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Tag: Only on Spectrum

  • Thanksgiving myths and reality: Historian breaks it down

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    This week, as America celebrates Thanksgiving, host Tim Boyum welcomes author and historian Kenneth Davis to the Tying it Together podcast. 

    Davis talks about the true history behind the story of the first Thanksgiving and many of the myths. 

    The menu will surprise you, and we bet you can’t guess which president signed the first proclamation declaring Thanksgiving a holiday. 

    Davis is a New York Times bestselling author of the “Don’t Know Much About History” book series and his latest book, “The World in Books”. 

    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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  • AAA projects another record-breaking holiday travel season for North Carolina

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s the holiday travel season again. Millions of travelers will either travel by car, plane or public transit this Thanksgiving to spend it with their loved ones. 

    What You Need To Know

    • AAA projects we will see an increase of 1.6 million travelers this Thanksgiving 

    • Over 2 million North Carolinians will travel by car

    • Over 100,000 will travel by plane 

    • AAA projects gas prices will be similar to last Thanksgiving at an average $2.87 per gallon


    “There’s going to be a record number of North Carolinians traveling 50 miles or more or less away from home this holiday season,” said Carolina’s Public Affairs Director for AAA Tiffany Wright.  

    And although flights are back to normal after the government shutdown, travelers are still worried about air travel. 

    “There was concern with cancellations and delays. We saw over the last, I would say, week and a half, a lot of people changing their plans because they were nervous. So a lot of people have opted to drive to their destinations versus flying,” Wright said.

    According to AAA’s holiday travel projections, we will see an increase of 1.6 million travelers this Thanksgiving, still making it the busiest traveled holiday of the year. 

    With most travelers taking the roads, we can expect around 73 million Americans traveling by car. That includes over 2 million North Carolinians. AAA also projects over 100,000 North Carolina residents will be traveling by air. Stephanie Hawco with Raleigh-Durham International Airport says skeptical air travelers shouldn’t worry about their holiday travels next week.

    “We’re confident that things will be back to normal in the next week and a half. We really hope that travelers will have a nice, smooth experience here at RDU when they’re traveling to see family and friends next week,” said the media relations director for RDU, Stephanie Hawco.

    Hawco says the airport starts to see traffic pick up the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. She says make sure to arrive extra early before your flights and you can also book your parking online ahead of time to get the best rate and a guaranteed spot.

    “We did see some ripple effects here at RDU from those flight restrictions with some delays and cancellations, but we feel good about the idea that things will be back to normal next week and everybody will have smooth travels,” Hawco said.

    AAA also projects gas prices will be similar to last Thanksgiving at $2.87 and recommends filling up your tank the night before and checking your battery and tire pressure. 

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

     

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    Kennedy Chase

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  • N.C. woman’s nonprofit secures housing for homeless

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The number of people experiencing homelessness in North Carolina has been growing.

    According to the latest stats from the annual homelessness assessment report, the state has seen a 19% increase from 2023 to 2024.

    What You Need To Know

    • Spectrum News 1 is recognizing Hearts For The Invisible Charlotte Coalition Founder Jessica Lefkowitz for the Everyday Heroes segment

    • The goal of her nonprofit is helping people who are unhoused get into the shelter system, a transitional program or permanent housing

    • In 2025, Hearts For The Invisible helped 550 people and secured permanent housing for 117 people


    For the past five years, Hearts For The Invisible Charlotte Coalition Founder and Executive Director Jessica Lefkowitz and her street outreach team have been trying to put a dent in those numbers by offering housing to people who need it most. Her passion to help also comes from a familiar place.

    “My mom dealt with domestic violence, and I remember us having to leave our home in the middle of the night. We did a lot of couch surfing during my childhood. So, I do know what homelessness feels like for a child, and it is very, very traumatic,” Lefkowitz said.

    Her nonprofit helps people who are unhoused by meeting people where they are, whether it be in the woods, near train tracks, in parking lots or on sidewalks. 

    The goal is to help people who are unhoused get into the shelter system, a transitional program or permanent housing.

    In 2025, Hearts For The Invisible helped 550 people and secured permanent housing for 117 people.

    They helped Della Marie Marshall, who slept on benches in Uptown Charlotte.

    The traumatizing memories still bring on tears.

    “I ended up being assaulted. My phone was stolen. So for four months, I had no communication, I had no phone. I was just trying to navigate. Every day, I just thanked the Lord for waking me up,” Marshall said.

    The 69-year-old is also thankful for Lefkowitz and her team.  

    The transplant from Ohio and retired college administrator says she fell on tough times and appreciates the help from Hearts For The Invisible in getting her into an apartment for senior citizens.

    “I could have been lost. I could have just been out there,” Marshall said.

    Lefkowitz says if you see a person who’s unhoused, a simple hello can go a long way.

    “It’s really about treating somebody like a human being, and understanding that housing is a human right and nobody should be outside. Nobody should be outside,” Lefkowitz said.

    Charlotte newspaper “Queen City Nerve” recently named Lefkowitz “Best Local Hero 2025” for their Best In The Nest Awards.

    She also co-leads the annual point in time count, which some know as “the homeless census,” with the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services Team.

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

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    Mike Dunston

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  • GOP Sen. Ted Budd talks shutdown, Epstein files and spending time in Oval Office

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    U.S. Senator and Republican Ted Budd joins host Tim Boyum for a wide-ranging conversation on the Tying it Together podcast.

    They talk about his upbringing and how his first run for office happened just hours before the deadline and resulted in a 17-way primary.

    Later, they talk about the government shutdown, health care, federal raids in Charlotte, the 2026 elections and the controversy of the Epstein files.

    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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  • Errol Lewis on NYC mayoral race and the impact it could have in N.C.

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    This week, Tim talks with Spectrum National Political Anchor Errol Louis about Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York City mayoral race. 

    Louis, host of NY1’s “Inside City Hall” and his podcast “You Decide,” interviewed Mamdani and moderated one of the mayoral debates. They talk about Mamdani’s background, democratic socialism and how it could play out in other races across the country, including North Carolina’s 2026 U.S. Senate race.

    Later, Louis talks about what it’s like to end up as a character in a Saturday Night Live sketch.

    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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  • Child cancer survivor starts nonprofit

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    DURHAM, N.C. — Harper Harrell knows first-hand the importance of having a place to stay near the hospital while enduring extended treatment. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 8 years old and had to undergo two years of treatment. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Harper Harrell started her own nonprofit called “Harper’s Home” to help house families with children enduring extended treatment for life-threatening illnesses for free near Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center

    • Harrell was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 8 years old and had to undergo two years of treatment

    • The goal is to build eight homes on their property that’s just a couple of miles away from the hospital, but they are currently renting two homes while they wait for the city to approve their permits to start building 

    • Studies show more than half the kids in extended treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital come from over 50 miles away
    • Kids sometimes need to get to the ER within 30 minutes if they spike a fever and if not, their condition could become deadly


    “When I was in treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Duke Children’s Hospital, we met so many families who didn’t have a place to stay,” Harrell said.

    Fortunately for Harrell and her family they didn’t live far from Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center and never worried about housing during her stay in the hospital. But she knows that’s not the case for everyone. 

    “They were living out of suitcases and hotels, and there was really no place for them to go,” Harrell said.

    That’s why she started her own nonprofit called “Harper’s Home.” The goal of Harper’s Home is to build eight homes in close proximity to the hospital for families with children fighting life-threatening illnesses to stay free of charge. 

    “Being able to stay here and having a roof over their head and not having to worry about it while a child is in treatment,” Harrell said.

    Currently, they are renting two homes three miles away from the hospital as they wait for the city to approve their permits to start building homes on their property. Harper’s mother, Heather Hindin, said renting these homes were only possible because of the giving community.

    “The way I see it is that we, Durham, the city, have kind of a responsibility as the place where Duke Children’s lives to open our arms and embrace the people who are coming here scared, uncertain,” Hindin said.

    Studies show more than half the kids in extended treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital come from over 50 miles away. Those same kids sometimes need to get to the emergency room within 30 minutes if they spike a fever and if not, their condition could become deadly. 

    “When we talk about being two miles or three miles from Duke Children’s, it’s not just convenient. It is in fact, a critical part of treatment,” Hindin said.

    It’s Harrell’s goal to make the lives of families a little bit easier, one home at a time.

    “Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to be able to get to their local world-class hospital or travel to a world-class hospital,” Harrell said.

    If you’d like to help Harrell grow her vision and help a family in need, you can donate at the Harper’s Home website.

     

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    Kennedy Chase

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  • ‘Dignity Drive‘ helps shelters across Mecklenburg County

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman is using her time and money to help tackle homelessness in her community.

    Tracy Grant bought and collected more than 200 pairs of underwear for the homeless women in Mecklenburg County. She laid them out at the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Charlotte as part of their “Dignity Drive” while explaining why she chose these items.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tracy Grant donates hundreds of pairs of underwear, socks and hygiene products to homeless shelters

    • The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte says these items are often forgotten and can provide a sense of dignity to those looking to get back on their feet

    • After seeing the need, Grant is making this a quarterly drive

    • You can drop off donations at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt Street in Charlotte


    “We don’t think about it, but underwear is essential to women for one thing. It’s part of good health, part of good hygiene,” Grant said.

    She said, it’s not something most people think to donate, but can make a big difference. “I think having clean underwear is just what helps boost their self-confidence, and no one should have to go without,” Grant said.

    Along with underwear, Tracy has dozens of individually packaged hygiene products, including sanitary napkins and body wipes.

    It’s not just the women’s shelter. Grant also dropped off over 250 dozen pairs of socks at the Roof Above Howard Levine Men’s Shelter just weeks prior. It’s another item that’s rarely donated, Grant said, but one that’s important.

    “Some people like to sleep in socks, and your feet are one of the most important things on your body. So we need to take care of our feet,” Grant said.

    She explained these things could help people feel dignified while they find housing and eventually a job and a home.

    “I’ve had a lot of people I know that have had success,” Grant said. “So I know it works. It just takes time. It just takes patience. It just takes giving. It just takes conversations, and it just takes grace.”

    The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte Area commander Major Andrew Wiley says he sees the change through these acts of kindness.

    “We’ve just in the last two weeks had two of our residents who have secured jobs,” he said. “Nobody’s thinking about the things that we’re seeing here today. And so this is incredibly exciting for me to see an individual who saw a need and was willing to step up and do something about it, and a need that many times is forgotten.”

    After realizing the great need in the community, Grant has decided to make her “Dignity Drive” a quarterly one to help shelters across Mecklenburg County.

    “We can all be a servant. We can all give back, whether it’s your time, whether it’s your resources. No matter what it is, I think that we all have something to give to someone else,” Grant said.

    Grant’s next donation collection will be in November. If you’d like to help, you can drop off donations at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt Street in Charlotte.

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    Britni McDonald

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  • New DMV option allows teens to get provisional license without the long wait

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    SHELBY, N.C. — Teen drivers in North Carolina have a way to take an important step toward getting their license without having to go to the DMV office.

    What You Need To Know

    • Teens trying to advance to a Level 2 limited provisional license can now take their road tests with a certified private driving school
    • At least 25 private driving schools are currently certified in North Carolina
    • The NCDMV says the new initiative aims to lower wait times at driver’s license offices


    The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles announced in October that teens trying to advance to a Level 2 limited provisional license can now do so by taking their road tests with a certified private driving school.

    Safe Lane Driving School in Shelby is one of at least 25 certified schools across the state.

    “Pretty neat to be one of the first schools to be able to give those road tests,” owner Phillip Glover said.

    The recent change made by the state DMV gives teens and parents a choice to skip the DMV office and gives them more flexibility since certified driving schools can do the test on nights and weekends.

    “Also, it gives a relief to the DMV employees, that they don’t have to leave the office and do the work,” Glover said. “And they don’t have to be out of the office for 20 minutes to go do a road test.”

    The NCDMV says the new initiative aims to lower wait times at driver’s license offices.

    The change adds not only convenience but also comfort. Some teens may be able to take what may be a stressful test with a familiar face.

    “Just talking to some of the teens already that have taken the road test through us, the stress level of coming here doesn’t exist for them,” Glover said. “They felt better about [the test].”

    As more people learn about this change, Glover thinks demand will only increase.

    “I think it was a great idea that the commissioner and the governor came up with, thinking outside of the box of how we can improve the DMV for the citizens of North Carolina,” Glover said. “And I think they’re going in the right step.”

    This change comes as the state is making other improvements at the DMV. That includes the sign-in process, which now allows drivers to watch their place in line on their phones and receive a text when it’s their time to come back to the office.

    They’ve also added nearly 65 examiners, thanks to the mini-budget passed by the legislature in the summer.

    A new law also allows eligible North Carolina drivers without a Real ID to renew their licenses online, which a spokesperson with the NCDMV says about 4,000 drivers took advantage of on the first day.

    For a full list of certified driving schools in North Carolina, click here.

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    Nick Buffo

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  • Performing arts teacher donates kidney to assistant principal

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    FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — A Wake County assistant principal now has a new kidney, all thanks to one of the teachers at his school.

    What You Need To Know

    • Assistant Principal Ernest Devane has suffered from kidney disease for a couple of years and was in need of a kidney transplant

    • Kristin Lundberg, a teacher at the same school, matched with Devane and was able to be a donor

    • The surgery was a success, and both are now recovering


    Ernest Devane, the assistant principal at Fuquay-Varina Middle School, received a kidney last month from Kristin Lundberg, the school’s performing arts teacher.

    Devane has suffered from kidney disease for the last couple of years and was looking for a donor.

    Lundberg decided to test to see if she was a match and, luckily, she was. 

    “I was blessed to have a person with a kidney match, my kidney, a direct match, right down the hall from me,” Devane said. 

    “It’s all just kind of meant to be,” said Lundberg, who also shares a birthday with Devane. 

    The successful surgery took place at the end of September. They are both recovering well. 

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    Amy Elliott

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  • N.C. State Fair Photo Gallery: Your pictures shared

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    The 2025 N.C. State Fair season shown through your photo submissions.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • How to get around as traffic swamps Billie Eilish concerts and N.C. State Fair

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    Traffic is major concern heading into the weekend as North Carolina’s State Fair opens its gates as a nearby arena hosts big concert events.

    Thousands of people will pour into the fairgrounds and also head to Lenovo Center to see pop singer Billie Eilish perform. She is set to hold sold-out concerts, both Thursday and Friday nights, which are not affiliated with the fair event. 

    On Tuesday night, traffic backed up and snarled for hours around the Carter-Finley Stadium where Chris Brown was performing. The stadium is near the fairgrounds and highlighted the traffic trouble yet to come over the weekend when two popular events will collide. 

    Raleigh Police said they have measures in place to direct people and help save time.

    “If the fair is not going on, and I plan on going to an event at Lenovo, and it starts at 7, I’m going to be there at 6. OK, so now you add the fair to that,” Lt. David Davis with Raleigh Police Department said. “I’m going to probably be there at 5. You know, unfortunately that’s a couple hours before an event, but you know what? I’m not going to be stressed out trying to figure out where I’m going to park and just completely ruin the actual environment.”

    Heavily impacted roads include:

    • Hillsborough Street
    • Blue Ridge Road
    • Trinity Road
    • Edwards Mill Road
    • Wade Avenue
    • Western Boulevard
    • I-40

    Travel and parking tips from RPD: 

    • Allow extra travel time
    • Expect significantly increased traffic volumes near the fairgrounds
    • Use Park-and-Ride options
    • Consider alternative transportation to ease congestion: 
    • Bandwidth parking with shuttle: Dogwood Lot
    • N.C. 54 parking with shuttle: Cardinal Lot
    • N.C. by train (Amtrak Service)
    • GoRaleigh Park and Ride Services
    • GoDurham Bus Service

    Safety Reminders:

    • Have a plan: Know your parking, transportation and entry points before you leave home
    • Limit what you bring: Only carry essential items into the fair
    • Secure your vehicle: Do not leave valuables in your car, especially guns
    • Remember: There is no truly secure hiding spot in a vehicle
    • Do not park on highway shoulders: It creates safety hazards for you and others. It obstructs emergency vehicles that rely on shoulder access for rapid response  

     

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    Elizabeth Townsend

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  • Sheriff Sam Page on why he’s vying for Phil Berger’s N.C. Senate seat

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    On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with the man who is challenging North Carolina’s most powerful politician.

    Senate leader Phil Berger has led Republicans ever since they took full control of the legislature in 2011. However, an unsuccessful attempt to expand casinos in the state opened the door for criticism.

    As a result, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page plans to run against Berger in next year’s Republican primary.

    This week, we get to know Page, why he’s running, and why he thinks he can beat the Berger campaign and the money behind it.

    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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  • Triad dental hygienist finds passion volunteering overseas

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. – Sarah Cline has combined her dentistry skills with her passion for volunteering to help people in need as far away as Africa.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sarah Cline has volunteered her dentistry skills to help those in Mississippi, Africa and the Triad 

    • Cline went to Togo in West Africa and did a week’s worth of volunteer work 

    • She cared for some patients who had never seen a dentist

    • The experience has changed her life in wanting to help those who are in need


    A dental hygienist, Cline helped out recently at the Servant Center, a nonprofit in Greensboro that was holding its Triad Stand Down event. It’s a way for veterans in the community to get free haircuts and dental, vision and hearing checkups.

    Her volunteering spirit began with a trip overseas.

    “I went to Togo in West Africa, which is a small little skinny country beside Ghana. And we did a week’s worth of like dental mission work. So we went out to multiple like feeding centers, schools,” Cline said.

    For a week she treated hundreds of people, children and adults, who had never seen a dentist.

    “You think you’re going over there to help, but they’re actually helping you in a different place in life,” Cline said.

    She said the experience changed her, inspiring her to go back a second time.

    “You see like how they’ve grown and everything. And it’s just a huge change. Like the first year you see them. They’ve never had a toothbrush or toothpaste. I mean they use like branches off a tree there,” Cline said.

    That experience inspired her to bring that same service back home.

    “Both my parents are veterans, so it resonates with me. They served our country, so many times so I think they should have access to those things,” Cline said.

    A Mississippi native, Cline helped at free clinics in her home state and now in Africa and the Triad, making sure no one is left behind.

    “Back in Mississippi, we had a free clinic in Jackson. So, on Saturdays I was on the board. So, I would go just about two Saturdays a month, and we would clean and take care of people who were homeless or fresh out of prison,” she said.

    Cline said her goal is the same wherever she’s helping out – to give people a reason to smile.

    “I love being able to help people that are in need of it because it’s really important,” Cline said. “Everyone needs it. So everyone deserves a chance to get things looked at and checked.”

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Durham is alive with ‘The Sound of Music’

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    “The Sound of Music” has been a favorite for audiences around the world, both on screen and on stage, for more than 60 years. Now, a piece of Broadway history has made its way to Durham.

    The Broadway musical that first debuted in 1959 and was later made into the iconic film starring Julie Andrews in 1965 is currently on tour and will be wrapping up its stop at the Durham Performing Arts Center this weekend.

    Two of the shows stars, Cayleigh Capaldi, who plays Maria Rainer, and Kevin Earley, who plays Captain Georg Von Trapp, stop by to share behind-the-scenes insights from the show and talk about why it has continued to captivate audiences for more than six decades. Check out the video for Spectrum News 1’s conversation with Capaldi and Earley.

    The show will also be making stops in Charlotte and Greensboro in the coming months. For information on the show’s schedule and tickets, click here.

    Kevin Earley (Captain Georg von Trapp) and Cayleigh Capaldi (Maria Rainer) in “The Sound of Music.” Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Charlotte food truck owner shares Mexican culture through food

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte woman’s food truck is not only serving food, it is putting her Mexican culture on a plate.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Kimberly Bazan opened El Veneno in 2023

    •  She specializes in serving food from Mexico City

    •  Bazan’s food truck travels around Charlotte


    “My family is from Mexico City,” Kimberly Bazan said. “We would visit Mexico City every year when I was younger.”

    Bazan has no formal culinary training but learned to cook by watching her father and grandmother in the kitchen. In 2023, she opened her food truck, El Veneno, where she puts her own spin on her family’s recipes.

    “We take a lot of time to put in the effort to do different specials that highlight other foods from different regions,” Bazan said.

    Bazan specializes in serving food you can find on the streets of Mexico City.

    “We do moles,” she said. “We do ceviche. We do a whole bunch of other street food that’s not super popular.”

    Bazan is known for serving black al pastor, a marinated pork used in tacos that is typically red.

    “The marinade that we use for it is not anything new,” she said. “It’s a prehistoric recipe. It’s called recardo negro. We’re the only ones who do it on the East Coast and in the Carolinas.”

    These dishes have built a community that now follows Bazan as she takes her truck around Charlotte.

    “It feels nice that people feel like we’re paving the way for a new way of dining in the city,” she said.

    As Bazan forges her own path in Charlotte’s culinary scene, she holds her family’s roots close and hopes to honor her culture in every dish. 

    “I feel like it’s our job as people in the restaurant industry and as chefs to show people how to dine, show them new things and how things should be eaten as opposed to just catering to their every want and need,” she said. “It is history. It’s culture. I feel like if we change every little thing about food just to make people happy, then we’re going to lose part of our culture.”

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    Chloe Salsameda

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  • Green Beret to Congressman: Republican Pat Harrigan on crime and partisan divide

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    (Harrigan website)

    On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum chats with Congressman Pat Harrigan. 

    The Republican representing the 10th District is a former Army Special Forces officer and Green Beret. He graduated from West Point with a degree in nuclear engineering, as well. 

    Tim and Harrigan talk about his background in the military, why he ran for Congress, the partisan divide and the debate over crime in cities like Charlotte.

    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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  • Triad man raises money, awareness about heart disease

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — People gathered this weekend to raise awareness and money to fight cardiovascular disease, which the America Heart Association says is the leading cause of death in the United States.

    The Triad Heart Walk was held at Triad Park in Kernersville on Saturday. It’s one of six Heart Walks held across the state each year.

    Greg Stump served as the chairperson of this year’s walk and said his community connections helped to recruit companies and organizations to take part in the walk and raise money.

    Stump is a vice president with the Budd Group, a facilities services company. His company is a sponsor, and employees take part in the walk.

    “I cannot count the number of times that we’ve had employees that have had to be taken into care because of high blood pressure or what became later learned is a heart attack. And, it’s a need for our employees to be able to know where they can get health care and how having health care can prevent the heart diseases that the American Heart Association is focused on working with,” he said.  

    It’s not just a professional endeavor for Stump. It’s personal.

    His mother suffered a stroke in 2009.

    “The prognosis was not good,” Stump said.

    She spent eight weeks in a hospital, but Stump said his dad got her the care she needed. 

    “After about three and a half months or so, she walked out of the rehab center and returned home and of course, she is still with us today,” he said. Stump said she has even written a book about her experience with having a stroke.

    “The research and work that’s done by the Heart Association was a part of her recovery and understanding how to prevent this from happening again,” he said.

    Stump said his family started participating in Heart Walks about 15 years ago. The importance of heart health hit the family again, however, when two of his wife’s cousins died in recent years in their early 60s.

    “It was really a wake-up call for us to think about how, you know, we can do all the right things, but we just don’t know if we haven’t gone and sought the right medical care,” Stump said. 

    Now, he’s trying to do all he can to educate and protect his team and others.

    “One thing that we want to do is not only be working to provide healthy lifestyles for our employees but also bring people together as a community.

    Stump said people who signed up for the Heart Walk had access to a video teaching CPR skills. That training and education is a big part of the American Heart Association’s efforts.

    The organization says CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. 

    Stump has also been involved in a campaign called “Doctor, it’s been too long.”

    The message is simple: if you feel bad, you need to go to the doctor. If not, you don’t know what you’re dealing with.

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    Justin Quesinberry

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  • Anderson Clayton on the U.S. Senate race and the future of the Democratic party

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    On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton. 

    (Anderson Clayton website)

    She discusses next year’s top-watched U.S. Senate race, the future of the Democratic party and the political debates centered on crime in the state and around the country.

    Clayton, who was the nation’s youngest state party chair just two years earlier, recently secured a second term as head of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

    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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  • Child Passenger Safety Week aims to reduce child deaths on the road

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Child Passenger Safety Week is underway in North Carolina.

    What You Need To Know

    • Recent CDC data shows that 700 kids under 14 years old were killed across the country in 2023
    • Almost half of them were not strapped into their car seat or strapped in correctly
    • The NHTSA says that properly used child restraints reduce deaths by 71% for infants younger than 1 year old


    The awareness campaign runs between Sept. 21-27, and is focused on reducing child deaths on the road.

    It has helped contribute to decreasing the number of kids dying in car crashes by over half since 1975.

    Still, recent data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention shows that 700 kids under the age of 14 were killed across the country in 2023. Nearly half of them were not strapped into their car seat or strapped in correctly, officials say.

    It’s why Carolinas Medical Center, in partnership with Safe Kids Charlotte Mecklenburg, hosts free car seat check events across Charlotte.

    These events give parents an opportunity to make sure their children’s car seats are properly installed.

    Director of Injury Prevention at Carolinas Medical Center Janice Williams says the events are important because while the seats can be installed based on the manufacturer’s instructions, every car has different limitations.

    “Some might let you leave it in the middle seat, some of them, the seats might not be long enough to hold the whole car seat,” Williams said. “We have to help with the compatibility with the child, the seat, the vehicle, and what the parent is going to use correctly every single time.”

    Williams says protecting your child in the car goes beyond the installation of their seat.

    “When the harness is wrong, the child can still move in the crash, and still takes a portion of the injury,” Williams said. “And if they’re small size, that can end up being very severe and life-altering for them.”

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says properly used child restraints reduce deaths by 71% for infants under the age of 1, and 54% for kids between 1 and 4 years old.

    State law requires kids who are under 8 years old and weigh 80 pounds or less to stay in a car seat or booster. Williams, however, recommends using a booster until they’re at least 10 years old.

    It is recommended to follow NHTSA’s car seat recommendations based on your child’s age and size.

    You can use NHTSA’s Car Seat Inspection locator to find a location near you. 

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    Nick Buffo

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  • ‘It calms me down’: Dog therapy helps those with memory loss diseases

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman and dog lover discovered how helpful therapy pets can be for those suffering from memory loss completely by accident. 

    Joan Wright first found this form of therapy when it helped her father. She said he had a larger-than-life personality until showing signs of dementia. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Dog therapy is shown to improve mood and facilitate social interaction among dementia patients, according to Alzheimer’s Association

    • The CEO of N.C. memory loss center says pet therapy provides connection and engagement that helps patients’ quality of life

    • Dogs used in dog therapy go through intensive behavioral training to prepare them to respond safely in unfamiliar settings like a medical office

    • You can coordinate a dog therapy visit by visiting this website 


    “One day I noticed that when he was with his Cavalier King Charles [Spaniel] dog on his lap, he was a lot calmer and that calmed me down. And I would sit down, and we would have dog talk because that’s what he would be able to talk about,” Wright said.

    She takes her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Oliver and Brodie, into Memory & Movement Charlotte for a special visit. Staff members rush to greet these furry friends.

    “One doesn’t want the other to get any more attention,” Wright said.

    These playful pups are here specifically for people like Laurie Purvis. She was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease this year.

    “Finding out I had Alzheimer’s just like absolutely blew my mind. I was so upset,” Purvis said. But she says interacting with a dog helps her to relax.

    “It calms me down to sit there and pet the dog,” Purvis said.

    It’s something her sister and now caregiver, Kathleen Purvis, says helps her too.

    “My dog, you know, curls in and makes me feel better when I’m scared to death about all of this,” she said.

    People with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are known to lose their memories and have trouble communicating. But dog therapy is showing promise in making them feel calm and connected. Those stories are why Wright does this work.

    The CEO of Memory & Movement Charlotte, Janet LeClair, said this kind of connection is more important than you’d think.

    “Even with pet therapy, there is a strong element of socialization. And so feeling that connection to people, to engagement is probably the most important thing for people and for their quality of life,” LeClair said.

    “It’s not about sort of curing the disease. It’s about creating moments of joy when they’re around a dog,” Wright said.

    Wright said Oliver and Brodie are professionals. They go through intensive behavioral training to prepare them to respond safely in unfamiliar settings, like a medical office. She said if you or someone who know wants to have a dog therapy visit, you can click here.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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