
The school is already operating a part-time law program in Charlotte
If approved, the new program will operate on the Queens University of Charlotte campus
The moves come as Elon and Queens continue moving forward with plans to merge
If approved, the program would operate on Queens’ campus, either upon completion of the planned merger or by way of a lease agreement.
Education leaders say Charlotte currently lacks a full-time law school, following the 2017 closure of the Charlotte School of Law.
“Charlotte needs a law school,” said Zak Kramer, dean of Elon University School of Law. “It’s the largest city in the country without a full-time program.”
Elon already operates a part-time Law Flex Program in Charlotte.
Students in the four-year program said the format allows them to balance employment, school and family responsibilities.
“A game changer for me,” said Kayla Price, a law student in the Law Flex Program and a paralegal. “It fit my lifestyle, it fit everything I needed to stay in Charlotte and also be able to work and continue to get practical experience at the same time.”
The proposed full-time program would expand Elon Law’s presence in the city while maintaining its existing offerings.
“That would be in addition to the program in Greensboro and the Law Flex Program,” Kramer said. “So, the Law Flex Program will continue, we’re just growing into a full-time program as well.”
“The Law Flex Program will go with the new program to the Queens University campus, but Elon has other programs in its [South End building], it’s growing programs in this building, so we will make unbelievable good use of it,” Kramer said.
The Law Flex Program first launched in Fall 2024, and currently has around 83 students between its two cohorts.
Kramer said they’re expecting a growing demand for Charlotte’s full-time law program, as they aim to enroll a class of around 75 students, giving aspiring lawyers a chance to develop partnerships in the Queen City’s legal community.
According to Juris Education, the average cost of law school, including tuition and living expenses, totals about $230,000.
For private institutions, Juris Education reports the average tuition alone for a three-year program to be roughly $168,000.
Elon leaders say the new full-time Charlotte law program, designed to be completed in two-and-a-half years, would mirror the university’s Greensboro offerings, while providing a more cost and time-efficient option.
“The full-time scale will be the same [cost] as the scale in Greensboro,” Kramer said. “This year in Greensboro it was $136,000 all in. A lot of students get merit scholarships, so they end up paying less than that.”
“The benefit of being a 2.5-year program is its more cost effective, and it’s faster because students don’t have to pay for that second half of a third year, so they graduate with less debt and get out into the marketplace faster,” Kramer said.
The location of the proposed law school is closely tied to Elon’s planned merger with Queens.
Elon President Dr. Connie L. Book said placing a full-time law program on the Queens campus reflects what the merger aims to achieve.
“It is something that together Elon and Queens could not have achieved independently,” Book said. “So when we say stronger together, this is a great example of the kind of accelerated opportunity that the merger with Queens and Elon are bringing to Charlotte and beyond. A full-time law program is central to that vision.
“We were going to have a full-time law program even if the merger hadn’t been realized,” Book said. “But the cost avoidance of having the relationship with Queens is a $31 million issue, meaning, I don’t have to build a new library, dining hall [etc.] So, we had [otherwise] imagined leasing a building and then doing improvements to it.”
Elon leaders said the new program will also benefit current students by giving them an infrastructure to enjoy on a higher education campus.
“The Flex Program has already started benefiting working professionals here in Charlotte,” said Jack Randolph, a paralegal and student in the Law Flex Program. “Now, having a full-time law school opens the doors for everyone, whether they’re coming straight out of undergraduate or looking to change careers, and they feel like a full-time program works best for them.”
Jack Randolph and Kayla Price are enrolled in Elon University’s Law Flex Program in Charlotte. The paralegals said they’re excited the institution is expanding to a full-time option for students in a growing area. (Spectrum News 1/Jennifer Roberts)
Applications for the new program are expected to open in August 2026, pending ABA approval. Elon University said offers of admission cannot be extended until formal authorization is granted.
Regulatory approvals are still required before the merger between Queens University of Charlotte and Elon is finalized.
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Facing felony charges for secret peeping and incident liberties with a minor, the police chief of Newton Grove, North Carolina, resigned, the town said Tuesday.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrested the police chief, Greg Warren, and accused him of taking secret pictures of a minor while she was sleeping. The SBI arrested Warren Jan. 7.
“Effective immediately, Chief Warren is no longer an employee of the Town of Newton Grove,” officials said in a brief statement Tuesday.
“Town officials have met and have taken all necessary steps to ensure there is no lapse in law enforcement services,” the town said. “Police operations will continue without interruption, and public safety services remain fully operational.”
The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office asked the SBI to investigate the accusations against the police chief.
Warren is charged with felony indecent liberties with a child and six counts of felony secret peeping, court records show.
Newton Grove is a small town with a population of about 600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s about 45 miles southeast of Raleigh in a mostly agricultural part of the state.
Warren is being held without bond. His case is subject to an Iryna’s Law bond review with a hearing set for Thursday.
The law is named for Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was killed on Charlotte’s lightrail back in August. It went into effect December 2025 and changes the way courtrooms across the state operate, overhauling several key areas of the criminal justice system. It changes how the state categorizes violent offenses and conditions for pretrial release, allowing judges more power to deny bond. It also brings back the death penalty by firing squad.
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Anyone traveling through a North Carolina airport without a REAL ID will soon face an identity verification fee, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles announced.
What You Need To Know
Airline passengers traveling through a North Carolina airport without a REAL ID will soon face a $45 identity verification fee
The fee begins Feb. 1, according to the NCDMV, and will be charged before entering the TSA checkpoint
The fee covers the cost of a “modernized alternative identity verification system, called TSA ConfirmID,” according to the NCDMV
The fee covers a 10-day travel period and will only be charged once for anyone making their return trip within that time period
Beginning Feb. 1, a $45 fee will be charged to airline passengers before they get to a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.
The NCDMV says the fee covers the cost of a “modernized alternative identity verification system, called TSA ConfirmID.” The fee will cover a 10-day travel period, officials say, so anyone traveling round-trip within that timeframe will only be charged the fee once.
“Those who do not want to pay the $45 fee for the modernized ID verification still have time to get their REAL ID compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID,” RDU Federal Security Director Jennifer Gordon said in a release. “Verifying identity is a critical component of transportation security. While most travelers provide acceptable identification, it is our responsibility to confirm that passengers are who they claim to be. Ensuring the safety of the traveling public continues to be our highest priority.”
For roughly nine years, the NCDMV says it has been issuing REAL IDs, and over 5 million residents have already gotten theirs.
Officials say anyone who needs a REAL ID can apply and get more information at NCREALID.gov.
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