The 75-year-old wife of a former Republican North Carolina senator had a frightening start to her week when she discovered an escaped inmate hiding in the backseat of her car, according to local reports.

Marie Steinburg, married to ex-State Senator Bob Steinberg, left her Edenton home for work around 7:30 a.m. Monday when she unlocked her Honda Civic and found 23-year-old accused thief Charles Babb cowering in the backseat, with a blanket wrapped around his orange prison jumpsuit.

“I headed out the door, and I clicked the unlock, and it must have scared the guy, because the next thing I know, I saw something moving in my backseat,” the startled senior said, WTKR reported.

“I kept backing up little by little by little because I thought, I don’t know what this man is going to do.”

Babb — who police said escaped from the Chowan County Detention Center Sunday night — then jumped out the car.

While residents were urged to lock their doors and windows, stay inside, and avoid interacting with the armed and dangerous fugitive, Steinburg said she remained calm and began talking to him.

“I figured if I was nice to him, he’d be nice to me,” she said, WAVY reported.

“I just figured that was the thing to do because I didn’t know if he was really dangerous,” Steinburg explained, adding that “he kept saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m so cold.’ And, you know, I was startled and I know he was too. And I said, “Well, hey, let me go in and get you a coat.’”

Steinburg said Babb then turned and raced down the driveway — reportedly leaving behind his prison sandals and a face mask — as she ran inside, called out to her husband, and dialed 911.

“I got in as fast as I could,” she recalled, according to WTKR.

“I was shaking like a leaf, and I could barely get the key in the lock, but I did.”

The Edenton Police Department apprehended the convict nearby shortly thereafter.

Police did not give details on how Babb escaped jail, other than to say he used a make-shift edged weapon. He was being held on felony breaking and entering and larceny charges before his breakout, according to the Daily Advance.

Her husband, who advocated for prison reform during his 10 years in office, praised his wife for how she handled the terrifying situation, believing a higher power was looking out for them.

The couple added that they will never forget to lock their car doors again.

“Oh let me tell you, if I don’t, [my husband] is gonna,” a relieved Steinberg said.

“It’s one of those things that we learned.”

The Chowan County Sheriff’s Office has since launched an investigation into Babb’s jailbreak.

Injuries are an unfortunate element in sports, and that has been relevant for the North Carolina Tar Heels this season. Now, most of the time, those injuries occur in games or practices. That was not the case for Seth Trimble, who suffered a broken arm in a workout accident.

The senior guard has not played since the second game of the season against the Kansas Jayhawks on Nov. 7.

Although the injury forced the Tar Heels’ coaching staff and players into an uncomfortable situation, the team has responded, winning six of seven games in Trimble’s absence. You never want to see a player suffer a significant injury, but in this particular case, it has opened the door to possibilities that North Carolina may not have been aware of if this never transpired.

Here is why Trimble’s injury has not been doom and gloom for the Tar Heels in this early portion of the season.

Unlocking a Potential Star Off the Bench

Before the last two games, North Carolina’s backcourt situation appeared to be a significant shortcoming for the Tar Heels. Because of that, Davis was forced to expand his bench with the hopes of unlocking the offense while supplying consistent production.

That has elevated freshman guard Derek Dixon’s role in the rotation, which has proven to be pivotal in North Carolina’s wins in the last two games against Kentucky and Georgetown. During that span, the 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 11.5 points while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

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.

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