DNA Technology Cracks 32-Year-Old Cold Case

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police announced the arrest of 55-year-old Dulaine Lotharp on Wednesday in connection with two sexual assaults that occurred in the Providence area on July 22, 1993, and Aug. 25, 1994.

The second victim reported being attacked on a wooded path in the same police district as the first assault. Both victims, who did not know the suspect, reported the attacks and had rape kits completed at Carolinas Medical Center.

Police used DNA technology to retest evidence, which led to Lotharp’s identification as a suspect. At the time of the assaults, DNA technology was in its early stages, preventing critical biological evidence from being fully analyzed.

Lotharp is charged with three counts of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, common law robbery, and communicating threats.

Deal Ends Asheville Racial Discrimination Suit

A federal judge approved a deal ending a racial discrimination lawsuit against Asheville filed by five white plaintiffs who alleged they were rejected from the city’s Human Relations Commission due to race-based criteria.

The Asheville City Council amended the commission’s rules on Aug. 26, removing discriminatory language and agreeing to administer appointments without regard to race, ethnicity, or national origin.

While most supported the change to avoid costly litigation, Councilwoman Kim Roney opposed it, advocating for the continued fight for civil rights.

The resolution comes as Buncombe County’s reparations efforts move forward, with a Sept. 2 report proposing remedies aimed at racial disparities in education, healthcare, housing, and the justice system.

Duke Launches $2M Space Initiative

Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences has launched the SPACE Initiative (Science and Policy to Advance Cosmic Exploration), a $2 million program funded by an anonymous alumnus to unite science and policy for space exploration.

The kickoff event is scheduled for Sept. 8 at Penn Pavilion, featuring a keynote speech by Duke alumna and astronaut Anna Menon, a former SpaceX lead space operations engineer.

Led by Associate Professors Michael Troxel and Daniel Scolnic, the initiative cultivates interdisciplinary collaboration across Duke’s schools, aiming to position the university at the forefront of the $1.8 trillion space economy projected by 2035.

It builds on programs like the Space Diplomacy Lab and Cosmology Group, fostering research, a master’s program, partnerships with Triangle universities and industries, as well as workshops and an annual Duke Space Symposium, first held in April.

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➤ Statewide: The U.S. Justice Department and North Carolina Board of Elections filed a joint motion to end a federal lawsuit over incomplete voter registrations, aiming to address 81,810 registration records in compliance with the Help America Vote Act by June 2027. (More)

➤ Western NC: A man who set fire to an American flag in Washington, D.C., has been identified as Jay Carey, a Democrat and Army veteran who previously ran for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, now held by Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards. (More)

➤ Central/Eastern NC: Republican State Sen. Bobby Hanig announced he will run for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, setting up a potential 2026 challenge to Democratic incumbent Don Davis. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Thirty interactive digital kiosks offering free Wi-Fi, touchscreen navigation, local business highlights, emergency alerts, and city content will be installed in high-traffic areas to boost civic engagement and economic development. (More)

➤ Wake County: Detention officer Hillary Seekins, 31, was arrested for allegedly supplying cocaine, synthetic marijuana, and suboxone to inmates. Seekins was charged with multiple drug-related offenses, fired, and released on a $50,000 unsecured bond. (More)

➤ Lexington: Hydrilla, an invasive plant, has overtaken a cove in High Rock Lake, clogging boats and jet skis, choking out native plants, and spreading unchecked due to a lack of natural predators. (More)

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➤ Week 2 of college football kicks off tomorrow with Duke taking on No. 11 Illinois, NC State hosting Virginia, Wake Forest playing Western Carolina, and Charlotte facing off against UNC. (See Full Schedule)

➤ The Carolina Panthers head into their season opener with multiple injuries, including three starting offensive linemen listed on the injury report. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County agreed to pay off the remaining $2.5 million of its economic development agreement with the Charlotte Knights baseball team—saving nearly $6 million. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Golf | U.S. Open

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➤ California-based Natron Energy ended operations on Wednesday due to financial challenges, canceling plans for a $1.4 billion sodium-ion battery plant in Edgecombe County and laying off 95 employees. (More)

➤ The management company for Trails Carolina and Asheville Academy is seeking dismissal of a federal lawsuit alleging abusive practices caused severe psychological harm to a former camper, arguing the case belongs in state court—if it belongs in court at all. (More)

➤ Mission Hospital CEO Greg Lowe announced a goal to hire 200 employees, including 100 nurses, in 100 days starting Sept. 22. Lowe is offering up to $8,000 in referral bonuses to staff to boost recruitment. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers will serve the “Masked Bandit” sandwich at home games this season thanks to a partnership between hospitality partner Levy and wide receiver Xavier Legette. The sandwich features slow-smoked brisket, melted cheese, and Carolina coleslaw on a “raccoon” roll. (See Photos)

➤ A loose emu in Rocky Mount’s North Green neighborhood was safely captured and returned home after receiving a lighthearted warning for loitering from animal services. (Watch Report)

➤ Sea turtle hatching season began at Cape Lookout and Holden Beach last week. Cape Lookout is tracking 162 nests, while two nests at Holden Beach produced 89 and 69 hatchlings. (See Photos)

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Which of these ACC football teams will be upset this weekend?

1. Duke
2. UNC
3. NC State
4. Wake Forest
5. All of them
6. None of them
7. Don’t care

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you put out a hummingbird feeder?

1. Yes: 42%
2. No: 25%
3. I used to: 17%
4. Sometimes: 16%

Where did Hurricane Fran first make landfall in North Carolina?

Show me the answer