Charlotte Mayor Responds to Stabbing

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement on Saturday after video surfaced of the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a Blue Line light rail train.

The video released Friday shows Zarutska boarding the Blue Line on Aug. 22 at 9:46 p.m., where she was stabbed. She died at the scene.

Lyles expressed heartbreak over the attack, thanking media and residents for respecting Zarutska’s family and pledging renewed commitment to public safety in the city.

Police have arrested 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., who faces first-degree murder charges.

Durham, Carteret Tourism Nears $2B

Visitor spending in Durham County hit $1.16 billion in 2024, supporting over 7,700 jobs and generating $81.4 million in state and local tax revenue, a new study found.

Carteret County also drew record tourism in 2024, with $743 million in visitor spending that ranked 11th statewide despite hurricane season disruptions.

Together, the two counties approached $2 billion in visitor spending, part of North Carolina’s $36.7 billion statewide tourism economy, which supported more than 230,000 jobs in 2024

NC Golfers Score Medals at Special Olympics

Three North Carolina golfers competed at the 2025 Special Olympics North America Golf Championship in Pennsylvania, winning gold, bronze, and finishing fourth.

Delaney Hansen of Iredell County won gold, while John Riley of Clay County earned bronze. Cheryl Weiss, also of Iredell, placed fourth at the event.

The tournament drew more than 300 athletes from across the U.S. and Canada to Penn National Golf Club & Inn.

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➤ Statewide: Laura Leslie, veteran Capitol bureau chief at WRAL, has been named editor of NC Newsline after 21 years covering state politics. (More)

➤ Wake County: Officials confirmed an active tuberculosis case at Leesville High School, reported last week, just weeks into the new school year. (More) 

➤ Durham: Duke University launched a pilot project to study the benefits and drawbacks of generative AI in college classrooms as tools like ChatGPT reshape academic practices. (More)

➤ Charlotte: North Carolina’s largest law firm, Moore & Van Allen, signed a 15-year lease as anchor tenant for Tower Two at Queensbridge Collective, advancing the $700 million Charlotte skyline project near uptown and South End. (More)

➤ Raleigh: A 17,000-square-foot North Ridge Country Club mansion, once home to two people convicted in a murder-for-hire plot, sold for $4.4 million in July, below its $7.8 million assessment. (More)

➤ Greensboro: Raising Cane’s is planning a spring 2026 opening on West Wendover Avenue, pending city approval, as the chicken chain expands further into North Carolina. (More)

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➤ Bill Belichick earned his first college coaching win Saturday as North Carolina rebounded from a blowout loss to TCU with a 20-3 victory over Charlotte, led by quarterback Gio Lopez’s strong performance. (Game Recap) 

➤ Duke football entered halftime trailing No. 11 Illinois by just one point, but collapsed in the second half, eventually losing 45-19. Meanwhile, NC State clinched a victory against UVA with this red zone interception in the final minute. (Watch Video)

➤ The Carolina Panthers’ 2025 NFL season begins today at 1:00 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Panthers enter the game as slight underdogs. (More)

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

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➤ Several Wilmington chefs have earned national attention through Food Network shows, with appearances on Chopped and Guy’s Grocery Games, plus spotlights from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Man v. Food. (See List)

➤ A rare white fawn was born at the North Carolina Zoo, delighting visitors and staff. (See Video)

➤ Asheville plans to build a temporary skating and hockey rink on Asheland Avenue to replace Carrier Park’s flood-damaged facility until a permanent rink is constructed. (More)

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Who wins today: the Carolina Panthers or the Jacksonville Jaguars?

1. Panthers
2. Jaguars
3. Don’t care

Yesterday’s Results:

Which summer fruit do you love most?

1. Watermelon: 29%
2. Peaches: 25%
3. Berries: 20%
4. Cherries: 15%
5. Other: 11%

What acting role is Raleigh’s Ira David Wood III best known for?

Show me the answer