No Recount Officially Means No Republican Senate Supermajority (Raleigh, NC)
The Republican supermajority in North Carolina's Senate is officially no longer. Republican incumbent Wesley Meredith failed to request a recount by a Monday deadline in a race he trailed by just over 400 votes. That secured a Democratic victory that brings the number of party seats to 21 in the Senate, while the GOP will hold 29. Kirk deViere will now represent the 19th state senate district, which covers Cumberland County.
North Carolina Christmas Tree Arrives At White House (Washington, DC)
A Christmas tree from North Carolina is now standing in the White House for the holiday season. A nearly-20-foot tall tree was chosen from Mountain Top Frasier Fir in Newland to be the official White House Christmas Tree. A horse-drawn cart delivered the tree to the home of the president yesterday afternoon. Tree farm owner Larry Smith and his family were there for the arrival.
Woman Arrested For Prostitution In Asheville (Asheville, NC)
Three women who helped operate a spa out of an Asheville home are facing prostitution charges. They were arrested on Friday. The home is just off Charlotte Highway on Rose Hill Road. Arrest warrants obtained by WLOS-TV reveal that the home was known as a place of prostitution and that they charged a 60-dollar entry fee.
Curfew Set In Waynesville (Waynesville, NC)
Waynesville officials are trying to crack down on the amount of homeless people sleeping in the city's parks. The city just passed an ordinance that requires a 9 p.m. curfew on any public town property. The issue came up when reports started to rise of people sleeping inside playground equipment.
Gingerbread Houses Take Over Omni Grove Park Inn (Asheville, NC)
A Charlotte-area husband and wife are grand prize winners of the 2018 National Gingerbread House Competition at Omni Grove Park Inn. Judges gathered in Asheville yesterday to take a look at close to 200 gingerbread entries from around the country and Canada. Julie and Michael Andreacola won the nationally televised competition with an entry called Gearing Up For Christmas. The winning houses in each category will be on display beginning Sunday.
Senator Tillis To Headline Republican Dinner (Asheville, NC)
Senator Thom Tillis will headline the annual Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner at Asheville's Crown Plaza Resort. The event is hosted in mid-December by former Republican congressman Charles Taylor, who last served in 2007. It historically features a crowd of who's who among North Carolina Republicans. Newly-elected congressman Mark Harris of the ninth district is also scheduled to speak.
Charge Reduced To Second-Degree Murder In School Shooting (Charlotte, NC)
A teen charged in the deadly shooting of a Butler High student is facing a lesser degree of second-degree murder. Jatwan Cuffie was originally charged with first-degree murder after the October 29th shooting. The DA didn't comment yesterday after the charge was reduced. Cuffie will appear in court again tomorrow.
Robbery Suspects Arrested After Standoff (York County, SC)
York County investigators say a couple wanted for a Wisconsin robbery was arrested last night. A SWAT team arrived for a five-hour standoff at a home outside of Rock Hill after the suspects allegedly barricaded themselves inside. The man and woman eventually surrendered. Investigators said they had been on the run after an October 26th armed robbery in Madison, Wisconsin.
Atrium Health Sued Over Pensions (Charlotte, NC)
Charlotte-based Atrium Health is being accused of cheating its employees out of their pensions. A lawsuit filed yesterday says Atrium fell close to 380-million-dollars short last year on the benefit plan. The company is Charlotte's largest employer. Atrium hasn't yet commented on the suit.
Cam's Thanksgiving Jam Feeds Over One-Thousand (Charlotte, NC)
More than one-thousand underprivileged kids already have a taste of Thanksgiving thanks to the help of Carolina Panther's QB Cam Newton. Cam's Annual Thanksgiving Jam was held last night at Charlotte's Topgolf location. The children were fed a full Thanksgiving meal, and then received one to take home. Cam was there to help serve food and said he hopes the event will bring out two-thousand next year.