A man was hit and killed on Tryon Road early Christmas morning.
RALEIGH
A man was hit and killed by a car on Tryon Road in Raleigh early Christmas morning, according to police.
Police say Daniel Zacharias II was running westbound in the middle lane of Tryon toward Dillard Drive when he was hit at 1:25 a.m. Zacharias, 27, was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Police say the driver of the Kia Optima who hit Zacharias remained at the spot of the collision and has cooperated with police. The driver has not been cited, though police say they are still investigating.
Police say two factors made it hard for the driver to see Zacharias: There are no streetlights at the intersection, and Zacharias was wearing dark clothing.
Impairment by drugs or alcohol does not appear to have been an issue, police say.
This story was originally published December 25, 2025 at 2:16 PM.
Richard Stradling covers transportation for The News & Observer. Planes, trains and automobiles, plus ferries, bicycles, scooters and just plain walking. He’s been a reporter or editor for 38 years, including the last 26 at The N&O. 919-829-4739, rstradling@newsobserver.com.
At a busy downtown intersection where cars, scooters, cyclists and pedestrians cross paths, Raleigh traffic engineers are testing a new approach to managing congestion as the city continues to grow.
Using existing traffic cameras paired with artificial intelligence and mapping software, the city is analyzing how people and vehicles move through select intersections in near real time. City officials say the goal is not to eliminate traffic but to make signals operate more efficiently and safely, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian activity.
“One of the core challenges of traffic engineering is moving vehicles efficiently,” said Jed Niffenegger, Raleigh’s city transportation manager. “We can’t change the fact that an intersection is busy. What we can do is make sure it’s operating as efficiently as possible.”
The pilot program relies on computer vision technology that converts live video into data. Software tracks turning movements, traffic volumes and different modes of travel, replacing a manual process that once required staff to stand at intersections and count vehicles by hand.
“The cameras allow us to make changes much more quickly,” Niffenegger said. “With analytics, the amount of work it takes has been reduced to a fraction of what it used to be.”
Raleigh has roughly 250 closed-circuit traffic cameras citywide. For now, the AI system can analyze data from about 10 to 12 cameras at a time because of computing limits. Transportation staff rotate intersections into the program based on where signal timing studies or corridor reviews are underway, including along Glenwood Avenue and in parts of downtown.
The technology allows engineers to fine-tune signal timing during peak hours, sometimes by only a few seconds, based on real-world conditions rather than assumptions.
“We’ll look at the evening rush and see whether a signal is running too long or needs to start a little later,” Niffenegger said. “It’s about fine-tuning what we’re already doing.”
City officials say that focus on intersections matters. While widening roads has long been used to relieve congestion, engineers say intersections are often the true bottlenecks.
“If we can maximize efficiency at intersections, we can delay costly road-widening projects,” Niffenegger said. “That saves money and allows us to invest in other places where it can have a bigger impact.”
James Alberque, Raleigh’s emerging technology manager, said the project is part of a broader effort to better understand how the city moves as its population grows. Raleigh surpassed 500,000 residents last year, putting new pressure on streets that were not designed for current traffic volumes.
“Cameras record video, and we’re turning that video into data,” Alberque said. “That data helps traffic engineers understand what’s happening across the city, not just at one camera at one moment.”
The data is visualized using a high-resolution, three-dimensional model of Raleigh, sometimes called a digital twin. City staff can compare traffic conditions before and after signal changes and evaluate whether adjustments are working as intended.
The pilot initially focused on vehicle traffic. After validating those results, the city expanded the analysis to include pedestrians and bicycles, particularly in downtown areas with heavy foot traffic and scooter use.
“We wanted to understand all modes of transportation,” Alberque said. “GIS allows us to integrate traffic data with other information and analyze it in one place.”
City officials emphasized that privacy protections are built into the system. The city does not store video or collect personally identifiable information. The data is limited to anonymous counts, such as whether an object is a vehicle, pedestrian or bicycle, aggregated in 15-minute intervals.
“There’s no identifying information at all,” Alberque said. “We’re not recording video.”
The technology is not used to automatically change signal timing. Instead, the data is reviewed by engineers and used to inform decisions, with humans remaining in control throughout the process.
During the pilot, the city has validated the AI results by running manual counts alongside the software. Alberque said more than a dozen test cases have been reviewed so far, helping staff build confidence in the accuracy of the data.
Beyond traffic management, Raleigh’s camera network already supports other city departments. Police, 911 dispatchers and stormwater crews use the cameras during emergencies, including flooding events, to better understand conditions on the ground.
Scaling the system beyond the pilot phase would require additional investment. Alberque said the city has so far relied on existing infrastructure and limited resources while testing the technology’s potential.
“The technology is advancing very quickly,” he said. “We’re trying to be thoughtful about how we invest so we’re making good decisions as this evolves.”
For now, city leaders say the pilot offers a way to improve safety and efficiency at busy intersections without expanding roadways, an approach they see as increasingly important as Raleigh continues to grow.
According to the Raleigh Fire Department, a fire started inside a garage of a home on Cannold Court. The Raleigh Fire Department said 35 firefighters responded to the home.
Firefighters said it took 10 minutes to get the fire out and no one was injured, adding that a dog was rescued from the home.
GalaxyCon creators on Friday confirmed that their winter convention, “Animate! Raleigh,” will be postponed due to a fire weeks earlier on the roof of the Raleigh Convention Center.
The convention, which was created after the success of GalaxyCon, was scheduled to take place on January 9 through January 11. Organizers said the convention center informed them this week that they could not guarantee they would be able to run the event as planned.
“While we are disappointed that we can’t hold the event on our original dates, the comfort and safety of our attendees will always take priority,” Convention organizers said in a statement sent to WRAL News. “We are thankful that the convention center and hotels were able to work with us quickly to find a solution.”
Animate! organizers said the convention will take place on March 13 through March 15. In addition, organizers said all tickets that were purchased already will be honored for the new date, and current ticket holders will receive a free ticket to their new horror event, Nightmare Weekend Raleigh, on October 10 through October 11.
Authorities are investigating a crash Wednesday night in Raleigh.
The WRAL Breaking News Tracker spotted the crash at an apartment complex on Gorman Street and Graduate Lane. While it is unclear what caused the crash, it appeared the vehicle was up against the side of a building.
WRAL News has reached out to authorities on what caused the crash and if anyone was injured.
Raleigh police have charged a 26-year-old man with murder in the death of another 26-year-old Tuesday.
RALEIGH
Raleigh police have charged a 26-year-old man with murder in the death of another 26-year-old man Tuesday in the Brier Creek area.
Damouri Jontae Woods of Roxboro is accused of killing Darieen Marquise Hewett, the Police Department said in a news release early Wednesday morning. He was being held without bail Wednesday morning with a first court appearance scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Officers responded to a shooting call around 5 p.m. Tuesday and found Hewett suffering from a gunshot wound in the 6500 block of Mount Herman Road, the release stated. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
A Border Patrol agent searches a neighborhood in Southeast Raleigh, Nov. 18, 2025.
Scott Sharpe
ssharpe@newsobserver.com
I personally never saw the federal agents patrolling North Carolina, looking for brown people to harass and detain, but I felt their presence. Fear permeated our community this week. I sensed it from the time I received a text from my son on Monday morning saying that his high school’s Culture Fest scheduled for that night was canceled because of “ice” and families being afraid to go out, and it took me a minute to realize he wasn’t talking about the weather.
President Trump can tell us this was all about our safety, to protect us from “violent criminals,” but astute North Carolinians know better. Violent criminals who present a threat to public safety can and should be arrested – by law enforcement officers willing to show their faces, with judicial warrants bearing the suspects’ names. This was not about public safety. This was an indiscriminate roundup of brown people, designed to instill fear.
The Trump administration underestimated how much we love our neighbors in North Carolina. I am proud of the way our community came together to protect each other. My guess is that the operation fell short of its quotas because of who we are. I hope and pray that memories of this week influence voters in 2026 and 2028. This cannot continue.
Elizabeth Barrett Lippincott, Chapel Hill
Hard but necessary
There is definitely disruption within the illegal immigrant community. The outrage among the (mostly) liberal and immigrant community is loud and disruptive to law enforcement and borderline violent on occasion. Where was the outrage during the Biden Administration when illegal migrants crossed our southern border and were dispersed into our country from coast to coast?
The tough stand and tactics of ICE are a result of lax law enforcement by the prior administration, and the lack of resolve by both parties in Congress to fix our immigration laws. Hard to watch, but necessary.
Jerry Doliner, Raleigh
There are an estimated 10 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Their “crime” was entering the country without following legal steps. “Hardened criminals” the vast majority of them are not. A large number of them come from Central America, where for decades repressive military dictatorships — backed by U.S. government officials obsessed with what they perceived as a looming “Communist threat” — kidnapped, tortured, executed and “disappeared” thousands.
If the administration was truly concerned about “criminality,” it would take an honest look at the way successive U.S. administrations supported cruel military dictatorships for decades in Central America, which in turn led people to flee violence and poverty in their countries. Then it would instruct legislators to stop dithering and craft an immigration bill to address a flawed system that’s not been reformed in 40 years. The bill should include fair and humane avenues for decent and law-abiding undocumented families to remain.
Until Congress acts, the mobilization of masked forces in battle gear, cruising our neighborhoods to round up brown, Latino “illegals,” whose heinous crime was bringing their fleeing families across our border, is nothing but shallow and immoral political theatrics.
Joe Moran, Durham
Fear from citizens, too
My wife and I are in our late 80s and still live in our house but require weekly cleaning help. We have been using a couple from Mexico to help us with this task. They have been helping us for over ten years. We always look forward to their presence. This morning they called saying they would be unable to make it because they were afraid to leave their house for fear of being rounded up by ICE with no due process, no warrant with nothing other than they speak with an accent. They are in the US legally, pay their taxes, obey the law, and do what all good citizens do. Now, they are afraid. Why?
Ed Eggers, Raleigh
How to respond
I‘m appalled at the actions of Border Patrol and ICE in NC. They’re targeting and abusing people on suspicion of what? Most of the people arrested aren’t violent offenders; some are citizens. Not having papers doesn’t deprive you of the right to due process, to respect and to dignity.
The billions of tax dollars we’re spending on brutalizing people could be spent on building community rather than destroying it.
Separating families, brutally manhandling people, and terrorizing communities do not align with my values or my vision of America. We need to change course. Be sure you’re registered to vote!
4 p.m. – North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green provided a statement on Tuesday about the state’s commitment to providing safe learning environments for all students.
“Every child in North Carolina has the constitutional right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status,” Green said. “This is not a choice, it is our legal responsibility. Our schools are places of learning, growth and opportunity. When students are absent due to fear, their education suffers and our entire community is diminished.
“Consistent with binding legal precedent, North Carolina public schools remain committed to ensuring every student can safely attend school and receive the education they deserve.
“Our educators and school staff are focused on what they do best – teaching and nurturing young minds. We will continue to work with local boards of education and school leaders to maintain safe, welcoming environments where all students can learn and thrive.”
The North Carolina of Department of Public Instruction also
mentioned that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe (1982). It
requires that public schools must provide all children access to education,
including undocumented students. Federal and state laws, including Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and North Carolina General Statute Section
115C-367, prohibit discrimination based on race, color or national origin in
North Carolina schools.
3:15 p.m. – U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, provided a statement on Tuesday.
“America is a generous country, but we must ensure that those who come here do so legally. We must enforce America’s immigration laws after years of Joe Biden’s open-border policies invited a flow of drugs and crime. Border Patrol’s operations have resulted in the arrests of several individuals with criminal histories or who had previously been deported. Responsible enforcement measures, carried out in an orderly manner, are critical to protecting American lives and our communities here in North Carolina.”
3 p.m. – WRAL News asked Customs and Border Protection about how many arrests agents have made in the Triangle. The spokesperson did not provide a response.
2:15 p.m. – U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, posted a statement on Tuesday.
“Deploying CBP [Customs and Border Protection] to major American cities doesn’t make us safer,” Ross wrote. “Indiscriminate immigration raids are useful for sowing fear and generating headlines, but totally ineffective at protecting us from criminals and terrorists.
“When the Trump administration spends money and manpower to randomly sweep people off the streets and target people based on the color of their skin, more felons go free, and there are fewer resources available to combat real threats.
“If reports are true that CBP is in Raleigh, I will work with state and local partners to protect our residents from violations of their rights by federal immigration officers. It’s time for CBP to go home and stop attacking our communities.”
1:45 p.m. – WRAL News has received pictures and videos from viewers showing immigration agents in Durham.
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams confirmed the presence of Border Patrol in the city.
“Residents have been sending content and posting it online,” Williams wrote in a text message to WRAL News. “It’s extremely frustrating because we are so limited.
“An outright jurisdictional disadvantage.”
12:55 p.m. – A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Border Patrol agents have arrested more than 200 immigrants in the Charlotte area who are believed to be in the U.S. illegally in the first three days of “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
“Criminal records of those arrested include known gang membership, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, simple assault, hit and run, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, DUI, DWI and illegal re-entry after prior deportation, a felony,” the spokesperson said.
12:30 p.m. – Petey Pablo, who is from Greenville, released a statement about Border Patrol operations in North Carolina.
Border Patrol used Pablo’s song “Raise Up” in its video on operations in Charlotte.
“I have my legal team on it as we speak,” Pablo wrote in a statement. “They do not have my permission and I think it is appalling especially what they’re doing to the children.
“I do not stand with this by [any] means, and we are engaged with taking legal actions.”
Gilbert said the federal activities are not coordinated in partnership with the town. He also said Apex police do not participate in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Also, he said the town did not receive advance notice or detailed information about the scope and timing of ICE’s efforts.
“As mayor, I want every resident in the town of Apex to know that our officers are here to protect and support this community,” Gilbert wrote. “We remain committed to ensuring that all our neighbors feel safe accessing town services, reporting emergencies and engaging with our officers with trust.
“We are here to serve, and my commitment to safety, support and compassion remains.”
12:20 p.m. – Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor provided a message parents.
“We understand that recent developments regarding federal immigration orders may create questions and anxiety within our community,” Taylor’s statement reads in part.
Taylor added, “Please know that our commitment to you is unwavering. Our primary mission is, and always will be, to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for every single child, regardless of immigration status. We want all staff and families to feel secure in knowing that we are dedicated to protecting the privacy and rights of all our students, and we are legally required to enroll and educate all children residing within our boundaries.”
The district also encouraged families to communicate directly with the child’s teacher and school if a student needs to be absent.
“Sharing the reason for the absence – whether it’s illness, a family matter, or simply feeling worried – helps us understand how to best support your child,” the district’s statement reads.
The district also provided a list of resources, including:
“Our primary focus remains on the well-being, safety, and education of every student we serve, regardless of their background,” the district’s statement reads. “We recognize that recent orders may cause uncertainty for some members of our community. We want to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment where all children can learn and thrive.
“The Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision guarantees all children the right to access a public education, regardless of citizenship status. Our district has always complied with federal and state laws and will continue to do so. We are equally committed to ensuring our schools remain safe and welcoming spaces for all students and families.”
The district also mentioned the procedures law enforcement must follow when interacting with students on campus.
“If law enforcement seeks access to a school, we will consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws,” the district wrote. “Additionally, our district does not ask for or record information about the immigration status of any family. We will continue to honor all laws protecting the privacy of student records as outlined in board policies.”
11:20 a.m. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has responded to former Gov. Roy Cooper’s post on social media platform X that was critical of the department saying they were “randomly sweeping up people based on what they look like.”
The government replied to Cooper by posting a photo of a man they say is a criminal in North Carolina and that the state “refused to hand him over to ICE.”
11:16 a.m. – White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller responded to Charlotte school absences via his X account.
“So a conservative estimate is that one-seventh of a major southern public school district is here illegally,” he posted.
11:10 a.m. – Nikki Marín Baena, co-director of immigrant rights organizations Siembra NC, released a statement in response to agents coming to Raleigh.
“We expect that the agents will be met in Raleigh with a similar community effort that, like Charlotte, values the safety and freedom of all of their neighbors,” Baena said.
10:52a.m. – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders have said that unofficial attendance data from Monday showed nearly 21,000 students were absent on Monday. That is about 15% of students enrolled in the district. A normal day would see about 8% of the district’s students absent.
9:15 a.m. – Durham Mayor Leo Williams was a guest on “Morning Joe” on MSNOW, formerly MSNBC. He reaffirmed that Durham is a city of immigrants and that he and other city leaders will support them.
“We will work to continue to promote our strategic communications with organizations that are advocating around keeping our community safe. The government will do its part. We aren’t trying to antagonize. We understand the jurisdiction here, but Durham is a welcoming city for all,” Williams said.
Williams echoed many of the statements he made during a City Council meeting last night, saying immigrant communities are essential parts of Durham and North Carolina. He said he’s been in communication with Governor Stein and other mayors across the state.
Williams told WRAL that to his knowledge Tuesday morning immigration agents were not planning to go to Durham, but the city is preparing just in case.
8:55 a.m. – The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) and Wake NCAE are “calling on local governments to immediately enact protections that explicitly prohibit Border Patrol and ICE from operating or staging on public property — especially on school campuses. Both the emotional safety of children and the integrity of our classroom learning environments must be protected.”
Raleigh Mayor: Federal immigration agents are on the ground
Cowell told WRAL News that agents are “already in Raleigh and will be active” on Tuesday. The move comes as Border Patrol agents are conducting operations in Charlotte, about 170 miles away.
“We don’t know how many law enforcement officers are here,” Cowell said in a phone interview with WRAL News. “We don’t know how long they’re going to stay.
“But, I mean, my sense is that they believe that there are … folks [who] are here [who] have committed crimes and are in the country illegally, and they will probably going to parts of town where they feel like they can intercept those individuals.”
Cowell said her goal is to keep people safe.
“We didn’t ask for this presence,” Cowell said. “We feel like the Raleigh police are doing a great job here locally.”
Cowell noted that Raleigh’s violent crime is down 2% and property crime is down 16% from a year ago.
The Department of Homeland Security last weekend arrested more than 130 immigrants in the Charlotte area who are believed to be in the U.S. illegally, the department said. The department sent agents to Charlotte despite objections from city officials, who claim the deployment is unnecessary.
Likewise, Cowell said city officials didn’t request help from federal immigration agents and aren’t a part of their operations. Federal agents have not informed Raleigh officials who they are targeting or when they expect to complete their operations, Cowell said.
“The police will be doing normal patrols out in the community,” Cowell said. “The biggest message here is that we know some people will be concerned. Some will feel threatened. They can call the police if needed.”
Create a safety plan: Identify emergency contacts and memorize their phone numbers. Protect your child’s school or day care with an emergency contact to pick up your child. Provide authorization in writing for your emergency contact to make medical and legal decisions for your child.
Defend your rights: All people in the United States have constitutional protections, including the right to remain silent when questioned or arrested by immigration officers.
Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe provided WRAL News this statement:
“The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has not received any official notification from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” Rowe wrote. “However, if any operation or activity should occur, I kindly ask all residents to refrain from engaging or confronting Border Control personnel and allow them to carry out their official duties.
“The safety and well-being of our community remains the primary concern of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, and we strive to avoid circumstances that may lead to injuries or unnecessary arrests.”
The North Carolina Association of Educators shared a post on its Facebook page last night saying there were reports of an “unusually high number of student absences” at Charlotte area schools on Monday – the first school day since federal agents began operating in that area. They said it was a “clear sign that families were afraid to send their children to school.”
“This is wrong – full stop,” the post continued. “This crisis does not affect only immigrant children. Fear ripples through every classroom. Adult staff and caregivers are terrified of being targeted. When we are worried about safety, learning is interrupted for everyone. Traumatizing children and families is not – and must never be considered acceptable government policy.”
With activities set to start Tuesday in Raleigh, WRAL has reached out to Wake County Schools for comment. They directed us to their website with a statement regarding federal immigration orders.
“Our primary focus remains on the well-being, safety, and education of every student we serve, regardless of their background. We recognize that recent orders may cause uncertainty for some members of our community. We want to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment where all children can learn and thrive.
The Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision guarantees all children the right to access a public education, regardless of citizenship status. Our district has always complied with federal and state laws and will continue to do so. We are equally committed to ensuring our schools remain safe and welcoming spaces for all students and families.
Building leaders have been reminded of the procedures that law enforcement agencies must follow when interacting with students on campus. If law enforcement seeks access to a school, we will consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Additionally, our district does not ask for or record information about the immigration status of any family. We will continue to honor all laws protecting the privacy of student records as outlined in board policies. We encourage families to contact their school’s student support services if their child has concerns or social-emotional needs during this time.”
Randall Edge, 54, looks over medical bills at his home in Raleigh on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Edge, an HVAC technician and the sole earner for a family of four, recently had about $1,800 in anesthesia charges from a 2022 colonoscopy erased through North Carolina’s medical debt relief program. He has since received another anesthesia bill of more than $1,000 for the same preventive procedure this year, a newer debt that likely will not qualify for relief.
Travis Long
tlong@newsobserver.com
Randall Edge, says he felt a burden lift after he received help through North Carolina’s medical debt relief program.
But it hasn’t been enough. Edge, 54, is still barely staying afloat. And this year, he received another bill he’s not likely to be able to pay back soon.
In 2022, the Raleigh resident went in for a colonoscopy recommended by his primary care doctor. He says he believed the procedure would be fully covered.
Instead, several months later, he got a bill in the mail for about $1,800. The anesthesia used during the colonoscopy wasn’t covered under his high-deductible insurance plan, he said.
Edge said he tried to pay what he could but quickly fell behind.
“Unfortunately, other things happened — between family, groceries, bills, car payments, car insurance, maintenance on the vehicle. You name it. There’s just tons of bills,” he said.
Edge has worked about a decade at a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company, earning about $50,000 a year. He supports a family of four that includes a stepson and a granddaughter, who he said both receive insurance through Medicaid. The program covers some people who have low incomes or disabilities, are pregnant or qualify for other reasons.
The federal poverty level in 2025 for a family of four is about $31,200. Edge’s household income is roughly 160% of that, disqualifying him and his wife from many forms of federal and state aid.
But despite earning above the threshold for many forms of assistance, he said he still struggles.
“It’s touch and go every month,” he said.
Because of his income, the roughly $1,800 in debt Edge took on after his 2022 colonoscopy was eventually erased through the state’s medical debt relief program, according to Undue Medical Debt, the nonprofit partnering with North Carolina on the initiative, who connected The News & Observer with Edge.
But now Edge faces a second bill unlikely to qualify for relief.
Announced last year, the program has provided help to many struggling North Carolinian families.
But Edge’s story underscores the limits of North Carolina’s medical debt relief effort and the challenges many families face: While the program wipes away billions in old debt, it doesn’t stop new debt from accumulating for many.
The program uses Medicaid funds to reimburse hospitals that agree to forgive old debt and strengthen their charity-care policies. Every one of the state’s 99 acute-care hospitals opted in. So far, the program has erased $6.5 billion in hospital debt for about 2.5 million North Carolinians.
The relief applies to two main groups: Medicaid patients, whose hospital debt dating back to 2014 is forgiven, and lower-income patients with incomes at or below 350% of the federal poverty level — about $100,000 a year for a family of four — or whose hospital debt exceeds 5% of their income. For the non-Medicaid group, the program forgives hospital debt more than two years old, but not newer bills.
A second bill with no relief in sight from NC
Earlier this year, when his doctor again recommended a colonoscopy, Edge said he explained what had happened three years earlier and asked to make sure the anesthesia would be covered this time. After his doctor’s office assured him it would be, he went ahead with the procedure.
A few weeks later, another bill arrived — this time for just over $1,000 — after his insurer again denied the anesthesia coverage, he said. The charge pushed him back into familiar territory: another balance he couldn’t easily pay.
Undue Medical Debt told The N&O that the bill is likely too recent to qualify for relief under the state’s program, which only applies to older hospital debt.
“I think I make decent money, but it’s not enough decent money to take care of a family household that has such issues as ours,” Edge said.
His wife, he said, does not work so she can stay home caring for their family and drive their autistic stepson to doctors and therapists each week. She is uninsured because adding her to his plan offered through his work would raise his weekly premium from about $50 to roughly $200 — about $10,000 a year, he said.
His high-deductible insurance plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina doesn’t cover much of anything — except some preventive care — until he pays about $5,000 out of pocket, he said.
Families with plans with high out-of-pocket expenses remain especially vulnerable to piling up medical debt.
And even higher-income households aren’t immune. A KFF Health News analysis found that 45% of adults with annual household incomes above $90,000 reported having medical debt in the past five years.
Those uninsured are also at risk. And following several major changes in the health care landscape, projections show many across the nation are expected to lose coverage.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that, compared with coverage levels before President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill took effect, the law will leave 10 million more people uninsured by 2034 — including 7.5 million fewer with Medicaid coverage and 2.1 million fewer with marketplace plans created via the Affordable Care Act.
When those effects are combined with the possible expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, the number of uninsured people is projected to increase by more than 14 million nationwide by 2034, according to KFF.
The One Big Beautiful Bill will also eventually end the mechanism North Carolina uses to require debt forgiveness and charity-care protections of hospitals participating in its medical debt program, said Jonathan Kappler, deputy secretary for external affairs at the state Department of Health and Human Services. That means the program would end and debt accumulated once it’s gone would not be erased unless hospitals choose to do so on their own or keep the stronger charity-care standards.
Compounding those pressures, premiums are set to rise even without accounting for the loss of enhanced subsidies. In North Carolina, the Department of Insurance has approved 2026 marketplace premium increases ranging from 12.66% to 36.40%, depending on the insurer. Nearly 1 million North Carolinians rely on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace for coverage.
Medical bills mount
When he received the medical bill in 2022 that was later erased, Edge was coming off a stretch of heavy medical expenses. In 2021, he hit his deductible after being diagnosed with skin cancer. He said he spent about $5,000 toward that deductible and was only able to manage it with help from one of his stepsons, who lent him $3,000.
That year, he also went to the emergency room several times, each visit costing about $200 upfront and followed by more bills in the mail, he said. Because he had met his deductible, insurance covered part of those costs.
Edge is now cancer-free but still goes for annual checkups to monitor for recurrence.
Beyond the medical debt, Edge said he’s often close to maxing out his credit cards, which hover around 75% of their limits. Between all his cards, he said he owes about $14,000.
And his finances are only getting tighter.
Edge has been with the HVAC company for a decade. But this year, the company stopped allowing overtime — which he said helped him stay afloat — and two months ago laid off seven employees.
He’s now doing a side job in construction on weekends to compensate for the loss.
“I hate to say this, but I live week to week,” he said. “Right now, if an emergency were to come up, I don’t have any money to pay for any emergency services or doctor bills or anything like that.”
How are health care costs affecting you? We want to hear from you.
Are you facing higher insurance premiums, denied coverage or medical debt? Have you delayed or avoided treatment because of costs? The News & Observer is reporting on health care access and affordability in North Carolina and wants to hear from people across the state.If you’re willing to share, please email lperezu@newsobserver.com with a brief description of your experience and the best way to reach you.
Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi is a politics reporter for the News & Observer. She reports on health care, including mental health and Medicaid expansion, hurricane recovery efforts and lobbying. Luciana previously worked as a Roy W. Howard Fellow at Searchlight New Mexico, an investigative news organization.
Protests spread across the state as people rally against Border Patrol agents’ presence in Charlotte.
On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered in Moore Square and marched throughout the streets of downtown Raleigh for an “ICE OUT” demonstration.
Demonstrators really directed their messages toward Charlotte, where that border patrol operation is underway, and also called for the end of Trump’s Immigration crackdown and any operations in North Carolina.
“We’re here standing in solidarity with them and letting the Trump administration,
state legislators, border patrol and ICE they are not welcome in North
Carolina,” said Nicole Drapluk, party for socialism and liberation.
Federal officials have said these operations are about making sure Americans feel safe; however, demonstrators say these operations are sparking fear.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in a post on Facebook Sunday said public safety is the top priority and commended local law enforcement for working to keep communities safe.
In his statement, he also commended Customs and Border Patrol agents for arresting what he described as “violent criminals,” but said the “actions of too many federal agents are doing the exact opposite in Charlotte.”
“This is not making us safer,” Stein said. “It is stoking fear and dividing our community.”
People on Sunday were seen carrying signs that read “kindness toward immigrants” and “no border control in North Carolina.”
Some were immigrants themselves and said protests like this carry extra meaning for them.
“I fear for my family, my friends, my neighbors,” said Maria Bautista, a protester from Sunday’s demonstrations who came to the U.S. 25 years ago. “I feel we’re doing good to come out here and protest for them so we can all come together as a community.”
An NC State professor has died from her injuries after being hit by a car Tuesday
evening.
Raleigh police were called just after 6:10 p.m. to Clark Avenue
between Chamberlain and Gardner streets. When they arrived, they found 41-year-old Natalia Duque-Wilckens in the road with serious injuries. She was taken to the hospital where she later died.
The NC State police confirmed Wednesday that Duque-Wilckens was an assistant professor with the school’s department of biological sciences. She was awarded a research grant and sought to identify tools that underlie emotional regulation in an effort to treat depression and anxiety.
An NC State spokesperson provided a statement on her death.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague Natalia Duque-Wilckens, and our thoughts are with her family and friends. Support and resources are being provided to those in our community impacted by this loss.”
Police said the 19-year-old driver, Jack Etheridge, stayed on the scene with no injuries. He is cited with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Police said this crash remains an ongoing investigation.
Each week, join Dawn Vaughan for The News & Observer’s Under the Dome podcast for analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina.
The News & Observer
Good morning and welcome to our Under the Dome politics newsletter. I’m Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief.
The ramifications of North Carolina’s state budget stalemate between Republican leaders of the House and Senate extend across the state.
But it also impacts the General Assembly’s own buildings. There are 635 state employees working in the Legislative Building and Legislative Office Building in downtown Raleigh, and the delayed raises from the lack of a budget means their raises are delayed, too.
Through a public records request, I obtained the salary data for everyone who works at the General Assembly, as we’ve done in years past. Check out my latest story to see the range of salaries and jobs on Jones Street.
What we’re working on
Thanks for reading.
Ideas, feedback about our Under the Dome newsletter and podcast? Email me at dvaughan@newsobserver.com or our politics team at dome@newsobserver.com. On our latest podcast episode, I talk with K-12 education reporter T. Keung Hui about the late budget’s impact on education.
Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription
The City of Raleigh is seeking input on its comprehensive plan, and is willing to pay for it. File photo.
TRAVIS LONG
tlong@newsobserver.com
Don’t toss that city of Raleigh letter. It could be your chance to get $1,000 and help plan Raleigh’s future.
Notices should arrive this week for 10,000 random Raleigh utility customers enticing residents to enter a “civic lottery” and be paid $1,000 for their efforts.
If you get the letter and express interest in joining the assembly, you’ll be placed in a lottery where 40 people will be selected who reflect Raleigh’s age, race, neighborhood and background demographics to help guide the city’s next comprehensive plan.
A comprehensive plan is a long-range planning document that outlines the vision for the city, where and how the city should grow, and tangible steps the city could take to reach that goal over the next 20 years. The assembly will specifically be asked to provide answers to the following questions:
“Raleigh is in the process of improving bus service around the city. How should the next Comprehensive Plan help improve access to the new service? What should the neighborhoods served by frequent bus service look like?”
The 40 residents will be required to participate in six all-day sessions on Saturdays on the following dates: Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28.
The sessions will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. Translation services and childcare will also be provided. If you’re doing the math, that comes out to $25 per hour for 40 hours of work. Paid in two $500 payments.
“It’s important for people to see themselves reflected in the decisions that city government makes — but often, the city hears from a lot of the same people,” said Sarah Shagginess, a city of Raleigh planner, in a city memo about the assembly. “There are all kinds of reasons people don’t participate in events like town halls and local meetings: maybe they don’t have much confidence in government, feel under-informed about the topic, or are busy working or taking care of their families when these meetings are scheduled.”
An in-person session is scheduled at a yet-to-be determined location at 6 p.m. Dec. 4.
Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan
Raleigh is also seeking professors or experts to join five technical teams that will join city staff and representatives from city boards and commissions. The city is seeking “subject-matter experts” on:
land use
transportation
housing and neighborhoods
natural resources
infrastructure and services
Members of the team would be expected to attend a 60 to 90-minute meeting once a month for five months starting in February. Childcare and snacks are provided, and $200 will be paid for the work.
The city’s current comprehensive plan goes through 2030, and was adopted in 2009. Initial community engagement and the work of community members will help shape the draft of the plan, which begins in summer 2026. The plan will likely be released in early 2027 with many chances to provide feedback before the plan is adopted by the Raleigh City Council in the second half of 2027.
Anna Roman covers Raleigh and Wake County for the News & Observer. She has previously covered city government, crime and business for newspapers across North Carolina and received many North Carolina Press Association awards, including first place for investigative reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription
Raleigh police are investigating a crash involving six vehicles, including a motorcycle.
Officers were called shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Monday to Atlantic Avenue near Six Forks Road. Police said one person was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.
Police said Atlantic Avenue is closed in both directions while police investigate the crash. Drivers are encouraged to detour using a nearby parking lot.
Police have not released the names of anyone involved and said no charges have been filed at this time.
Nanas in Durham is one of 19 Triangle restaurants included in the new American South guide from Michelin.
Kaitlin McKeown
kmckeown@newsobserver.com
The newest Michelin Guide includes 19 restaurants in the Triangle, from avant garde fine dining to a barbecue trailer in the Raleigh suburbs.
For a century, the Michelin Guide has been the most coveted culinary honor in the world, bestowing its star system on the best restaurants in the biggest food cities.
On Monday, Michelin unveiled its latest guide, The American South, which rates restaurants in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Michelin is most famous for its star system, awarding one, two or three stars on the very best restaurants in the world. A Three Michelin Star restaurant represents an exclusive and rare tier of food quality and dining excellence, two stars means “excellent cooking” and one star is “high quality” cooking.
Simply earning one star would represent a monumental achievement in the restaurant world.
In the Triangle, 19 restaurants are included in the American South Guide. Of those, 15 earned a “Michelin Recommended” designation, representing “good cooking” in the region. Three others earned Bib Gourmand honors, which highlight good quality restaurants that also offer a good value, according to inspectors.
Michelin was expected to unveil its new American South guide Monday night, Nov. 3, at a ceremony in Greenville, SC, but instead appeared to release the list Monday morning. Michelin has not confirmed the restaurant selections included in the email
Herons in Cary, regarded as one of the South’s top fine dining restaurants, is one of 19 Triangle spots included in the new American South Michelin guide. Anna Routh Barzin Courtesy of The Umstead Hotel & Spa
Here are the Triangle’s Michelin honorees:
Bib Gourmand, which Michelin describes as “recognizes eateries for great food at a great value.”
Mala Pata Molino & Cocina
2431 Crabtree Blvd Suite 102, Raleigh
Prime Barbecue
403 Knightdale Station Run, Knightdale
Sam Jones BBQ
502 W. Lenoir St., Raleigh.
Nanas in Durham is one of 19 Triangle restaurants included in the new American South guide from Michelin. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Drew Jackson writes about restaurants and dining for The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun, covering the food scene in the Triangle and North Carolina.
The newest Michelin Guide includes 19 restaurants in the Triangle, from avant garde fine dining to a barbecue trailer in the Raleigh suburbs.
For a century, the Michelin Guide has been the most coveted culinary honor in the world, bestowing its star system on the best restaurants in the biggest food cities.
On Monday, Michelin unveiled its latest guide, The American South, which rates restaurants in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Michelin is most famous for its star system, awarding one, two or three stars on the very best restaurants in the world. A Three Michelin Star restaurant represents an exclusive and rare tier of food quality and dining excellence, two stars means “excellent cooking” and one star is “high quality” cooking.
Simply earning one star would represent a monumental achievement in the restaurant world.
In the Triangle, 19 restaurants are included in the American South Guide. Of those, 15 earned a “Michelin Recommended” designation, representing “good cooking” in the region. Three others earned Bib Gourmand honors, which highlight good quality restaurants that also offer a good value, according to inspectors.
Michelin was expected to unveil its new American South guide Monday night, Nov. 3, at a ceremony in Greenville, SC, but instead appeared to release the list Monday morning. Michelin has not confirmed the restaurant selections included in the email
Herons in Cary, regarded as one of the South’s top fine dining restaurants, is one of 19 Triangle spots included in the new American South Michelin guide. Anna Routh Barzin Courtesy of The Umstead Hotel & Spa
The Triangle’s Michelin Bib Gourmand honorees
The Bib Gourmand restaurants, which Michelin recognizes as “eateries for great food at a great value.”
Mala Pata Molino & Cocina, 2431 Crabtree Blvd Suite 102, Raleigh
Prime Barbecue, 403 Knightdale Station Run, Knightdale
Sam Jones BBQ, 502 W. Lenoir St., Raleigh
Nanas in Durham is one of 19 Triangle restaurants included in the new American South guide from Michelin. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Michelin Recommended restaurants in Raleigh, Durham, Cary
Here are the Michelin Recommended restaurants, which means “simply a good meal.”
Brewery Bhavana, 218 S Blount St, Raleigh
Brodeto, 2201 Iron Works Dr suite 137, Raleigh
Crawford & Son, 618 N. Person St., Raleigh
Dampf Good BBQ, 6800 Good Hope Church Rd., Cary
Herons, 100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary
Jolie, 620 N. Person St., Raleigh
Little Bull, 810 N. Mangum St., Durham
Nanas, 2514 University Dr., Durham
Nikos, 905 W Main St Unit 21B, Durham
Poole’s Diner, 428 S. McDowell St., Raleigh
St Roch Fine Oysters + Bar, 223 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
Seraphine, 324 Blackwell St Suite 4, Durham
Stanbury, 938 N Blount St, Raleigh
Tamasha Modern Indian, 4200 Six Forks Rd Suite # 130, Raleigh
The Fearrington House, 230 Market St, Pittsboro
The Pit Authentic BBQ, 328 W Davie St, Raleigh
How Michelin divides NC
With the American South guide, Michelin is introducing a new regional culinary look, rather than focusing on a state or major city. Throughout the seven states included in the guide, Michelin selected 228 restaurants offering 44 different cuisines, by its own count.
Beyond the single star for Counter, Michelin gave North Carolina seven Bib Gourmand designations and 37 Michelin Recommended honors.
To be in the Michelin guide, Visit NC and tourism offices Visit Raleigh, Discover Durham, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and Explore Ashevillewill pay Michelin a little more than $1 million over the course of a three-year deal.
In this first year of the guide, Michelin selected only restaurants in those cities or metro areas.
Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, NC, serves a variety of smoked meat sandwiches including the pork topped with slaw. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com
North Carolina BBQ shines
While Michelin has a global reputation for recognizing fine dining, the new American South guide also put a spotlight on North Carolina’s greatest regional delicacy: barbecue.
Four Triangle barbecue joints were selected in this first guide — Prime Barbecue and Sam Jones BBQ — which each nabbed Bib Gourmand honors. The outdoor barbecue trailer Dampf Good BBQ in Cary and the influential barbecue institution The Pit were also included.
“I’m literally blown away to be honored by such a prestigious organization,” Sam Jones said in an email. “Being a fourth-generation BBQ man, I wish my family who have gone before me could see where barbecue has gone and the opportunities we’ve had to take what they’ve started in a literal hole in the ground in Ayden, N.C. to a national spotlight. It’s nice to see the hard work and effort that we collectively put in on a daily basis be recognized and I’m glad that the torch that was passed to me burns brighter today than it did before.”
Crawford crushes
Raleigh chef Scott Crawford stands out on the North Carolina list with three Michelin Recommended restaurants: his flagship Crawford & Son, French bistro Jolie and ode to the Adriatic Sea, Brodeto.
Most of Crawford’s career has been spent in luxury hotel dining throughout the South, leading fine dining kitchens at some of the region’s top resorts, including time at Herons and the Umstead Hotel in Cary. Staying in the south previously meant foregoing the pursuit of Michelin honors in New York or San Francisco or Chicago, but not anymore Crawford said.
“Just Michelin coming here means the South is to be taken seriously for its restaurants and hospitality and its food,” Crawford said. “That alone is extraordinary. There are so many great and talented chefs working in the South doing amazing work. It’s gratifying to have them looking here and taking that work seriously and that that commitment to excellence is being recognized.”
Flautas de papas are pictured during a soft opening of Mala Pata on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM.
Drew Jackson writes about restaurants and dining for The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun, covering the food scene in the Triangle and North Carolina.
A crash involving a van took down a tree in Raleigh early Sunday morning.
The incident happened on Southall Road near Buffaloe Road, just north of Hedingham, just before 2:30 a.m. The road was closed for several hours as crews worked to clear the crash and cut up the tree.
Footage from the WRAL Breaking News Tracker showed a white van that seemingly crashed bumper-first into a tree that fell and blocked a majority of Southall Road. It is unclear how the crash happened.
A recipient of the Emanuel Food Pantry at Durham Presbyterian Church, walks home with a box of groceries after visiting the weekly pantry on Roxboro Street on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 in Durham, N.C.
Robert Willett
rwillett@newsobserver.com
Community members and businesses are ramping up their efforts to help people who are set to lose their food assistance benefits in November.
The federal government shutdown means more than 150,000 residents in the Triangle and more than 1 million people across the state will not receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Food pantries are already reporting more demand for food and more people looking for help.
How to start a community food drive
Anyone can hold a food drive in person or virtually with social media posts and online payment options. PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro offers these tips:
Pick a date and location. Food drives can happen in one day or last a week or more.
Let your local food pantry and neighbors know so they can spread the word.
Get ready by making yard signs, posters, stickers and other marketing materials. PORCH provides this Canva file that can be updated. Make sure to include a Venmo or other online payment method for cash donations. Some organizations also have shopping lists set up with Target and Amazon.
Check with your local food pantry for drop-off times and locations. Make sure to share with your neighbors how much food and money was raised to keep the momentum going.
Wake County suggests using the “bumper crop” method. People are encouraged to place their food and toiletry items on their parked car bumper during a worship service, workday or community event to be gathered and delivered to a food pantry by volunteers.
Some donations are better than others
Most food pantries keep a list of items that are needed, but generally donate food that you would eat and that is not expired. Other tips:
Choose canned goods with pull-top lids or include a few can openers in your donation box.
Consider donating boxed milk and shelf-stable egg alternatives, such as applesauce, pumpkin puree, or commercial egg substitutes. Cake mix, macaroni and cheese, and similar items often can’t be used without them.
Include a jar of sauce with every box of donated pasta.
Consider smaller portions of food, which can serve more families, cut down on waste, and also go to people who don’t have access to refrigeration or storage.
Protein is critical, so add some cans of tuna or salmon, chicken, nut butters, or beans. Families also may lack basics, including oil, flour, sugar and salt.
Families with specific dietary needs can struggle to find foods low in salt, sugar, or that are gluten-free.
Donate baby formula or diapers, as well as items to address personal hygiene needs, from soap, toothpaste and shampoo to feminine hygiene products.
Don’t forget the pets. Families that can’t buy food also can’t feed their dogs and cats.
Find a food drive near you
New food drives will be updated as they are sent to The News & Observer. Want to add a food drive? Email metroeds@newsobserver.com.
Wake County Food Drives
The Bunny Hive Raleigh: The child play space will collect nonperishable food through Nov. 7 to support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC at 711 W. Lane St., Raleigh.
Cornerstone North Raleigh: A community food drive will continue through Nov. 17 to benefit the Hope House in Wake Forest. The address is 3209 Gresham Lake Road, Suite 122, Raleigh.
Tap Yard Raleigh: A food drive will be held all month at Tap Yard Raleigh at 1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh. Nonperishable food can be dropped off 4 p.m. – midnight Monday through Friday and noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday.
The Hemp Store: The Hemp Store at 1002 Durham Road 1100 Wake Forest, and The Hemp Store at 5801 Farmwell Drive, Raleigh are collecting nonperishable food and household items Nov 1-30 to support local food banks and outreach programs. Visit thehempstorenc.com for hours.
Durham County Food Drives
Durham County: Durham County employees can bring food to donate through Nov. 7.
Epworth United Methodist Church: A food drive will be held through Nov. 10 to support the Urban Ministries of Durham. The church is located at 3002 Hope Valley Road, Durham.
Orange County Food Drives
Eno River Farmer’s Market: A food drive on Saturday will stock the Central Elementary School pantry in Hillsborough. Bring food and cash donations to the market pavilion at 106 E. Margaret Lane between 8 a.m. and noon. Click for a list of needs.
PORCH Hillsborough: Earth Yoga will host a Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit PORCH at 3 p.m. Saturday at 437 Dimmocks Mill Road in Hillsborough. Donations can also be dropped off throughout the month of November from 3-6 p.m. Thursday and 8:30-11:30 a.m. Friday. Located in Suite 8 near the entrance to Eno River Brewery.
Double Bucks: Donations are needed to help local farmer’s markets in Orange and Durham counties continue their Double Bucks programs, which double a family’s money when they shop using SNAP benefits or cash. Stop by the market welcome table to make a donation.
Triangle Mutual Aid: An open house in MATCH’s new home (Mutual Aid Triangle Community Hub) will include a food drive from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St. in Carrboro.
Orange Congregations in Mission: The Hillsborough Police Department is collecting nonperishable food, laundry detergent, and baby formula and diapers for OCIM’s food pantry. Drop off donations from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. through noon Nov. 7 at 127 N. Churton St. OCIM’s food pantry is at 300 Millstone Drive in Hillsborough. Donate online at ocimnc.org.
Inter-Faith Council for Social Services: Drop off food donations from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the loading dock (enter driveway between 201 and 203 W. Weaver St. in Carrboro). Holiday food drives happening now through Nov. 21 and Dec. 1-19.
TABLE Ministries: Food donations can be dropped off at TABLE, 311 E. Main St. in Carrboro, or explore other ways to help at tablenc.org/give-food.
PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro: Donate food and cash to the grassroots nonprofit through over 110 monthly neighborhood drives or find out more ways to help at chapelhill.porchcommunities.org/get-involved.
The Hemp Store: The Hemp Store at 115 E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill is collecting nonperishable food and household items Nov 1-30 to support local food banks and outreach programs. Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Saratoga Grill: Will donate 10% of sales to OCIM’s Food Pantry from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. Customers can also donate nonperishable food items. Details at www.saratogagrillnc.com.
Orange High School: The OHS wrestling team will hold a food drive to fill the OCIM Food Pantry with nonperishable goods on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Drop off donations from 6-9 p.m. at Orange High School in Hillsborough. Click the link for more details.
Tammy Grubb has written about Orange County’s politics, people and government since 2010. She is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumna and has lived and worked in the Triangle for over 30 years.
Clarke Carraway, Jaden Duggar, Olandria Carthen, Gracyn Blackmore, Huda Mustafa, Michelle “Chelley” Bissainthe and Iris Kendall from Season 7 of “Love Island USA” on Peacock.
Ben Symons/Peacock
Ben Symons/Peacock
A local reality star is facing backlash after her reaction to a cast mate being called a racial slur.
Huda Mustafa from “Love Island USA” Season 7 issued a public apology to her costar Olandria Carthen, for the incident caught on a livestream with her boyfriend from Netflix’s “Perfect Match,” Louis Russell, UsWeekly reported.
According to a clip published by TMZ, the couple appeared to be laughing after a caller used a derogatory term when referring to Carthen, who is Black.
Afterward, the 25-year-old Raleigh fitness coach posted on Instagram Stories saying she and Russell didn’t hear what was said, except the racial slur and “hung up immediately,” People Magazine reported, adding that “I don’t condone anything of the sort.”
In her own social media statement, Carthen expressed that she does not condone racism of any kind, or entertain it.
“That kind of language is never acceptable. Not in anger, not as a joke, not ever. Words like that carry generations of pain, and pretending otherwise only keeps the cycle going,” she stated in part Wednesday, Oct. 29.
“ I encourage those who have participated in the stream and their followers to demonstrate a genuine commitment to anti-racism by donating to organizations and foundations dedicated to educating and uplifting this community such as UNCF, NAACP, and/or the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.”
Following her initial statement, Mustafa took to social media a second time further address and apologize for her reaction.
“I want to take this moment to more fully take accountability for my actions. I want to begin by saying I completely respect Olandria and it’s extremely disheartening that anyone, especially a presumed child, would find it excusable to use this type of language, and doing so only underlines the ignorance of the gravity that such a word carries,” Mustafa said in part on an Instagram story posted Wednesday, Oct. 29.
“Olandria- it is now clear that this comment was targeted at you, and I apologize for my immediate reaction. My reaction in that moment came from being caught off guard, not from finding the word or situation funny. It was a nervous, uncomfortable reaction that I recognize was inappropriate. I want to be clear that I do not condone or tolerate anyone who uses such language, and I strongly encourage the individual responsible to reflect deeply on their words and the harm they’ve caused.”
