HUNTERSVILLE- Taylor Swift’s fan base is so big, when she launches a new project, it also means an opportunity for small businesses to cash in. Swift has reached such megastar status across the globe, that when she announces a new project, it becomes a pop culture flashpoint and a business opportunity. “We are big Swiftie’s,” says fan Paris Lopez, “so me and some of my friends came out. We’re excited that they’re making a big event out of it with jewelry and music and just a fun way to celebrate.” Dozens of swifties gathered at the Ivory Barn in Huntersville to celebrate the star’s 11th studi ..read more

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(AP) – The rights of LGBTQ+ students will be protected by federal law and victims of campus sexual assault will gain new safeguards under rules finalized Friday by the Biden administration. The new provisions are part of a revised Title IX regulation issued by the Education Department, fulfilling a campaign pledge by President Joe Biden. He had promised to dismantle rules created by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who added new protections for students accused of sexual misconduct. Notably absent from Biden’s policy, however, is any mention of transgender athletes. The administrat ..read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An armed robbery suspect and another were arrested after sending police on a chase Friday afternoon, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. At 4:25 p.m., officers attempted to pull over a vehicle that police said was involved in an active armed robbery investigation. The driver, 24-year-old Bryan Calderon, allegedly refused to stop and initiated a police pursuit. A passenger was also in the vehicle, but jumped out and ran near Rogers Street at around 4:35 p.m. The passenger was arrested at this time. Officials said Calderon continued to evade police befor ..read more

DENVER (AP) — The 12 students and one teacher killed in the Columbine High School shooting will be remembered Friday in a vigil on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the tragedy. The gathering, set up by gun safety and other organizations, is the main public event marking the anniversary, which is more subdued than in previous milestone years. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who began campaigning for gun safety after she was nearly killed in a mass shooting, will be among those speaking at the vigil. So will Nathan Hochhalter, whose sister Anne Marie was paralyzed afte ..read more

(AP) – Tesla is recalling 3,878 of its 2024 Cybertrucks after it discovered that the accelerator pedal can become stuck, potentially causing the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash. The accelerator pedal pad may dislodge and become trapped by the interior trim, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall involves model year 2024 Cybertrucks made between Nov. 13, 2023 and April 4, 2024, according to the NHTSA. As of Monday, Tesla was not aware of any collisions, injuries or deaths related to the issue, the N ..read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Police arrested a 35-year-old man following an investigation into a shooting that injured a one-year-old baby, police said. Earl Lee White was arrested on Thursday, April 18th. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury. The shooting happened around 1 a.m. early Tuesday morning on Cricketwood Lane between Old Concord Road and The Plaza. A one-year-old child was shot in the leg and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. White was given a $70,000 unsecured bond. This is still an active investigation ..read more

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A video of people pulling two bear cubs from a tree in North Carolina as one person posed for a photo with one of the wild animals prompted an investigation, but a state wildlife official said Friday that no charges will be filed. When North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission staff responded to a report of people harassing bear cubs at an Asheville apartment complex Tuesday, they were told the two cubs escaped after one bit a person, according to a commission news release. One cub was found later in a retention pond, officials said. In the video posted online by the ..read more

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – A Marine died following a training incident on Thursday afternoon in Carteret County, officials said. It happened during a training exercise on April 18th. The Marine was a member of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marine’s name has not been released at this time. No further details were released ..read more

RALEIGH – Adrin Anthony of Kings Mountain has a magical trip planned for his family after winning a $100,000 scratch-off prize Thursday morning. “We are planning to take our kids to Disney World,” he said. “We can use this win to help pay for that.” Anthony bought his lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from the Southern Store 101 on East Church Street in Cherryville. “At first I just stopped in to buy a drink,” he said. Anthony shared he always told his wife he would win big one day. “I’ve been telling her for years I was going to win,” Anthony laughed. He arrived at lott ..read more