North Carolina
North Carolina state House member charged with sex crimes
HIGH POINT, N.C. — A North Carolina state House member has been charged with sex-related crimes involving a teenager earlier this year, court records show.
Six-term Democratic state Rep. Cecil Brockman, 41, of High Point, was arrested Wednesday on two counts each of statutory sexual offense with a child and taking indecent liberties with a child, according to a magistrate’s order detailing his arrest.
Brockman was being held Thursday without bond in the High Point Jail, according to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. A court appearance was scheduled for later Thursday.
The magistrate’s order says Brockman is twice accused in or around Aug. 15 of engaging in a sex act with a 15-year-old and is twice alleged to have committed and attempted to commit “a lewd and lascivious act” upon the juvenile. The alleged victim in each felony count was identified by the same initials.
In separate statements, the North Carolina Democratic Party, Republican House Speaker Destin Hall and House Democratic leader Rep. Robert Reives called on Brockman to resign immediately his General Assembly seat.
“The profound seriousness of these criminal charges makes it impossible for him to effectively represent his community,” the state Democratic Party said in a news release.
An assistant for Brockman at his legislative office said Brockman didn’t have a comment Thursday morning. A voice message left on a phone number connected to Brockman wasn’t immediately returned. Electronic court records provided no information on whether he had an attorney.
The minimum prison sentence for someone convicted of a statutory sexual offense count is at least 12 years, according to state sentencing directives, while taking indecent liberties with a child can be punishable by active prison time, probation, or both.
A document signed by a Guilford County magistrate explaining why Brockman’s release wasn’t authorized on Wednesday said the defendant “is a state representative and has access to abundant resources to aid in his flight from prosecution.”
In addition, the document said, Brockman has “made attempts to contact the victim in this case,” even trying to locate the young person in the hospital and “to use his status” to gain information about the teenager’s whereabouts.
Brockman, who was first elected to the legislature in 2014, has been targeted politically by fellow Democrats in recent years for his willingness to vote with Republicans on some key bills. In July, he and a couple other House Democrats helped override successfully some of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes.
A past supporter of some school choice initiatives, Brockman was tapped as one of four vice chairs on the House K-12 education committee during this General Assembly term, joining three Republicans. Brockman narrowly survived a primary challenge in the 2024 election for the 60th House District seat that represents southwest Guilford County.
North Carolina
Seasonal flu virus numbers increase across NC; NCDHHS shares tips to stay healthy this season
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Flu-related illnesses and deaths have been rising across the state, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Three flu-related deaths were reported within the past week, bringing the number of deaths to nine this season.
North Carolina reported 542 flu-related deaths for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season; this is the highest number of statewide flu deaths ever recorded in NC.
So far, no flu-related deaths in children have been reported in North Carolina.
SEE ALSO | Flu concerns grow in US as UK sees more cases among kids
Influenza A (H3N2) virus strain known as subclade K has spread worldwide, and it is the most often reported flu virus so far this season in the U.S.
State Epidemiologist Zack Moore says the flu is spreading quickly in our state and says flu vaccines are the most important tool to protect yourself from illness or death.
As holiday travel and gatherings ramp up, NCDHHS shares the following tips to keep yourself and loved ones safe and healthy:
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based sanitizers can help prevent the spread of some respiratory viruses.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are often touched.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw it away into the trash.
Stay home when sick: Avoid going out if you can and take steps to prevent spreading the flu to others in your home, such as using a separate bathroom, not sharing cups, towels and utensils, and wearing a mask when around other people.
Download the ABC11 News App
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Jasper Johnson scored a career high 22 points as Kentucky rolled past North Carolina Central 103-67 on Tuesday night inside Rupp Arena.
Johnson, a freshman from Lexington, made 6 of 10 from the floor, including 2 of 4 from behind the arc, and 8 of 8 at the line.
UK got a season-high 21 points from Otega Oweh, 14 points from Malachi Moreno, 11 from Trent Noah and 10 from Andrija Jelavic.
The Cats made 39 of 64 (60.9 percent) of its shots from the floor, including 12 of 29 (41.4 percent) from behind the arc. UK had 27 assists on those 39 made field goals.
Kentucky (6-4) scored the first five points of the game on a three from Trent Noah and a Collin Chandler bucket. After an NC Central basket, Oweh hit a three to give UK an 8-2 advantage. However, NCCU scored the next five to get within one.
A Moreno dunk, a Denzel Aberdeen layup and an Oweh floater extended the lead to 14-7. A three from the Eagles cut the UK lead to four before Brandon Garrison made a pair of free throws. However, NCCU scored to again cut the UK lead to four, 16-12.
Johnson scored on a drive to the basket, then was fouled shooting a three. The freshman made all three charity tosses to extend the Cats’ lead to 21-12. After the Eagles hit a three, Aberdeen slashed to the basket for a dunk and Garrison converted a three-point play and UK led 26-15. NCCU scored to get within nine.
A Jelavic three gave UK a 29-17 lead, but the Eagles scored four in a row to get within eight. An Aberdeen basket made it 31-21 before NCCU scored to again get within eight.
A Moreno layup, an Oweh three, two Johnson free throws, another Moreno basket, a Noah three, a Noah dunk, and an Oweh layup comprised a 16-0 run that stretched the UK lead to 47-23. The Cats would lead 52-31 at the half, with Oweh leading all scorers with 12 points.
NCCU scored the first two points of the second half, but UK got a Moreno dunk and an Oweh layup to lead 56-33. After two Eagles’ free throws, Kentucky got layups from Aberdeen and Moreno to lead 60-35. NCCU would score before two Chandler free throws made it 62-37 Cats. However, the Eagles scored the next five points to cut the deficit to 20.
Oweh scored the next five points for the Cats as they took at 67-44 lead. For the second time in the game, Johnson made three consecutive free throws to build the advantage to 70-44.
Later in the second half, the Cats would extend the lead even further on a Chandler three that gave UK an 80-48 lead. NCCU would get back within 26 at 86-60 but the Eagles would get no closer.
Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, hosting Indiana inside Rupp Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ESPN.
North Carolina
The ‘North Carolina Barbecue Trail’ Is A Mouthwatering Journey Through Old-School Smokehouses Steeped In Tradition – Islands
One of the best parts of traveling is trying the region’s specialty foods, and if you’re visiting North Carolina, that means barbecue. There are two styles of barbecue in North Carolina, and both of them involve pork. The eastern style typically uses whole pigs (no ketchup) on an open pit that’s chopped thin and served with a vinegar sauce. Lexington style uses bone-in pork shoulder, a chunkier chop, and a thicker, sweeter vinegar sauce. You can experience both styles and choose your favorite on a food trail created by the North Carolina Barbecue Society, with iconic stops at traditional smokehouses scattered along the state.
The trail includes 15 restaurants and roadside shacks that have become institutions, each specializing in slow-roasted pork over charcoal and wood, and it’s best visited during summer and fall when several areas host barbecue festivals and events. Not only do trail-goers get to sample amazing barbecue, but they’ll experience some under-the-radar destinations that might have otherwise been missed. The trail includes North Carolina’s “barbecue capital,” a vibrant town full of character with about 15 dedicated barbecue restaurants, and is also home to an iconic barbecue festival, a massive event that takes place in October.
Highlights of the North Carolina Barbecue Trail
The North Carolina Barbecue trail starts off in Ayden with the Skylight Inn, which uses eastern-style methods over wood coals, and earned a coveted James Beard “American Classics” award. Next, the trail heads to Greenville, home to one of America’s prettiest downtowns. The main attraction for foodies here is B’s barbecue, which is known for mouthwatering ribs. Get there early or they might run out! In Goldsboro, Wilbur’s Barbecue has a convenient drive-through and eastern-style ‘cue, plus it’s a great spot to grab some merchandise and souvenirs.
Heading to Dudley, Grady’s Barbecue might not look like much from the outside, but the little shack serves up a mean rack of ribs (cash-only). Another small town oozing with charm that the trail winds through is Shelby, sandwiched between Asheville and Charlotte with unique southern cuisine. Stop by the Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge for hickory-smoked pork sandwiches, or for something different, livermush is a local delicacy (pig liver, cornmeal, and seasonings) and is served at the Shelby Cafe (among other restaurants).
No barbecue trail would be complete without visiting Lexington, often considered North Carolina’s “gateway to BBQ,” which has a walkable downtown with several barbecue joints serving up “Lexington style” ‘cue (using the pork shoulder). The city’s oldest BBQ spot (that is still using pits) is the Lexington Bar-B-Q Center, which has been in operation since the 1950s and is another mouthwatering stop on the barbecue trail. Most people go for the vinegar-based pork served with the hush puppies and red slaw, but they have a variety of pit-cooked options.
Louisiana State Police hosts open house to recruit new troopers
Recently Elected 26-Year-Old Wilton School-Board Member Dies Unexpectedly
Wintry weather returns to Maryland this week
Michigan Senate votes to block pursuit of COVID jobless aid overpayments
Massachusetts man dies from deadly lung disease linked to popular kitchen countertops
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Cause of death confirmed for Mitt Romney’s sister-in-law
Watch the video: Elon Musk, creator, jester, ruler or nihilist?
Afghan CIA fighters, like National Guard attack suspect, face stark reality in U.S.
Video: Prosecutors Release Body Camera Footage of Luigi Mangione’s Arrest
$900B defense bill advances to House-wide vote as conservative mutiny threat looms
-
Alaska4 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Politics1 week agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
Ohio7 days agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
News1 week agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
World1 week agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Texas5 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Iowa3 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL4 days agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion