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Eight arrested during childcare rally at General Assembly
Eight people were arrested on Wednesday as part of a "Deadline for Day Care" rally at the North Carolina General Assembly building.Organizers, advocates, and faith leaders were gathering to voice their displeasure to state lawmakers for what they say was their failure to provide enough funding for childcare centers across North Carolina, still reeling from the hit they took during COVID-19."This General Assembly is out of control. And we went down there today to say our kids are worth it. Our kids are who we want to fight for," said organizer Rob Stephens. "And childcare providers and teachers shouldn't be...
Group works to train immigrant farm workers on heat safety
They are some of the jobs most impacted by the heat.Working in fields harvesting everything from tobacco to sweet potatoes and strawberries. But sometimes whether it be language barriers or immigration status, workers may not be able to get the help they need.It's why one group is making it their mission to keep people safe and informed by meeting them in the field for training sessions.As the sun goes down after a long day on the job, workers young and old gather around the bed of Leticia Zavala's truck.Her lesson starts with a sobering reminder, showing a picture of Jose...
2-year-old who died in drowning identified as Wake County deputy's son
A 2-year-old boy who died after drowning in a backyard pool on Tuesday has been identified as the son of a Wake County Deputy.The Wake County Sheriff's Office posted condolences to the family on social media on Wednesday stating their "hearts are with Deputy Jose Perez-Apodaca and his family during this devastating time.""As members of the Wake County Sheriff's Office, we stand ready to serve not only our community but also our family within the agency and those we love at home," Sheriff Willie Rowe said in the post. "Your thoughts, prayers, and compassion for the Apodaca family are deeply appreciated."Authorities said it happened at a pool in the backyard of a home on Gail Ridge Lane.The 2-year-old was rushed to the hospital where he later died.The Police Benevolent Association has created a fund to support the family financially.
Health officials urge caution as feels-like temperatures hit triple-digits
It took only 20 minutes for Joeseph Bryant to feel the effects of the heat while walking at Pullen Park on Wednesday afternoon."I was just in my car and I have really cold A/C. And then as soon as I got out here, I'm all sweaty and stuff," Bryant said.SEE ALSO | Raleigh hits record-breaking 103 degrees on WednesdayPullen Park was largely quiet in the early afternoon, as families avoided the sweltering temperatures."We are on our 14th day over 90 (degrees) here in Raleigh, which normally that's something we would see in July or August," State Climatologist Dr. Kathie Dello...
NTSB releases new details on fatal small plane crash in Siler City
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report about the small plane crash that killed two people in Siler City.Authorities later identified the two people onboard at the time of the crash as flight instructor McMillan Abernethy and student Justin Strauss.The report says the plane did a 'touch and go' landing -- according to another flight instructor in the air at the same time -- who was watching as it happened.That flight instructor also said that the student pilot on the plane that went down said they were having an issue and requested to land.ALSO SEE: A look at...
1 killed when truck crashes off bridge into swamp in Sampson County
A truck drove off a bridge in Sampson County on Wednesday.Investigators said it happened around 1:30 p.m. on Faison Highway where it passes over Gilmore Swamp.First responders arrived at the scene to learn that one person inside the truck was able to escape, but another was feared to be stuck in the submerged vehicle.Crews then closed the highway and moved a crane truck into place. Divers then went into the swamp and tied off the truck, so the crane could lift it out of the water.Just before 5 p.m., crews pulled a body out of the truck.What caused the deadly crash remains under investigation.
North Carolina heat likely cause of record-breaking attendance for NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Museums in the Capitol City are experiencing possible record-breaking attendance numbers as people are looking for indoor activities to keep kids occupied during the hot weather.North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences reports attendance is up 500-1,000 people a day."The museum has been slammed the last several days, and I do think it is because of heat," NC Natural Sciences Museum Educator Christopher Smith said.The facility, which is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast, is free to the public.SEE ALSO | Camps change programs to keep kids safe during dangerous heat: 'Don't take that risk'Thousands of children are in...
Blake and London Deven both dead, adoptive mother charged with murder, abuse: Police
A woman who adopted several children has been arrested and charged with the murder of two of them who haven't been seen for years.Police say Avantae Deven is the adoptive mother of Blake and London Deven. She was taken into custody Wednesday and faces numerous charges in connection to their disappearance and deaths."Our evidence shows that both Blake and London are deceased," Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference. Braden said their adoptive mother is the person responsible for abusing and ultimately killing the children. He said part of the abuse included starvation.Avantae Deven was...
U.S. surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has long called gun violence an epidemic in the United States.He is now taking a major step forward declaring gun violence a public health crisis. Tuesday morning, he issued an advisory report, detailing the consequences gun violence poses on health and the wellbeing of the country.It included its impact on children, communities, and families.By The Numbers Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents. More than half of adults surveyed reported that they or their family members have experienced gun violence. This includes a family member killed, witnessed a shooting and fired a gun. Nearly six of ten adults say they worry about their loved ones being victims of gun violence. Communities across the Triangle are feeling the impacts of growing gun violence.Over the weekend in Raleigh, there was three separate shootings across the city with a total of six people injured.WATCH | Businesses lament weekend of gun violence in Raleigh that left 6 shotSix people were shot at three locations during a 12-hour span this weekend in Raleigh, two outside shopping centers.SEE ALSO | Wild chase in Garner ends with driver hitting 4 cars before crashing
Minor League player from North Carolina has historic day with 4 home runs, 9 RBI
A professional baseball player from North Carolina had a historic performance in Missouri.Hogan Windish hit 4 home runs and drove in all 9 of the Arkansas Travelers' runs Tuesday night against the Springfield Cardinals. Both teams are in the Texas League of Minor League Baseball's AA division.Windish was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He played high school baseball at Ashe County High School and then became a standout hitter at UNC Greensboro. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 7th round of the 2022 MLB Draft.Interestingly, Windish had been in something of a slump before the historic breakout...
General Assembly overrides 3 Cooper vetoes, including bill restricting public mask-wearing
North Carolina General Assembly voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes of three bills, including HB 237 and HB 834, which change the rules surrounding mask-wearing and the juvenile justice system, respectively.Cooper, a Democrat, just vetoed HB 237 on Friday, the bill that targets wearing of masks to conceal one's identity - something many protesters have done recently, and he had vetoed the Juvenile Justice Bill on June 14 that would transfer 16- and 17-year-olds charged with the most serious felonies to adult court.Both of those bills will now become law, along with a third bill that allows more trees...
Mother of missing North Carolina girl named suspect in disappearance for first time
Nearly two years after the disappearance of 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari, police called her mother a "suspect in her disappearance" for the first time.Cojocari is the Cornelius, North Carolina, girl last seen on a school bus surveillance camera on Nov. 21, 2022.Her mother and stepfather said they spoke often to each other asking if the other knew where Cojocari was but neither ever contacted police.SEE ALSO | Parents 'clearly' know more about missing North Carolina 11-year-old, police sayMissing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari's parents "clearly" know more than they've told investigators, local police said on Tuesday.On Dec. 15, school leaders confronted Cojocari's mother...
Member of Native American tribe recounts gun being pulled on her at burial ground in NC
A Hillsborough woman and member of the Tuscarora Nation spoke to ABC11 about a terrifying encounter during the weekend where she said she had a gun pulled on her."We just came to pray and honor our ancestors. We didn't have banners we didn't have signs; no one knew we were there," Brandy Alvarez said.She and a group had traveled to Carteret County to pray over a local burial ground.That ground is in the Bridge View subdivision in Cedar Point where archaeologists this month discovered what is likely the state's biggest American Indian find in 30 years.While they were there, she...
NBA Draft hopefuls from Duke, UNC, and NC State prepare for big night
Duke's Jared McCain became the first Tobacco Road player to hear his name called at the NBA Draft,The Philadelphia 76ers took the former Duke freshman star with the No. 16 overall pick.The Utah Jazz then took Duke's Kyle Filipowski with the 32nd overall pick (the second pick of the second round).The first Tobacco Road player outside of Durham taken in the draft was Harrison Ingram. The Tar Heel forward was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 48th overall pick.The Charlotte Hornets used their No. 6 overall pick to select a French teenager.Tidjane Salaün is a 6-9, 217-pound forward...
Do police chases do more harm than good? We asked local law enforcement leaders
One day after a police pursuit in Garner led to innocent people being hurt, ABC11 asked questions of local law enforcement leaders."It's just so terrifying," said Aiyanna Parker, whose car was totaled in the middle of that pursuit Monday night. "I'm just thinking I'm just going to the grocery store."This is one of a handful of pursuits in the last two months including one in Spring Lake where speeds were as high as 150 mph. In another chase earlier this month, four people were taken to a hospital after a two-vehicle crash on US 501 that started with a pursuit...
Protesters continue pushing for more protections for NC residents with disabilities
On Tuesday -- for the third straight day -- protesters continued to hold demonstrations in Raleigh calling for better, more accessible housing, greater access to essential care, and more state funding to support North Carolina's disabled communities. Adapt -- a national, grassroots disability rights group -- has coordinated several protests this week, including at the State Capitol, and the Department of Health and Human Services."I want to see more people with disabilities out in the community. Living on their own," said Chris Botello, who's used a wheelchair for the last 10 years.Botello traveled to Raleigh from Austin, Texas, to help...
NC lawmakers push again to legalize medical marijuana after years of efforts going up in smoke
There's a renewed push to get medical marijuana over the finish line after years of efforts going up in smoke in North Carolina.On Monday, the North Carolina Senate voted in a wide bipartisan majority vote, 36-10 to legalize medical marijuana.But in past years, similar efforts have stalled on the House side.In order to appeal to conservatives in the House who might be on the fence, this version of HB 563 has some changes.Recreational marijuana wouldn't be legal in the state unless approved by the General Assembly even if the federal government legalizes it.And there would also be stiffer regulations on...
Fire departments hope teen girls camp will lead to future firefighters: 'We want them'
Camp Ignite aimed to spark interest in young girls interested in firefighting, with a larger goal of igniting a change in the male-dominated industry.Madison Shue, 14, is among the group of participants who signed up for the camp. She wasn't sure what her stepdad, who is a Cary firefighter, signed her up for."So at first, I was like, is this a boot camp," questioned Shue.So far, she and others love it. It became apparent to the teen girls that you need strength to pull them out of a burning building. They took the physical agility test that firefighters take...
More than 100 children take part in STEM-based soccer camp at WakeMed Park
Lenovo and the North Carolina Courage teamed up Tuesday for the third annual "Starting STEM" field day.More than 100 children from six Boys and Girls Clubs across the Triangle took the field at WakeMed soccer park for a morning of STEM interactions with a twist.The youngsters tested their speed, footwork and shooting skills before heading indoors to learn about technology-driven, soccer-based games."I think it's awesome because I love my Boys and Girls Club, and I love when we go on adventures," one young girl who participated said. "I get to learn new things."The goal is to inspire an interest in science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) in elementary-aged children.
Raleigh father who lost son to shooting reacts to gun violence crisis: 'It's a war zone out there'
On the heels of Raleigh seeing three shootings within 24 hours this past weekend, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy officially declared gun violence a public health crisis in the United States.The move comes as gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens.Murthy also said more than half of surveyed adults reported experiencing gun violence personally or from a family member.And nearly 6 in 10 adults said they worry about their family member being a victim of gun violence."And now it's too late," said Tracy Montague. His 15-year-old son, Shemar Leverette, was gunned down near Moore...
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