North Carolina

Faith, state leaders gather for Holocaust Observance in Raleigh

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2024

Faith, state leaders gather for Holocaust Observance in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — On Sunday, Triangle faith leaders, community members, and state officials gathered for a Holocaust remembrance service to reflect on a dark chapter in history. The event also sought to promote education as a tool to fight a rise in anti-Semitism across the country.

“I think it’s very fearful for us Jews today to see it is repeating,” said Maxine Senet, chairman of North Carolina’s Holocaust Commemoration Planning Committee.

Senet’s parents were both Holocaust survivors.

“The only way that we can continue to make sure and protect that this doesn’t happen again is to educate the future generations,” she said.

Sunday’s event comes amid a spike in anti-Semitic incidents nationally.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, in the three months following the October 7 attacks, there were over 3,200 anti-Semitic incidents reported across the country — more than three times as the same time the year prior.

ALSO SEE: NC native Keith Siegel seen in newly released Hamas video that appears to show 2 hostages

“My message was twofold to the Jewish community, stay strong. And I offered encouragement and to the community as a whole,” said Michael Abramson, who chairs North Carolina’s Holocaust Council. “Let’s remember what happens when hatred permeates a community.”

Abramson believes some of the rhetoric put forth since October 7 shows the need for more honest, peaceful conversation.

“I just pray to the other side let’s have peaceful dialog. As I said, calling this about Jews and talking about anti-Semitism is the wrong way to go because you’re turning off the other side to talk,” he said.

As large-scale protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza reach college campuses across the country — including UNC Chapel Hill — education officials like State Superintendent Catherine Truitt are prioritizing knowledge of this dark period in history.

Rallies continue at UNC campus calling for ceasefire in Middle East

“I always try to approach difficult topics in education with data,” Truitt said. “We have to equip students when it comes to difficult topics with knowledge.”

Truitt’s been a vocal supporter of the Gizella Abramson Act, which passed in 2021 and mandates Holocaust education in North Carolina’s public middle and high schools, effective this school year.

“If we continue to lift up the importance of Holocaust education, we will continue to eradicate any sort of misinformation that people may have, then turn around and use in the name of free speech,” she said.

MORE STORIES: Demonstrators gather at UNC-Chapel Hill in solidarity with ongoing conflict in middle east

A couple hundred demonstrators set up tents on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill Friday asking the university to divest from the ongoing war in Gaza.

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North Carolina

Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn

Published

9 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn

Auburn’s latest incoming transfer brings experience and production to what was a position of weakness last season.

Former North Carolina tight end Jake Johnson signed with Auburn on Saturday, a source confirmed to AL.com. Johnson is the third transfer tight end Auburn has signed since the portal opened, joining Jonathan Echols and Xavier Newsom.

Johnson, however, is the most proven of Auburn’s signees at tight end. He brings four years of experience at North Carolina and Texas A&M, catching 16 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown in 2025.

His best season came with the Aggies in 2023, during which he caught 24 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, he brings versatility to Auburn’s tight end room and may be the best pass catching option.

With Johnson now signed, Auburn’s tight end room is now up to five players, putting the Tigers in a good spot going into the 2026 season.

The transfer portal officially opened on Jan. 2 and will remain open until Jan. 16. Keep up with all of Auburn’s incoming and outgoing transfers here.

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North Carolina

2 Important Keys to North Carolina Entering Wake

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

2 Important Keys to North Carolina Entering Wake

Saturday is a monumental game for the North Carolina Tar Heels, who are coming off an embarrassing defensive performance against the SMU Mustangs last weekend. Boopie Miller and the Mustangs dominated the tempo of the game, leading to a 97-83 win over the Tar Heels.

North Carolina will be hosting the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday night. The Tar Heels enter this contest with a 13-2 overall record and a 1-1 conference record. Meanwhile, Wake Forest owns a 10-6 overall record and a 1-1 conference record.

With that brief preview, let’s take a look at a couple of keys to the game that will be deciphering factors in the outcome of this matchup.

Can North Carolina Bounce Back Defensively?

Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs guard Boopie Miller (2) drives to the basket past North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

While speaking with the media on Friday during his press conference, head coach Hubert Davis explained what he saw on film against SMU, and how that will be the main message heading into Saturday.

“Obviously, disappointed defensively,” Davis said. “It was just a number of things. I mean, it was on transition, one-on-one, not boxing out at times, not talking and communicating the right way, discipline, shot fake, stay down, putting guys at the free throw line. And so, I was really excited about this week not having a midweek game, to actually have practice. To practice on us, as opposed to preparing for Wake Forest until the latter part of the week. So, I felt like it was a perfect time not to have a midweek game, to be able to get to practice and start doing fundamentally the things that have allowed us all year to be a pretty good defensive team.”

Jan 3, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Juke Harris (2) with a lay up defended by Virginia Tech Hokies guard Jailen Bedford (0) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Wake Forest’s top offensive weapon is Juke Harris, who is averaging 19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc.

Last week, the Tar Heels struggled against their opponent’s best player, but Harris and Miller are drastically different players, so North Carolina may be able to contain the 6-foot-7, 200-pound guard more sufficiently. Nonetheless, the Tar Heels’ perimeter defense has to be stellar to win comfortably.

Backcourt Production Has to be Noticeable

Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kyan Evans (0) looks to move the ball past SMU Mustangs guard B.J. Edwards (0) during the game between the Mustangs and the Tar Heels at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

We already know that Seth Trimble will do his part, but someone between Kyan Evans, Luka Bogavac, and Derek Dixon have to step up with an efficient performance. The trio has been extremely underwhelming for the majority of the season, especially Evans and Bogavac.

For Evans and Bogavac to find sustain success and confidence, a strong outing will go a long way in that regard. Saturday is an important game for the Tar Heels’ guard who need to show a sign of life with conference play heating up.

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North Carolina

North Carolina confirms 5th measles case as South Carolina’s outbreak surges

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina confirms 5th measles case as South Carolina’s outbreak surges

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — As of Friday, Jan. 9, there are a total of 310 measles cases in South Carolina, mostly in Spartanburg County, including 99 new cases since Tuesday, according to S.C. health officials.

North Carolina is also dealing with measles, with a case recently confirmed on Friday in Rutherford County. This raises the state’s total to five cases since late December, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).

While the number of measles cases in western North Carolina is in single digits, health officials are warning the public about just how quickly and easily it can spread, along with several other illnesses.

Health officials continue to remain focused on stopping it from spreading.

NEW MEASLES CASE CONFIRMED IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY; 5TH CASE IN NORTH CAROLINA SINCE DECEMBER

“Currently, we do not have a community spread of measles in Buncombe County. The cases that we’ve had have been connected to the South Carolina outbreak that is right across the state line,” said Buncombe County Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Matheson.

The measles case in Polk County, confirmed on Dec. 31, 2025, was the first in N.C. believed to be linked to the S.C. outbreak, after an unvaccinated child traveled to Spartanburg County, as News 13 previously reported. The next three WNC measles occurrences, which NCDHHS announced on Jan. 6, were siblings in Buncombe County who also traveled to Spartanburg County.

Measles continues to be an issue in North Carolina.

JAN. 6, 2026 – A flyer in Buncombe County warning of illness symptoms amid three confirmed measles cases in the county. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

In Friday’s case update, Matheson said if you feel like you’ve been exposed and are already experiencing symptoms, let the clinic or hospital know before coming in.

“Please call ahead so that we can really reduce any potential exposures to possible measles,” Matheson said.

If you haven’t been vaccinated but have been exposed, Dr. Matheson added that even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, you’re being asked to quarantine for 21 days from the date of exposure.

NC HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE VACCINES AMID MEASLES AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SURGE

She’s also encouraging those who were exposed to measles on January 4 between 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. at Mission Hospital’s Emergency Department waiting room to contact them right away.

“We are in general seeing community spread of both varicella and whooping cough,” Matheson said.

As for chickenpox, outbreaks have not spread to additional schools, but community spread has continued, including an outbreak at Fairview Elementary School, which is why she’s encouraging everyone to take steps in prevention.

“So once again, I would just strongly encourage that people are making sure that they are up to date on recommended vaccines for everything that we have vaccines for,” Matheson said.

Buncombe County health officials are holding free vaccine clinics every week. For more information or if you want to book ahead, call (828) 250-6100.

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