Lawmakers Weigh ‘Iryna’s Law,’ Veto Overrides

North Carolina legislators returned to Raleigh Monday to take up a sweeping criminal justice bill and a series of veto overrides.

The proposal, titled “Iryna’s Law,” comes one month after the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail. It would eliminate cashless bail for certain crimes, restrict magistrates’ discretion, mandate mental health evaluations in specific cases, and add capital felonies committed on public transportation to the list of death penalty aggravators.

Alongside the crime bill, lawmakers also considered six veto overrides on measures ranging from permitless concealed carry and immigration enforcement to school choice tax credits and restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

NC Native Ends Defense in Trump Plot Trial

The prosecution has rested its case against Ryan Routh, the Guilford County native accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in 2024.

Federal jurors on Friday heard from an FBI agent who detailed surveillance evidence, financial records, and online searches that prosecutors say tied Routh to Trump’s movements in the weeks leading up to the alleged attempt.

On Monday, Routh—representing himself—was expected to call three witnesses, including a firearms expert and two character witnesses, before resting his defense.

Randy Boone, Star of The Virginian, Dies at 83

Randy Boone, the Fayetteville-born actor and musician who rose to fame as a singing ranch hand on NBC’s The Virginian, died Aug. 28 at age 83, his family confirmed.

A 1960 graduate of Fayetteville Senior High, Boone briefly attended NC State College. He hitchhiked across the country with his guitar, leaving college behind before landing in Hollywood. 

Boone appeared in 46 episodes of The Virginian, performing many of his songs and even riding his personal horse, Clyde, on set. He was also a regular on It’s a Man’s World and Cimarron Strip, and starred in a 1963 episode of The Twilight Zone. Over the years, he made guest appearances on Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and Highway to Heaven and recorded albums, including Ramblin’ Randy.

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➤ NC Coast: Hurricane Gabrielle was expected to reach Category 3 strength by Monday night, with dangerous swells and rip currents impacting the shoreline through midweek. (More)

➤ Charlotte: A candlelight vigil was held Monday night at the East/West Boulevard Rail Station to honor Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee killed on the light rail last month. (More)

➤ Wendell: Wake County deputies and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating a house fire caused by an explosion on Old Bunch Road. No injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Lake Toxaway: A 1.7-magnitude earthquake struck early Saturday morning near the northwestern edge of the lake in Transylvania County. No damage was reported. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Hundreds gathered outside Wake GOP headquarters Sunday for a candlelight vigil honoring conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk, with state officials and party leaders delivering tributes. (More)

➤ New Bern: A section of Trent Road will be closed this week as crews repair a collapsed culvert on the 3500 block, with detours in place through Friday. (More)

➤ Durham: Duke researchers identified basal stem cells—not neuroendocrine cells—as the likely origin of small cell lung cancer, a finding that could transform detection and treatment. (More)

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➤ Lawmakers met yesterday to consider a $35 million infrastructure funding proposal for development around the Lenovo Center, home to the Carolina Hurricanes. (More)

➤ No. 1 Wake Forest soccer fell to Virginia 6-3 on Friday, suffering its first loss of the season and a tough early stumble in ACC competition. (More)

➤ NC State women’s soccer came close to upsetting No. 7 Florida State on Sunday, but settled for a 1-1 draw after allowing a goal in the final 35 seconds. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NHL | MLB | Soccer

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➤ Honeywell is investing $10 million to transform UNC Charlotte’s Burson Hall into the Honeywell Innovation Hub, adding high-tech labs, scholarships, and endowed faculty positions in engineering and computing. (More)

➤ A Denton farmer is partnering with Asheville’s Utopian Seed Project to test climate-resilient crops like southern peas and collards for North Carolina growers. (More)

➤ Shares of Charlotte-based health care service provider Premier jumped nearly 10% after private equity firm Patient Square Capital announced plans to acquire the health care alliance for $2.6 billion. (More)

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➤ Boone-based nonprofit Wine To Water is marking one year since Hurricane Helene with ongoing water system repairs and a community commemoration event. (More)

➤ At the Day at the Docks Seafood Throwdown over the weekend, chefs wowed the crowd by turning jumping mullet into gourmet dishes. (More)

➤ Greensboro’s Benbow Park dedicated a new basketball court to hometown legend Bob McAdoo Jr., a five-time NBA All-Star who once practiced there. (More)

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Which song by The Lovin’ Spoonful is your favorite?

1. Do You Believe in Magic?
2. You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice
3. Daydream
4. Other
5. Who’s The Lovin‘ Spoonful?

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite tree for fall color?

1. Maple: 33%
2. Oak: 18%
3. Dogwood: 17%
4. Sweetgum: 16%
5. Other: 16% 

Which show was The Lovin’ Spoonful considered for?

Show me the answer