North Carolina Gambling Legislation In Jeopardy
(Raleigh, NC) -- Legislation to legalize sports betting in North Carolina is in jeopardy. Lawmakers only passed one of two Senate bills covering gambling yesterday, which puts the entire idea up in the air because both must pass for the measure to be legalized. It's unlikely the measure will be able to pass before the session ends next week. The lone Senate bill that passed was amended to remove legalized betting on college sports.
Commissioners Approve Double Pay For 911 Overnight Employees
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County is solidifying extra pay for some 911 employees. The board of commissioners decided this week to extend double-pay for overtime shifts through the summer. Staffing has been an issue at the 911 center, with over 20 vacancies. That represents a total of around 30-percent of needed staff.
Thousands Lose Power Because Of Squirrel
(Asheville, NC) -- A squirrel is to blame for a large power outage in Asheville. Duke Energy told WLOS-TV yesterday that several thousand customers were without power yesterday after a squirrel messed with wiring around downtown. Offices for Buncombe County were forced to delay opening as a result. Everything is back to normal.
Solar Energy Plans Part Of Buncombe Budget
(Buncombe County, NC) -- More money is being dedicated to solar energy in Buncombe County. Commissioners included four-million-dollars in the newly-passed county budget for environmental projects. It will help crews install solar panels at all public K-through-12 schools over the next few years. The board passed a 400-million-dollar spending plan earlier this week.
Trees Being Removed From Downtown Brevard
(Brevard, NC) -- Downtown Brevard will soon look a lot different. WLOS-TV reports over a dozen Bradford pear trees lining the streets are being removed. The trees have been there for more than two-decades. Crews will eventually replace the trees with a different variety.
Waynesville Woman Hits Big On Lottery Ticket
(Haywood County, NC) -- A scratch-off lottery ticket is paying off for a western North Carolina woman. A Waynesville resident recently won 200-thousand-dollars on a five-dollar Gold Standard ticket. It was purchased from a convenience store on South Main Street in Waynesville. The winner is planning to pay off her mortgage.
CATs Delayed Due To Staff Shortage
(Charlotte, NC) -- Riders with the Charlotte Area Transit System could see some delays this week. The agency advised yesterday there would be delays on some bus routes due to staff shortages. More than 100 employees were absent yesterday. CATS officials stated yesterday that over 70 positions are open.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Founder Dies
(Charlotte, NC) -- The founder of Charlotte Motor Speedway is dead at the age of 95. Bruton Smith passed away Wednesday of natural causes. Speedway Motorsports called Smith a visionary in business and entertainment. His time with NASCAR dated back to the 1950s and culminated with his induction into the sports' hall of fame in 2016.
Hornets Drafting Two In First Round
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Hornets will get a peak into the future of the franchise tonight. Charlotte will pick 13th and 15th in the first round of the NBA draft, which takes place at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. James Bouknight was the Hornets' first-round draft pick last year. The franchise is still in search of a new head coach.
One Dead In Kannapolis Shooting
(Kannapolis, NC) -- Police are investigating a homicide in Kannapolis. One person died after being shot around Fairview and South Cannon Boulevard last night. The search is on for a suspect.
Gambling Legislation In Jeopardy
(Raleigh, NC) -- Legislation to legalize sports betting in North Carolina is in jeopardy. Lawmakers only passed one of two Senate bills covering gambling yesterday, which puts the entire idea up in the air because both must pass for the measure to be legalized. It's unlikely the measure will be able to pass before the session ends next week. The lone Senate bill that passed was amended to remove legalized betting on college sports.
Gaston County Hiring Telecommunicators
(Gastonia, NC) -- Gaston County needs to fill positions for its 911 operations. The police department says 20 telecommunicators are needed to bring the workforce back to full strength. Hourly wages are just under 20-dollars-an-hour. MEDIC is also looking to hire nearly ten new employees.
Temps Hit Record In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The heat is breaking records in the Queen City. The thermostat hit 101-degrees yesterday, which broke the previous high for June 22nd set seven-years ago. Low humidity has kept the heat index down. Highs will drop a bit today into the low 90s and a chance of thunderstorms.
State Employees Demanding Pay Raises To Help Keep Pace With Inflation
(Raleigh, NC) -- Dozens of state workers rallied outside the State Capitol in Raleigh Wednesday, demanding lawmakers pass new legislation that would allow some 6-point-5 billion dollars in surplus revenue to be used to fund employee pay raises and other services. The group, led by the North Carolina Public Service Workers Union, cited runaway inflation as the reason for requesting three-thousand dollar across the board raises and two-thousand dollar bonuses for all state employees.
State Report Says Big Hospitals In North Carolina Made Huge Profits During The Pandemic
(Raleigh, NC) -- A new report out finds North Carolina's largest hospitals made huge profits during the height of the pandemic. According to the State Treasurer's Office, those hospitals and health care clinics profited seven-point-one billion dollars during that period and also eagerly accepted pandemic relief funds from the federal government. State Treasurer Dale Folwell said all this was done while smaller and rural hospitals were struggling. Folwell is urging the seven-hospitals to use some their profits to lower the cost of providing health care.
NC Proposed Bill To Protect Patients
(Raleigh, NC) -- A North Carolina bill is working to de-weaponize debt and protect patients. Lawmakers are discussing two measures to take control of the medical debt in the state. This includes a way to expand Medicaid for low-income families and to strengthen financial protection at hospitals. The measures need to pass both chambers by the end of the legislative session next week.
Burr And Tillis Among 14-Republicans Who Support New Get-Tough Gun Legislation
(Raleigh, NC) -- Both North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis were among 14-Republicans who supported bipartisan legislation that would toughen the nation's gun safety laws. The bill, which passed on a 64-34 vote Tuesday, would enhance background check requirements for purchasers under 21 and also provide federal funding to states for Red Flag laws.
Duke May Break School Record Tonight If Five Former Tar Heel Basketball Players Go In First Round
(Durham, NC) -- When the NBA Draft gets underway tonight at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, Duke could have five former players taken in the first round. Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, Wendell Moore Jr., AJ Griffin and Trevor Keels, will all be anxiously awaiting the announcement from Commissioner Adam Silver. Should all five Blue Devils be drafted, it will set a school record for the historic program built by legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Coverage begins tonight at 8:pm Eastern.