Category Archives: Triangle/Local

Raj Mehta Day of Good returns for 5th year, encouraging kindness across NC

Raj Mehta Day of Good returns for 5th year, encouraging kindness across NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – April 15 may be known as Tax Day, but for many in the Triangle and beyond-it has become a day dedicated to kindness, connection and community. The Raj Mehta Day of Good is held annually on April 15 in memory of Raj Mehta, organized by his sister, Pooja Mehta, to honor what would have been his birthday. Raj Mehta died of suicide in March 2020. He was an engineering student at Duke University who, according to his loved ones, left a lasting impact on the people around him. In the years since his passing, Pooja Mehta has led the effort to transform the day into one of positivity and action.… Continue Reading

Proposed bill could remove thousands of books from NC public schools

Proposed bill could remove thousands of books from NC public schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Lawmakers in Raleigh are rolling out a bill that could affect what students can read in school. The bill will require the removal of books from public schools that contain material that is “harmful to minors” including material that “depicts or describes sexual activity.” State Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore, Randolph) says the bill is about protecting children from accessing inappropriate material based on their age.… Continue Reading

Supporters rally for Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs amid legal battle

Supporters rally for Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs amid legal battle

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Supporters of Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs held a rally near the Legislative Building to criticize the ongoing legal effort to overturn Riggs’ less than 800 vote lead over Jefferson Griffin. Riggs spoke at the rally, criticizing the ongoing legal battle over overseas and military votes. The justices ruled that about 5,000 military and overseas voters must prove their identity within 30 days or risk having their ballots invalidated. A vast majority of 60,000 votes were allowed to stand. Riggs says she will take the issue to Federal Court.… Continue Reading

Ex-congressman Nickel entering race to unseat North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026

Ex-congressman Nickel entering race to unseat North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel of North Carolina has announced himself as a candidate to try to unseat Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026. Nickel revealed his plans Wednesday. Nickel had signaled his interest in a Senate bid in late 2023, when the Raleigh-area congressman decided against seeking a second U.S. House term because redrawn district lines made it essentially impossible to win again. Nickel said a “fighter for what’s right for our state” is needed, and he criticized Tillis for backing President Donald Trump’s agenda. There is still time for other Democrats to enter the race. Former Gov. Roy Cooper is considering it.… Continue Reading

Deputies kill armed man inside North Carolina hospital ER, sheriff says

Deputies kill armed man inside North Carolina hospital ER, sheriff says

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (AP) — Authorities say deputies fatally shot a man inside a North Carolina hospital’s emergency room Tuesday after he pointed a gun at them. Law enforcement arrived at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City early Tuesday morning after receiving reports of an armed man pointing a gun at several emergency room staff members. Authorities say they found the man in the emergency triage room and three of the deputies fired at him after he aimed his handgun at them. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. None of the deputies were injured. Officials did not immediately release additional details about the suspect.… Continue Reading

Rare greenhouse gas law in NC could get pulled back by GOP legislators

Rare greenhouse gas law in NC could get pulled back by GOP legislators

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina enacted a rare energy law in the South in 2021 that directed power plant emissions be sharply reduced. But now the state’s GOP-controlled legislature is seeking to repeal a key element in that law. The Senate wants to do away with the requirement to take “all reasonable steps to achieve” reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. Bill sponsors say regulators have already delayed the deadline as the law allows and the change would help Duke Energy assemble less expensive power sources now. Bill critics say the interim goal is useful to meet a 2050 carbon neutrality standard that still would be in place.… Continue Reading

First disappointment and then a celebration as video captures high school band’s big surprise

First disappointment and then a celebration as video captures high school band’s big surprise

SNOW HILL, N.C. (AP) — A small high school in eastern North Carolina is celebrating the highest ranking its band has won at a statewide musical competition. The surprise reaction of the students learning they had won a superior ranking was captured on video. It started when band director Andrew Howell solemnly stepped onto the bus and told his students what they had gone through was a learning experience. Some of the students groaned or dropped their heads. Then he pulled out a plaque awarding the band with the competition’s highest ranking. The students erupted with screams and cheers. The video of their celebration has been seen by millions after being posted on TikTok and social media sites.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judge challenging outcome of race wore Confederate uniform in college photo

North Carolina judge challenging outcome of race wore Confederate uniform in college photo

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge challenging the outcome of his North Carolina Supreme Court race was photographed wearing Confederate military garb and posing before a Confederate battle flag when he was a member of a college fraternity that glorified the pre-Civil War South. The emergence of the photographs comes at a delicate time for Jefferson Griffin. The Republican appellate judge is seeking a spot on North Carolina’s highest court. Griffin is facing mounting criticism as he seeks to invalidate over 60,000 votes cast in last November’s election. He trails the Democratic incumbent by over 700 votes. The photographs obtained by The Associated Press were taken when he was a student at the University of North Carolina in the early 2000s. Griffin said he regrets wearing the Confederate uniform.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Senate majority leader to resign from chamber

North Carolina Senate majority leader to resign from chamber

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A top lieutenant to North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger is resigning from the chamber. A statement released Tuesday from Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton says he’s retiring effective Wednesday evening “to pursue an opportunity outside of state government.” His specific plans weren’t immediately released. The 64-year-old is a former Duke Energy state president in North Carolina from Cabarrus County who joined the Senate in 2017. He was elected majority leader after the 2022 elections. Republicans in his 34th Senate District will choose someone to fill his two-year term. Senate Republicans also will have to meet to pick a new majority leader.… Continue Reading

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