DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — State and local leaders gathered in Durham on Thursday to discuss how they say North Carolina’s ‘child-care crisis’ is taking a toll on our communities.

“We’re demanding recognition,” former childcare provider DeeDee Fields said. “We want fair compensation. We want health protections and a retirement pathway for the workforce that makes all the work possible.”

Childcare is one of the biggest expenses North Carolinians face, with infant care more costly than in-state college tuition per year, according to data. Childcare for a four-year-old costs nearly $8,000 a year.

Since 2020, North Carolina has seen a record loss of licensed childcare programs. Durham County, for example, experienced a 14% drop.

“I think a lot of people are making these tough choices about what makes the most sense for their family,” Nylah Jimerson said.

Jimerson used to work as a nanny before she became a parent. She’s one of more than a quarter of parents in North Carolina who left the workforce to stay home to care for children.

As North Carolina is the only state without a new budget, childcare is top of mind for State Sen. Sophia Chitlik, who co-authored a package of bills that aims to better support the industry, including making childcare more affordable.

“The ‘Child Care Omnibus’ is part of a series of bills that have budget requirements and budget asks in them,” Chitlik said. “But we’re not going to know until we get a state budget. The most urgent and important thing, in addition to those subsidies, is raising the subsidy floor … so I hope that there is bipartisan consensus that would be worked out in a state budget.”

North Carolina could remain without a budget until the legislature is back in session in April.

“We have got to do something about childcare,” Sen. Natalie Murdock said. “We shouldn’t be in this position … we have to have a sustainable model and program because it’s about our children.”

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FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — A 10th grader, who is charged with killing his 12-year-old and seriously assaulting his 9-year-old sibling, has been arraigned.

Police say 16-year-old Jackson Borrello killed his 12-year-old sibling and, according to his arrest warrant, assaulted his 9-year-old sibling with a knife and hammer.

The young victim is at the hospital fighting for their life.

The defendant was arraigned on the murder and assault charges at a hospital Wednesday.

Wake County, North Carolina District Attorney Lorrin Freeman would not say why the arraignment was held outside the Wake County Courthouse.

“We’re not at liberty to discuss publicly,” Freeman said. “There are times, though, when somebody has to be hospitalized, or for other reasons an individual cannot actually come to court for first appearance. In those situations, the law requires that we provide a first appearance, and that will be done at a location with a judge and attorneys present.”

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A message went out to staff and families at Fuquay-Varina Middle School about Clara Borrello’s death.

“Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends . . . We will continue to have staff available at the school to assist our students in coping with this loss,” the principal said.

Counselors are additionally being made available at Willow Spring High School, where Borrello was a student.

Jackson Borrello is charged as an adult on the murder and assault charges.

Freeman says the case is concerning.

“Like so many communities throughout the country, we have seen a real significant increase in violent crimes, serious violent crime among our juvenile population,” Freeman said. “This is something that is going to require just a really aggressive approach to handling. So many times in these situations, there are other underlying complicating issues, mental health issues, different things that might be going on.”