Charlotte FC fans help sing national anthem after technical difficulties during first home match WCNC 2022-03-06 | If you've ever wanted to know what over 74,000 people singing the national anthem sounds like, then here's your chance.The record-setting crowd at Charlotte FC's inaugural home match had a moment of synergy during the singing of the national anthem Saturday evening at Bank of America Stadium.After fans noticed technical issues as "The Voice" winner Michelle Brooks-Thompson began singing, it didn't take them long to join in, reverberating throughout the stadium.The now-viral moment was captured by WCNC Charlotte's Ashley Stroehlein, who was in the stands during the national anthem.Charlotte FC had sold roughly 73,500 tickets for Saturday, and before the game got underway, the team revealed they had broken the MLS record with 74,479 fans in attendance.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc/record-breaking-crowd-sings-national-anthem-charlotte-fc-inaugural-match/275-1452143c-1981-4a47-b11b-172ddd7d04d5
Chilly mornings, warm afternoons in Charlotte this weekend WCNC 2024-10-19 | Although lows won't be quite as cold, you'll still need a jacket in the morning!
WCNC Charlotte anchor shares hair freedom story after big chop WCNC 2024-10-19 | "It’s like finding myself again." WCNC Charlotte's Kayland Hagwood shares her journey to hair freedom, after cutting most of her hair off in one big chop.
Frost advisory in effect for Charlotte area as temps dip into 30s WCNC 2024-10-19 | Saturday morning will see temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s across the Carolinas but afternoon highs should be pleasant in the mid-70s. This Evening & Overnight It'll be a cool and clear evening across the Carolinas. Lows will drop to the upper 30s and low 40s from the I-40 corridor and south to the piedmont. For the high country, lows will still hover in the mid 30s with the potential for frost. This Weekend Both Saturday and Sunday will be absolutely gorgeous! Morning lows fall to the low 40s with abundant sunshine in the afternoons. Highs will reach the low-mid 70s with light winds. Next Week We stay rain-free and quiet headed into next week. Highs will near 80 degrees by midweek before another slight drop in temperatures by the end of the 10 day. Regardless of how it feels outside, high pressure keeps storms and tropical systems away from us! #Weather #Forecast READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/weather/forecast/charlotte-weather-forecast-update/275-50501550
Musicians concerned about AI streaming fraud after NC mans arrest WCNC 2024-10-19 | A North Carolina man was charged in a music streaming fraud case, after allegedly using artificial intelligence to generate fake streams on platforms like Spotify, then pocketing $10 million in royalties. As the use of AI grows, creators may be concerned that streaming fraud would be something we could see more often. Kristen Roberts, an intellectual property attorney at Trestle Law, told WCNC Charlotte, this kind of scheme can be confusing. "It's really like putting on a concert or producing a concert where nobody shows up, but you're still getting the money from the ticket sales," she said. "So that's a really good way to think about it." Roberts explained, since platforms like Spotify pay artists depending on the number of plays, streaming fraud exposes some of these new challenges of art and artificial intelligence. "This had been going on for years, since as early as 2017," she explained. "And what they did was, they got together and they created thousands of bots, and these bots are just programs that are designed to just run in the background and play these, you know, pieces of music." Although streaming companies have been trying to address the possibility of this kind of scheme, Roberts said the operation of Cornelius man, Michael Smith, went undetected for years. #Music #AI #Crime READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/crime/north-carolina-streaming-fraud-crime-exposes-new-challenges-with-art-artificial-intelligence/275-93a57c3d-b4d5-4537-a9c4-eb4a340f7b9a
Football players removed from Charlotte Catholic team after bullying investigation WCNC 2024-10-19 | Charlotte Catholic High School administrators confirmed the school has taken action against multiple students over bullying allegations, including removing several players from its football team. The One In Five Foundation For Kids, a national school violence prevention and student advocacy group formed in the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, said it received several requests to look into alleged bullying at Charlotte Catholic. The organization says it will request oversight from the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte during the investigation. On Friday, Charlotte Catholic President Kurt Telford confirmed the school has already disciplined students following the initial investigation. The consequences include expulsion, suspension and removing athletes from the football team. He issued the following statement through the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte:"Charlotte Catholic High School has a strict policy that prohibits bullying and intimidation of any kind and includes consequences for anyone involved in such behavior. On Tuesday, we shared with our school community that we are investigating three bullying incidents that occurred in our boys locker room in recent weeks and involved members of our football team. While our investigation is ongoing, we have already begun to discipline those involved, imposing consequences that have included expulsion, suspension, removal from the football team and other penalties. We appreciate the support we have received from parents and students, who are partnering with us to help ensure incidents like this don’t happen again and that students feel empowered to report concerning behavior, as they did in this matter." #News READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/education/bullying-allegations-charlotte-catholic-high-school-independent-review/275-cc6b7f5c-9920-4c3e-8729-cf2c5c6fe77c
Viral post about school bathroom use is false, NC school district says WCNC 2024-10-19 | A social media post claimed a boy tried to watch a young girl in a Cabarrus County school restroom. The post also accused the school district of not helping the student after they reported the alleged incident to school officials. THE QUESTION Did a boy try to watch an 8-year-old girl pee in a Cabarrus County school restroom? WHAT WE FOUND Officials at Cabarrus County Schools said Friday that the district is "unaware of any report in which a student has reported being or feeling unsafe in a school bathroom," as a post on X falsely claimed. The post was shared Wednesday morning by the account TheThe1776. In that post, the account claimed a father was "told by his 8-year-old daughter that she went to the restroom at school and a boy walked in there to watch her pee and that she went to the front office and told them what happened and they told her that there’s NOTHING they can do about it." The post also included a video that father made at a school board meeting. The post on X garnered more than 19 million views since it was published Wednesday morning. #Verify #News READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/verify/viral-claim-that-boy-tried-to-watch-young-girl-in-school-restroom-is-false-cabarrus-county-school-district-says/275-e53d0323-7532-4438-901b-79ca4c0ceaec
16-year-old charged with murder in Charlotte, NC shooting WCNC 2024-10-19 | A 16-year-old who was arrested in South Carolina is facing multiple charges in connection with the deadly shooting of a 17-year-old in Ballantyne, detectives said. Multiple agencies, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, responded to a welfare check at an apartment complex on Wynhollow Downs Lane, which is near the intersection of Ballantyne Commons Parkway and Lancaster Highway, around 8 a.m. on Aug. 13. The victim, 17-year-old Aryan Singh Jaswal, was pronounced dead at the scene. CMPD said the suspect, who hasn't been identified due to their age, was arrested in Conway, South Carolina, on Oct. 11. The suspect was charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Maj. J.D. Thomas said detectives believed Singh was sleeping in a car when they arrived. Officers quickly determined he'd been shot. "This is a very quiet apartment complex," he said. "It's very unusual for us to have a crime like this out here." #Crime #News READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/crime/ballantyne-homicide-16-year-old-suspect-arrested-conway-south-carolina/275-3e4116d5-c785-4600-aeeb-0a16b04c22f9
NC superintendent candidate calls 2024 election American Revolution 2.0 WCNC 2024-10-19 | A North Carolina superintendent candidate says her comments about the Nov. 5 general election being the “American Revolution 2.0” are a reference to the “war” that families feel they are engaging in and against public schools. Michele Morrow, the Republican nominee to run the state’s public schools, wrote in a message to Republican groups in late September: “If we lose NC, we lose the White House and our future. Our children are being attacked. This is the American Revolution 2.0! We either willingly fight now, or we will be forced to fight on Nov 6th. This is war, ladies and gentlemen! Which side of history will you be on?” She sought to clarify in a statement on Thursday that she was speaking figuratively in the Sept. 30 message. “I am in no way calling for violence of any sort,” Morrow said in the statement. "Parents feel like they are at war with the failing school system, and students who are bullied and beaten in schools also feel like their schools are a war zone. Our children are suffering and they need a superintendent that is going to fight for them, not cover up bullying, sexual assaults or violent attacks in our schools. My choice of words reflects how students and parents are feeling. This is the fight I’m referring to and this is the fight that I will continue whether I am elected superintendent or not." #ncpol #Politics #News READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/politics/elections/michele-morrow-nc-superintendent-candidate-american-revolution/275-e9c56651-7d86-4b12-919b-ed98761c689d
NC man says someone else voted under his name during early voting WCNC 2024-10-19 | A Charlotte man who went to vote on the second day of early voting in Mecklenburg County says he was stunned to learn his vote was already processed when he arrived to cast a ballot. Conor Brennan sat down with WCNC Charlotte to describe what happened at Bank of America Stadium on Friday. When he presented his information, the system showed someone else beat him to the punch, voting under his name ... or so he thought. "They mentioned that I had already voted earlier that day at another location," Brennan said. Brennan said when he presented his identification, a poll worker gave him the shocking news. "Strange though, very strange," Michael Dickerson, Mecklenburg County's elections director, said. "Not feeling like my vote is going to be recorded or heard is an invasion of my rights and disappointing," Brennan said. Dickerson gave some clarity on the situation, saying it was human error when another person with the same name voted in Mecklenburg County. State records show there are three people named Conor Brennan who are registered to vote in North Carolina, with two of them in Mecklenburg County. #Politics #News #Elections READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/politics/elections/mecklenburg-county-early-voting-charlotte-man-another-voter-used-his-name-2024-election-human-error/275-7b5f0605-89b9-4375-90b3-57036e922583
Reba McEntire discusses new NBC sitcom “Happy’s Place” #reba #entertainment #news #tv WCNC 2024-10-19 | ...
10-year-old who is legally blind to run Charlotte 5K with his mom #marathon #runner #heartwarming WCNC 2024-10-19 | ...
Mom to guide legally blind son during 5K at Charlotte airport WCNC 2024-10-18 | One of the city’s most popular races is this weekend and will include two runners with a very special story. A fifth grader who is legally blind will CLT Runway 5K at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with the help of his mom who won the race back in 2019. Ten-year-old Luke Fechtel inherited his love of running from his mom Anne. He started running in first grade. “Everyone else was playing sports, so I was trying to think of something that I could do and running came to me, and it turns out, I really like running,” Luke told WCNC Charlotte's Michelle Boudin. He and his older sister and younger brother were all born with a rare genetic disease that has severely limited their vision. “I can see colors, but I get them confused sometimes," Luke explained. "I can see shapes and everything. I guess you would say my vision is blurry, but I don’t know because I don’t know what you’re vision is like. It’s called visually impaired, so that means my vison is low. I’m legally blind, but I’m not totally blind.” #Life #News READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/local/charlotte-airport-5k-blind-runner-son-mom-guide/275-4873da00-f42a-4099-bdc7-604ac910aae3
Carolina Balloon Fest headlines QC Weekend Happenings for Oct. 18-20 WCNC 2024-10-18 | We'll see the beginning of a slight warm-up from cooler temperatures and plenty of sunshine as you head out for fun events across the Charlotte area this weekend. See what's happening! Friday, Oct. 18 Charlotte Checkers vs. Cleveland Monsters @ Bojangles Coliseum Come out with your friends to an epic hockey match featuring your Charlotte Checkers as they take on the Cleveland Monsters. The teams will face off at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $26. Happening all weekend Charlotte Craft Beer Week Celebrate the rich and diverse craft beer and cider culture that the Charlotte area has to offer. Happening now until Sunday, Oct. 27. Johnson C. Smith University Homecoming There will be a lot to see and do on Beatties Ford Road this weekend as Smithites return to campus for homecoming. The week's festivities will feature a parade, pep rallies, and of course, the homecoming game versus Shaw University. Carolina Renaissance Festival Escape to a simpler time in history at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, complete with an artisan market with craft demonstrations, music, dance and comedy entertainments, equestrian and avian exhibitions, and, of course, food! Happening now through Nov. 24. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/entertainment/events/charlotte-weekend-events-qc-happenings/275-0d17b5d0-c4d1-4a0b-9201-88e06f807400
Charlotte voters to decide on 3 bonds worth $400M in 2024 election WCNC 2024-10-18 | The first day of early voting in North Carolina set a new record with state officials reporting over 350,00 ballots were accepted on Thursday, shattering the record set in 2020. Throughout the day Thursday, the State Board of Elections received reports of long lines at early voting sites all over North Carolina. Despite the turnout, no significant issues or problems were reported. “Yesterday’s turnout is a clear sign that voters are energized about this election, that they trust the elections process, and that a hurricane will not stop North Carolinians from exercising their right to vote,” Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said. “Let’s keep it rolling, North Carolina.” In Mecklenburg County alone, nearly 30,000 people voted on the first day of early voting. “I think this is one of the most important elections that we are facing right now,” south Charlotte resident Allison Semmel said. “I think we are at a crossroads; the country is either going one way or another,” one voter said. "I think it is important for everyone to vote for who they think is the best person to run our country. For our kids and for our future." #Politics #News #Election READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/politics/elections/charlotte-voters-bond-referendums-worth-400-million-dollars-2024-election-preview/275-4876dd02-a089-407a-8fae-4596e7bba32b
Number of girls interested in STEM careers is growing, study finds WCNC 2024-10-18 | Education experts have been working to bridge the gap between boys and girls in STEM. A new study shows the number of girls interested in STEM has grown.
Charlotte Checkers prepare for 2024-25 home opener vs Cleveland WCNC 2024-10-18 | The Charlotte Checkers are preparing for their home opener against Cleveland at Bojangles Coliseum on Friday.
Businesses offer help to NC communites impacted by Helene WCNC 2024-10-18 | Several businesses and organizations are stepping up to address the need following the damage done by Helene. Zionville Ramp Co. is a skate park that sits on the state lines of Tennessee and North Carolina. The Trade, Tennessee, warehouse is a familiar to many in western North Carolina, but now, it's added something to its facility: Serving as the bridge for community members in need. "They can't get to Mountain City," Ashley Galleher, the owner of Zionville Ramp Co., explained. "The road is washed out, and the Walmart in Boone flooded, and Boone is just chaos, and ... there weren't supplies to get. So I knew that the need was here, and I knew that we had the space for it, and I knew I had a team of people ready to go, and then more people have stepped up to the plate and brought their skills and created something that's really beautiful.”The location of the warehouse is also key when providing the support to the areas. “When people come in and say, 'My basement's full of mud,' 'my dehumidifier doesn't work,' 'my whole house washed away,' OK, let's document all those needs," Galleher said. "Let's get everything in writing and contact info, because we have people that are coming in as resources that want to help do that kind of work. So we're able, from here, to dispatch work teams and specialty contractors and other people who are volunteering their time to get out and get the needs met pretty quickly.” #News #Helene #Hurricane READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/trade-tennessee-skate-park-transforms-distribution-center/275-6eeb9b74-5dee-464e-8b2d-e7073a13626f
Reba McEntire talks new NBC sitcom Happys Place: Were tickled WCNC 2024-10-18 | Good news for Reba McEntire fans. The country music superstar is gearing up for her next adventure, a new sitcom on NBC called Happy's Place. WCNC Charlotte met Reba and her costar to discuss her new project. Fans have been waiting for this moment since her first sitcom, Reba, ended in 2007. The show, which premieres Friday night at 8 p.m. on WCNC Charlotte, is a heartfelt new comedy about finding unexpected family. In the show, Reba’s character, Bobbie, discovers she has a half-sister, Isabella, played by Belissa Escobedo. "We're just tickled to death to be able to come in here every day what they call work," McEntire explained. In just the short interview, WCNC Charlotte noticed the two co-stars shared an immediate bond, the two say that’s just how life was on set. "There's something funny happening every minute, every episode," McEntire said. "Whether it's on camera or not, somebody going up on a line [and] the audience loves that. But there's so much heart to this." McEntire said she is thrilled to step back into the sitcom world once again. "Everybody, the only cast, the crew, the producers, showrunners, everybody involved in this show," McEntire said. "They're top-notch, fun to be around. I've not heard one ... gosh, we're on our seventh episode, and I haven't heard anybody get upset, raise their voice, and that's such a great workplace to be at." #News #Entertainment #Reba READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/entertainment/television/reba-mcentire-tv-nbc-sitcom-happys-place/275-d581f4a3-995a-4777-8d91-ea9a57caef1c
Diaper Bank of NC pushing to get period products in all schools WCNC 2024-10-18 | A local nonprofit is seeking solutions for students in need of period products. The Diaper Bank of North Carolina launched a pilot program this school year with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to get period products into Title I schools, which are typically in high-poverty areas and where students are at risk of falling behind academically. Talking about menstrual cycles and period products can be uncomfortable for some people, but the Diaper Bank is trying to change that. "For a very long time, talking about periods was taboo," Michelle Schaefer, the founder and CEO of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, said. "We even have some groups that will say, 'We'll collect those diapers, but we won't collect period products,' and whisper it as if it's a bad word." Schaefer said having those conversations with schools is especially important. "By and large, [schools] are open to understanding the need and helping us get the products into the school, but they also do not have the funds," Schaefer added. The group's Period Power initiative is filling the gap in more than 400 schools statewide. "One in four students miss school because they do not have the period products that they need every single month," Schaeffer said. "No one should have to choose between having their period and going to class." #News #Health #Education READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/health/diaper-bank-north-carolina-pilot-program-period-products-charlotte-mecklenburg-schools/275-1340fb9f-18b0-4609-b85b-b10bb00d3ee3
WCNC Charlotte viewers donate thousands of supplies for Helene victims WCNC 2024-10-18 | Neighbors in both North Carolina and South Carolina are in dire need of a hand in the wake of Helene. Share the warmth WCNC Charlotte crews have been up in the mountains for weeks talking to people impacted by Hurricane Helene about their needs. They’re changing daily, but the one thing that wasn't changing was the urgent need for warm clothes. They gave WCNC Charlotte a list of the most needed items to keep people warm as temperatures dip below freezing. The list included items they needed urgently like sleeping bags, coats, hats, gloves and socks. WCNC Charlotte created an Amazon Wish List and our Carolinians stepped up, sending thousands of items to WCNC Charlotte for the station to unbox, organize and distribute to those who need it most, including the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Feeding Avery Families. The donations went directly to families who desperately need this cold-weather gear. #Helene #News READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/community/red-cross-helene-assistance-donations-9-27-2024/275-e3a7980a-c226-4bc1-851a-4e3274520fe6
North Carolina sets new record on first day of 2024 early voting WCNC 2024-10-18 | More than 353,000 voters in North Carolina cast their ballots on Thursday, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Thursday, Oct. 17 marked the first day of in-person early voting for voters in North Carolina. The turnout topped the previous record for the first day of early voting, which was set in 2020. The State Board of Elections received reports of lines at early voting sites across the state. There were no significant issues or problems despite the turnout. “Yesterday’s turnout is a clear sign that voters are energized about this election, that they trust the elections process, and that a hurricane will not stop North Carolinians from exercising their right to vote,” Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said. “Let’s keep it rolling, North Carolina.” There have been 428,299 voters who have cast ballots in North Carolina, as of Friday morning. This number includes 75,133 absentee ballots that were cast. #ncpol #Politics #Election READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/politics/first-day-of-early-voting-north-carolina-turnout/83-44aa0981-c46b-49df-ac19-0a389c967659
Donald Trump to visit Asheville, NC to tour Helene damaged areas WCNC 2024-10-18 | Former President Donald Trump is expected to visit Asheville on Monday, weeks after Helene devastated the area. Trump is expected to give remarks at noon. The visit comes after Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump allies for spreading misinformation about the government's hurricane response. . Trump's campaign has not said where the talk will take place in Asheville. #News #Trump #Helene READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/local/trump-to-visit-asheville-weeks-after-helene-devastated-wnc-carolina/275-c2e90565-abda-4caf-9949-7e159b6a5791
Police identify man killed in north Charlotte motorcycle crash WCNC 2024-10-18 | The crash happened on Highland Creek Parkway.
Two people shot in Rock Hill robbery, police say WCNC 2024-10-18 | The shooting happened overnight on Friday. Police say the suspect was one of the people who was shot.
I-85 North reopens in north Charlotte after crash WCNC 2024-10-18 | Four people were hurt in the crash, according to Medic. The road has since reopened.
Harris, Trump campaigning in key swing states WCNC 2024-10-18 | NBC looks at the race for the White House as Election Day closes in.
It doesnt even look like my house | Four hurt in overnight house fire in northwest Charlotte WCNC 2024-10-18 | This marks the latest in a series of serious fires in the Charlotte area this week.
Queen City Loop: Streaming news for Oct. 17, 2024 WCNC 2024-10-18 | Powered by Restream restream.ioThe latest news headlines, weather, and reporting from the newsroom of WCNC Charlotte. Covering Charlotte, North Carolina, and surrounding South Carolina. Plus live coverage of breaking news and severe weather as it happens. TAKE US ON THE GO. DOWNLOAD THE WCNC CHARLOTTE MOBILE APP: wcnc.com/appredirect GET US EACH MORNING IN YOUR INBOX. SUBSCRIBE TO THE "WAKE UP CHARLOTTE" NEWSLETTER: wcnc.com/email
Helene hasnt stopped early voting efforts in WNC WCNC 2024-10-18 | Officials are saying Election Day should still go smoothly after Helene.
Some voters say ballots were sealed WCNC 2024-10-18 | Some voters reported their ballots were already sealed when they arrived in the mail. Here's why.
Preteen sadness on the rise, experts say WCNC 2024-10-18 | Experts say screen time is having negative impacts on kids as young as 8 years old.
Standing desks may still be bad for health WCNC 2024-10-18 | Standing at your desk may not actually improve cardiovascular health compared to sitting, experts say.
NC State Fair opening this weekend WCNC 2024-10-18 | It's opening weekend for the North Carolina State Fair.
Stores seeing unexpected candy trend this Halloween WCNC 2024-10-18 | Here's why shoppers are ditching chocolate for other types of candy this year.
More couples adding a home fund to wedding registry WCNC 2024-10-18 | Could this mean the end of traditional wedding gifts?
4 hurt in overnight house fire in northwest Charlotte WCNC 2024-10-18 | This marks the latest in a series of serious fires sparked in the Charlotte area this week.
Can cold weather make you sick? | WCNC Charlotte To Go WCNC 2024-10-18 | It's that time of year for colder weather in the Carolinas. The WCNC Charlotte To Go team talks about what to expect in the coming days and breaks down the fact and fiction of cold weather.
The stink bugs are coming! How to keep these pests out of your house WCNC 2024-10-18 | It's officially fall, which means cooler weather, colorful leaves and unwelcome house guests
Gov. Cooper, Pete Buttigieg update Helene recovery in western NC WCNC 2024-10-18 | U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will visit western North Carolina on Thursday as the region continues to recover from Hurricane Helene. Buttigieg will be joined by Gov. Roy Cooper as they tour damage and recovery efforts in Asheville and along Interstate 40 near the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Buttiegieg and Cooper are expected to visit local communities and speak with officials to ensure mountain communities are getting what they need from state and federal agencies. Cooper and Buttigieg are scheduled to visit Asheville and Canton during Thursday's tour. They'll meet with NCDOT officials to get an update on I-40 repairs. Buttigieg told WCNC Charlotte that a portion of I-40 that fell into the Pigeon River near Tennessee will be closed for "months at a minimum." A stretch of I-26 in east Tennessee was washed away a few miles from the North Carolina border, shutting down two major highways into Asheville. Buttigieg is also scheduled to meet with Tennessee DOT officials about their efforts to reopen a portion of the interstate that collapsed during Helene. #Helene #Weather #News READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/pete-buttigieg-roy-cooper-storm-damage-western-north-carolina-interstate-40-tennessee-border-closed/275-e53f2de2-0e48-47d0-ae5c-46b0c1a5c3fc
Mom speaking out one year after her son died from drugs WCNC 2024-10-18 | Brian Topping's big plans to celebrate a new addition to his family were cut short when he died of a drug overdose. "He was planning this birthday party, even knew what kind of cake he wanted," Paula Malin, Brian's mom, said. Their family was expecting a new baby and joy but were soon left with a lifetime of pain. "It’s a pain I cannot even describe it hurts deep down in my soul," Malin said. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office said Brian died of an overdose in October 2023. Topping's baby niece Gracie was robbed of the chance to ever meet her uncle Brian. "It's such a shame that Brian didn’t get to meet her he would have been such a wonderful uncle she needed him and he is not coming back not here on this earth," Malin said. Malin said her son was mentally challenged, but he was the brightest soul you’d ever meet. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/im-hurting-deep-down-in-my-soul-a-mom-speaking-out-one-year-after-her-son-died-from-poisonous-drugs/275-b1ee994f-8ce8-4dde-92a0-0de6e183f68b
How political campaigns can use news clips in ads without news outlets permission WCNC 2024-10-18 | This election season, countless political ads have run on TVs and online, and some of these commercials might have featured clips from newscasts. The familiar tactic sees short clips taken from newscasts with headlines or statements that campaigns then use to support their platform or messaging. An ad running in recent months from North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson featured a few seconds from a WCNC Charlotte news report on crime. While the original report itself did not reference Robinson’s political opponent North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, Robinson's political ad used it to attack Stein’s effectiveness against crime. The ad prompted some viewers to ask whether the Robinson campaign had to get permission from WCNC Charlotte to use a snippet from the newscast. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/verify/how-political-campaigns-news-clips-ads-permission/275-101dc3a4-3cf8-47a4-8c66-f2f398bba2a4
Former Gov. Pat McCrory hopes to build back trust in NC election integrity WCNC 2024-10-18 | Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory knows what it's like to doubt an election. "Because I've done it," McCrory said. "I've both won and lost election. I've had doubts before." He's referring to his 2016 campaign against now-Governor Roy Cooper. He lost by just over 10,000 votes. "But then as I examined the process, I began to trust the system, win or lose, and that's very, very important for our democratic process," said McCrory. It's this regained confidence that led McCrory to work with RightCount. The nonprofit says on its website that it is "dedicated to honoring America's Founding, upholding the Constitution and counting every vote." The organization operates in multiple battleground states. McCrory will chair the group's North Carolina efforts, joined by other local leaders like Matthew Ridenhour. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/politics/elections/pat-mccrory-nc-election-integrity/275-00f8c468-f6b5-4667-9713-6a23b0126fc2
What North Carolina student IDs are accepted in this election WCNC 2024-10-17 | Early voting is underway in North Carolina. A reminder you have to bring an ID with you to vote. Some student IDs are allowed, but not all of them. One viewer wanted to know why that is. In this election, you need an ID in order to vote in North Carolina. That can include a driver's license, passport, veteran ID, or some student IDs. One viewer is asking us why only some school IDs are accepted. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/verify/what-north-carolina-student-ids-are-accepted-in-this-election/275-43468bea-0c63-4cb8-b360-80e8d9b8e309
Asheville nonprofit making an impact in the wake of Helene WCNC 2024-10-17 | Three weeks after Hurricane Helene, the situation in the Asheville region remains dire. Many people are still without power and are relying on the kindness of strangers for basic necessities. BeLoved Asheville may look like organized chaos, and it’s exactly where Esteban Hernandez said he needs to be right now. “I’ve been out here helping people load cars with donations because I wanted to get distracted away from home ... it was a mess,” Hernandez said. Hernandez’s family, like so many in this area, lost everything. “Water just started gushing in through the fence, and we had to get out,” he recalled. Despite that, he’s among dozens of volunteers who show up here each day to help their neighbors. BeLoved Asheville is a nonprofit that’s become a distribution center working to get much-needed supplies to about 15,000 people a day. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/beloved-asheville-western-north-carolina-recovery/275-3d398451-3e1d-4004-93ac-be21e18b191a
School violence prevention group reviewing claims of bullying at Charlotte Catholic HS WCNC 2024-10-17 | A national nonprofit is reviewing allegations of bullying at Charlotte Catholic High School, possibly involving members of the school's football team. The One In Five Foundation For Kids, a national school violence prevention and student advocacy group formed in the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, said it received several requests to look into alleged bullying at Charlotte Catholic. The organization says it will request oversight from the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte during the investigation. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/news/education/bullying-allegations-charlotte-catholic-high-school-independent-review/275-cc6b7f5c-9920-4c3e-8729-cf2c5c6fe77c
The home value gap between Hispanic and white homeowners is closing, Zillow says WCNC 2024-10-17 | A new report from Zillow says the home value gap between Hispanic and white homeowners is closing. In fact, it’s the smallest it’s ever been. However, affordability is still an issue, especially for minority populations. "I'm first generation, my parents are from Mexico and so, they came here and they don't have property or a house," explained Mary Espinosa. "So, for me to then have that, it changes what the future generations of my family will look like." Espinosa grew up in east Charlotte and wanted to buy a house for her whole family, but she wasn't able to find anything she could afford, even when she looked for just herself. READ MORE: wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/affordable-housing-crisis/the-home-value-gap-between-hispanic-and-white-homeowners-is-closing-zillow-says/275-63834786-6393-4d39-9447-ce5a8e130751
Orchards still recovering from April hail storms in York County WCNC 2024-10-17 | Apple orchards are suffering from hail storms that blew through the Carolinas in April. READ MORE: www.wcnc.com
Early voting begins in North Carolina WCNC 2024-10-17 | There were 419 early voting sites that opened statewide on Thursday. Mecklenburg County has seen long lines all day. READ MORE: www.wcnc.com
