Student Dies After Fight at North Forsyth High

A fatal stabbing at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem on Tuesday left one student dead and another injured after an altercation between two peers, authorities confirmed.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office responded around 11 a.m., securing the scene with heavy police presence from multiple agencies. No broader threat was identified.

Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps called the event profoundly sad and announced that classes would be canceled Wednesday, with counselors available for support. Gov. Josh Stein labeled it “shocking and horrible,” while Mayor Allen Joines called it “a tragedy that touches us all” and vowed to intensify youth violence prevention efforts.

Students described the victim as well-liked and said the loss was heartbreaking. One student said, “He’s gone now,” while others called for metal detectors and more campus security.

CLT Light Rail May End Open Platform Boarding

A second stabbing on Charlotte’s Blue Line light rail in less than four months has reignited debates over immigration and security, prompting Mayor Vi Lyles to suggest that future light rail security enhancements could include ending open platform access.

On Dec. 5, 33-year-old Honduran national Oscar Solarzano, who is in the U.S. illegally and has been deported twice, allegedly stabbed passenger Kenyon Dobie with a knife matching the description of one he was cited for carrying on the light rail in October.

At that time, he was banned from using the system, but Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police reported there wasn’t enough criminal behavior to warrant an arrest. Court documents show Solarzano missed his court appearance for the citation last month.

In response, GOP leaders are demanding stricter immigration enforcement and National Guard aid. The city council has also approved a $3.4 million public relations contract with the Sherry Matthews Group to rebuild transit confidence.

NC Reverses Medicaid Cuts as Lawsuits Mount

Gov. Josh Stein announced Wednesday that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reversing Medicaid provider rate cuts to pre-October levels after courts ruled in favor of plaintiffs in two lawsuits.

The suits challenged the department’s 3% across-the-board reduction and 8-10% service-specific cuts due to a $319 million shortfall. Three more lawsuits are pending.

The program serves three million residents, with rural areas facing the greatest risks to hospital stability and access to care.

Stein attributed the cuts to the General Assembly’s failure to pass a full budget despite six months of warnings and, in November, called for lawmakers to hold a special session to approve additional funding. In response, GOP co-chairs decried the move as unconstitutional, citing state law restrictions and accusing Stein of political gamesmanship.

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➤ Statewide: The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles announced Tuesday that eligible state ID holders can now renew a non-REAL ID card online two times in a row. REAL ID cards can also be renewed online a second time if the customer had an in-person transaction since their last renewal. (See Details)

➤ Eastern NC: Canadian citizen Denis Joseph Bouchard, 69, was indicted for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to vote illegally in North Carolina’s 2022 and 2024 federal elections. Records show he had cast ballots in New Hanover and Pender counties since 2004. He will be arraigned in Raleigh on Dec. 16. (More)

➤ Western NC: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released $29 million in additional Hurricane Helene recovery assistance reimbursements on Dec. 5 to North Carolina Emergency Management, NCDOT, Avery County, Asheville, Morganton, and Spruce Pine. (More)

➤ Granville County: The double shooting suspect at the center of an hours-long standoff with the sheriff’s office died Tuesday night. Of the two victims, the woman is in fair condition, and the man is critical. Their names have not been released. (More)

➤ Cary: The town paid $37,300 in taxpayer funds to cover Council Member Lori Bush’s master’s degree in public policy from Northwestern, which she has since repaid. The news comes as officials remain tight-lipped about placing Town Manager Sean Stegall on paid leave since Nov. 21. (More)

➤ Cabarrus County: Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and inciting a riot after a Nov. 21 shooting at the Concord tree lighting ceremony that injured four. He was released from the hospital Tuesday and appeared in court Wednesday. (More)

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➤ Duke freshman Sebastian Wilkins is redshirting this season to focus on development and preserve a year of eligibility. The four-star recruit, ranked the No. 7 power forward in his class, agreed to the plan with coaches before the season began. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Blue Jackets 4-1 on Tuesday night in front of the members of the 2006 Stanley Cup team, who were honored before the game. (More)

➤ Former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers, 44, signed to the Colts’ practice squad, making him the oldest quarterback currently under contract in the NFL. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Boom Supersonic, which intends to build its Overture supersonic jets in Greensboro, announced an order from San Francisco-based Crusoe for 29 Superpower turbines to power AI data centers—accelerating its engine development and funding amid surging electricity demands. (More)

➤ Reynolds American announced the addition of 200 manufacturing jobs at its Tobaccoville facility near Winston-Salem to support expanding smokeless product lines, building on 800 recent hires and a $200 million investment. (More)

➤ Charlotte home values declined over the past year amid a stabilizing market, with 56.8% of properties down from last year’s peak due to a 25% surge in inventory in October, longer sales timelines, and post-pandemic supply growth. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers hosted their seventh annual Joy to the Carolinas event on Tuesday at Bank of America Stadium, providing over 1,000 children with coats, toys, food, and holiday entertainment alongside players like Derrick Brown and Bryce Young. (Watch Report)

➤ Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant and his band Saving Grace will perform at Asheville’s Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on April 1 in a show presented by Harrah’s Cherokee Center. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 12. (More)

➤ A Chowhound list of the best diners in every state spotlights Elmo’s in Durham for its award-winning all-day breakfast, including Southern-style cheddar-jalapeno grits, as well as homestyle lunch staples such as meatloaf and roast turkey. (See List)

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Which of these diner foods is your favorite?

1. Cheeseburger
2. Milkshake
3. Pancakes
4. Biscuits and gravy
5. Omelet
6. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Should the Lumbee tribe be federally recognized?

1. Yes: 39%
2. Not sure: 32%
3. No: 29%

What prompted the Duke family to begin manufacturing cigarettes in 1880?

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