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FEMA apologizes after failing to deliver promised trailers to Helene survivors in North Carolina

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FEMA apologizes after failing to deliver promised trailers to Helene survivors in North Carolina


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, apologized Wednesday in response to a question from WBTV about why the agency failed to deliver dozens of trailers to North Carolina residents displaced by Hurricane Helene.

Our questions came after a FEMA spokesperson told WBTV the week of Thanksgiving that the agency would deliver a total of 103 temporary or portable trailer homes to families in North Carolina by the end of that week. At the time, FEMA had delivered 27 homes.

By Wednesday, Dec. 4, FEMA had still only delivered 46 homes — well short of the number of promised trailers.

WBTV learned that more than 500 families have been approved for a FEMA travel trailer or manufactured home in the wake of Helene. The agency’s slow deployment of the homes means hundreds of families are weathering the snow and freezing temperatures currently hitting the North Carolina mountains.

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Despite that, a FEMA spokesperson initially struck an upbeat tune in an interview with WBTV on Nov. 26. The spokesperson then doubled down on a promise to deliver homes to the more than 500 families who have requested one.

“There could be 500 of these eventually given out?” a WBTV reporter asked.

“Here’s the beautiful part about it, the answer is ‘yes,’ and we’ve done even more. So we can handle it,” said FEMA Media Relations Specialist La-Tanga Hopes.

On Wednesday — after WBTV continued to press for answers about why the agency had fallen so short of its promised 103-trailer delivery goal by Thanksgiving weekend — a FEMA spokesperson called and apologized.

The FEMA spokesperson said they had miscommunication within the agency and will caution against disseminating information with methods other than written communication in the future.

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The FEMA spokesperson also told WBTV that the agency will not be issuing timelines for the delivery of the homes anymore because it is too difficult to confirm a timeline. They said that was, in part, because of the necessary utilities not being confirmed at the planned site, the weather conditions, roads being open, and the recipient showing at the scheduled time.

FEMA said there were 100 temporary homes in North Carolina, as of Wednesday. Forty-six had been delivered and the keys had been handed over to the survivor. Other homes were either undergoing a final inspection, in route to delivery, or waiting for the destination to be ready.

WBTV will continue pressing the agency for answers and track the agency’s delivery of homes to families in Western North Carolina.

Survivors of Hurricane Helene have until Jan. 7, 2025 to apply for disaster relief.

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North Carolina teens call for tougher vaping laws at NC General Assembly

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North Carolina teens call for tougher vaping laws at NC General Assembly


RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Students from across North Carolina are calling on lawmakers to strengthen nicotine laws, pushing for legislation that would raise the legal age to purchase vaping products.

Students and educators from 14 counties gathered Wednesday at the North Carolina General Assembly, urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 430, also known as Solly’s Law. The bill would raise the minimum age to buy vapes from 18 to 21.

Advocates say nicotine use continues to be a major issue among teenagers, especially as many vaping products are marketed with fruity flavors that resemble candy.

According to the NC Tobacco 21 Coalition, North Carolina is one of just six states that has not raised the legal age for purchasing vaping products to 21. The group says 95% of tobacco addiction begins before the age of 21.

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House Bill 430 is named after Solomon Wynn, a New Hanover County high school student who died in 2023 from complications related to vaping.

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Educators and students say vaping remains a daily challenge in schools across the state.

“Our students matter. Their brains matter,” said Halifax County Schools Superintendent Eric Cunningham. “When we take the vape pens, we see aggression. We need immediate action now.”

Durham high school student Gabriel Anderson said the issue often comes down to illegal sales to minors.

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“The issue is vendors — people who are selling to young teens,” Anderson said. “Some are upholding the law. The solution is to cut the age gap and bring it to 21.”

Following Wednesday’s hearing, teen advocates met with lawmakers and said they plan to continue pushing for stronger protections to limit youth access to vaping products.

ABC11’s Bianca Holman contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2026 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for April 28, 2026

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The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Tuesday, April 28, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 28 drawing

Day: 7-1-3, Fireball: 8

Evening: 2-7-5, Fireball: 6

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 28 drawing

Day: 7-3-3-9, Fireball: 3

Evening: 6-2-6-6, Fireball: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 28 drawing

02-03-06-21-37

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Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from April 28 drawing

20-28-29-35-40

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 28 drawing

11-21-34-39-45, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

  • Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
  • Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
  • Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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1 dead after late-night shooting at Henderson County park

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1 dead after late-night shooting at Henderson County park


One person is dead after a late-night shooting at a park in Henderson County, authorities confirmed.

Deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at Dana Park around 11:26 p.m. Monday, April 27. When they arrived, they found one victim who later died from their injuries.

Investigators said the shooting does not appear to be random, but there is no immediate threat to the public.

The case remains under active investigation as deputies work to determine what led up to the shooting. Officials said no additional information will be released at this time.

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