Buncombe Joins Asheville In Reparations Resolution

(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County is joining Asheville in approving reparations for the Black community. Commissioners narrowly approved a resolution yesterday to support reparations to ensure a more equitable region. The Asheville City Council passed a similar resolution several weeks ago. The city and county are joining together to form a committee which will detail recommendations to implement restitution for the long term.

Mission Hospital Nurses To Decide On Unionization

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's Mission Hospital nurses are soon deciding on possible union representation. North Carolina's National Nurses Organizing Committee is sending out ballots to the nurses in two weeks, so they can decide whether or not to be part of a union. Some nurses have voiced concerns over inadequate staffing and insufficient safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, so they're seeking representation. Others said in the spring they don't need a union voice.

Isaias Leaves Two Dead In NC

(Undated) -- Tropical Storm Isaias [[ ee-sah-EE-ahss ]] may be gone, but its impact is just being felt in North Carolina. The storm quickly rushed through the eastern part of the state early Tuesday, causing flooding and deadly tornadoes in its path. Two people reportedly died during twisters that spawned in Bertie County, where a trailer park was nearly completely destroyed. Governor Roy Cooper says President Trump has pledged his help in a federal response to the damages.

Lawmakers Push For Billy Graham Statue At U.S. Capitol

(Washington, DC) -- Lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal to place a statue of famed North Carolina evangelist Billy Graham in the U.S. Capitol. A state legislative committee approved a measure last week to replace the statue of former governor and known white supremacist Charles Aycock with a monument to Graham. The measure must be passed by a congressional committee. Graham spent most of his later life at his western North Carolina residence in Montreat before he passed away in 2018.

Madison County Reports First COVID-19 Death

(Madison County, NC) -- The first death from COVID-19 is being reported in Madison County. The health department confirmed yesterday that an older patient with underlying conditions died last Friday. Madison County has had just 43 total cases in a population of around 22-thousand. There were more than 16-hundred new COVID-19 cases reported statewide yesterday.

High School Sports Move Into New Phase

(Asheville, NC) -- North Carolina's high school sports are now in a new phase of guidelines. The athletic association approved measures to allow teams to use balls this week for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. That won't immediately include teams at Asheville City Schools, which were forced to shut down workouts on Monday due to four COVID-19 cases. The Citizen-Times reports the district is the first to shut down practices in western North Carolina.

Union County Schools Sticking With Hybrid Plan

(Union County, NC) -- In-person instruction is still on the schedule for Union County public schools. The school board made no changes to its hybrid re-opening plan last night, despite a plea from some teachers who are urging to go completely virtual due to safety concerns. One teacher said more than 80-percent of teachers were in favor of working remotely rather than returning to the classroom, but district officials didn't consider it Tuesday. School board member Melissa Merrell said the district doesn't have enough equipment or consistent connectivity to make that happen.

Two Killed In NC Tornado From Isaias

(Undated) -- Tropical Storm Isaias [[ ee-sah-EE-ahss ]] may be gone, but its impact is just being felt in North Carolina. The storm quickly rushed through the eastern part of the state early Tuesday, causing flooding and deadly tornadoes in its path. Two people reportedly died during twisters that spawned in Bertie County, where a trailer park was nearly completely destroyed. Governor Roy Cooper says President Trump has pledged his help in a federal response to the damages.

Carowinds Closed For 2020

(Fort Mill, SC) -- The Charlotte area's largest amusement park is not opening up this year. The vice president for Carowinds announced Tuesday that the park will remain closed due to uncertainty in the region surrounding COVID-19. He said the park developed a comprehensive safety plan for re-opening in accordance with health standards, but there are too many unknowns. Carowinds is usually open on weekends through November once school starts.

Meck Pre-K Opening In Classroom

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Meck Pre-K program is opening for instruction in the classroom this school year. Program leaders decided this week to open doors after listening to feedback from parents, health officials and teachers. No virtual learning will be offered. Classroom sizes are expected to be reduced for social distancing, while a staggered entry schedule will be utilized when Pre-K school begins on September 1st.

Lancaster Murder Suspect Wanted

(Lancaster, SC) -- Investigators are looking for a man accused of murder in Lancaster. One man was found shot to death in the driveway of a home on Dixon Road last Saturday. The Lancaster PD has charged Demario Mingo with murder, but he's still on the run. He's been out on bond in connection to armed robbery and burglary charges.

COVID-19 Positivity Rate Down Slightly In Charlotte

(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- The positivity rate of COVID-19 is down just a hair in Mecklenburg County. The health department says the rate hit just under nine-percent for the past week as of Tuesday. Mobility tracking data shows social distancing has been up and down in the county over the last 14 days. The number of COVID-19 deaths statewide surpassed two-thousand yesterday.

Crews Return To Eastern North Carolina For 2nd Day Of Cleanup

(Raleigh, NC) -- Cleanup and recovery efforts continue in beach communities across eastern North Carolina today in the aftermath of Isaias Monday. Governor Roy Cooper and other state officials are set to tour hard hit Bertie County today, where a tornado that was apparently spun off by the storm is being blamed for the deaths of two people at a mobile home park. Several other houses and building structures were also destroyed by the powerful twister.

Oak Isle And Ocean Isle Took Brunt Of Storm's Fury

(Raleigh, NC) -- Some of the worse damage from the Category 1 hurricane was suffered in the Brunswick County towns of Ocean Isle and Oak Isle, where the storm first made landfall late Monday night. Several homes suffered major damage from winds that were as high as 85-mph. One home was blown off its foundation in Oak Island. Trees falling on powerlines are being blamed for igniting fires that also destroyed dozens of homes. Several other beachfront homes and businesses received damage from flooding and storm surge. Residents of Oak Island have been given until noon today to evacuate.

Trump Vows To Send Federal Disaster Assistance To NC Speedily

(Raleigh, NC) -- President Trump has promised victims of the storm that federal assistance is on the way. That's the word from Governor Roy Cooper, who announced at a news conference Tuesday that he had gotten the assurance from the President during a phone conversation about damage assessment in the aftermath of the storm. FEMA and other federal agencies will be in charge of administering the aid.

Number Of COVID-19 Deaths Top Two-Thousand In North Carolina

(Raleigh, NC) -- Tuesday was another record setting day in North Carolina as the battle to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus continued. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the number of COVID-19 deaths topped two-thousand for the first time since the outbreak first began. There were also 11-hundred-66 patients in the hospital. To date, there have been a total of just over 128-thousand patients who have tested positive for the virus.

Big Announcement Expected To Come From Governor Cooper Today Regarding Fate Of Phase Two.

(Raleigh, NC) -- With Phase Two of Governor Cooper's reopening plan set to expire this Friday, many North Carolina businesses are anxiously waiting to find out what comes next. Cooper is expected to announce his decision at a news conference this afternoon. This comes as attorneys for both Cooper and Lt. Governor Dan Forest made opening statements in a lawsuit claiming Cooper exceeded his authority when he ordered a number of businesses to close and everyone to wear face masks out in public.

Two Bertie Co. Kids Found After Tornado, Isaias Kills 5

(Bertie Co., NC) - Two children thought to be missing after a tornado demolished a trailer park in Bertie County are now safe with their dad. The tornado was one of several spawned by Tropical Storm Isaias [[ ee-sah-EE-ahs ]] yesterday morning, killing two people and injuring about 20 others. At least three others have now died from falling trees, uprooted by powerful winds. Power lines are also down all over, leaving thousands of customers still without power.

Multiple People Exposed To Coronavirus At Funeral, Memorial Service

(Chatham Co., NC) - Chatham County public health officials say a group of people were exposed to coronavirus at a memorial and funeral in Pittsboro. The Public Health Department says several people who attended the memorial at Bonlee Recreation Park on July 25th, and the funeral service at Emmaus Baptist Church on July 27th, had COVID-19. Health officials say they've been in contact with the people who tested positive and are working to track down their close contacts. Organizers say masks were required at both events, and social distancing was encouraged.

Stokes Co. Speedway To Run Race Without Audience

(Stokes Co., NC) - 311 Speedway in Stokes County says its race this Saturday will be held without fans in the grandstands. This after the speedway got a letter from state health officials, saying they understand races have occurred "with no limitation on the number of guests that can attend." The letter went on to say the speedway must comply with Governor Roy Cooper's Phase 2 orders, which limits gatherings to 25 people or less.

Alamance Co. Rolls Out New Loan Program

(Burlington, NC) - Alamance County is rolling out a new loan program for struggling small business owners. It's in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Foundation, the Community Foundation and the Self-Help Credit Union. The program offers a fixed, low-interest rate with no application fee and free financial counseling. Business owners and non-profits can apply for up to 25-thousand dollars on Self-Help Credit Union's website.

ESPN Asheville Newsletter