Crews Work To Erase Defund Street Painting

(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville isn't letting the message to "defund the police" onto the streets. Public works crews spent yesterday pressure washing the painted phrase off of Spruce Street between Court Plaza and College Street. WLOS-TV reports a group of Black Lives Matter protesters painted "Defund the Police" on the street Sunday. City officials say the mural was done without a permit.

House Stalls On Black Monument Funding Talks

(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina lawmakers are taking a pause on discussions for black monuments at the State Capitol. The Senate approved four-million-dollars in funding last week for new monuments honoring African-Americans and for the building of Freedom Park. Republicans in the state House decided to hold off on any discussions yesterday and let some recent events settle. Governor Roy Cooper ordered the removal of Confederate monuments over the weekend, and now Lincolnton Republican lawmaker Jason Saine says it's time for cooler heads to talk. He told the News and Observer tensions are high, and leaders should be pragmatic.

Primary Runoff Held Today In Eleventh Congressional District

(Asheville, NC) -- Some voters are heading to the polls today in western North Carolina. The Republican primary for the eleventh Congressional district is going to a runoff between Lynda Bennett and Madison Cawthorn. Republicans and unaffiliated voters who voted Republican or didn't vote at all in the primary are the only ones allowed to cast ballots. The winner will take on Democrat Moe Davis in November. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 this evening.

Million-Dollar Lottery Ticket Sold In Waynesville

(Waynesville, NC) -- Someone who purchased a Cash Five ticket in Waynesville is a big winner. North Carolina lottery officials say someone matched all five numbers with a ticket bought at the Road Runner convenience store on Dellwood Drive Sunday. The one-point-three-million-dollars in winnings is one of the largest Cash Five jackpots ever.

Earth Fare Open Again In Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- Earth Fare is back open in Asheville. The natural and organic grocer shuttered its 50 stores earlier this year after filing for bankruptcy. An investment group bought back eight locations, including the one at Westgate Shopping Center in Asheville. That store opened its doors again yesterday. Earth Fare originally opened its first location in Asheville 45 years ago.

McDowell County Offers COVID-19 Testing Sites

(McDowell County, NC) -- Community testing sites for COVID-19 are up and running in McDowell County this week. The Foothills Health District will be on hand at New Horizon Baptist Church in Marion this morning. Another site is set up tomorrow morning at Addie's Chapel Church. The health department will offer testing on-site Thursday and Friday.

Police Seek Witnesses To Block Party Shooting

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is urging witnesses to come forward with information on the tragic Beatties Ford Road shooting. Officers responded to what they thought was a person hit by a car early Monday morning, when bullets were fired into a large block party near Catherine Simmons Avenue. Three people died from injuries in the shooting, while around a dozen more are wounded. Investigators believe multiple shooters fired off more than 100 rounds.

Group Marches In Silence After Shooting

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte community is calling for change in the wake of overnight Sunday's deadly block party shooting. Three people were killed and others injured when gunfire erupted on Beatties Ford Road. NBC Charlotte reports a group marched in silence along several miles of the corridor yesterday. A family member of one of the victims said the community has to deal with what's going on despite the crime that's around. A business owner is calling for more support, resources and presence.

Chief Putney Retires July 1st

(Charlotte, NC) -- The days as Charlotte's police chief are quickly coming to an end for Kerr Putney. He was originally staying on board through the end of the Republican National Convention in August, but that has changed now that the bulk of the events are moving out of the Queen City. City Manager Marcus Jones announced yesterday Chief Putney's retirement will now take effect on July 1st. Longtime CMPD veteran Deputy Chief Johnny Jennings will step into the role.

Majority Of COVID-19 Patients Have Recovered

(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- A majority of people with COVID-19 in North Carolina have recovered. Public health officials said yesterday close to 37-thousand out of more than 53-thousand positive patients are presumed to have recovered. There was a jump of nearly 170 new cases in Mecklenburg County yesterday, bringing the total to around 85-hundred. That's still the most in the state.

One Dead In York County Fire

(Rock Hill, NC) -- Investigators are searching for the cause of a deadly York County fire. One person died after flames tore through a home just east of Rock Hill city limits on Monday afternoon. It appears the structure was completely destroyed. It isn't clear if anyone else was home at the time, or what may have started the blaze.

Two Panthers Start Youth Sports Initiative

(Charlotte, NC) -- Two Carolina Panthers' teammates are starting an initiative to help underserved youth. Christian McCaffrey and Shaq Thompson are teaming with the CMPD and the Boys and Girls Club to serve as mentors and coaches in local sports programs. It's called "22 Together: A Partnership with 54," which is a play on McCaffrey and Thompson's jersey numbers. McCaffrey said yesterday they hope it's one small step towards better unifying the community.

Cooper Could Make Announcement Today About Phase Three

(Raleigh, NC) -- With Phase Two of reopening set to expire this Friday, many North Carolina businesses who have remained closed for almost three months are anxiously awaiting Governor Roy Cooper's promised announcement this week on whether he will allow the state to move into Phase Three. Phase Three would allow all businesses in the state to reopen. But, state health officials have expressed concerns that the recent spike in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is causing the state to trend in the wrong direction. As of Monday, over 53-thousand people in the state had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Protesters Gather At City Hall To Demand Controversial Market House Be Torn Down

(Fayetteville, NC) -- Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Fayetteville Monday night to demand that the city tear down the 'Market House' and have the land repurposed. Organizers say the historic structure is a site where slaves were once bought and sold. Outside City Hall, members of the Fayetteville Faith Task Force presented the City Council with a more than one-thousand word resolution that argued the controversial city landmark has been a symbol of cruelty, racism, dishonor and disrespect. No action was taken during last night's City Council meeting.

NC State Votes To Remove Name Of White Supremacist Josephus Daniels From School Of Engineering

(Raleigh, NC) -- Members of the NC State Board of Trustees voted Monday to approve a resolution authorizing the removal of the name of a reputed white supremacist from a building on the school's campus. The building, which housed the University's electrical engineering department, was named after prominent businessman and avowed white supremacist Josephus Daniels in 1938. Daniels also served as secretary of the U. S. Navy and was one of the founders of the News & Observer.

Pedestrian Seriously Injured After Being Struck By Train In Wake Forest

(Wake Forest, NC) -- Authorities in Wake Forest are investigating an incident in which a pedestrian was struck by a train Monday evening. It happened around 5 p.m. at a rail crossing on Seawell Drive and Old Crawford Road. First responders report the pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was taken to WakeMed for treatment. Police have not released the identity of the victims.

House Puts Plans On Hold To Fund African American Monuments

(Raleigh, NC) -- While Confederate monuments and names of white supremacists continue to be removed from locations across the state, Republicans in the North Carolina House Monday led an effort to postpone allocating some four-million dollars in funding for African American monuments on Capitol grounds. The legislation had already passed the Senate last week. Some House members questioned the spending of additional money on new statues at a time when old ones are being torn down.

Greensboro To Require Face Masks

(Greensboro, NC) - Greensboro is now requiring people to wear face masks in public. Mayor Nancy Vaughan issued the emergency proclamation yesterday. It takes effect today at 5 p.m. The proclamation states that masks must be worn in public or private spaces where it is not possible to maintain proper social distancing.

Charlotte Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, Several Wounded

(Charlotte, NC) -- Authorities in Charlotte are on the hunt for multiple suspects after a shooting that left three people dead and several others hurt. It happened overnight Sunday when hundreds of people filled the streets for a continuation of Juneteenth celebrations. Police responded to a call about the crowd and shots rang out shortly after that. Nine people were shot, and five were hit by cars that were racing to leave the scene.

Man Shot, Killed In Randolph Co.

(Randolph Co., NC) - Randolph County sheriff's officials are looking for a blue Dodge Charger in connection with a deadly shooting. The vehicle was seen leaving the scene of the crime Sunday afternoon on Rockford Drive in Trinity. Twenty-eight-year-old John Butler was killed. Detectives are working to find more witnesses and persons of interest. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Teen Shot In High Point

(High Point, NC) - An investigation is underway in High Point where a teenager was shot. It happened early yesterday morning in the area of Meredith Street and Hoover Avenue. Nineteen-year-old Tawan Thompson was taken to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition. Police have not identified a possible suspect at this time.

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