North Carolina

Violent crimes, property crimes decreasing in North Carolina, FBI data shows

Published

1 year ago

September 24, 2024

Violent crimes, property crimes decreasing in North Carolina, FBI data shows

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The White House reached out to ABC11 on Monday to talk about gun violence and the solutions that administration officials said are working.

The numbers reflect it in new data from the FBI.

They show violent crime and property crime have dropped 15% in North Carolina during the past 10 years, spanning three presidential administrations. However. many such crimes go unreported and therefore aren’t reflected in the numbers. That’s often the case in immigrant-heavy communities.

“That is a graduation instead of a funeral, that’s a birthday party instead of a hospital visit, that’s a baby shower instead of going to the graveyard and I think that’s something we should focus on every single day,” said Greg Jackson, deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

The office was created a year ago.

Jackson cited statistics from the FBI. He said nationwide they’ve seen the steepest decreases in homicides in American history especially in the last couple of years. An important thing to note though is that the FBI collects data through its Uniform Crime Reporting Program, and not all law enforcement agencies in the U.S. participate.

Jackson attributed much of the decrease to $15 billion from the American Rescue Plan that went to law enforcement, crime intelligence and community-based strategies.

Another $1 billion went to victims’ services to ensure families who have been traumatized have more resources to heal and recover.

“We have seen the steepest decline concentrated in inner cities and those neighborhoods most tragically impacted by this,” Jackson said. “This is something we’ve seen and encouraged by from New Orleans to Greensboro — some of the communities devastated the most historically.”

Jackson was shot in Washington, DC, back in 2013 and said when violence is down the street, it doesn’t feel like anything is working.

He also mentioned “Boots on the Ground” in Raleigh and “Bull City United” two violence intervention organizations that have been given federal dollars to stop violence before it happens.

Jackson said it’s important to move forward with the same urgency to continue to find solutions to the ongoing public health crisis

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North Carolina

Western NC gas prices increase, hovering around $3 a gallon amid war in Middle East

Published

9 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Western NC gas prices increase, hovering around a gallon amid war in Middle East

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Gas prices are hitting the highest level since September 2024, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

On Friday, March 6, western North Carolina drivers were already experiencing shock at the pump.

News 13 caught up with some drivers at a gas station in Henderson County, where the price per gallon was just a penny under $3, sitting at $2.99.

This comes as Tuesday marked the largest single-day jump at the pump since March 2022, according to ABC News, citing Gas Buddy sources.

REPORT: ASHEVILLE GAS PRICES RISE, MORE INCREASES EXPECTED AMID WAR IN MIDDLE EAST

Drivers we spoke with say they’re feeling the fuel costs climb and needless to say, they’re not too pleased.

“Here, it’s the first time I’m seeing the price that high,” said driver and Hendersonville resident Ricardo Martineati. “We don’t understand why the price is going up, but it is what it is. I hope it comes back to what it used to be pretty soon.”

MARCH 6, 2026 – A gas station in western North Carolina. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

Part of the reason for the gas price change is that crude prices surged 35% this week as Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route many oil producers use to get oil to market, ABC News reports.

Martineati knows it’s not much, but he says he’s got a strategy to save.

SEN. TED BUDD BACKS OPERATION EPIC FURY IN IRAN, WANTS TO AVOID ‘FOREVER WARS’

“Just try to slow down on the takeoff, on the coming to a stop to save some fuel, but that’s it,” Martineati said.

And with all this price pressure, he added that he’s picking a positive perspective.

“At least I’m not driving a diesel-fueled truck,” Martineati said.

While WNC hovers around $3 a gallon, depending on your location, the state is still below the national average of $3.30 a gallon, according to AAA.

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North Carolina

NC to receive nearly $70M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says $14M hasn’t arrived

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

NC to receive nearly M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says M hasn’t arrived

MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Senator Tedd Budd’s office announced nearly $70 million in public assistance FEMA funds for Helene recovery toward the North Carolina Department of Transportation, cities and counties.

Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed.

Honeycutt estimates about $14 million in reimbursements from FEMA haven’t come through.

As for the $1.9 million just approved for Madison County’s emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement, Honeycutt said the county doesn’t have it yet.

NORTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE $70M IN ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDING AS NOEM FACES CRITICISM

“It’s coming back to our fund balance,” said Honeycutt. “And we know it will take six more weeks for it to get through the state and to the county.”

Honeycutt estimates that within six months, FEMA will resolve all reimbursements. He said debris removal jobs along the French Broad River have been delayed as FEMA continues to review the applications.

MARCH 5, 2026 – Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

In Marshall, the town has leased store spaces on Main Street, along with signs advertising leasing available. But longtime resident, artist and business owner Josh Copus is optimistic that Marshall and its community will thrive once again. He acknowledged that FEMA funds and reimbursements to clean up have been an important part of the area’s recovery.

MORE THAN $3.5M HEADED TO BURKE COUNTY FOR CONTINUED HELENE RECOVERY

“I would say our town is 50% fixed and our town was 100% destroyed, so 50% is pretty good,” Copus said.

The awards include:

Biltmore Forest: $2.5 million for debris removal reimbursement.
Buncombe County Sewage District: $1.57 million reimbursement for line repairs, vacuuming, line replacements and riverbank restoration.
Old Fort: $1.15 million Westerman Street Waterline for potable water reimbursement.
Mitchell County: $11.9 million for debris contractors, tipping fees and debris monitoring reimbursement.
Buncombe County: $3.5 million toward labor costs for 836 laborers during and after Helene reimbursement.
Asheville: $5.6 million for North Fork Treatment Plant repairs reimbursement.
Lake Lure: $1.48 million for lake safety repairs reimbursement.
Madison County: $1.9 million for emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement.

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