Month: October 2024

8. UNC faculty raise concerns about limits to their freedom of speech

Jessica Baugh & Dania Al Hadeethi/The Daily Tar Heel According to the UNC Policy Manual, the University affirms its commitment to free speech and expression for its students, faculty, staff and visitors under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1 Section 14 of the North Carolina Constitution. Despite that, some faculty members […]

Written by on October 9, 2024

9. Disruption from port strike will hamper western NC recovery

Jane Winik Sartwell/Carolina Public Press Even though East and Gulf Coast longshoremen agreed to return to work Thursday evening, their three-day strike at the port in Wilmington could have a ripple of negative effects on the North Carolina economy, potentially hampering recovery efforts in Western counties. Lumber products and other construction materials, essential to rebuilding […]

Written by on October 9, 2024

10. Having COVID-19 doubles risk of heart attack or stroke: study

Stephen Beech/High Point Enterprise COVID-19 doubles the risk of a heart attack, stroke or dying up to three years later, according to a new study. The danger is even higher among people with blood types A, B or AB who were infected with the virus compared to those with type O, say scientists. They reviewed […]

Written by on October 9, 2024

Company police under scrutiny

A lawsuit spawned by October 2022’s mass shooting in Raleigh may put the state’s “company police” law — and one of the agencies licensed through it — under the microscope. The negligence complaint lists among its defendants a security firm called Capitol Special Police, its president and chief Roy Taylor, and one of its officers […]

Written by on October 9, 2024

In court

Taylor hasn’t responded to an email asking for comment, and as of Tuesday afternoon the eCourts case file doesn’t list an attorney for him or any of the other defendants. It’s likely the judge who handles the case will have to address several potential defenses before the case ever reaches trial. Just on the Capitol […]

Written by on October 9, 2024

1. Answer Man, Helene edition: Can’t the city at least give a “worst case/best case” scenario on water restoration?

John Boyle/Asheville Watchdog Question: The city’s unwillingness to offer any timeline for water restoration beyond “weeks” is a cop-out and an insult to citizens. They could certainly give us ‘best-case’ and ‘worst-case’ scenarios. That would help the many people making decisions about whether to renew a lease, or whether to enroll their kids at school […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

2. Home insurers argue for a 42% average rate hike in North Carolina

Gary D. Robertson/The Associated Press With many western North Carolina residents still lacking power and running water from Hurricane Helene, a hearing began Monday on the insurance industry’s request to raise homeowner premium rates statewide by more than 42% on average. A top lieutenant for Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey opened what’s expected to be multiple […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

3. ‘This sets the precedent’: Surf City rejects 99-unit development

Peter Castagno/Port City Daily A proposed residential development failed to garner support in Surf City after a council member raised concerns it could cause fire safety risks for residents. Surf City Council unanimously rejected the rezoning request last Tuesday to shift 20.2 acres of a 29.08 parcel from the rural agricultural to conditional mixed use […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

4. This mountain hamlet hit by Helene flooding preps for a winter without power

Jennifer Ludden/WFAE Radio Fewer than 300 people live in this tiny mountain hamlet, but their ties to this place are deep. “I’m a fifth-generation settler child,” says Misty Hughes. “My great grandfather was the first white settler amongst the Indians here.” The community sits along the beautiful Nolichucky River, popular for its whitewater rafting. When […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

5. 17 months after deadly SouthPark blaze, Charlotte Fire reveals plan to prevent another

Nora O’Neill/The Charlotte Observer Charlotte Fire Department officials said they have a plan to improve rescues and avoid fires like the SouthPark blaze that killed two workers trapped on an upper floor. CFD Chief Reginald Johnson on Monday presented an after-action report of the five-alarm SouthPark fire to the Charlotte City Council’s Housing, Safety and […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

6. State senate candidate reinstated to assistant principal job after monthlong suspension

Emily Walkenhorst/WRAL News A Wake County state senate candidate has been reinstated to his job as assistant principal of an alternative school after a monthlong suspension with pay. The Wake County Public School System reinstated Scott Lassiter over the weekend, Lassiter said. School system spokeswoman Lisa Luten confirmed that Lassiter was back in “active status” […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

7. Brunswick commissioners mull development moratorium

Savanna Tenenoff/Brunswick Beacon The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners have directed county staff to investigate the county’s need for a nine- to 18-month moratorium that would temporarily halt new residential development as public safety concerns from residents continue to compound. Board Chair Randy Thompson brought the item to the board for a vote during commissioners’ […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

8. Dare County subpoenas received from U.S. Attorney can now be viewed by the public

Mark Jurkowitz/Outer Banks Voice Dare County has now provided links to the two subpoenas, dated Oct. 2, from the U. S. Attorney’s office asking the Dare County Commissioners and Oregon Inlet Task Force to provide records for an ongoing federal probe related to, among other things, EJE Dredging and the Coastal Affordable Housing, LLC. The […]

Written by on October 8, 2024

9. Banner Elk urges voluntary evacuation due to sewer system damage

Paul Garber/WFDD Radio October is usually a time when the town of Banner Elk is welcoming tourists to explore the Avery County resort area. But as the Helene cleanup continues, local officials are asking visitors to stay away, and for residents to evacuate if they have a safe place to go. The sewer system is […]

Written by on October 8, 2024