NC House Takes on Public Safety

North Carolina Speaker of the House Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) announced the formation of the new House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety, tasked with examining policy reforms to improve public safety in the wake of Iryna Zarutska’s murder in Charlotte.

The 18-member bipartisan committee, to be co-chaired by Reps. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke) and Tim Reeder (R-Pitt) will “study and make recommendations regarding the intersection of mental health services, involuntary commitment processes, and the safety of the general public.”

The committee will collaborate with law enforcement, district attorneys, and mental health experts to review current laws and support better treatment access. Its formation follows the Sept. 30 release of a state audit criticizing Charlotte’s transit system for cutting armed security.

CLT Mayor Rejects Calls for National Guard

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles rejected calls Friday to mobilize the National Guard in high-crime areas of the city, emphasizing local solutions for transit safety amid criticism from a state audit showing a 40% drop in armed transit security since 2018.

Lyles joined other city officials in unveiling new transit safety measures, including four utility terrain vehicles and four patrol bikes to improve officer mobility.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 requested federal intervention on Thursday, citing 15 homicides since the Aug. 22 murder of Iryna Zarutska on the Lynx Blue Line and “the ongoing failure of city and police leadership to address the severe staffing crisis,” which “has led to a violence crisis in Charlotte.”

The police union also requested help from Gov. Josh Stein and President Trump.

Municipal Election Preview for Tuesday

Several North Carolina cities, including Durham, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, and Louisburg, will hold municipal elections for city council and mayoral races tomorrow.

Some elections are primaries, narrowing candidates for Nov. 4, while others, like Rocky Mount’s, are final. Rocky Mount’s election also addresses a $30 million budget deficit, impacting city council races.

Louisburg faces a controversial new mayoral runoff rule change, which could potentially cost $10,000. New Bern voters will decide on $24 million in bonds for infrastructure, with candidates emphasizing growth and accountability.

The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters must visit their assigned precinct. Find out where yours is here.

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➤ Statewide: An analysis of extreme poverty across the U.S.—defined as earning less than $8,160 annually—reveals a rate of 6.3% in North Carolina, slightly above the U.S. average of 6% in 2024. (See Map)

➤ Blue Ridge Parkway: The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will fund operations for two North Carolina facilities that closed at the beginning of the federal government shutdown: the Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville and the Museum of North Carolina Minerals in Spruce Pine. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: The North Carolina Department of Justice officially certified Antwain Nance to run for sheriff in 2026. Nance will file his notice of candidacy with the county Board of Elections during the December filing period. (More)

➤ Swannanoa: Leif Brynolf Johnson, 55, was convicted Friday of assaulting officers during then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s October 2024 post-Helene visit. Johnson was sentenced to 36 months of probation, a 15-day jail term, and an anger management course. (More)

➤ Buncombe County: The Sheriff’s Office reported that Joseph Shustek, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and facing probation violations, was mistakenly released from Buncombe County Detention Facility on Thursday but is now back in custody. (More)

➤ Outer Banks: The National Park Service, contractors, and volunteers are clearing debris after nine oceanfront houses collapsed in Buxton and Rodanthe. Officials are urging the public to avoid both areas until further notice. (See Photos)

➤ Wilmington: ABC greenlit a series called RJ Decker following a pilot episode shot in Wilmington. The show will air as a 2025-26 mid-season replacement and stars Canadian actor Scott Speedman as a private investigator. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers staged a comeback Sunday, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-24. Key plays included Rico Dowdle’s 185-yard rushing performance and Bryce Young’s late touchdown pass to Mitchell Evans. (More) 

➤ UNC football head coach Bill Belichick appeared frustrated after Saturday’s blowout loss to Clemson, dismissing questions about whether changes are needed to the starting lineup. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes dropped their final preseason game Saturday, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Nashville Predators. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | WNBA | Soccer | Golf | F1 | NASCAR | Tennis

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➤ Duke Health and Aetna reached a multi-year agreement Friday, ensuring in-network coverage for 1.5 million North Carolinians, including 750,000 state employees, after stalled negotiations over Duke Health’s request for a reimbursement rate increase. (More)

➤ The NC Chamber named the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in NC winners: Siemens Mobility in Lexington (large business), World Cat Boats in Tarboro (medium business), and Ordway Glass Company in Fuquay-Varina (small business). (See Winners)

➤ Former UNC basketball coach Roy Williams joined Verizon and ForgiveCo in announcing $5 million in debt relief for Western North Carolina at the UNC-Clemson game Saturday, bringing total relief to $15 million. (More)

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➤ Durham husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Kyle Mumma and Mia Wise created Swift Alert, a hit app with 2.5 million downloads that delivers Taylor Swift updates, games, and alerts—such as news of Travis Kelce’s onstage surprise. (More)

➤ In the year since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association has helped replace nearly 1,000 bee colonies through the WNC Bee Relief Program. (Watch Video)

➤ NC State senior Ethan Clark, an environmental science major and third-generation member of the Wolfpack, has accumulated more than 800,000 followers on his Facebook page, North Carolina’s Weather Authority, over the past decade. (More)

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Where do you get your weather forecast?

1. Flyover North Carolina, of course!
2. Local newspaper
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5. Internet
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Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever tried moonshine?

1. Yes: 47%
2. No: 30%
3. Not yet: 23%

Where are North Carolina’s National Guard units based?

Show me the answer