RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) — Five North Carolina primaries that were too close to call in March will be decided in just a few weeks, and voting begins this Thursday. In-person early voting for the second primary election, also known as a runoff, begins on April 25 and ends at 3 p.m. on May 11. Election Day for the 2024 second primary election is May 14 There are four Republican races and one nonpartisan race still yet to be decided. No other parties will have second primaries in North Carolina. Important rules for the second primary The North Carolina State Board of Elections does not allow new vote ..read more

Note: The accompanying video shares tips on going green RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina has been awarded $156 million in grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency. According to Governor Roy Cooper, who made the announcement on Earth Day, that influx of money will help bring solar power to disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state ..read more

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (WNCN) -- A business manager has been arrested after she was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from her workplace, according to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department. Officers said a business filed a report in March that its manager had stolen more than $14,000 from the business on or about Feb. 28. They said they identified the manager as 43-year-old Quiundo Michelle Lewis, of Halifax. Police did not provide the name of the business where Lewis worked. Lewis is charged with two counts of felony larceny by employee. On March 15, police said they learned that the Hali ..read more

A federal judge has struck down a North Carolina law criminalizing voting for people with felony convictions. The law, originally passed in 1877, made it a Class I felony for people who vote in North Carolina without having their rights restored. But on Monday, U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs wrote that the law “was enacted with discriminatory intent, has not been cleansed of its discriminatory taint, and continues to disproportionately impact Black voters.” Though Black Americans make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, one-third of Black men have at least one felony convi ..read more

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) -- A local pastor is sharing his shock with FOX8 after learning someone stole his vehicle from the parking lot of the church he preaches at in the middle of the day. It’s a moment Pastor Barry Washington had to see on surveillance video to believe. Former Parkland High School substitute claims student recently charged with assault also assaulted them Last Thursday right before noon, a thief rolled up in a wrecker to the Whole Man Ministries Church Parking lot, hitched Washington’s 2015 Chevy Equinox and rolled away in less than a minute. While the Winston-Salem pasto ..read more

CLOVER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- Poultry farmers across the Carolinas aren’t taking any chances. Many are turning to strict protocols as another wave of bird flu continues to threaten the chicken population across the country.  Since 2022, it is estimated more than 90 million birds have either died from the virus or were killed to prevent further spread in the U.S.  ..read more

GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- The desperate search intensifies for a missing marine from Gastonia. Corporal Charles Alex Benfield was reported missing after a night out in downtown San Diego. The Marine stationed at Southern California’s Camp Pendleton had just reenlisted for four more years this past fall. His family is questioning the circumstances surrounding his sudden disappearance. “It's just unbelievable and bizarre to us that this happened,” said Sarah Lazo, Benfield’s sister. Corporal Charles Alex Benfield Gastonia native Sarah Lazo and her family are desperate for answers after ..read more

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) — Plans to build a museum dedicated to basketball's biggest star in his North Carolina hometown are no longer moving forward. In December, officials from New Hanover County — home to Wilmington, where Michael Jordan grew up and played basketball at Laney High School — announced they were in talks with Jordan's family to begin planning a potential museum honoring the University of North Carolina and Chicago Bulls star. County Manager Chris Coudriet and Jordan's mother, Deloris P. Jordan, signed a memorandum of understanding on Dec. 4, 2023 that outlined what could be inc ..read more

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Brenda Stokes of Burlington uses family birthdays to choose her Mega Millions numbers and that strategy paid off with a $2 million win in Friday’s drawing. “I don’t even know how to feel,” she laughed. “I’m so excited.” Stokes won the only $2 million prize in the country in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing. The odds of matching numbers on all five white balls are 1 in 12.6 million. “It’s a blessing,” Stokes said. She bought her lucky $3 ticket from Philomena Inc. on South Church Street in Burlington. Her ticket matched the numbers on all five white balls to win $1 million. The p ..read more

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (WGHP) – At almost every event in town, you’ll most likely find Robbie Curlee with his camera in his hand. “I just love the small-town atmosphere,” said Curlee, who retired to the town that inspired Mayberry a few years ago. “There is always something going on here.” He started capturing town events when he volunteered to take photographs for the local arts council. In addition to shows and festivals, Curlee takes images daily around town and then gives them all away. His generosity has earned him the unofficial title of Mayberry’s photographer. “It’s two-way,” he said. “I get ..read more