Legislators Slam School Board for Indoctrination

North Carolina lawmakers clashed with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) officials on Wednesday during a House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing over alleged circumvention of Senate Bill 49, the 2023 Parents’ Bill of Rights.

The law grants parents the right to review curriculum and materials, opt out of surveys, and be notified before or at the time of health services, or student name or pronoun changes.

The session was prompted by a resurfaced video of CHCCS Board Chair George Griffin calling the law discriminatory and suggesting the board should not follow certain provisions.

Republicans cited emails and a parent’s letter regarding unauthorized name use. House Majority Leader Brenden Jones accused the district of indoctrination and labeled a book allegedly recommended to elementary students called Santa’s Husband as “trash.”

Rep. Jeff McNeely, R-Iredell, threatened funding cuts for noncompliance. Griffin affirmed the district is complying with the law, apologized for the “misunderstandings” his comments caused, and denied the book recommendations being questioned.

Light Rail Victim Jailed for Assault

Charlotte light rail stabbing victim Kenyon Dobie, 24, was arrested and jailed Wednesday on charges stemming from a separate incident, including felony assault causing serious bodily injury, assault on a pregnant woman, assault on a female, domestic violence, and three counts of communicating threats.

Dobie, who was stabbed in the chest on Dec. 5 by 33-year-old illegal immigrant Oscar Solarzano after intervening in a disturbance on the light rail, appeared in court Thursday on the charges, which stem from an Oct. 18 incident. Bond was set at $2 million with no-contact conditions.

The Charlotte Area Transit System announced Wednesday that a data error obscured Solarzano’s recent bans for weapons and intoxication, allowing his return to the light rail.

Meanwhile, Decarlos Brown Jr. was due to make his first federal court appearance Thursday for the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in August.

NASCAR Antitrust Trial Ends in Settlement

NASCAR reached a settlement Thursday in a federal antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports. The agreement ended the trial on its ninth day before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell.

The teams had accused NASCAR of monopolistic practices through restrictive charter agreements that limited competition and undervalued team contributions. The suit stemmed from the teams’ refusal to sign NASCAR’s September 2024 charter deal.

The plaintiffs originally sought $364.7 million in damages, arguing the “take-it-or-leave-it” terms threatened their survival and denied permanent franchise-like protections.

While financial terms remain confidential, the settlement grants all teams permanent charters—a key demand—and Jordan called it “a good day.” Bell praised the resolution as “great” for NASCAR, the teams, and the fans.

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➤ Forsyth County: New details were released Thursday about the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Cameron Graham at North Forsyth High on Tuesday. The fight began over a vape pen. Graham pulled a knife, and the other student tried to disarm him. He faces no charges, with the DA calling it a “terrible accident.” (More)

➤ Rockingham County: President Trump endorsed North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger for re-election in the GOP primary against Sheriff Sam Page, urging Page to drop out and take a role in his administration. The race has drawn attention over local backlash to a casino proposal Berger previously supported. (More)

➤ Currituck County: Two-time Jeopardy! winner Joey DeSena, a 43-year-old Raleigh engineer, was arrested Dec. 1 in Wake County on two felony secret peeping charges for allegedly hiding cameras in a bathroom and bedroom to secretly record someone on Oct. 10. He posted $5,000 bond and faces a no-contact order. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Police arrested UNC Rex nurse Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz, 28, on multiple charges, including sexual battery and kidnapping, for allegedly assaulting at least two sedated patients at the hospital. Alvarez-Ortiz, due in court yesterday, was fired, and his nursing license was suspended. (More)

➤ Waxhaw: North Carolina revoked Monroe Charter Academy’s charter and ordered its immediate closure after the school exceeded legal limits on remote learning and lacked required facility approvals. Academic and financial issues also contributed to the decision. (More)

➤ Kill Devil Hills: Kayden Lindsey, 17, charged as an accessory in the July 31 Avalon Pier shooting death of Zane Hughes, 19, has been released on $500,000 bond with an ankle monitor. He and two other suspects face life sentences with no chance of parole. (More)

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➤ NC State soccer faces off against Saint Louis tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the Men’s College Cup semifinal match. If they win, they’ll play for a national title on Monday night. (More)

➤ The Pop Warner Super Bowl just kicked off in the Charlotte area, with football games at Matthews Sportsplex and cheerleading competitions at the Convention Center. The event is part of the nation’s largest youth sports organization and is expected to draw 45,000 visitors. (More)

➤ NC State and Georgia have mutually canceled their 2033-34 home-and-home football series, following Georgia’s move to a nine-game SEC schedule. (More)

➤ McDowell native Greg Holland was added to the Kansas City Royals’ 2026 Hall of Fame ballot this week, which fans can vote on to support his induction. Holland graduated from McDowell High in 2004 and pitched at Western Carolina before being drafted by the Royals in 2008. (More)

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

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➤ According to data from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the state’s top three exports and imports through August were the same: pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, and electric machinery. (More)

➤ The Dare County Tourism Board awarded $1.77 million in grants to 12 Outer Banks nonprofits and towns for projects needed due to the impact of tourism, including beach accesses, multi-use paths, historical restorations, and clinic expansions. (More)

➤ The NCInnovation board audit chair, Canty Alexander, announced his immediate resignation at the board’s December meeting, following the earlier departure of CEO Bennet Waters on Nov. 30. The board also debated leadership transitions and financial concerns. (More)

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➤ A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale was spotted Monday about 250 yards off Carolina Beach, according to conservation group Oceana, marking a rare migration sighting of one of only around 384 remaining. (Watch Report)

➤ Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell proclaimed Dec. 10 as Larry Pickett Day, honoring Enloe High grad and Army football player Larry Pickett Jr. and his father for rescuing a man from a fiery car wreck in upstate New York in September. (More)

➤ Biologists are releasing tiny Japanese beetles called Laricobius osakensis at select sites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to combat the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid, first detected in 2002. The biocontrol beetles and their larvae feed exclusively on the destructive insect. (See Photos)

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What do you think of 44-year-old Philip Rivers coming out of retirement to rejoin the Colts?

1. Quite impressed
2. Reserving judgment, for now
3. He should stick with retirement
4. Don’t know, don’t care

Yesterday’s Results:

Which of these diner foods is your favorite?

1. Cheeseburger: 21%
2. Omelet: 17%
3. Biscuits and gravy: 17%
4. Milkshake: 15%
5. Pancakes: 15%
6. Other: 15%

Where is Philip Rivers originally from?

Show me the answer