A man with a history of criminal arrests and diagnosed with schizophrenia has been federally charged with the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train, highlighting ongoing debates over crime and mental health policies in Democratic-led cities.
A mass shooting at a house party in Hickory, North Carolina, resulted in one death and 11 injuries, with over 80 shots fired and multiple shooters involved; no arrests have been made as investigations continue.
The Maui Invitational's first day delivered thrilling basketball with epic comebacks and intense matchups, marking one of the best opening days in the tournament's history. Auburn's dramatic win over Iowa State and North Carolina's comeback against Dayton highlighted the action. UConn's loss to Memphis featured coach Dan Hurley's fiery sideline antics, adding drama to the event. Michigan State's victory over Colorado was the least surprising of the day. The tournament's return to the Lahaina Civic Center after disruptions due to COVID and wildfires added emotional significance to the event.
In North Carolina, Trump supporters express readiness for potential unrest if the 2024 election results are not in Trump's favor, fueled by beliefs of a stolen 2020 election and fears of repeat fraud. At a rally, Trump has been intensifying rhetoric, claiming a lead in polls and alleging Democratic voter fraud, while supporters echo these sentiments, dismissing the January 6 insurrection as a setup. The atmosphere is tense, with some fearing violence if Trump loses.
The University of North Carolina's men's basketball team secured a dominant 92-67 victory over Florida State in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, propelled by strong defensive play and a commanding rebounding performance. With this win, the Tar Heels advance to the semifinals and will face the winner of the game between Pitt and Wake Forest. RJ Davis led the team with 18 points, while Armando Bacot recorded his 15th double-double of the season. Carolina's relentless defensive effort and impressive rebounding have propelled them to a seven-game winning streak.
RJ Davis sets a Dean Dome record with 42 points, leading North Carolina to a 75-71 victory over Miami. The win improved North Carolina to 22-6 overall and No. 7 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings. Davis's performance marked the most points scored by any player in a game inside the Smith Center, with 22 shots made and a career-high 42 points split evenly between the two halves.
Ronnie Long, wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 44 years, has reached a $25 million settlement with a North Carolina city and the state, including a public apology, for his wrongful incarceration due to misconduct by authorities. The city of Concord will pay $22 million, and the State Bureau of Investigation will pay $3 million. Long, who was convicted in 1976, was released in 2020 after evidence of his innocence was revealed. The city acknowledged responsibility for the errors and misconduct that led to Long's wrongful conviction and imprisonment, with his attorneys calling the settlement and apology crucial for his healing.
No. 8 North Carolina, led by RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, defeated 16th-ranked Clemson 65-55 in an ACC basketball game. Bacot contributed a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds, while Davis scored 14 points, helping the Tar Heels to start 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Clemson struggled from the three-point line, making only one of 18 attempts, and is likely to drop out of the rankings after this loss and a previous one to Miami. North Carolina's defense, particularly Bacot's effort against Clemson's top scorer PJ Hall, was pivotal in the victory.
Western North Carolina experienced freezing rain on Saturday morning, leading to slick conditions and power outages, particularly in Henderson County with over 1,200 customers affected. A Winter Storm Warning and Weather Advisory were in effect until 1 p.m. for multiple counties. Ice accumulation was reported in various locations, with the National Weather Service providing specific totals. Conditions were expected to improve by the afternoon with rain moving out and temperatures rising to near 50 degrees.
A weather system is expected to bring a wintry mix to the North Carolina Foothills overnight, with a winter weather advisory in effect for several counties. Meteorologist John Ahrens suggests staying indoors rather than preparing for a major event. Conditions will improve quickly with the wintry mix turning to rain after 8 a.m. and the storm moving out later on Saturday, leading to a calm Sunday. Residents are encouraged to download the WSOC-TV weather app for updates and follow the Severe Weather Center 9 team on Twitter for the latest forecasts.
A winter storm system is expected to bring a cold rain to the Upstate and a wintry mix, including potential ice accumulation, to Western North Carolina from Friday night into Saturday morning. Henderson, Transylvania, and Rutherford counties are under a winter storm warning with possible ice accumulation of up to a third of an inch, leading to hazardous road conditions and potential power outages. The forecast is complex and subject to change with temperature fluctuations.
North Carolina is bracing for two storm systems, with the first expected to bring freezing rain to the Foothills and I-40 Corridor on Saturday morning, leading to potential minor travel issues. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for several counties. The Charlotte metro area will likely experience cold rain with no significant icing. Preparations are underway, with NCDOT crews readying plows and chainsaws, although brine will not be pre-applied due to concerns of it washing away. A larger storm system is anticipated for Tuesday, primarily bringing rain that could be heavy at times.
A storm system is expected to bring a wintry mix to parts of North Carolina and South Carolina late Friday into Saturday. While most of the Upstate will experience cold rain, areas in the mountains and north of the Upstate may see a mix of rain, freezing rain, and light snow, especially north and west of Asheville. The forecast is complex due to varying surface temperatures and could change with slight temperature shifts.
North Carolina is experiencing a significant flu outbreak, with 22 new deaths reported, including two children under 4 years old, bringing the season's total to 52. Over 1,000 individuals are hospitalized due to the flu, marking a 46% increase from the previous week and surpassing COVID-19 hospitalizations for the second consecutive week. The rise in flu cases and deaths coincides with the lowest flu vaccination rates in five years, according to the CDC.
North Carolina is experiencing a significant increase in hospitalizations due to the flu, with a record number of 1,055 people hospitalized as of the week ending December 30th, surpassing last year's figures. COVID-19 cases are also on the rise, with wastewater particle levels at their highest since January 2023 and hospitalizations up by 30% in a week. Health officials are urging early testing and treatment, especially for high-risk individuals, and are advocating for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Hospitals are adjusting policies, such as visitor restrictions, to manage the surge. The CDC has recommended RSV vaccines for certain populations, and health systems are adapting to the increased demand for care.