Governor Vetoes Born Alive Abortion Bill
(Raleigh, NC) -- The born alive abortion bill is hitting a wall at the governor's desk. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill yesterday, which would require doctors to preserve the life of a baby born alive after an abortion attempt. The governor called it needless legislation because the law already protects newborn babies. It will take three-fifths of the state House and Senate to override his veto.
Duke Energy Puts Off Plant Construction
(Asheville, NC) -- The construction of a Duke Energy gas-fired plant at Lake Julian is off the table for now. The company said yesterday that it removed the 100-million-dollar plant from its project list, which means it will be at least 2032 before anything moves forward on it. The plant was scheduled to be used to provide electricity during peak production times. A larger natural gas plant at Lake Julian is still expected to be finished this year.
Triple Homicide Victims Remembered Today In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville community is remembering the victims of a triple homicide today. It marks the one year anniversary in the deadly shootings of Erica Smith and her two teenage children in west Asheville. Attendees of the Domestic Violence Peace Rally will march in silence from Vance Park to Pack Square Park beginning at two this afternoon. Speakers in the park will address domestic violence and honor the victims.
Asheville Man Sentenced In 2017 Shooting
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville man is heading to prison for a 2017 shooting at Lee Walker Heights. Buncombe County's DA said yesterday that Marquis Bowditch pleaded guilty to seven counts, including assault and cocaine possession. He was out on bond from a drug charge in February 2017 when he injured one person in the shooting. The judge sentenced Bowditch to between five to seven years in prison.
UNC Asheville Holding Off On Honorary Degrees
(Asheville, NC) -- UNC Asheville doesn't plan to hand out any honorary degrees this spring. The university's chancellor told the Citizen-Times that they are reviewing its selection policies for honorary degrees. It's been a little over a month since former Eblen Charities' CEO Bill Murdock handed back his honorary degree. He came under fire after details from a sex crime charge in the late 80s resurfaced.
Food Truck Permits Available May 1st
(Asheville, NC) -- It looks like food trucks will be coming to a vacant property in downtown Asheville this summer. WLOS-TV says the city is once again offering permits for the lot at 68 Haywood Street. They are 50-dollars-each and will be available beginning May 1st.
Two People Dead In Police Chase
(York County, SC) -- Two people are dead in a police chase that ended in a fiery crash in York County Thursday. The CMPD says the car had been reported stolen and was used in a robbery earlier in the day. State troopers caught up with the car on I-77 and tried a PIT maneuver near a Rock Hill exit. The car ran off the interstate and slammed into a tree, killing two passengers inside.
Severe Thunderstorms Expected Today
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte area could be in for some severe weather today. The National Weather Service is calling for isolated heavy thunderstorms to move across the Piedmont from mid-morning through the afternoon. They could bring damaging winds, heavy rain and hail. The storms are expected to be gone by the evening, with a few lingering showers left behind overnight.
CMPD Files To Release Full Video Of Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- The full body cam video of a deadly police shooting in Charlotte may soon be released. The CMPD released a two-minute video this week of an officer opening fire on Danquirs Franklin at a Charlotte Burger King last month. The Charlotte Observer says the city council viewed the full eleven-minute video. The department filed a motion yesterday to release the entire video to the public. A decision is expected next week.
Metro Charlotte Area Grows Over Year
(Charlotte, NC) -- The metro Charlotte area is continuing to grow. The U.S. Census Bureau released numbers yesterday that show more that 44-thousand people moved into the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia region between 2017 and 2018. Mecklenburg County's population rose one-and-a-half percent, or over 16-thousand residents.
Former Governor Says Man Attacked His Car In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- A former North Carolina governor says a man damaged his car with a tree limb in Charlotte this week. NBC Charlotte is reporting Pat McCrory came across a pedestrian at Selwyn and Runnymede Lane who apparently recognized him and started shouting expletives. The man allegedly slammed a limb onto McCrory's car, which caused about 600-dollars in damage. McCrory decided not to confront the man.
Dockless Bikes Heading Out Of Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- A ride-share company is phasing out dockless bikes in the Queen City. The Charlotte Observer is reporting that Lime has been pulling its GPS-enabled bikes from the streets over the past few weeks due to the overwhelming popularity of its electric scooters. Several other companies have also pulled the plug on the bikes. The city says 850-thousand rides have been logged on e-scooters in Charlotte.
UNC Women's Basketball Head Coach Sylvia Hatchell Resigns
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- UNC Chapel Hill women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell is stepping down. She had been under review for allegations that she contributed to a troubling culture in the women's basketball program. Yesterday, UNC's athletics department announced that the review had found Hatchell made racially insensitive comments, and may have pressured both players and medical staff to continue to play students regardless of medical issues. Hatchell announced just before midnight that she was resigning. The school thanked Hatchell for 33-years of service to the program, but they say now they have to focus on finding their next great women's basketball head coach.
Raleigh Is In For Some Stormy Weather, Chance Of Tornadoes
(Raleigh, NC) -- Severe storms are expected to move into the Raleigh-Durham area today. A major storm system moving across much of the country, and Central North Carolina is right in the line of fire. Forecasters say we could start seeing storms as soon as this afternoon, but the more serious storms are set to hit after dark. There is a good chance the area could see heavy rain, flash flooding and damaging wind, but large hail is also on the table. Forecasters also say we can't rule out the possibility of tornadoes.
Canes Win Game Four, Tie Up The Playoffs
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Hurricanes are showing the Capitals that they deserve to be in the playoffs. Yesterday, the Canes beat Washington 2-1 in game four of their first playoff round in a decade. They lost the first two games, but came back with a vengeance. Last night, they scored their first goal 17-seconds in. The Hurricanes play the Capitals again tomorrow night in Washington.
Three Charged In Connection With The Shooting Death Of Young Teen
(Raleigh, NC) -- Three people are facing charges for the killing of a Raleigh teen. Last month, 14-year-old Jamahri Lucas was gunned down on Sawpit Drive. Kenyon Tuck and Dakwon Covington were both charged with murder yesterday, and Alexis McCullough was charged with accessory after the fact. ABC Eleven reports that Lucas' family said he was hanging out with the wrong people, but he didn't deserve to get shot in the back. All three suspects are behind bars and due back in court next month.
Stephen Colbert Donates $400K Plus To NC Hurricane Recovery Efforts
(New York, NY) -- Stephen Colbert is helping Hurricane Florence recovery efforts. The CBS Late Show host had pledged to donate proceeds from his book, Whose Boat is This Boat? Comments That Don't Help In The Aftermath Of A Hurricane, to disaster relief efforts in North Carolina and South Carolina. Last week, he sent a more than 400-thousand-dollar check to Governor Roy Cooper. Cooper posted a picture of the check on Facebook along with a thank you letter to Colbert.
Convicted Killer Sentenced To Life Behind Bars
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The Winston-Salem man convicted of killing his two-year-old son will spend life behind bars. A jury yesterday spared Charles Stacks the death penalty. Stacks murdered his son, Jaxson Swain, in August of 2015. An autopsy report showed the boy had multiple blunt force injuries and human bite marks. Stacks' wife, Megin, is also charged in connection with the boy's death.
Woman Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Boy In Davidson Co.,
(Davidson Co., NC) -- A 38-year-old Lexington woman is in jail on suspicion of sexually assaulting a boy. Ashley Grant was arrested this week on statutory rape, child abuse, kidnapping and several other charges in connection with the incident in February. Davidson County sheriff's officials say the victim was 14. Grant is being held at the county jail on a 250-thousand-dollar bond.
Teen Charged In Connection With WSSU Football Player Given Bond
(Undated) -- The teen charged in connection to the death of a Winston-Salem State University football player is out on bond. Malik Smith is charged with possession of a firearm on educational property. He was given 30-thousand-dollars bond yesterday morning, and his parents posted it that afternoon. Najee Baker was shot and killed at a party on the campus of Wake Forest University in January 2018. Jakier Austin is charged with murdering him.
High Point Man Accused Of Trying To Run Down Police Officer
(Greensboro, NC) -- A High Point man is accused of trying to run down a Greensboro police officer. The scene unfolded Wednesday night in downtown Greensboro when officers pulled Jadarius Dockery over. According to the police report, while an officer was partially in the vehicle, Dockery accelerated toward a second officer. Police gave chase and stopped the suspect in High Point with a PIT maneuver. He was arrested on several charges, including assaulting a government official.
Man Killed In Motorcycle Wreck In Rockingham Co.
(Rockingham Co., NC). -- State troopers are investigating a deadly motorcycle wreck in Rockingham County. It happened late last night on Young Road, near Highway 770. One person was killed. Troopers have not identified the victim or said what caused the crash.