SNAP Benefits Restored in NC

Around 600,000 North Carolinians received their SNAP benefits for the entire month of November yesterday after the 43-day federal government shutdown had temporarily halted payments.

The federal government didn’t use its contingency funds to support SNAP programs, which led State Attorney General Jeff Jackson to sue the Trump administration in late October for withholding the $230 million the state needed for the program.

Many churches, nonprofits, and local governments stepped in during the federal shutdown. Durham County ran a food drive by providing families in need with nonperishable items.

With the signing of the new federal legislation, funding for SNAP benefits has been secured from now until next September.

Light Rail Stabbing Victim Autopsy Released

An autopsy released from the August 22 stabbing of Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska revealed she was stabbed three times, including a fatal blow to her neck.

The report shows Zarutska was also stabbed in the chest and kneecap. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The killer, Decarlos Brown, was indicted by a federal court on a charge of knowingly and unlawfully using a dangerous weapon with intent to cause death. He was also indicted on murder charges in Mecklenburg County.

A researcher in Virginia named a butterfly after Iryna, and the state passed “Iryna’s Law,” a bill that focuses on making it harder for repeat, violent offenders to meet bail or leave prison.

Amazon Prime Christmas Movie Filmed in NC 

The holiday-themed romantic comedy Merv will debut around Christmas after being filmed in and around the Wilmington area.

The movie follows Merv, a dog whose owners, played by Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox, break up after a long relationship, but try to save it for their loyal companion. Filming locations for the movie included Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington.

The movie premieres on Dec. 10 on Amazon Prime, and a trailer is out now.

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➤ Durham: City records show more than $1.3 million in HIV assisted-living housing grants have gone unused for five years, with no plan to allocate the funds. (More)

➤ Forsyth County: Construction workers off Highway 158 discovered a body near a job site, and investigators found a pink bike nearby. They expect the case to continue for some time. (More)

➤ Catawba County: A pump station failure released more than 1.8 million gallons of untreated wastewater, sending 1.6 million gallons into Lyle Creek, though officials say county water remains safe. (More)

➤ Concord: Avelo Airlines announced it will be launching new nonstop flights to Chicago and Nashville from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport. Tickets for the budget airline start at $35 per one-way ticket. (More)

➤ Wilmington: The North Carolina Shark Conservancy launched the state’s first Shark Stranding Network to record data on stranded sharks, including size, sex, and species, to better understand coastal ecosystems. (More)

➤ Outer Banks: A new online platform lets users track red drum migration, revealing spawning grounds and movement corridors for a fish central to the state’s $4 billion saltwater fishing economy. (More)

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➤ Today’s college football slate kicks off with Charlotte taking on UTSA in the morning. Then in the afternoon, NC State looks to upset the No. 15 Miami Hurricanes, while Duke tries to down No. 19 Virginia. Arguably the biggest game of the day happens at 4:30, though, when Wake Forest hosts UNC for an in-state battle. (See Full Schedule)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes are holding a three-day celebration Dec. 7-9 to commemorate the franchise’s Stanley Cup victory in 2006. Programming for the celebration will include Q&A sessions, photo opportunities, and a pregame ceremony before their matchup against the Blue Jackets on Dec. 9. (More)

➤ UNC women’s lacrosse just signed the best recruiting class in the country, which consists of nine players with either a five-star or four-star rating. (More)

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

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➤ Two Apex police officers launched a crisis-intervention program a decade after aiding a distressed veteran, offering specialized mental health support for veterans who call. (More)

➤ Southern Living named Asheville and Pinehurst among the South’s top Thanksgiving destinations, highlighting resort options including the Biltmore and Pinehurst Resort. (More)

➤ North Carolina counts 11,000 children in foster care, including 15-year-old Joshua, who relies on his faith and enjoys building Legos as he waits for a permanent home. (More)

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Have you purchased your Thanksgiving turkey?

1. Yes, it’s in the freezer
2. Not yet
3. I’m having it delivered
4. Someone else is buying it
5. No turkey for me

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you started holiday shopping?

1. No, not even close: 31%
2. Yes, but I’m not done: 29% 
3. I don’t do the shopping: 21%
4. Yes, I’m done: 19%

What music genre was Durham once known for?

Show me the answer