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Tag: What You Need To Know – NC

  • N.C. election official urges patience in early voting

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In-person early voting is underway across North Carolina, and election officials are expecting turnout to be strong, despite it being a municipal cycle rather than a presidential election year. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Early voting is underway across North Carolina 

    • Election officials are expecting mayoral races and a sales tax referendum to fuel voting attendance 

    • A North Carolina election official is urging people to exercise patience and preparedness during the election season 


    Michael Dickerson serves as director of the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. 

    Dickerson said this year’s elections are fueled by mayoral races, including in Charlotte, Greensboro and Durham, and a one-cent sales tax referendum in Mecklenburg County backed by local and state lawmakers.

    “We got something for everybody to vote on here in Mecklenburg County,” Dickerson said. “We [also] have school board.”

    Dickerson urged voters to bring patience and a photo ID to help keep the voting process running smoothly.

    “It’s not a matter of whether or not you [do or] don’t want to show it, I have to ask for that photo ID in order to accept your ballot,” Dickerson said.

    According to the N.C. State Board of Elections, over 7.5 million people are registered to vote statewide.

    Mecklenburg County accounts for more than 810,000 registered voters and between 2,000 and 3,000 poll workers this election cycle.

    At the Hal Marshall Center in Mecklenburg County, poll workers have been busy welcoming voters since the polls opened Thursday morning.

    Vanessa Ramseur, the Hal Marshall Center site’s chief judge, said she returns each year to help ensure a smooth process.

    “We always work a little earlier than all the other locations because we are here to help to make sure everything gets a great start, which includes having all our staff here ready to greet and meet all our voters and give them the excellent service they need,” Ramseur said.

    Although Ramseur retired, she said helping people exercise their civic duty is both critical and meaningful work.

    “The reason I come back from year to year is to make sure every voter gets the opportunity to vote. It allows me to get up real early, go through the traffic and it means a tremendous amount to me because voting is a right,” Ramseur said.

    Some reports show safety remains a national concern for polling staff.

    A 2025 Brennan Center Research Department survey found that 52% of local election officials expressed concern about threats to themselves or their staff.

    Dickerson said wellness of poll workers remains top priority.

    “We don’t write the rule to do it, we follow the process. Our goal is to get you to vote, that’s the most important thing,” Dickerson said.

    “I am very proud of our poll workers. Our workers are trained to make sure we do have the process work smoothly, and their security is the most important thing to us. They know the procedures to take care of themselves, and they know to get in touch with us if they have any issues, and we will work them through it,” Dickerson said.

    Ramseur said she also feels safe doing this job, crediting election officials for security coordination.

    “We don’t have to worry about anything else except doing our job,” Ramseur said. “We’re thankful.”

    Early voting in North Carolina continues through Nov. 1. Election Day falls on Nov. 4.

    In Mecklenburg County, the Hal Marshall Center remains the only open early voting site until next Thursday, when 21 locations will open to voters.

    Residents can find a list of early voting sites and everything you need to know before you vote on the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website.

    Although voters will be asked to show ID, residents can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Making homeownership more affordable

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In recent weeks, mortgage rates have gotten to their lowest level in about a year, according to mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac.

    “I never thought I would be able to afford a home,” Michelle Senghore said, but now she owns a two-bedroom house.

    What You Need To Know

    • Many different federal, state and local programs are available to help first-time homebuyers

    • The nonprofit NACA helps qualified buyers to purchase a home with no downpayment and no closing costs

    • First-time homebuyers can be overwhelmed by the amount of information about the process, says Townebank Mortgage loan officer Stacy Kinsey

    • Even if you have owned a home in the past, you may be considered a first-time buyer if it was more than three years ago, Kinsey says  

    “I love the environment. It’s a quiet community, and it’s a small house. It’s cozy, it’s warm and I feel secure and safe here,” Senghore said.

    She went through a program called NACA. It’s a nonprofit that allows qualified buyers to purchase a home with no downpayment and no closing costs. 

    NACA also has financial counseling, which can help with the homebuying process.

    “There’s just so much information thrown at us every day, online, that I think it just becomes overwhelming in that case. If you’ve got a person to help you and guide you, has done this a time or two, that’s the best thing to do,” says Stacy Kinsey, a senior loan officer at Townebank Mortgage.

    Kinsey says there are many different federal, state and local homebuying assistance programs. 

    “A lot of times you can pair those together and kind of layer and take advantage of all of that,” Kinsey said.

    There’s an FHA loan, where buyers pay as little as 3.5% of the purchase price.

    There’s also a program through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency that provides $15,000 in downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

    “A lot of people assume you’re only a first-time homebuyer once, but the way that we prove that you’re a first-time homebuyer is by collecting the last three years of tax returns to show that there’s mortgage interest,” Kinsey said. “So if you haven’t owned a home in three years, then you’re considered a first time homebuyer.” 

    No matter what program you take advantage of, at the end of the day, Senghore says this help is important.

    “Everybody deserves to be a homeowner, to have a certain level of security. You feel at home in your own house,” Senghore said.

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • New program aims to get mental health care to the homeless

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new psychiatry program launched in Mecklenburg County called Wellness Without Walls. It’s led by the United Way of Greater Charlotte and its Home for All Initiative.

    Malia Suhren believes everyone deserves equitable health care.

    “That’s not something that has to be earned. It’s just a human right,” said Suhren, director of unsheltered housing navigation for Roof Above.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new psychiatry program launched in Mecklenburg County called Wellness Without Walls, led by the United Way of Greater Charlotte 

    • It takes mental health care out to the streets to reach homeless populations 

    • The treatment is consensual, and the goal is to help people long term


    It’’s a sentiment Suhren keeps close to her heart and it’s why her organization has partnered with other nonprofits and health providers to start the Wellness Without Walls program. It takes mental health care out to the streets, making sure homeless populations get mental health treatment. Suhren and her team take the essential supplies people need and a psychiatrist goes out with them once or twice a week. 

    “They conduct walk-and-talk assessments, connect people with life-changing medication, provide the psycho-education that just goes beyond what we’re able to provide at outreach,” Suhren said.

    All the treatment is consensual, and the goal is to help people long term.

    “When we have a discussion around safety, we tend to think of our own personal safety and perceptions of safety, and that’s totally valid and totally right,” said Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Charlotte. “I want to feel safe on the light rail. I want to feel safe walking Uptown.”

    “But I also want our homeless neighbors to feel safe as well,” she said. “So I think expanding that conversation around public safety to include all Charlotteans is a great addition and a great outcome of bringing this program to life.” 

    The total homeless population in North Carolina without shelter increased by 50% from 2010 to 2024, compared with 17% nationally, according to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.

    “It would be amazing if Mecklenburg County could be something that people use as a model in order to improve services all around North Carolina,” Suhren said.

    The program is in its pilot phase but the United Way says it hopes to scale the program up in the coming year. 

    Helpful resources

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • Burke County brings pen and paper back in the classroom

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    BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Burke County Public Schools is putting pen and paper back in the classroom. It is giving teachers the freedom during the day to choose when computers are better and when paper is better during this transition year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Burke County has decided to put pen and paper back in the classroom

    • The district has voted to pass a resolution for teachers
    • It gives teachers the freedom during the day to choose when computers are better and when paper is better during this transition year

    • They will still be using computers when needed but say it’s important to go back to the basics


    Tiana Beachler is both a mother and Burke County Board of Education member. She says when she was home, she saw her sons’ attachment to devices.

    “When the devices go away, now we get the emotions,” Beachler said.

    She saw it’s happening with other families too, so she came up with an idea to take a step back.

    “In order to run you have to learn how to walk, in order to walk you have to crawl, so instead of the thought that we are taking a step back, it’s important to teach them the foundation of how to work things out on paper,” Beachler said.

    Teachers say they like it. Connie Fox teaches kindergarten and says the computers were too much for her students.

    “Eight years ago, they were writing sentences, and last year they were barely writing words, and in my head they were on the computer so much,” Fox said.

    Now, she does more hands-on work and made them a reading corner.

    “This has just been such a blessing to be able to go back to what is age-appropriate for these children especially,” Fox said.

    Fifth-grade teacher Emily Hendrix says it’s good for math. She says students can now show their work.

    “A computer, it’s very easy just to click and push the buttons until it moves you on to the next problem,” Hendrix said.

    She mentioned that they’re now able to learn cursive.

    “Students don’t know cursive, and they do struggle to sign their names, and in documents later in life they need to know how to do that,” Hendrix said.

    They say they are going back to the basics to try to give students a well-rounded education.

    “We’re seeing paper come home again, because we have kids in the system. We see the homework come home again,” Beachler said.

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    Rose Eiklor

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  • N.C. campus creating spaces to promote student wellness

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    LOCUST, N.C. — October marks Mental Health Awareness Month for many wellness organizations, aligning with World Mental Health Day and National Depression Screening Day.

    At Stanly Community College, staff are using this time to spotlight resources and support services for the 10,000 students at its Albemarle campus, Crutchfield Education Center in Locust and other learning sites.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Organizations are spotlighting mental health wellness, coinciding with World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10

    •  A North Carolina community college hosted wellness activities as part of its commitment to mental health 

    •  Stanly Community College said these recent events are just one piece of its long-term efforts to promote student wellness 



    This week, the college hosted “Color Yourself Happy” and “Walk & Talk with a Counselor” events, inviting students to take a break and focus on the moment.

    “We try to do things like that throughout the year, we know college can be extremely stressful,” said Kara Finch, dean of Health Sciences and Public Services. “We want to make sure we’re paying attention to mental health needs of college students.”

    Finch said over the years, the community college has taken huge strides with supporting mental health needs, taking a more holistic approach all year-round.

    This includes resources embedded across the school’s campuses to meet wellness needs.

    “We have a food pantry, counseling services here on our campuses to provide support,” Finch said. “We also have a focus on mental health first aid and QPR (question, persuade, refer) suicide prevention for our faculty and staff. We have a lot of staff and faculty trained in mental health first aid, about 85% of our faculty and staff are trained in suicide prevention.”

    Finch said the college is also integrating mental health awareness into student orientation, where staff discuss self-care and signs of depression and anxiety.

    “We want our students to be successful,” Finch said. “Part of that means there’s not just a focus on their education, there’s a focus on their mental health and physical needs, all of those things.”

    “We know students can’t learn on an empty stomach. Providing snacks for them when they’re on break, having the food pantry for those students who might need that support, we know it’s a stressful environment,” Finch said.

    Jonathan Ho is a student in the emergency medical science program at SCC. He said midterms and constant studying can be overwhelming.

    “Trying to remember everything you learn in class, there’s so much stress,” Ho said.

    For Ho, the “Color Yourself Happy” activities were an opportunity to draw while releasing stress. 

    “Take our mind off studying, trying to focus on mental health and doing something non-school-related while at school,” Ho said. “Makes you forget about everything else, you’re just focusing on the picture.”

    “[These events] make you feel like you’re not just a student, people actually care about you and want to see you succeed,” Ho said.

    The school said mental health extends to academics, particularly in the nursing program, where self-care is part of the curriculum.

    “We spend a lot of time in one of the first classes they take [focusing on] self-care, the importance of self-care while they’re in school and also while they’re in the field,” Finch said.

    Nursing student Maggie Thompson said the program’s new “fidget basket,” filled with stress-relief tools, helps her manage anxiety.

    “Even after tests, my nerves are always up. Having something in my hands [a fidget toy] can relieve my stress. I love it, it shows that I’m cared for and they’re constantly evolving to be there for students,” Thompson said.

    SCC adds a self-care statement in each course syllabus, a reminder that mental wellness is a priority.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Homecoming festivities return to N.C. A&T

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    GREENSBORO,N.C. — Reconnecting with old classmates on the yard, tailgating before the big game and enjoying the parade are some of the best parts of homecoming week, but there’s one more ingredient that helps N.C. A&T host the “Greatest Homecoming on Earth.”

    What You Need To Know

    • It’s homecoming week at N.C A&T

    • Leaders at the college say more than 130,000 people attend the weeklong celebration in Greensboro

    • A report released by the university shows collectively their homecoming events make a $33 million economic impact on the entire state



    “It’s the spirit of Aggie pride,“ former N.C. A&T president of the National Alumni Association Gerald Williams explained. 

    And to show off that school spirit, alumni like Sabrina Brooks make the campus bookstore their first stop. 

    “To be able to show school spirit is so important. Coming from Philadelphia you have to always rep where you went,” Brooks said. 

    Sixty thousand out-of-town visitors will make their way to the campus events over the week.

    College leaders said the boost in visitors translates to a surge in sales each year, and the royalties go toward funding financial aid for the current generation of students.

    But the bookstore is just one of many businesses that benefit from homecoming season. 

    “North Carolina A&T has an annual economic impact on this state, mostly concentrated in Guilford County, of $2.4 billion. A lot of that comes from visitors and events that we hold that draw people into this community, homecoming by far the large is one of those events,” N.C. A&T Associate Vice Chancellor Todd Simmons said.

    N.C. A&T Police Chief Robert Hassell said they partnered with local law enforcement to ensure safety and help direct traffic.

    “We want everyone, our students or alumni and all visitors to feel safe. Our homecoming event is one of the largest and one of the best experiences anyone could ask, so with that comes a lot of traffic, not only vehicle traffic but pedestrian traffic. So all those coming to our homecoming event need to expect some possible delays with redirection of traffic,” Hassell said. 

    Collectively more than 130,000 people attend the events every year, and the celebration creates a $33 million economic impact on the state.

    The festivities continue Friday night with the annual step show.

    Saturday will feature the homecoming parade, football game against South Carolina State and a concert starring GloRilla and A Boogie. The event ends Sunday with a gospel concert.

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    Sasha Strong

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  • Debris from Helene could fuel N.C. wildfires for next decade, officials say

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    HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina fire officials are warning this fall wildfire season could be dangerous as debris left from Helene could fuel wildfires.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The N.C. Forest Service says debris from Helene could fuel wildfires for the next five to 10 years

    •  Western North Carolina experienced about 822,000 acres of damaged forest land due to Helene, according to officials

    •  Debris on the ground can make it difficult for firefighters to maneuver terrain


    The large amount of debris that is still on the ground in western North Carolina can continue to pose a threat for several years, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.

    “We experienced roughly 822,000 acres of damaged forest land in western North Carolina,” Philip Jackson, the public information officer for the North Carolina Forest Service, said. ”That ranges from minimal damage to total loss, meaning the trees are on the ground, so there’s another fuel source that’s been lying on the ground for about a year now drying out and becoming more available.”

    “It’s not going to be a quick fix, and it’s going to be with us for quite some time,” Jackson added. “I would categorize this as the probably new norm when it comes to the next five or 10 year time period.”

    Debris can also make it more difficult for firefighters to battle flames by creating obstacles as they maneuver the terrain.

    “It’s in our way,” Jackson said. “We either have to cut through it, remove it and navigate it somehow or we have to find a new way to the fire. As we’re doing that, the fire is obviously spreading. It also makes it much more difficult for us to access certain roads if they’re blocked by trees.”

    Debris from Helene played a big role in fueling wildfires in western North Carolina in the spring. Officials said 3,952 wildfires burned in the state between January and May 2025. During the same time period in 2024, there were 2,835 wildfires.

    Three large fires formed the Black Cove Complex Fire in March 2025, burning thousands of acres in Henderson and Polk counties and destroying homes and buildings. According to Jackson, the fires grew so fast because of high winds and debris in the forest.

    “Wildfires went much bigger than they otherwise would have due to the storm debris,” he said.

    The Henderson County Fire Department is preparing for this wildfire season by urging people in their community to take precautions by clearing brush around their homes.

    “Clear out the underbrush,” Kevin Waldrup, the Henderson County fire marshal, said. “Clear out dead limbs underneath your trees. [For] your house itself, you can do stuff like clean out the gutters and make sure leaves don’t pile up underneath the deck.”

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    Chloe Salsameda

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  • NC State blames Monsanto for building shutdown, multiple personal injury claims

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. State University filed a lawsuit this week against Monsanto over the contamination in Poe Hall.

    The building was said to be connected to hundreds of cancer cases and other illnesses, which ultimately led to the decision to close it.

    What You Need To Know

    • N.C. State University filed a lawsuit against the chemical company Monsanto on Wednesday

    • The university closed Poe Hall in 2023 after it tested positive for PCB

    • Monsanto said it discontinued its production of bulk industrial PCBs nearly five decades ago


    The university has been back in session for weeks, with students and staff greeting one another on campus.  

    But a former university hallmark is getting the cold shoulder.

    N.C. State closed Poe Hall in 2023, after it tested positive for PCB, a chemical compound that health experts say is toxic and can cause cancer.

    The school filed a lawsuit against the chemical company Monsanto on Wednesday, saying it’s to blame.

    UNC School of Law professor Don Hornstein looked over the lawsuit and said N.C. State wants a declaratory judgment.

    “We want the court to declare that they’re liable, which, among other things, would mean they would have to reimburse us, N.C. State, for any money we may owe the victims, the actual people that may be able to prove they were injured by these PCBs,” Hornstein said. 

    The lawsuit states that the company manufactured the PCBs into the materials used to construct the building decades ago.

    It alleges that Monsanto marketed the PCB mixtures as non-toxic, knew the claim was false, but did not tell the university.

    Hornstein said some of the claims made by the university sound like strict liability for Monsanto.

    “Which means because we’re dealing with these toxic chemicals, they are subject to sort of a unique set of law that makes the person ultimately responsible, like, immediately responsible,” Hornstein said.

    The lawsuit states that expert analysis discovered the PCBs were coming through the building’s HVAC system, resulting in hundreds of cancer cases and other related illnesses.

    Hornstein said N.C. State has a strong case for a new building and any possible liability that may come from personal injury claims.

    “N.C. State definitely has a colorable case. It’s not a slam dunk. Obviously, Monsanto will have its defenses, but on the face of it, it alleged a dozen different ways that it believes that Monsanto is liable,” Hornstein said.

    Hornstein said if this case goes to trial for the full length of time, it could take years.

    Spectrum News 1 reached out to Monsanto, which provided the following statement. 

    “The Company believes these claims lack merit and will respond in court in due course. Monsanto discontinued its production of bulk industrial PCBs nearly five decades ago, conducted hundreds of studies on PCB safety, and provided appropriate warnings to its sophisticated industrial customers based on the state-of-the science at the time. Any PCB-containing building products used in Poe Hall or other buildings on campus were manufactured, sold and installed by sophisticated third-parties, and maintained by the University.”

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • CATS adds new bike and UTV patrols following deadly stabbing

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Security officers on bikes and utility terrain vehicles will patrol transit areas in Charlotte moving forward.

    What You Need To Know

    • Charlotte Area Transit System added utility terrain vehicles and bike patrols to transit areas, including the light rail

    • The announcement comes after the deadly stabbing on the light rail that killed Iryna Zarutska in August

    • The state auditor released a preliminary special report earlier this week about the CATS contracts, highlighting a decrease in armed security guards over the years

    • CATS and city officials say they plan to focus on ways to reduce and eliminate fare evasion


    The Charlotte Area Transit System Interim CEO Brent Cagle, Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and Metropolitan Transit Commission Chair and Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox made the announcement Friday. 

    The new measure comes after Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was killed on the light rail in August. Decarlos Brown Jr. is accused of stabbing her to death. 

    “We owe that, not just to those of us who are here today but we owe this to Iryna’s family and to every person whoever thought about we should ride the bus or the train for whatever reason. I’m committed to this work, and I won’t stop until it’s as safe as it can possibly be,” Lyles said. 

    Professional Security Services is the transit security provider for CATS. Cagle said bike and UTV patrols in addition to the expanded jurisdiction the security officers now have will make a difference. 

    “Especially in areas like Uptown and South End, where it is very difficult to reach some of these platforms by vehicle, this extends their reach, and it also gives them the ability to respond much more quickly,” Cagle said.

    “This extends their reach, and it also gives them the ability to respond much more quickly,” Cagle said. 

    Light rail rider Yashas Reddy welcomes more patrols in the transit system he rides twice a week.

    “I think that’s definitely a good measure. That definitely adds especially during off-peak hours, maybe like late in the night or early mornings,” Reddy said. 

    The news conference also comes after the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released a preliminary special report on the security contracts for CATS earlier this week. It reveals the number of armed guards decreased from between 68 and 88 in 2018 to 39 last month. 

    It makes an emphasis that while the current contract provides 219 security officers, having only 39 armed doesn’t allow the transit system to have one armed guard at all of its 48 train cars. 

    “We don’t believe that that is feasible. We also don’t believe it creates a force that can stay mobile to respond throughout the system. If there are significant numbers of security on every vehicle, if those trains need to be stopped for some reason, that means those security are stationary with that train,” Cagle said. “It’s not about are there personnel on every vehicle every day, all day long. It’s are there personnel visibly present throughout the entire system throughout the day.”

    Cagle added they have more than 200 security officers, including over 40 armed and both are backed by off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers. 

    “All of the personnel receive extensive training, including unarmed personnel, before they go out to serve the community and transit. And all of the unarmed personnel are fully supported by armed personnel with and by CMPD,” Cagle said. 

    Reddy, who overall feels safe when riding, said he wants to see priority placed on checking if riders paid for a ticket.

    “Especially at certain specific railway stations. If there’s an entry and exit checkpoint so that not anyone or everyone can come in, maybe that would probably help out,” Reddy said. 

    Brown didn’t have a ticket at the time of the murder. 

    Cagle said CATS will focus on reducing and eliminating fare evasion as they move forward. Lyles said she plans to work with members of the MTC to move forward a resolution about fare evasion. 

    “We have to approach this process and this plan for fare evasion, because fare evasion is often a symptom of different challenges. We can’t ignore that so we will have to work out how to best do it,” Lyles said. 

    CATS reminds riders there are ways to report an emergency from a train car. Cagle said there are call buttons on every train car that go directly to the operation. Even if the passenger doesn’t feel comfortable saying something, the call opens the communication with the operator for them to hear what’s going on in the train behind them and notify CMPD. They can also report an issue on the CATS app. 

     

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Walkertown Girls Softball Association raises money to support growth

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    WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Walkertown Girls Softball Association has been empowering young athletes in the Triad for more than 50 years.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Walkertown Girls Softball Association is serving up food this week at the Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem to raise money for the league

    • The nonprofit has more than a dozen teams each season, with nearly 200 girls from across the region playing each year. But president Leslie White says renting fields for practices and games gets expensive

    • The association has been running a booth at the Carolina Classic Fair for more than 25 years. The fundraiser is their largest of the year and helps keep registration fees low for families

    • The Walkertown Girls Softball Association will be at the Carolina Classic Fair Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 12.


    This week, the group is serving up food at the Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem to raise money for the league and its future.

    The nonprofit has more than a dozen teams each season, with nearly 200 girls from across the region playing each year. But president Leslie White says renting fields for practices and games gets expensive.

    “We hope to one day be able to field maybe three fields, find enough land to build three fields and also build our own training facility,” White said.

    The association has been running a booth at the Carolina Classic Fair for more than 25 years. The fundraiser is their largest of the year and helps keep registration fees low for families.

    “Some of the money that we raise helps offset that so that we don’t have to raise our prices on our parents,” White said.

    Beyond serving food — like Brunswick stew, burgers and lemonade — the booth features jerseys, team photos and a vision board showing plans for the group’s future facility.

    “They need to be a part of something good,” White said. “Our mission is to empower girls to feel confident about themselves.”

    The Walkertown Girls Softball Association will be at the Carolina Classic Fair on Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 12.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Is Trump administration violating the Hatch Act?

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    The Trump administration is on the attack over the federal government shutdown. The attacks aren’t just coming from the White House but also federal agencies that are supposed to be absent of partisanship.

    What You Need To Know

    • Some federal agencies are directing blame toward Democrats over the shutdown

    • Ethics concerns are being raised about those actions

    • One of the concerns centers on the federal Hatch Act



    The Department of Housing and Urban Development that has a banner on its website saying “The radical left in Congress shut down the government …” and the Department of Justice website says “Democrats have shut down the government.” Numerous other federal agencies have posted partisan language blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

    ”I’ve never seen something so extremely partisan as what we have here,” said University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter, who was former President George W. Bush’s chief ethics lawyer.

    Partisanship is supposed to be removed from federal agencies. The federal Hatch Act passed in 1939 aims to ensure federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion, and it restricts federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty.

    On Tuesday the organization Public Citizen filed a Hatch Act complaint against the housing secretary saying “the official HUD web page includes two highly partisan postings.”

    “I believe the Hatch Act could be violated in these situations if there is a mention of the elections, candidates or political slogans. These communications are right up to the line,” Painter said.

    Painter said the Trump administration is getting very close to violating the Hatch Act because the postings could potentially be used to influence an election.

    He says the postings are clearly in violation of the Anti-Lobbying Act, which prohibits appropriated funds to influence members of Congress.

    “These agency web pages are funded by the taxpayers,” Painter said. “This is a use of taxpayer money to lobby Congress … to put pressure on the Democrats to cave in the budget negotiations that are leading to this shutdown. This is an illegal use of taxpayer money.”

    A White House official tells Spectrum News the Trump administration is just sharing the truth with the American people and points to examples in the Biden and Obama administrations when they assigned partisan blame on Republicans.

    Painter said it’s true, especially in the Biden administration, that there were violations, but nothing to this level.

    “The so and so did it, so and so did this, so and so did that, and therefore I can do even worse, that isn’t an argument that is acceptable for the leader of the free world,” Painter said. 

    Hatch Act complaints are reviewed by the Office of Special Counsel. But any violations by White House-commissioned officers will be referred to the president for appropriate action, so in this case there likely wouldn’t be any penalty.

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    Reuben Jones

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  • N.C. artist sells paintings to cover funeral costs for Southport victims

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    SOUTHPORT, N.C. — From the outside, it looks like an ordinary shed.

    Inside, it’s where artist Katie Lewis finds peace and purpose.

    What You Need To Know

    • Artist Katie Lewis is selling her artwork to help cover funeral costs for the Southport shooting victims

    • Lewis felt compelled to help after losing her dad a month prior to the shooting

    • 300 prints of her portrait at the American Fish Company have already sold

    • All of the proceeds from the artwork will be split among all three affected families, Lewis said


    “This is my art studio,” Lewis said.

    She has always turned to creativity as an outlet.

    “Always like to make stuff with my hands, you know, like since I was a kid. And I think it’s the idea of doing something and kind of being locked in on it,” Lewis said. “I can forget about the world here.”

    As a child, she reached for a paintbrush. As she got older, she found inspiration anywhere she could.

    “Whenever I started trying to get better at painting, I watched, like, YouTube videos. So I painted along with Bob Ross. I really like him,” she said with a laugh.

    Like Ross, Lewis gravitated toward watercolors, landscapes, buildings, snapshots of serenity. One of her paintings captures the American Fish Company in Southport.

    Katie Lewis is donating proceeds from her Southport painting to families of the shooting victims. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

    “My inspiration behind the painting was the sounds of the peacefulness that’s there. You know, I feel like with a lot of my paintings, that’s kind of what stems from like the feelings you get at certain places,” Lewis said.

    At the time, she couldn’t have known how much that painting would come to mean.

    “I feel like it captures the peace that maybe not many people find there right now,” Lewis said.

    Saturday night, a gunman opened fire on the Southport restaurant from a nearby boat, killing three and wounding five others.

    “I think especially for the people that were there during it and, you know, the families and stuff, I think that it may never feel like that. And it’s really sad, you know, because somebody can take that like precious place and turn it into something that it isn’t,” Lewis said.

    She wanted to help.

    “I couldn’t help the families in that way, but with the help of the community buying artwork, I’m able to give back,” she said.

    Lewis started selling prints of her American Fish Company portrait, donating all proceeds to the victims’ funeral costs. That mission hits close to home.

    “My dad passed away like less than a month ago and, on top of like, the emotion that comes from losing family members, you then have the payments for everything that comes after. And I wanted to try to help kind of a little bit with what I could,” Lewis said.

    Her own grief pushed her to act.

    “I think maybe if that had happened, no, it’s not the same situation, but losing someone hadn’t have happened to me like less than a month ago, I may, maybe not, I may have not been so quick to want to help. But yeah, it felt very personal. And I love Southport, you know, I love going there. I go there after work. Sometimes I just go there and walk, and I wanted to try to give back,” Lewis said.

    Lewis has already sold out of her first run of prints. She is currently opening up 100 more prints for purchase after the high demand.

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • N.C. furniture maker looks to ramp up production as tariffs are set to begin

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    HIGH POINT, N.C. — President Donald Trump this week laid out plans to impose tariffs on a range of strategic imports, including timber, wood products and furniture. 

    An executive order signed Monday includes tariffs of 25% on upholstered furniture and 10% on softwood timber and lumber that take effect Oct. 14, with exceptions for some trading partners, such as the United Kingdom.

    What You Need To Know

    • New tariffs are set to take effect this month on timber and wood products, including upholstered furniture

    • A furniture maker in High Point, North Carolina, says he is seeing a surge in demand from customers who are unsure how the tariffs will affect supply 

    • But the owner of Dominick’s Furniture says to meet higher demand, he will need special machinery and skilled workers who can operate it

    • The Catawba Valley Furniture Academy has been working to teach skills such as sewing, cutting, framing and upholstery

    Fourth-generation furniture maker Anthony Pennisi, who owns Dominick’s Furniture in High Point, North Carolina, said the move is already helping his business see a surge in demand.

    But to offer competitive prices, he said Dominick’s will need more skilled workers.

    “These customers who are getting, you know, 15, 20 containers a month for the big box stores are panicking. The uncertainty of whether they’ll be able to get it, and if the tariffs are going to continue to rise, is causing them to start looking to see about domestic manufacturing,” Pennisi said. “So we have been quoting nonstop.” 

    But Pennisi said that to meet that higher production rate, he needs specialized machinery.

    “Our labor cost is one of the things that is the highest part of making the product. So, when there’s going to be a need to ramp up and make the 100 sofa frames, we need to be able to have a CNC router that will cut all the plywood,” Pennisi said.

    Pennisi has 15 employees and said that he would need to hire more skilled workers to operate those machines and to handle upholstery.

    “If we could just get that back in schools to have future candidates and employees, that would be great because, you know, that’s what we need,” he said.

    The Catawba Valley Furniture Academy has been working to answer that call by teaching skills like sewing, cutting, framing and upholstery to students enrolled in its night-time program.

    “It’s critical to our region, and this is the furniture capital of the world. We can add High Point; there are two cities where the focal point is furniture, and so we need to be able to produce really good students so that they can go to work for our partners, and they can hit the ground running day one,” said executive dean of economic development and corporate education Gary Mullen.

    A new daytime course also offers the same opportunity to inmates.

    It has been life-changing for students like Eli Cobb, who will graduate in spring.

    “I thought it was a great opportunity for me to learn a new skill and to get a better pay increase. I’m planning on moving, maybe to this area also, and I know that this area will need skilled trainers,” Cobb said.

    Trump’s tariff on certain upholstered furniture is set to increase to 30% on Jan. 1.

    Pennisi said that higher rates could also impact American manufacturers importing electronic mechanisms for their products.

    “I was kind of excited about the tariffs because I think it’s going to bring us business,” he said. 

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    Sasha Strong

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  • Business booms for local solar energy company despite ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Solar is the fastest growing source of electricity in the U.S.

    Data from the Solar Energy Industries Association shows the country generated over 750,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity from solar and wind last year. That’s enough to power more than 70 million homes.

    The industry is facing changes, however, from President Donald Trump’s new federal tax and spending policies. Some for the better, some for the worse.

    What You Need To Know

    • Solar is the fastest growing source of electricity in the U.S.

    • President Donald Trump signed what he calls “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in July 2025 that will impact solar companies and customers

    • The Solar Energy Industries Association says the industry will no longer have access to an investment and production tax credit after 2027 under the new law


    Trump signed what he calls “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in July.

    Part of that bill changed policies and placed restrictions on energy tax credits for the solar energy industry and its customers.

    The Solar Energy Industries Association said the industry will no longer have access to an investment and production tax credit after 2027 under the new law.

    These two credits are financial incentives to encourage clean energy investment and innovation.

    It might be a shock to some, but Vice President and Director of Sales for N.C. Solar Now Jesse Solomon said he’s witnessed funding cuts before. 

    “We’ve seen a lot of turbulence over the past 15 years, and we’ve always been able to adapt. Right?” Solomon said. “We’ve lost the state tax credit in 2015, and then we’ve lost some of our metering subsidies as well. But we’ve always been able to overcome that adversity up to this point.”

    The residential clean energy credit is also at risk and will be cut at the end of the year.

    This non-refundable tax incentive is for homeowners who installed systems, such as solar panels, batteries and geothermal heat pumps.

    The association said this credit allows homeowners to deduct 30% of the system’s cost from their taxes.

    But Solomon said with North Carolina’s population growth and the demand for power increasing, the solar industry will continue to boom.

    “You know, there are data centers that are going to be built here over the next five years, and we’re in a perfect situation to provide functional power and reliable energy to the grid as well as the centers,” Solomon said.

    Solomon said one thing is for sure — solar energy isn’t going anywhere.

    “I think because the price of power just continues to rise, and as it does, you know, our business allows people to hedge themselves against that power price increase each year,” he explained. “So, we’ll continue to see demand.”

    Solomon said N.C. Solar Now is a small, privately owned business with about 100 employees.

    He says they are “working hard to minimize any layoffs and are cautiously optimistic.”

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • Stein marks Hurricane Helene recovery, urges more federal aid

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The sounds of construction continue to echo through the mountains of western North Carolina, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gov. Josh Stein visited western North Carolina on Friday, nearly one  year since Helene 

    • The storm’s destruction forced more than 1,400 road closures

    • The governor highlighted progress across the state, pointing out that 97% of all state-maintained roads closed by Helene are now back open

    • Stein is pressing Congress for more aid


    “That storm’s devastation turned millions of people’s lives upside down,” Gov. Josh Stein said.

    Helene’s destruction forced more than 1,400 road closures. Stein noted the storm left behind enough debris to fill 5,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

    “Folks became totally disconnected. No communications, no water, no electricity, no means to get from one place to the other,” he said.

    Some of the most severe damage was in the Pigeon River Gorge and along Interstate 40.

    Crews work to repair western North Carolina roads nearly a year after Helene caused devastating flooding. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

    On March 1, crews reopened a four-mile stretch with a lane in each direction.

    “I’m glad we have this sound of traffic through this press conference, because it means people can get from North Carolina to Tennessee and places beyond,” Stein said.

    The governor highlighted progress across the state, pointing out that almost all state-maintained roads closed by Helene are now back open. “Just a year later, 97% of all state-maintained roads closed by Helene have been reopened,” Stein said to applause.

    But Stein also issued a warning — the money secured so far isn’t enough.

    “I’m grateful for every federal dollar that the state has received. But to be frank, it isn’t enough. The average federal contribution to a state after a major storm as a percentage of the total damage is about 50%. Today, North Carolina has received 11%,” he said.

    Stein is pressing Congress for more aid.

    “I am calling on Congress to pass a new $13.5 billion appropriation to send more support our way. The people of western North Carolina deserve their fair share,” he said.

     

    Gov. Josh Stein visits western North Carolina on Friday, almost a year since Helene struck. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • How juvenile center says it grew stronger after Helene

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Inmates were displaced from several state prisons across western North Carolina as a result of the damage caused by Helene. The storm not only affected the region’s adult prisons, but it also impacted its only youth development center.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Western Area Juvenile and Assessment Center is the only facility that services the Asheville community and 28 other counties

    • The facility was forced to shut down without power and water to continue operations during Helene

    • Helene humbled the staff at Western Area Juvenile and Assessment Center, but it challenged them to grow as individuals and as an agency


    Many communities across the region were forced to rebuild following the significant devastation caused by Helene last September and for the state’s criminal justice system, it revealed where the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections and the Department of Public Safety needed to improve response efforts to natural disasters.

    The Western Area Juvenile and Assessment Center is the only facility that services the Asheville community and 28 other counties.

    The North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s website says juvenile crisis and assessment centers offer evidenced-based crisis assessment and mental health residential services for youth ages 10-17. During their stay at-risk youth are provided with recommendations for the most suitable behavioral interventions.

    Both boys and girls are housed at the facility and typically stay between 14 and 45 days to receive comprehensive evaluations by both licensed psychologists and clinical case managers. 

    The Western Area Juvenile and Assessment Center first opened in October 2016.

    Nearly a decade later, when Helene hit the area last year, the facility was forced to shut down without power and water to continue operations.

    “Even after our youth were out of here and we could take a deep breath, it hit all of us,” said Jennifer Morgan, Asheville operations manager for Methodist Home for Children said in an interview with Spectrum News 1. “Youth were using the water that we had here, like jugs of water, to be able to flush the toilet.”

    Owned by the Methodist Home for Children, the facility partners with NCDPS’s Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The division’s Juvenile Facility Operations section maintains both juvenile detention centers and youth development centers.

    The Methodist Home for Children currently provides residential care and services for youth across 16 locations statewide.

    “We had two staff that were here with our youth, but other staff when the storm hit, just came here because they knew our kids are here 24/7,” Morgan said.

    Youth brought to the facility under secure custody are housed there for as long as a court order is in place. Morgan said Western Area did have one secure custody youth occupying one of its beds at the time of the storm.

    “Under normal circumstances, we cannot transport those youth,” Morgan said. “They’re brought here shackled and chained, and they leave in those as well, but because of the circumstances, what was more important was this kid’s safety.”

    Morgan said after a few days youth housed in the facility were transferred to the Bridges Juvenile Crisis and Assessment Center in Winston-Salem. Many of the kids had been struggling to get in contact with their parents and soon learned that the devastation had made its way to their homes as well.

    Until the youth could be safely transported, staff at Western Area returned to work to continue cooking and taking care of them, transitioning the facility into a safe haven for support and community.

    “Everything from cat litter, to baby food, to gas, to food, I mean, you name it, water, paper towels, everything,” Morgan said. “Methodist Home really wrapped around our staff, and while our kids weren’t here, it became a hub for our staff to come in here.”

    Staff members impacted by the storm stayed for days until relief came. Morgan said Helene humbled the staff at Western Area Juvenile and Assessment Center, but it challenged them to grow as individuals and as an agency.

    “All of our youth that still come here rather assessment crisis or secure custody are benefiting from that because our staff are like family,” Morgan said.

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    Darrielle Fair

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  • Charlotte man reflects on neighborhood changes since Helene

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Despite his neighborhood being hit by Helene last September, Christopher Olivares feels blessed.

    What You Need To Know

    • With the one-year anniversary of Helene this weekend, a community in Charlotte is reflecting on the past 12 months 

    • A neighborhood on Riverside Drive on Mountain Island Lake experienced damage and flooding last year

    • After Helene, the area was a hive of activity, every house seemed to have people at it cleaning out and assessing the damage  

    • Today, some of the damage remains, but only a few families are left living in these homes 


    “As much as it kind of sucked for us, we are the lucky ones. We could rebuild, and it was expensive, but we have a home,” Olivares said.

    The neighborhood on Riverside Drive on Mountain Island Lake in Charlotte was once filled with dozens of homes and a sense of strong community. It now stands with some empty lots, damaged homes and only a few families who decided to rebuild and stay.

    “I mean you feel very alone, it’s quiet, which has its pros and cons,” Olivares said. “But at the same time, it’s so empty that you’re kind of the last man standing.” 

    It’s been 12 months since Helene’s impacts swept through this neighborhood. Olivares says he had no idea what was coming.

    “You never expect it to be as bad as what they were saying. We ended up having from the base of our garage to the height 11 feet, 8 inches of water, so almost 12 feet from the bottom of the garage,” Olivares said. “Not including the elevation of water depth in the yard where the river normally is to the house. There’s probably another 6 feet there.” 

    This neighborhood flooded before in 2019, so neighbors warned him it was best to evacuate.

    “More than anything though, I’m a husband and a father and trying to get everybody out of the house, but also not panicking and trying to reassure everybody that it’s going to be OK, that was the primary goal in the moment,” Olivares said.

    It took eight months to rebuild, but there’s still work to be done in his backyard.

    “Coming up on the one-year anniversary, everybody has their own way of dealing with stuff. For me I just didn’t want to think about it,” Olivares said. “I’m ready to just move on.”

    As for what’s next, there’s still some uncertainty.

    “We’re still dealing with it truthfully. I mean the fact that there’s still houses standing that are going to go down. We have to think, how long until it doesn’t feel like a post-disaster area down here. I don’t know. Is that going to be another year? Is that going to be three more years?” Olivares said.

    One year later, his neighborhood is different.

    “Now there’s no community, except your like one or two neighbors that you’ve gotten really tight with and that’s great. But the community that was here won’t exist again,” Olivares said. 

     

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    Melody Greene

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  • Greensboro veteran who was homeless now helps veterans overcome homelessness

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — For many veterans, the transition home is not easy, and some even find themselves without a place to live. 

    In Greensboro, Army veteran Diane Dunn is now a case manager at The Servant Center, a nonprofit that provides housing and resources for veterans experiencing homelessness. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Army veteran Diane Dunn is a case manager at The Servant Center, a nonprofit that provides housing and resources for veterans experiencing homelessness
    • It’s personal for Dunn, because she once faced homelessness herself
    • The Servant Center’s new temporary housing facility will include 21 beds for disabled veterans experiencing homelessness, 22 medical respite beds and office space for staff
    • On Sept. 12, the center hosted its 2025 Triad Stand Down event where veterans connected with critical services like health and dental care, employment and housing




    The Servant Center offers permanent supportive housing — a program that Dunn said is life-changing. It’s personal for her, because she once faced homelessness.

    Dunn said since last year, Servant Center’s Glenwood and Haworth permanent housing facility has served 20 veterans and 95% of them remained permanently housed. In the Foxworth facility, Dunn says 34 veteran families were served, 100% of which have remained permanently housed.

    Dunn uses her own story of survival to help others find stability after serving their country.

    “When I had gotten out of the military in 1997, they didn’t have, of course, any programs like this,” Dunn said. “So I was homeless for almost a year.”

    Diane Dunn served in the Army for 10 years before becoming a case manager at The Servant Center. (Courtesy: Diane Dunn)

    Dunn served in the Army for 10 years. She said coming home and adjusting to civilian life was difficult.

    “You’re with a group of people all the time, and now you have to come home and learn to be a husband, learn to be a wife, you know, and fit into the daily schedule,” Dunn said.

    At the time, Dunn said she was “couch surfing” and even “dumpster diving” for food.

    Despite her circumstances, she enrolled in college while also working a part-time job. She was homeless for a year and a half. Now, Dunn helps residents with everything from medical appointments to transportation, but she said the most important thing she offers is trust.

    Dunn said residents lean on one another like family inside The Servant Center’s supportive housing.

    “Everybody in this building watches over everybody’s child, so I’m thankful for that,” Dunn said.

    Still, Dunn pointed out that supportive housing options for female veterans are limited across North Carolina.

    “The females don’t know where to go, and it’s not safe in the street,” Dunn said. “You find a lot of females hidden behind buildings off in the corner until daylight.”

    That’s why The Servant Center is opening a new building with a female hall for the first time. Dunn said it’s a mission that’s long overdue.

    The North Carolina Point-in-Time Count showed that in 2024 on any given day, 6% of people who were experiencing homelessness were veterans, and out of 11,626 people who were experiencing homelessness that same year, 41% were female.

    The Servant Center’s new temporary housing facility will include 21 beds for disabled veterans experiencing homelessness, 22 medical respite beds and office space for staff.

    On Sept. 12, the center hosted its 2025 Triad Stand Down event where veterans connected with critical services like health and dental care, employment and housing.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • NCCU uses new immersive technology to teach next batch of N.C. nurses

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    DURHAM, N.C. — Artificial intelligence is making its way into one university’s curriculum to help teach the next batch of North Carolina nurses.

    What You Need To Know

    • North Carolina Central University’s nursing program is the first in North Carolina to adopt artificial intelligence technology in its training 

    • The immersive interactive room on the second floor of the nursing building allows students to engage in virtual medical training scenarios

    • Scenarios include therapeutic communication, mental health, post-operative complications and rural community health simulations 


    North Carolina Central University is the first in the state to have an immersive technology room on campus. It’s a new way for students to learn and grow in preparation for their career in medicine. 

    The room on the second floor of the nursing building lets students engage in virtual medical training scenarios. The scenarios include therapeutic communication, mental health, post-operative complications and rural community health simulations. The school has more than 2,000 scenarios.

    The room is built to help students with real-life situations that will prepare them for when they are working with a patient.

    “They’re actually put in situations and have to make critical decisions and assess their patients appropriately,” said Dr. Janice Collins-McNeil, associate professor in NCCU’s Department of Nursing. “So here we were able to create the cell, for instance, for the students to be able to walk through, we’ve been able to, develop cardiac exercises so that the students become totally familiar with the heart.”

    The Nursing Department is also using virtual reality systems with AI to help students feel more comfortable with real-life patient interactions.

    “So usually at the first interaction I clam up. But with the VR now, it has helped me open up and actually practice what I’m going to say before I say it,” Noa Ledger, a senior nursing student, said. “When you start the scenario, you now can check out your patient informations at the front desk. That’s like the first thing you see when you walk through the door. And then you can go to the patient rooms. You can see the patient rooms on the sides, you can go to the medication room and everything.”

    In addition, the immersive rooms offers 360-degree cameras, so they can create their own scenarios.

     

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    Zyneria Byrd

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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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