HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) - A whooping cough outbreak has been reported in Henderson County. The Henderson County Department of Public Health said 27 cases of whooping cough, known as pertussis, have been reported in the county. Most of the cases are among school-aged children, health officials said. Parents, guardians, and close contacts are being notified about potential exposure by letter or phone call. Whooping cough is an infection of the airways and lungs which spreads easily when someone coughs or sneezes. It causes a severe cough which can last weeks or months. Infants under one ye ..read more

MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- A Monroe restaurant has issued a counterclaim to a lawsuit against them, saying protesters for the business's all-ages drag shows have defamed and cost them business. The claim comes after protestors filed suit against East Frank Superette and Kitchen over the use of altered photos of them. In one photo, promotional restaurant material showed images of the protestors with altered signs. The group's lawsuit claims the restaurant of Wrongful Appropriation of Personal Image and of violating North Carolina's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Monroe re ..read more

SALISBURY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- Salisbury Police are searching for the person who shot two women and a baby Wednesday night on South Main Street.  Police are not saying whether the victims were targeted but say there is no active threat to the community.  ..read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) -- The childhood church of the Rev. Bill Graham is up for sale in South End.  The property is where Grace Covenant Church now sits at the intersection of South Boulevard and East Boulevard. The late Graham, one of the nation’s most prominent evangelists, attended Chalmers Memorial Church there with is family into his teen years, according to the Billy Graham Library.  Charlotte developer MPV Properties lists the half-acre site, saying it provides a  “prominent infill redevelopment opportunity at what can be considered the ‘main and main’ intersection in So ..read more

MANTEO, N.C. (WNCN) — An iconic North Carolina lighthouse is getting a makeover. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, known for its black and white spiraling paint and red brick base, is covered with scaffolding as an 18-month restoration project is underway ..read more

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – As Republicans face pressure from some gun owners to pass a bill eliminating the requirement to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon, Democrats blasted the idea Thursday as they pushed for other changes to the state’s gun laws. Grass Roots North Carolina delivered petitions to Republican Senate leader Phil Berger’s office on Wednesday as the legislature’s short session began. The group urged him to support passing a bill that’s still pending in the House that would make it optional to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun. There would still be a requirement to ..read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — The future of the United Methodist Church will be decided in Charlotte. The global denomination is meeting for its general conference as it faces a loss of churches and lower membership. The denomination was scheduled to meet in 2020 for the General Conference, but it was postponed because of COVID-19. Delegates from countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe will vote on certain proposals that could alter the Book of Discipline and Social Principles. “I think the church needs to rethink the way the church does mission,” James Laballa, a delegate from Liberia, said. “The mi ..read more

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) formally endorsed Hal Weatherman in the GOP runoff for lieutenant governor on Thursday, just as early voting began. In a social media post Thursday morning, Robinson, who is running for governor this year, urged his supporters to back Weatherman to succeed him. As CBS 17 first reported last week, Robinson has told people at campaign events he’s planning to vote for Weatherman in the runoff against Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill. At the time he said he was stopping short of making a formal endorsement ..read more

SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) — A Marine who was reported missing after he failed to report for duty and his bank account was reportedly emptied has been contacted by law enforcement, but a group aiding in the search says his family still has not heard from him. Marine Corporal Charles Alex Benfield was reported missing from Southern California's Camp Pendleton last week. Prior to his disappearance, Benfield was detained in downtown San Diego for public intoxication and was later released on Sunday, April 14, from the McAlister Institute Recovery and Bridge Center. Sarah Lazo, Benfield's sister, told ..read more

HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) -- The Wesleyan Christian Academy community is mourning the passing of Sarah Haynes, a beloved chorus and drama teacher who fought against breast cancer. Haynes began her journey at Wesleyan Christian Academy in Aug. 2016, bringing her passion for drama and chorus to the forefront of the school.  "She was one of the people who made you feel confident even when you didn't feel confident about yourself," said Erin Finan, a senior at Wesleyan. "She'd be backstage ... cheering us on." Beyond her role as an educator, Haynes was known for her advocacy for ..read more