Asheville Protests End In Peace
(Asheville, NC) -- Another day of protests ended in peace in downtown Asheville last night. Hundreds of people gathered in Pack Square Park to hear stories of prejudice from African-American residents, all calling for an end to police brutality after the death of George Floyd. Organizers of the event implored the crowd to depart peacefully once curfew began, and it seemed to work. The night was dedicated to honor Floyd's life and concentrated on social justice. More protests are expected today.
Asheville Police Chief Issues Apology
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's police chief is issuing an apology for the destruction of a medical supplies tent this week. It was Tuesday night when officers destroyed water bottles and medical supplies shortly after curfew ended on Tuesday night. Chief David Zack said yesterday his original response to the situation was inadequate, and he apologized for actions that embarrassed the city and the department. He added police reform will require more from the department and community.
Coronavirus Cases Grow Over 12-Hundred In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- The number of coronavirus cases in North Carolina is continuing to grow. State health officials confirmed that 12-hundred new cases were identified between Wednesday and Thursday. The News and Observer reports there are now more than 32-thousand cases and over one-thousand deaths in North Carolina. The number of hospitalizations is under 660.
Bar Owners Sue Governor
(Raleigh, NC) -- Bar owners are fighting back against state restrictions. The News and Observer reports a group of more than 200 owners across North Carolina filed a lawsuit this week to allow bars to re-open. Restaurants, breweries and taprooms are okay to open under phase two guidelines, but bars were left out of the plans until at least June 26th. Governor Roy Cooper said yesterday it's possible that bars may be allowed to re-open before phase three begins, but it depends on health trends.
Hendersonville Condemns Police Violence
(Hendersonville, NC) -- Hendersonville city officials are taking an official stand against police violence. The Hendersonville Times-News says the mayor and city council released a statement Thursday that condemns the kinds of actions that were exhibited in the death of George Floyd ten days ago. The statement showed support for the right to peaceably assemble and to strive for accountability.
Senate Committee Okays Gym Re-Openings
(Raleigh, NC) -- A push to re-open gyms in North Carolina is moving forward. The Senate's commerce committee approved a plan yesterday to allow gyms to re-open at 50-percent capacity, despite restrictions laid out in Governor Cooper's phase two re-opening plan. Some gym owners have re-opened doors already, only to be cited for violating the order. Others have already filed a lawsuit against Governor Cooper, demanding they be allowed to do business.
Protests Continue In Queen City
(Charlotte, NC) -- The call for change is continuing in Charlotte. Demonstrators showed up in Freedom Park on Thursday to honor the life of George Floyd, who died ten days ago after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. A group called Charlotte Uprising also held what they told WSOC-TV was a people university. Members led discussions on a range of topics, like resistance and policing history, and medic training.
RNC And Charlotte Still Discussing Convention
(Charlotte, NC) -- Plans are still being hashed out for the Republican National Convention in Charlotte. City officials and representatives from the Republican National Committee met yesterday for the first time since President Trump said the convention would be pulled out of North Carolina due to the fact that Governor Cooper couldn't guarantee a full crowd. The RNC is reportedly still planning to hold the business portion of the convention in Charlotte. It's unclear exactly what that means, but the groups will meet again on Monday to discuss the August event at length.
Bar Owners Sue Governor
(Raleigh, NC) -- Bar owners are fighting back against state restrictions. The News and Observer reports a group of more than 200 owners across North Carolina has filed a lawsuit this week to allow bars to re-open. Restaurants, breweries and taprooms are okay to open under phase two guidelines, but bars were left out of the plans until at least June 26th. Governor Roy Cooper said yesterday it's possible that bars may be allowed to re-open before phase three begins, but it depends on health trends.
Keuchly Joining Panthers As Pro Scout
(Charlotte, NC) -- Luke Keuchly [[ keekly ]] isn't letting retirement keep him away from the Carolina Panthers. The team confirmed this week that the former linebacker is joining the front office as a pro scout. That means he'll spend time studying opponents week-to-week in order to prepare coaches and players for the next game. Keuchly retired earlier this year after spending all eight seasons of his professional career with the Panthers. He was named to seven Pro Bowls.
COVID-19 Cluster Identified At Caldwell County Fire Station
(Caldwell County, NC) -- Health officials are closely monitoring a COVID-19 cluster at a Caldwell County fire station. At least six positive cases have been identified within the Sawmills Fire-Rescue Department as of Thursday. The county's public heath director says they've taken every possible step to protect everyone. The county has over 170 cases overall.
All-Star Race Coming To Charlotte
(Concord, NC) -- NASCAR is returning to the Charlotte Motor Speedway this summer. The track will host the one-million-dollar All-Star Race on July 15th, but it isn't known at this point if it will include fans in the stands or not. Two other races will also take place that week. Racing returned to Charlotte last month when NASCAR agreed to hold the Coca-Cola 600 without fans.
Peaceful Marches And Rallies Held Thursday Night In Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- Hundreds of protesters returned to the streets of Raleigh for another night of marches and demonstrations to honor the memory of George Floyd and to demand an end to racial injustice. This as Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin extended the City's curfew to begin at 10 p.m. With National Guard troops standing watch, and police officers blocking off roadways, the marchers took a different route Thursday through Glenwood South and Cameron Village. The peaceful demonstration ended shortly after 10 p.m., with no arrests reported and no confrontations with police.
Thousands Converge On Durham For Nighttime Silent Prayer Vigil
(Durham, NC) -- A crowd estimated to number more than 1-thousand people gathered in Durham last night for a candlelight vigil in honor of George Floyd. The event, organized by the 'Poor Peoples Campaign', instructed attendees to light candles and observe 8-minutes-46 seconds of silence, the estimated amount of time a video shows Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, kept his knee on Floyd's neck until he died.
George Floyd Memorial Service Expected To Be Hoke County's Largest Event Ever
(Raeford, NC) -- Officials in Hoke County are working out the final logistics for memorial services that will be held in Raeford tomorrow for George Floyd. Floyd was born in Fayetteville and still has relatives in North Carolina. The services will be held at the Free Will Baptist Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters building in Hoke County. Sheriff Hubert Peterkin is predicting this to be the largest memorial service ever held in the county. A public viewing is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Cooper Signs Executive Order Promising To Address COVID-19 Racial Health Disparities Head-On
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order Thursday, forming a new task force to address racial disparities in communities of color with respect to the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order 143-instructs state agencies to develop targeted measures to help communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus. The task force will focus on economic stability, health disparities and environmental justice in North Carolina communities of color.
State GOP Leaders Launch Last Ditch Effort To Keep Convention In Charlotte
(Raleigh, NC) -- Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly are working on legislation that could keep the Republican National Convention in Charlotte. This as convention organizers have started to visit other cities where they could hold the national event later this summer. GOP lawmakers say they plan to introduce bills in both Houses that would allow full capacity attendance at all events related to the convention at the Spectrum Center in August.
Woman Found Dead In Ditch, Boyfriend Arrested
(Davie Co., NC) -- A Davie County man is facing charges after his girlfriend's body was found in a ditch. Vianney Arias was reported missing early Wednesday morning by her 12-year-old child. Her body was discovered the following morning in a ditch near the six-thousand-block of N.C. 801 south. Miguel Leon was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run causing death and is being held on a 150-thousand-dollar bond.
Coronavirus Outbreak Reported At Randolph Co. Assisted Living Facility
(Randolph Co., NC) -- Randolph County public health officials are reporting a coronavirus outbreak at a local assisted living facility. Six staff members and six residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at Woodland Hill Center. The Department of Public Health is still waiting on more test results.
North Carolina Memorial Service For George Floyd Planned
(Raeford, NC) -- A memorial service for George Floyd is planned in North Carolina. The man who died after a Minneapolis Police officer pinned him down by his neck will be remembered tomorrow in Raeford. Floyd was born in Fayetteville, while his sister currently lives in Hoke County.
Greensboro Man Killed In Motorcycle Wreck
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro police are investigating a deadly motorcycle wreck. It happened last night around 5:40 in the 100-block of South Lindell Road. Police say the motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the wreck. There's no word on what caused the driver to lose control.
American Airlines Planning More Flights Next Month
(Charlotte, NC) -- American Airlines is planning more domestic and international flights next month to meet rising travel demand. American's daily passenger count by the last week in May was 110-thousand, compared to a low of only 32-thousand in April. The airline is increasing flights from its hubs in Charlotte and Dallas. American also will boost service to Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming as national parks reopen.