Apple Festival Director Resigns

(Hendersonville, NC) -- The executive director of the North Carolina Apple Festival is stepping down over Juneteenth comments. David Nicholson stated in a since-deleted Facebook post that the post office was closed for some made-up holiday he's never heard of. The festival's board said yesterday that Nicholson has resigned his position. A board statement revealed his words don't reflect the festival's mission to the community.

Tuition Hike Hits Asheville Pre-K Program

(Asheville, NC) -- Parents are going to soon begin shouldering a higher cost for Pre-K in Asheville schools. District officials approved a 30-percent tuition hike up to 900-dollars-a-month in May for full-day students. There is no-cost enrollment for some families, but the income threshold starts at just under 42-thousand-dollars. Asheville's superintendent told the Citizen-Times that the new cost isn't out of line.

Black Mountain Business Threatened After Drag Show

(Black Mountain, NC) -- A Black Mountain restaurant is allegedly receiving threats. The owner of the Bush Farmhouse told WLOS-TV this week that a group of protestors showed up near his business before they hosted a drag show dinner a week ago. The business has since received at least five calls with threats. One resident says children were being exploited during the drag show with inappropriate dance moves.

Hendersonville Man Sentenced For Violating Clean Air Act

(Hendersonville, NC) -- A Hendersonville man is heading to prison for violating the Clean Air Act. A judge sentenced the 35-year-old yesterday to one-year and ordered him to pay two-million-dollars in fines. The Justice Department says the man sold 14-thousand devices aimed at defeating vehicle emissions control systems.

Moog Employees Consider Union Move

(Asheville, NC) -- Employees of an Asheville-based music company are looking at unionization. The organizer of a local union told WLOS-TV yesterday that workers at Moog Music have shown interest this year. Reps with the synthesizer company said they respect that employee-owners have a right to join a union, and they'll navigate the union efforts legally.

Man Injured In Rowan County Deputy Shooting

(Rowan County, NC) -- An officer-involved shooting is being investigated in Rowan County. WBTV reports a man was shot and injured after a single-car crash on Rock Spring Drive last night. It's unclear exactly what led to the shooting. No deputies or officers were hurt.

Salisbury Nursing Home Closes

(Salisbury, NC) -- A Salisbury nursing home marred with COVID outbreaks is now closed. NBC Charlotte reports the Citadel Salisbury shut down, following reports of nearly 20 COVID deaths and 200 infections during the pandemic. The facility faced a lawsuit filed last year due to alleged understaffing. Doors reportedly closed for the final time one-week ago.

Charlotte Doctor Accused Of Health Care Fraud

(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlote doctor is accused of defrauding medical programs. The U.S. Attorney's Office said this week that the 46-year-old woman sought reimbursement claims of over eleven-million-dollars for unnecessary equipment between 2019 and 2020. Federal investigators charged her with health care fraud and making false statements. She'll appear in court next month.

CATS Absences High Again

(Charlotte, NC) -- Staffing problems are continuing to be an issue for the Charlotte Atrea Transit System. Around 100 CATS bus drivers were absent from work yesterday, marking the second-consecutive day of high call-outs. The agency is warning that bus routes are being delayed as a result. Reasons for the absences range from COVID issues and childcare problems to planned vacations.

Hotel Occupancy Up In Charlotte

(Charlotte, NC) -- Hotel occupancy is hitting high marks in uptown. NBC Charlotte is reporting hotel demand was up over 100-percent last month. Fans heading to catch a Charlotte FC match are being credited with helping keep hotels busy in the area.

Hornets Select Duke Center, Trade Another Pick

(Brooklyn, NY) -- The Hornets are adding a big man on the court. Charlotte selected seven-foot-two Mark Williams from Duke University with the 15th pick in the NBA draft last night. Memphis center Jalen Duren was also taken by the Hornets with the 13th pick, but he was traded to the New York Knicks. Charlotte will receive a first-round draft pick next year, along with additional second-round picks in the future.

HHS Confirms First Case Of Monkey Pox In North Carolina

(Raleigh, NC) -- The first case of Monkey Pox has been detected in the state of North Carolina. That, from the Department of Health and Human Services, which confirmed Thursday that the infected person has been treated and is currently isolating at home. HHS is also working with the CDC and other local health departments to notify anyone who may have had contact with the patient. Records show there are now 173-people in the country who've been infected with Monkey Pox, which is typically spread through skin to skin contact.

Medicaid Expansion Bill Passes Then Stalls In North Carolina General Assembly

(Raleigh, NC) -- Legislation that would expand Medicaid in North Carolina, moved one step closer to passage Thursday. However, a final vote on the proposal may not come until later in the year. House Republicans gave tentative approval to their own version of Medicaid Expansion that is different from and earlier passed Senate plan. It includes a work requirement patients must meet in order to become eligible for coverage.

Wife Of Congressman David Price Passes After Long Illness

(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Lisa Price, the wife of retiring 4th District Democratic Congressman David Price has died. In a statement released by his office Thursday, Price confirmed his wife of 54-years passed away recently after a long illness. Lisa Price, who founded North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, was also an energetic campaigner for civil rights, environmental protection and animal rights. She was 82.

Two People Die In Crash After Leaving Road And Slamming Into A Tree

(Raleigh, NC) -- Authorities in Raleigh are investigating a bizarre vehicle crash last night that killed two people. It happened around 8:45 pm along Lynn Road and Paces Arbor Court. According to an accident report, the driver lost control before running off the road, going airborne, slamming into a tree and then flipping upside down. Both victims inside were pronounced dead at the scene.

Durham County School Board Passes Revised Less Restrictive Dress Code

(Durham, NC) -- Members of the Durham County Board of Education last night unanimously approved a new set of dress codes for students. The updated code expressly allows protective hairstyles, including locks and braids. It will also allow bra straps and midriffs to be visible, along with underwear waistbands, as long as private areas are covered. Hats and hoodies will still be prohibited.

Five Former Duke Players Taken In Thursday Nights NBA Draft

(Brooklyn, NY) -- Surprise and jubilation was widespread Thursday night, as the Duke men's basketball program registered another top ranking with four of its former players being selected in the first round of the NBA Draft and five overall. Paolo Banchero was picked Number 1 overall by the Orlando Magic. Seven-foot-two Center Mark Williams was taken by the Charlotte Hornets, meaning a former Blue Devil will be playing for a former Tar Heel, as in Michael Jordan. AJ Griffin went with the Atlanta Hawks, Wendell Moore Junior was selected 26th overall by the Dallas Mavericks and late last night, Trevor Keels was drafted by the New York Knicks in the second round.

Baby Formula Giveaway Planned in Greensboro Saturday

(Greensboro, NC) -- Officials with StarMed say they're working to make things a little easier for families that need baby formula. The Charlotte-based company will be giving away two types of baby formula this Saturday in Greensboro. The giveaway of both Similac and Enfamil will take place at the Four Seasons Mall from 11 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Winston-Salem City Council Member Calls for Look at Bus Ridership

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Winston-Salem City councilor say the city bus system is not operating very efficiently. Robert Clark says he'd like to look at some changes as there are too many empty buses. Clark says he favors adding more buses to routes that have a lot of riders and eliminating or consolidating routes that have almost no riders. Over the past 10 years, ridership has gone down by 60 percent.

Bojangles Shut Down for Health Code Violations

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A city health department closure document lists multiple violations in shutting down a Winston-Salem Bojangles Wednesday. Operations at the location in the 34-hundred block of Olivers Crossing Drive have been suspended until all the violations have been corrected. The restaurant was cited for having unsanitary equipment, utensils and linens and for violating water, plumbing and waste guidelines. The location also had fly problems and couldn't keep food at the proper temperature because a door was missing near the area where the food was prepared.

North Carolina one of Several States Working to Develop Wind Energy

(Washington, DC) -- North Carolina is one of the eleven states the Biden administration is working with to build more offshore wind turbines along the East Coast. The White House said Thursday the new partnership will accelerate development of offshore wind facilities and create jobs by supporting a domestic supply chain for the industry. Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island are also joining in the efforts.