North Carolina
Bill for expediting eviction of squatters clears North Carolina’s House Judiciary
(The Center Square) — Squatters in North Carolina could be evicted within 48 hours of a complaint by the property owner under a bill that was approved Wednesday by the Judiciary Committee in the House of Representatives.
House Bill 984 is sponsored by Rep. John Bradford, R-Mecklenburg County, a property management software company owner.
The legislation must clear the committees for finance and rules before it can reach the full chamber.
It will likely be amended along the way, Bradford told committee members Wednesday.
“Squatters are people that inhabit a piece of land or building where they do not have the legal right to occupy it,” Bradford said.
“They live on the property without paying rent and without lawful documentation that they own the property or are a rightful tenant.”
North Carolina civil law does not include a procedure for expedited removal of a squatter, the legislator said.
“This bill would permit a residential property owner to submit a complaint to a law enforcement agency requesting removal of an unauthorized person who has ignored the owner’s demand to leave,” Bradford said.
It would not apply to a tenant who has stayed at the property after a lease has expired, Bradford said.
After receiving the complaint, law enforcement would validate the complaint and then have 48 hours to remove the squatter, the legislator said.
The alleged squatter would have the option of filing a civil suit against a property owner if they believed they were falsely evicted, Bradford added.
“The Sheriff’s Association and the Chiefs of Police have some ongoing concerns regarding some liability,” Bradford said.
In order to assure consideration in a short legislative session, changes suggested by law enforcement will be made before the bill gets to the Rules Committee, he said.
“In the spirit of trying to keep things moving, we are voting on the bill as is,” he said.
“But I think it’s important to tell you that I continue to work with any interested parties.”
Bradford cited one landlord in his district who lost $15,000 in rent to a squatter.
“There was someone living there, and they couldn’t get him out,” the lawmaker said.
Trying to remove a person through a regular civil lawsuit could take months, Bradford said.
“I would say in urban areas it could be longer just because of the workload,” he said.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management is providing up to $18 million in grants to help clean up additional debris from Hurricane Helene in the western region, state officials said Friday.
According to NCDEQ, applications are being accepted for the Debris Recovery & Disposal grant program, which is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the American Relief Act of 2025.
The program provides up to $18 million in grants to local governments, councils of government, and nongovernment organizations, according to NCDEQ.
State officials said applications are being accepted through Sept. 14. The maximum award is $3 million. The grants may be used for up to three years.
Counties, municipalities, councils of government, and nongovernmental organizations in FEMA-declared disaster areas due to Helene are eligible for the grants, according to NCDEQ.
According to NCDEQ, eligible projects include collecting and disposing of non-hazardous debris from private or public properties, clearing and managing debris at streambanks, floodplains, farmland, and local park lands, and removing debris to improve solid waste and recycling infrastructure.
Applications may be emailed to Chris Hollinger with the Division of Waste Management at chris.hollinger@deq.nc.gov.
State officials advise applicants to email or call Hollinger at 919-707-8284 or contact Jason Watkins at jason.watkins@deq.nc.gov or 336-776-9674 to discuss the eligibility of their project before applying.
More information about applying can be found on the NCDEQ website.
North Carolina
‘Infuriating, heartbreaking’: Raccoon recovering after getting caught in leg trap at Mecklenburg County park
The video above is a live stream of WBTV and affiliated programming, and may not be directly related to the article below.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A raccoon is fighting for its life after it got caught in a leg trap at a Mecklenburg County park this week.
North Carolina Wildlife Rehab said a group of children found the raccoon stuck in a leg trap at a Mecklenburg County park on Thursday, June 18, but did not specify which park.
“This is absurd, infuriating, and heartbreaking,” a spokesperson said. “Just think about how many animals may have already been harmed—and how many babies may have been orphaned because of this.”
Raccoon had heat stroke, front legs trapped
Wildlife Rehab said it’s unclear how long the raccoon was trapped, but both of his front legs were caught.
Thankfully, his legs were not broken; however, he suffered heat stroke and had a body temperature of 105.4 degrees.
“Please keep this sweet boy in your thoughts and prayers as he fights to recover,” a spokesperson said.
Multiple traps found on property
The children reportedly found the trap attached to a fence on an adjoining property, and investigators said officers found several more during their search.
“Thankfully, the kids did not attempt to free the raccoon themselves, though that easily could have happened,” a spokesperson said. “Instead, they immediately got their parents, who then contacted Animal Control.”
Officials said the raccoon was the second animal caught in a leg trap, and both incidents occurred at parks in Mecklenburg County.
Wildlife Rehab said the traps are illegal and cited animal cruelty. In North Carolina, however, foothold traps aren’t entirely illegal, but they’re strictly regulated by state law. They can be used in Mecklenburg County if they comply with state guidelines for trap size, jaw type, and proper tagging.
–> Also read: Trio stole donated blankets, beds from Cabarrus County animal shelter, director says
As of this writing, no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.
Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.
CHARLOTTE, NC (WCNC) – North Carolina is becoming a leader in artificial intelligence adoption among businesses – ranking ninth in the nation, according to a new LendingTree report. Over 22% of businesses in the state already utilize AI, with many more planning to incorporate it in the near future.
“I’m not surprised at all that North Carolina ranks high on the list in part because it’s a tech-forward state,” said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst with LendingTree. “There is a lot of financial institutions in that state and no one should be surprised that NC is on the cutting edge with using AI in businesses.”
The report also sheds light on the implications of AI for the workforce. Generative AI usage makes up around 85% of overall AI business usage. Most companies are using the technology for repetitive tasks such as summarizing information, analyzing data, drafting content, or assisting with customer service.
Large companies are leading the way in AI usage. Businesses with over 250 employees use AI at a rate of 37.3% while companies with fewer than five employees use AI at a rate of 19%.
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