704 Unfiltered

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein is recovering in a hospital after suffering a minor stroke Monday night, and he's thanking his wife for her quick thinking.

According to a Facebook post shared on Tuesday, Stein and his wife Anna had walked their dog when he started exhibiting stroke-like symptoms. Anna Stein was able to get an ambulance, and doctors confirmed the details to them.

Stein said he underwent a successful procedure to remove a small blood clot, and is now back to normal and facing no lingering effects. He thanked his wife, EMTs, and medical staff for their roles in ensuring he could be treated.

Stein said Anna's recognition of the signs of stroke was critical to ensuring he got the care he needed. He shared more information from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) about what to look for if you believe someone may be facing a stroke.

Neurologist Dr. Dena Little with UNC Medical Center says time lost is brain lost and the best treatments can only be given within a few hours of the symptoms.

It's why she says knowing the signs and symptoms are so important.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/north-carolina-ag-josh-stein-stroke-health-politics-regional/275-10ae29c7-16ef-4770-a0d1-245c29dfcf92

On Wednesday, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners will start hearing public feedback from the community on its upcoming budget.

Teachers, education advocates, and other stakeholders are expected to be at the meeting to advocate for more money for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The district is poised to get less than half of the additional money it requested from the county government.

The CMS school board and others have a few weeks to try and convince members of the Mecklenburg BOCC to give them additional dollars for the upcoming school year.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-advocates-petition-mecklenburg-county-funding/275-053a8237-80dc-421b-b54e-d9394eddc2f9

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

The Mecklenburg County health department will begin offering Pfizer's COVID-19 booster to children ages 5 to 11, beginning Monday, May 23. 

Mecklenburg County Public Health announced the boosters will be available to kids five months after their most recent vaccine dose. The Pfizer booster is currently the only brand available to children. 

“The booster for children 5 to11 years old comes at an opportune time,” said Paige Bennett, deputy director for Mecklenburg County Public Health, said. “The booster provides a significant increase in protection against serious illness, hospitalization, death and long-term complications from COVID-19 ahead of summer activities like vacations, camps and play dates.”

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/pediatric-covid-boosters-mecklenburg-county-north-carolina/275-8d645bd4-fd95-4b0f-a70e-555dabc72fa7

The House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations that Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn had a conflict of interest in a cryptocurrency he promoted and engaged in an improper relationship with a member of his staff, the panel said Monday.

The investigation is just the latest moment of high-profile scrutiny for the North Carolina Republican, who will be leaving Congress at the end of the year after losing his primary race last week to state Sen. Chuck Edwards. Cawthorn's defeat came despite support for his reelection bid from former President Donald Trump.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/ethics-panel-opens-investigation-madison-cawthorn/275-e5987990-a5c9-4cb3-ab23-c8ffd97db50d

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

A military plane carrying enough specialty infant formula for more than half a million baby bottles arrived Sunday in Indianapolis, the first of several flights expected from Europe aimed at relieving a shortage that has sent parents scrambling to find enough to feed their children.

President Joe Biden authorized the use of Air Force planes for the effort, dubbed “Operation Fly Formula,” because no commercial flights were available.

The formula weighed 78,000 pounds (35,380 kilograms), White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One as Biden flew from South Korea to Japan.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Indianapolis to greet the arrival of the first shipment.

The flights are intended to provide “some incremental relief in the coming days” as the government works on a more lasting response to the shortage, Brian Deese, director of the White House National Economic Council, said Sunday.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/78000-pounds-of-formula-arrives/507-25134b29-5d39-4380-be5e-b352c8fd3427

 Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest Protestant denomination, stonewalled and denigrated survivors of clergy sex abuse over almost two decades while seeking to protect their own reputations, according to a scathing 288-page investigative report issued Sunday.

These survivors, and other concerned Southern Baptists, repeatedly shared allegations with the SBC’s Executive Committee, “only to be met, time and time again, with resistance, stonewalling, and even outright hostility from some within the EC,” said the report.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/southern-baptists-sex-abuse-report/507-f263bab8-8bec-4bed-af85-eda042ca86c8

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Kids ages 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the U.S. government said Thursday.

If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees, as expected, it would open a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids — just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older.

The hope is that an extra shot will shore up protection for kids ages 5 to 11 as infections once again are on the rise.

Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's kid-sized booster, to be offered at least five months after the youngsters' last shot.

The CDC takes the next step of recommending who actually needs vaccinations. Its advisers debated if all otherwise healthy 5- to 11-year-olds need an extra dose, especially since so many children were infected during the huge winter surge of the omicron variant.

But the U.S. now is averaging 100,000 new cases a day for the first time since February. And ultimately, the CDC's advisers pointed to growing evidence from older kids and adults that two primary vaccinations plus a booster are providing the best protection against the newest coronavirus variants.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/cdc-advisers-urge-pfizer-covid-booster-shot-children-ages-5-to-11/507-5271c368-2529-4f02-b9a5-a6bd502a21e5

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed a gun was found at a middle school Thursday morning.

A district spokesperson confirmed the weapon was found at Ranson Middle School, located along Statesville Road. Students and staff are safe, and the spokesperson said that was all the information available as of writing.

WCNC Charlotte has reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for additional information. We will update this article as new details are provided.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/crime-charlotte-mecklenburg-schools-cms-gun-ranson-middle-school-local-education/275-3243871f-52ae-46aa-a6fc-e38baa368b79

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is looking for a man they said shot into a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus early Wednesday morning.

The man fired three or four rounds into a bus at the stop along Nations Ford Road near Huntsmoor Drive, according to CMPD. There were no passengers on the bus at the time. The driver was unharmed, according to officials.

CMPD released a surveillance photo of the suspect. He's shown wearing a dark blue jacket, a light blue T-shirt, and blue jeans. He also had a backpack and appears to be wearing dark-colored shoes with white underlining.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers. Tips can be called in at 704-334-1600 or submitted online.

WCNC Charlotte reached out to CATS for further comment. A spokesperson for the system provided this statement:

We are aware of the incident that took place last night on bus number 2150. CATS can confirm that the operator was not injured and there were no passengers on the bus. CATS takes all safety and security incidents very seriously and we work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold all parties involved accountable. As this incident is still under investigation, please reach out to CMPD for more information.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/man-shoots-into-cats-bus-transit-charlotte-nc-local-crime/275-31b30507-e01e-4287-b428-9949b76536e6

 President Joe Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supply from overseas, as he faces mounting political pressure over a domestic shortage caused by the safety-related closure of the country's largest formula manufacturing plant.

The Defense Production Act order requires suppliers of formula manufacturers to fulfill those orders before other customers. Biden is also authorizing the Defense Department to use commercial aircraft to fly overseas formula supplies that meet federal standards to the U.S., in what the White House is calling “Operation Fly Formula.”

Supplies of baby formula across the country have been severely curtailed in recent weeks after a February recall by Abbott Nutrition exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on store shelves and increasingly anxious parents struggling to find nutrition for their children.

The announcement comes two days after the Food and Drug Administration said it was streamlining its review process to make it easier for foreign manufacturers to begin shipping more formula into the U.S.

In a letter Wednesday to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, Biden directed the agencies to work with the Pentagon to identify overseas supply of formula that meets U.S. standards over the next week, so that chartered Defense Department flights can swiftly fly it to the U.S.

“Imports of baby formula will serve as a bridge to this ramped-up production,” Biden wrote.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/baby-formula-shortage-defense-production-act/507-a5d6fb4f-8560-4e01-9e45-fbc099689c72

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

The North Carolina race for U.S. Senate is down to two candidates, as Republican Ted Budd and Democrat Cheri Beasley won their respective primaries Tuesday. Budd, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, cruised to victory over former Gov. Pat McCrory and U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, while Beasley won in a landslide after her top competitor dropped out in December.

Budd won the 14-candidate Republican primary over former Gov. Pat McCrory and U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, while Beasley had entered Tuesday as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, which 11 people sought. Current GOP U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is retiring.

Their election victories came as North Carolina voters whittled down Democratic and Republican candidates seeking to serve on Capitol Hill, in the General Assembly and on the judicial bench.

Trump, who narrowly won the state's electoral votes in 2016 and 2020, gave his endorsement to Budd nearly a year ago. Budd benefitted from millions of dollars spent by the Club for Growth Action super PAC that was used to praise him and brand McCrory as too liberal.

Richard DeVayne and Chloe Leshner join Wake Up Charlotte To Go to break down victory speeches from both candidates and we hear from Pat McCrory after his defeat. Ben Thompson and Sarah French break down several key local races, including Patrick Cannon's unsuccessful bid to get on November's ballot.

INTERACTIVE MAP: North Carolina primary election results

StarMed Healthcare announced it will be handing out baby formula this week for parents who are unable to find formula for their children due to the nationwide shortage. 

In a tweet, StarMed said it would be distributing formula at its Tuckaseegee and Central locations. StarMed said it keeps formula on hand for various reasons and after checking inventory, it's able to give it to families in need. 

No registration is required but supplies are limited. The distribution will begin at noon on Tuesday.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/starmed-health-care-free-baby-formula-giveaway-charlotte-north-carolina-similac-gerber-nestle/275-06810c28-0191-4b50-863d-98898d20cfd0

South Carolina investigators believe they have solved the disappearance and murder case of Brittanee Drexel, who went missing 13 years ago while on a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach.

Multiple law enforcement agencies held a press conference Monday afternoon in Georgetown County to announce two major developments: that Drexel's body had finally been recovered and positively identified and that the man they believe killed her is in custody and charged. 

Raymond Douglas Moody, 62, is charged with murder, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct first degree. 

"Brittanee has been found and she can be with her family and at peace," said Susan Ferensic, the FBI Special Agent in Charge. 

Drexel, a 17-year-old from Rochester, New York, had gone down to Myrtle Beach for spring break in April of 2009. She was reported missing on April 25.

Investigators now believe Moody kidnapped Drexel and took her to Georgetown County, where he lived. Not long after they arrived, they believe he sexually assaulted her, killed her, then buried her body hours later. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/brittanee-drexel-remains-found/101-08b825b7-311f-4bff-8aec-f11293bc010c

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

 A man opened fire during a lunch reception at a Southern California church on Sunday, killing one person and wounding five senior citizens before being stopped and hog-tied by parishioners in what a sheriff’s official called an act of “exceptional heroism and bravery.”

Four of the five people wounded suffered critical gunshot injuries during the violence at Geneva Presbyterian Church in the city of Laguna Woods, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials said.

The suspect in the shooting, an Asian man in his 60s, was in custody and deputies recovered two handguns at the scene, Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said. A motive for the shooting wasn't immediately known but investigators don't believe the gunman lives in the community, he said.

The majority of those inside the church at the time were believed to be of Taiwanese descent, said Carrie Braun, a sheriff’s spokesperson.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/multiple-people-shot-at-california-church/507-5bbbe95c-5c20-4009-83fb-ceb5f1c44a01

Right now, the average price for a gallon of gas in North Carolina is up 42 cents over a month ago. 

In South Carolina, prices are up 47 cents, but AAA said there are ways to save at the pump.

They say the increase in gas prices has some people a little hesitant about summer travel, but there is still a demand for travel and many families aren't changing summer plans.

They say some people are making some adjustments, and doing things like making sure you maintain a constant speed and avoid traffic peak times could save you money.

Oher things AAA says you can do is combine multiple errands and lighten the load in your vehicle.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/gas-prices/gas-prices-new-high-surge-expensive-nc-sc/275-7a28b789-8644-4108-ba67-143bc1d3342e

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

More than a dozen Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were taken to the hospital Wednesday after a school bus was involved in a head-on crash in south Charlotte. 

On Thursday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department documentation revealed the driver of a dump truck told investigators he fell asleep while driving. The preliminary CMPD crash report said the dump truck then crossed over the center line striking the school bus and another vehicle head-on.

Medic confirmed 16 total people were hurt, including 14 students. All of the students suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to Medic. Atrium Health later confirmed that all students were discharged Wednesday.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/south-charlotte-school-bus-crash-sharonbrook-drive/275-fd4f4e05-bc83-4ec3-8c35-a67f308e1b22

Charlotte's Citizens Review Board ruled in favor of a teacher that was wrongfully detained by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers. 

During a hearing on Thursday, May 12, the board voted 8-2 and decided CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings or a designee "erred" in exonerating the officers that detained Jasmine Horne, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher. 

A spokesperson for the board confirmed with WCNC Charlotte that Thursday's decision and recommendations of action will be sent to the chief or designee and Charlotte's city manager. 

The board previously voted unanimously in favor of Horne during a hearing in April.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/citizens-review-board-rules-in-favor-of-cms-teacher-wrongfully-detained/275-94915445-ed14-4aac-9c7f-cb104331cb6e

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said his proposed state budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 has sights set on everything from early childhood education to healthcare, while still cutting down on taxes. The price tag: $29,284,765,214.

Cooper was joined in a Wednesday afternoon news conference by Charlie Perusse, the state budget director, to discuss the details of the budget during an afternoon news conference. As he opened up his conference, Cooper applauded Republicans in the state General Assembly for working with Democrats and his office last year to come up with a budget and says they're doing the same thing in 2022.

This year's proposed budget, themed "Building on Success", includes an expansion in Medicaid, a key goal for Cooper after 2021's approved budget ended up not including it.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/nc-budget-recommendation-cooper-government-politics/275-d4a82d27-8228-4a87-b35f-2f45ef1139d0

Atrium Health announced Wednesday that it will merge with Advocate Aurora Health to provide a leading health care system for patients in the U.S. 

Together, the two companies will form Advocate Health. Atrium Health, which is one of Charlotte's largest employers, will nearly double in size as part of this merger. The company will serve more than 5 million patients across 1,000 sites and 67 hospitals. 

Advocate Health's headquarters will be based in Charlotte. It will have locations in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin. The company will employ over 7,600 doctors, 41,000 nurses and 148,000 total employees.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/business/atrium-health-advocate-aurora-health-merger-charlotte-headquarters/275-0bb988a8-6209-45e1-a3dc-1e220a03769c

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!