Horses Die From Poisoning At Rutherford County Farm

(Rutherford County, NC) -- The owners of a Rutherford County farm are trying to figure out who poisoned three of their miniature horses. The Sprinkle family suspects a trespasser poisoned the animals around a week ago, which led to their deaths. The farm is in the process of installing new fence and a camera surveillance system. Sheriff's investigators are now looking for suspects who will face animal cruelty charges.

Lawmakers Pass Hemp Legislation

(Raleigh, NC) -- It appears the hemp industry will continue to operate successfully in North Carolina. The state Senate passed legislation yesterday that ensures industrial hemp can still be produced and sold in the state. A federal protection program was in danger of expiring this week. Governor Roy Cooper is expected to sign the legislation.

Two Charged After Infant's Death In Buncombe County

(Buncombe County, NC) -- A Buncombe County mother and father are facing charges connected to the death of their infant child. A two-month-old recently died from an alleged assault that included burns and broken bones. WLOS-TV reports the father was arrested yesterday for second-degree murder and child abuse. The mother was charged with felony child abuse.

BRP Spending Hits One-Billion-Dollars

(Asheville, NC) -- Visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway are pumping massive amounts of money into the region. The National Park Service says spending along the parkway in 2021 brought at least one-billion-dollars into North Carolina and Virginia. Nearly 16-million people visited the Blue Ridge Parkway last year. Visitor spending is close to pre-pandemic levels.

NC Unemployment Rate Below 2021

(Raleigh, NC) -- The Asheville metro area continues to have the state's lowest unemployment rate. The Department of Commerce reported yesterday that the area's jobless numbers dropped to three-percent in May, which is four-tenths of a percent below North Carolina's average. The unemployment rate in Buncombe County was at four-point-six percent this time last year, while the state was at five-percent.

Buncombe's Tourism Development Authority Passes Budget

(Asheville, NC) -- The budget for Buncombe County's Tourism Development Authority is in place. The board approved a 30-million-dollar spending plan this week. The county's finance director says lodging numbers are up nearly 50-percent year-to-year. Vacation rental occupancy is down roughly seven-percent.

Advantage Still Goes To Home Sellers in Charlotte

(Charlotte, NC) -- Home buyers are paying a pretty penny in Charlotte. A recent study conducted by the Florida Atlantic University business school shows that homes were selling around 55-percent above their expected price in April. The housing market is still continuing to heat up with the advantage going to sellers.

Lawmakers Pass Hemp Legislation

(Raleigh, NC) -- It appears the hemp industry will continue to operate successfully in North Carolina. The state Senate passed legislation yesterday that ensures industrial hemp can still be produced and sold in the state. A federal protection program was in danger of expiring this week. Governor Roy Cooper is expected to sign the legislation.

Reward Increases For Kannapolis Double Homicide

(Kannapolis, NC) -- Investigators are still searching for a suspect in a Kannapolis double homicide. A woman and her nephew were shot to death inside a home that was used as a daycare center earlier this month. The reward leading to the arrest of the suspect was raised to five-thousand-dollars this week by U.S. Marshals. Marlon Anderson is wanted for murder.

Duke Selling Charlotte Parking Deck

(Charlotte, NC) -- Duke Energy is selling its uptown Charlotte parking deck. The company's communications manager told the Charlotte Business Journal this week that Millenium Venture Capital is closing a deal on the structure later this year as part of Duke's consolidation effort in the city. A new headquarters for Duke Energy is expected to open on South Tryon Street later next year.

Stanly County Town Studying Street Name Changes

(Stanly County, NC) -- One town's leaders in Stanly County are weighing whether or not to change more than a dozen street names. Badin residents brought up concerns this week over some names connected to slavery and controversial figures from the Civil War. The town's mayor says the issue will be the center of discussion at the next council meeting July 12th. Some of the issues in the requests are cost and emergency response once the changes are in place.

July 4th Celebrations Planned Across Charlotte

(Charlotte, NC) -- Independence Day celebrations are being planned across the Charlotte area. Mount Holly is holding a fireworks display this evening on Main Street. The Charlotte Symphony is putting on a performance at Village Park in Kannapolis tomorrow night, followed by fireworks. Celebrations are scheduled in Fort Mill and Matthews on Saturday.

Charlotte FC Hosting Austin Tonight

(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte FC is returning home tonight. The club is hosting Austin FC at Bank of America Stadium starting at seven. Charlotte dropped to ninth in the Eastern Conference standings after a two-one loss to Montreal last weekend. More than a dozen players were out due to injury or health protocols.

Budget Fight Not Over As North Carolina Lawmakers Debate How To Spend 6-Billion Dollar Surplus

(Raleigh, NC) -- At the North Carolina General Assembly Wednesday, joint budget hearings continued over how to best spend a six-billion dollar surplus. This, in addition to a compromise 27-point-9 percent agreement announced that includes a four-point-two percent pay raise for teachers and a three-point-five percent increase for most other state employees. Republicans applauded the increase while most Democrats argued it's not enough to keep up with inflation. Republicans have also proposed that one-billion be put in a special account to guard against a possible recession.

Bill To Permanently Legalize Hemp Industry Passes North Carolina Senate

(Raleigh, NC) -- Members of the North Carolina Senate Wednesday, voted to give final approval to a bill that would keep hemp legal in the state. This comes as a 2015 law that gave temporary legalization of hemp, was set to expire at midnight tonight. The 41-to-2 vote essentially saved the North Carolina hemp industry, which is now made up of 1,500-growers and more than 1,200-processors. Governor Roy Cooper is expected to sign the revised bill into law.

Joblessness Increased In 89-Of North Carolina's 100-Counties During The Month Of May

(Raleigh, NC) -- New figures released by the North Carolina Department of Commerce showed unemployment during the month of May was up in 89-of the state's 100-counties. However, the report also showed the overall jobless rate of three-point-six percent was still lower than during the same period in 2021. Unemployment was down in six North Carolina counties during the month of May.

Newly Appointed Johnston County Commissioner Arrested On Child Sex Abuse Charges

(Johnston County, NC) -- A Johnston County Commissioner has been arrested on a felony sex charge of taking indecent liberties with a child. Richard D. Braswell was taken into custody Wednesday, after a nearly month-long investigation into an alleged relationship with a 13-year old girl. Braswell was appointed to District 3 on the Commission in December of 2021.

Plans Unveiled To Give PNC Arena A 225-Million Dollar Makeover

(Raleigh, NC) -- New plans have been unveiled for giving the PNC Arena in Raleigh a face lift. At a meeting of the Centennial Authority Wednesday, a design team presented several architectural drawings that include new ticketing windows, an enhanced food court and a redesign of space where activities inside the Arena can be viewed from multiple areas. The renovations and enhancements are expected to cost about 225-million dollars.

Roy Williams Leads A List Of Five Coaches To Be Inducted Into This Year's College Basketball Hall Of Fame

(Kansas City, MO) -- The 2022 inductees into the National College Basketball Hall of Fame were announced Wednesday. Topping the list of coaches is former Tar Heel Roy Williams, who built two storied NCAA programs at Kansas and at UNC, for a combined total of 903-wins, 9-Final Four appearances and 3-National Championships. Joining Williams will be Jim Calhoun, John Boeheim, Lon Kruger and Jerry Krause. Former North Carolina shooting sensation Larry Miller will be inducted as a player. The induction ceremonies will be held in Kansas City in November.