Trump Reacts to Charlotte Train Stabbing

President Trump condemned the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail, calling the attack “horrible” and the suspect “evil.”

Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was killed in an unprovoked stabbing aboard the LYNX Blue Line on Aug. 22. The case has gained national attention, drawing reactions from Trump, state leaders, and Elon Musk.

State leaders have pointed to public safety lapses and are pushing for stronger policing and judicial accountability. Meanwhile, Charlotte transit has boosted patrols, hired a safety chief, and is seeking city funding for added security.

Voters Head to Polls in Four Cities

Today is Municipal Election Day for voters in Charlotte, Sanford, Rural Hall, and Tobaccoville, with races on the ballot for mayor, city council, and town board seats.

In Mecklenburg County, officials reported more than 13,800 ballots cast during early voting—nearly double the turnout from two years ago. In Charlotte, voter interest has been driven by debates over city spending, especially on stadium upgrades and transit funding.

Voters heading to the polls today must cast ballots at their assigned precincts. Additional primaries or runoffs could take place on Oct. 7, depending on local election rules, with the general election set for Nov. 4.

NC Adds 41 DMV Workers to Ease Delays

Gov. Josh Stein announced that the Division of Motor Vehicles has filled 41 new license examiner positions as part of a push to reduce long wait times at offices statewide.

Lawmakers approved $1.2 million last month to fund the hires and new DMV offices in fast-growing areas, including Fuquay-Varina. Stein praised the division for completing the hiring in under 30 days.

Officials say the new employees will begin work immediately as the state continues efforts to fix longstanding staffing shortages at the DMV.

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➤ Ocracoke Island: The North Carolina Department of Transportation has resumed dune work to protect N.C. Highway 12 after Hurricane Erin overwash, and is preparing a sandbag contract for future storms. (More)

➤ Alexander County: A daycare issued a public statement after staff failed to call 911 when a child was bitten by a copperhead snake. (See Details)

➤ Wilmington: University of North Carolina Wilmington scientists say deadly flesh-eating bacteria are increasing, with Vibrio infections up 620% over the past decade and tied to warmer, brackish coastal waters. (See Details)

➤ Asheboro: Authorities are searching for a missing 7-year-old boy last seen Sunday near Forest Hills Drive. He is nonverbal, has cognitive impairments, and may run if approached, according to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. (More)

➤ Boone: A portion of Bamboo Road between Deerfield Road and Buchanan Street will be closed today through Sept. 19 for culvert replacement. (More)

➤ Catawba County: Hickory-based comedian Jon Reep faces multiple charges after a Friday indictment alleging possession of child sexual exploitation material. (More)

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➤ Jaycee Horn hauled in a one-handed interception against the Jaguars on Sunday, delivering one of the top highlight plays of Week 1. (More)

➤ NC State football opened the week as a touchdown favorite over Wake Forest for Thursday night’s game. (More)

➤ The New England Patriots could theoretically sue UNC football for Bill Belichick’s refusal to let scouts into the facility, as it could be interpreted as discriminatory conduct by a state employee. (More)

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

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➤ Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh is undergoing a $60M renovation, forcing out small vendors by Oct. 1—leaving many blindsided and scrambling before the holidays. (More)

➤ Monroe is set to build the first air traffic control tower at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport by 2028, backed by $6M in state funding and following an FAA study. (More)

➤ Duke Health is expanding beyond the Triangle, acquiring Lake Norman Regional for $284M and partnering with Novant to open joint campuses statewide. (More)

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Former Zillow Exec Opens Door to $1.3T Market

Austin Allison sold his first company for $120M. He later served as an executive for Zillow. Both companies reached massive valuations before everyday investors could get in.

“I always wished everyday investors could have shared in their early success,” Allison later said. So he built Pacaso differently. 

Pacaso brings co-ownership to the $1.3T vacation home market, earning $110M+ in gross profit in under five years. No wonder the same early investors who backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay already invested in Pacaso.

Now, after adding 10 new international destinations, Pacaso is hitting its stride. It even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

And unlike his previous ventures, you can invest in Pacaso as a private company. But you don’t have time to waste. Invest before Pacaso’s opportunity ends on Sept. 18.

➤ The Golden Ticket Awards crowned Carowinds’ Fury 325 the world’s best steel roller coaster for the ninth year in a row. (More)

➤ Cabarrus County K-9 Tito beat cancer without missing a day of work, and the sheriff’s office marked his recovery with a photo featuring a crown and bell. (See Photo)

➤ The 2025 NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival is this Friday and Saturday in Oxford, featuring a sauce and rub contest, pepper eating contest, live music, food trucks, craft brews, and family-friendly activities across 16 city blocks. (More)

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3. Somewhere in the middle
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Yesterday’s Results:

What region of the state should Flyover North Carolina enhance coverage of?

1. All three: 35%
2. Mountains: 24%
3. Piedmont: 16%
4. Coastal Plain: 16%
5. Other: 10% 

What well-known singers successfully covered “Mockingbird” by Charlie and Inez Foxx?

Show me the answer