All articles tagged with #northcarolina
North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger conceded his Republican primary to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page after a partial hand recount widened Page’s lead to 23 votes; despite Donald Trump’s endorsement and heavy outside spending, Berger’s long hold on the chamber appears to be ending as Page leverages district resentment over a casino proposal, aiming to win in November.
Former North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson admitted on a podcast that he lied about CNN’s 2024 KFile report linking him to inflammatory posts on a pornography site; he had previously denied the story and sued CNN. He said his deception was to protect others, including President Trump, and noted there may be some truth to parts of the report. He also reflected that changing his campaign team might have altered the outcome of the 2024 gubernatorial race and spoke about his past pornography obsession and its impact on his life.
North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson, a 6'10" projected top-five NBA draft pick, suffered a broken right thumb in a non-contact practice drill and underwent season-ending surgery. He had been out with a left-hand fracture earlier but was optimistic about returning for a game against Duke before the latest injury; UNC sits 24-6 overall, 12-5 in the ACC and is projected as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, with Wilson expected to be cleared during the NBA pre-draft process in May.
North Carolina’s primaries wrapped up with ongoing tallies and several tight races. Early results show Roy Cooper leading the Democratic gubernatorial primary and Michael Whatley ahead in the Republican race. In Mecklenburg County, Monifa Drayton defeated Vilma Leake for the District 2 seat and became ABC Board Chair, while Sheriff Garry McFadden appears to win reelection amid shifting margins with Ricky Robbins; Habekah Cannon leads Cecilia Oseguera for a Democratic-Mecklenburg District Court Judge seat, and Gaston County Sheriff Chad Hawkins leads Robbie Waldrop. A statewide Senate race also shows a razor-thin margin, with Sheriff Sam Page ahead of Senate Leader Phil Berger by two votes, signaling recounts, provisional ballots, and potential litigation.
Authorities are investigating a burglary at NASCAR legend Greg Biffle’s North Carolina estate, reported three weeks after he and his family died in a plane crash. A backpack and about $30,000 in cash, plus firearms and memorabilia, were taken; no arrests have been made as the case proceeds, with FAA/NTSB continuing their crash investigation.
A man with a history of criminal arrests and diagnosed with schizophrenia has been federally charged with the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train, highlighting ongoing debates over crime and mental health policies in Democratic-led cities.
A mass shooting at a house party in Hickory, North Carolina, resulted in one death and 11 injuries, with over 80 shots fired and multiple shooters involved; no arrests have been made as investigations continue.
The Maui Invitational's first day delivered thrilling basketball with epic comebacks and intense matchups, marking one of the best opening days in the tournament's history. Auburn's dramatic win over Iowa State and North Carolina's comeback against Dayton highlighted the action. UConn's loss to Memphis featured coach Dan Hurley's fiery sideline antics, adding drama to the event. Michigan State's victory over Colorado was the least surprising of the day. The tournament's return to the Lahaina Civic Center after disruptions due to COVID and wildfires added emotional significance to the event.
In North Carolina, Trump supporters express readiness for potential unrest if the 2024 election results are not in Trump's favor, fueled by beliefs of a stolen 2020 election and fears of repeat fraud. At a rally, Trump has been intensifying rhetoric, claiming a lead in polls and alleging Democratic voter fraud, while supporters echo these sentiments, dismissing the January 6 insurrection as a setup. The atmosphere is tense, with some fearing violence if Trump loses.
The University of North Carolina's men's basketball team secured a dominant 92-67 victory over Florida State in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, propelled by strong defensive play and a commanding rebounding performance. With this win, the Tar Heels advance to the semifinals and will face the winner of the game between Pitt and Wake Forest. RJ Davis led the team with 18 points, while Armando Bacot recorded his 15th double-double of the season. Carolina's relentless defensive effort and impressive rebounding have propelled them to a seven-game winning streak.
RJ Davis sets a Dean Dome record with 42 points, leading North Carolina to a 75-71 victory over Miami. The win improved North Carolina to 22-6 overall and No. 7 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings. Davis's performance marked the most points scored by any player in a game inside the Smith Center, with 22 shots made and a career-high 42 points split evenly between the two halves.
Ronnie Long, wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 44 years, has reached a $25 million settlement with a North Carolina city and the state, including a public apology, for his wrongful incarceration due to misconduct by authorities. The city of Concord will pay $22 million, and the State Bureau of Investigation will pay $3 million. Long, who was convicted in 1976, was released in 2020 after evidence of his innocence was revealed. The city acknowledged responsibility for the errors and misconduct that led to Long's wrongful conviction and imprisonment, with his attorneys calling the settlement and apology crucial for his healing.
No. 8 North Carolina, led by RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, defeated 16th-ranked Clemson 65-55 in an ACC basketball game. Bacot contributed a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds, while Davis scored 14 points, helping the Tar Heels to start 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Clemson struggled from the three-point line, making only one of 18 attempts, and is likely to drop out of the rankings after this loss and a previous one to Miami. North Carolina's defense, particularly Bacot's effort against Clemson's top scorer PJ Hall, was pivotal in the victory.
Western North Carolina experienced freezing rain on Saturday morning, leading to slick conditions and power outages, particularly in Henderson County with over 1,200 customers affected. A Winter Storm Warning and Weather Advisory were in effect until 1 p.m. for multiple counties. Ice accumulation was reported in various locations, with the National Weather Service providing specific totals. Conditions were expected to improve by the afternoon with rain moving out and temperatures rising to near 50 degrees.
A weather system is expected to bring a wintry mix to the North Carolina Foothills overnight, with a winter weather advisory in effect for several counties. Meteorologist John Ahrens suggests staying indoors rather than preparing for a major event. Conditions will improve quickly with the wintry mix turning to rain after 8 a.m. and the storm moving out later on Saturday, leading to a calm Sunday. Residents are encouraged to download the WSOC-TV weather app for updates and follow the Severe Weather Center 9 team on Twitter for the latest forecasts.