North Carolina

Gabriel Esparza looks to be North Carolina’s first Latino statewide official

Published

12 months ago

August 11, 2023

Press Room

Gabriel Esparza looks to be North Carolina’s first Latino statewide official

Aug. 11, 2023, 3:51 PM UTC

By Charlene Richards

Democrat Gabriel Esparza announced his candidacy for North Carolina state treasurer Thursday, aiming to become the first Latino statewide official elected in the Tarheel State

Esparza is running in a Democratic primary that includes state Rep. Wesley Harris, State Rep. John Bradford III and Guilford County Commissioner James Upchurch are among the Republicans also running to replace Dale Folwell, the state’s current treasurer, who is running for governor.

“I believe that my candidacy will not only appeal to traditional Democrats, but to the large base of unaffiliated voters that we have in North Carolina, as well as potentially some crossover Republican voters,” Esparza said in an interview with NBC News, adding that “my financial background, my work in public safety, and my positions relative to education” could appeal to GOP voters as well.

As the great-grandson of immigrants from Mexico on his father’s side and Eastern European Jews on his mother’s side who worked in social work and mental health, Esparza said living in a bilingual and bicultural household has “always been about doing right by others and giving back.”

He added that his goal is to represent Latino voters while turning them out to vote in next year’s election in a way that provides “all of us an opportunity to win in November.”

“While we have 1.1 million Latinos in this state, at the same time, we have zero Latinos in the General Assembly. For a population that is now 11% of the state, to have zero political power in terms of representation in the state legislature, that’s not okay,” Esparza said.

North Carolina is also a battleground state in the 2024 presidential race, and Esparza plans to turn out the Latino vote during his campaign. If elected, Esparza said his top priorities are addressing the state health care plan, the $114 billion state pension fund for retirees, and strengthening state finances on local, city and municipality levels and for education.

Esparza has spent more than 25 years working in business, working for American Express, for a startup that helps provide 9-1-1 dispatchers with data to help them in emergencies, and most recently in the Small Business Administration in the Office of International Trade. He has also worked as an investor and he is involved in community initiatives regarding education for younger generations and at-risk youth.

“To have a business person, somebody with financial expertise, business expertise, is something that Democrats haven’t historically done and this is also an important differentiator for us in this race,” he told NBC News. . “Not only will I be in a better position to govern, but even during the campaign, I will be able to and am already outraising my opponents in this effort.”

Source link

North Carolina

Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring rainfall to Virginia & North Carolina

Published

2 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring rainfall to Virginia & North Carolina

Tropical Storm Debby already has parts of Florida under tropical storm warnings. The Florida Big Bend is currently under a Hurricane Warning. Debby is forecast to briefly strengthen into a category 1 hurricane as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico where water temperatures are near 90 degrees.

As it continues its path over land it is expected to dial back to tropical storm strength as it reaches the Carolinas mid to late next week. Moderate rainfall is possible for northeast North Carolina and southern Virginia by the end of the week.

Higher amounts of rain are possible for southernmost portions of the Outer Banks but generally models show 2-4 inches for northeast North Carolina and 1-2 inches for southern Virginia through Thursday.

Stay with News 3’s First Warning Weather Team for the latest updates as the storm develops.

Source link

North Carolina

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

Published

9 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical depression over Cuba. It’s expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday, bringing impacts to the Carolinas around the middle of next week.

Heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary impacts expected, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

“Gusty winds are also possible, but it is too early to predict specific impacts in great detail at this time,” the weather service said.

At the same time, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and some flooding associated with front expected to stall inland this weekend.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the center of the tropical depression, which would be name Debby if it becomes a tropical storm, was over Cuba and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. The hurricane center said a turn toward the northwest is forecast for Saturday, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastwardmotion Sunday night and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected throughout the day Saturday. Faster strengthening is possible Sunday, with the storm nearing hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

STORM TRACKER: Monitor the latest tropical developments here.

Here’s a look at what we can expect in the Wilmington area, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Wind

The probability of tropical storm force winds has increased, especially for the South Carolina coast. The most likely time of arrival of for northeast South Carolina is Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and for Southeastern North Carolina is during Wednesday morning.

Rain

The potential for significant rainfall exists with 8 to 12 inches possible from near Cape Fear to portions of thenortheast South Carolina coast. Flash flooding and urban flooding are possible. Some rivers, including the North Cape Fear River and the Waccamaw River, could exceed flood stage next week.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Enter your address to see hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed nearby

Marine impacts

Rough surf, including dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions are expected this weekend and will persist into the upcoming week.

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the NC coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.

GET READY: Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here’s what to know if you live in the Wilmington area.

Source link

North Carolina

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

Published

16 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

As of the 5 AM update Friday, Tropical Depression Four has formed. Areas along the East Coast including North Carolina need to continue monitoring this system. Winds are at 30 MPH and gusts are up to 40 MPH. The pressure dropped to 1009 mb and is moving to the west at 16 mph. TD 4 is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby over the weekend. Tuesday night and Wednesday are First Alert Weather Days due to the threat to ENC from this system but we may need to adjust the timing as we get closer.

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center continues to show ENC in the cone of uncertainty.(WITN)

It’ll move slowly before escaping to the north next week. As it moves up the East Coast, there’s a lot more uncertainty about the track and threats. We expect the track of this system to change through the weekend and even into next week. If ENC sees impacts from this system, they’d likely come mid-week. The longer this system stays over land, the weaker it’ll be. It’ll have the chance to strengthen if it moves back over open water, especially if it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

Storms are possible Saturday through Monday as a developing tropical system gets closer.(WITN)

The speed of this system is just as important as the strength. The quicker it moves through, the less rain piles up. If it slows down or stalls, higher rainfall amounts would be expected. Our river levels have dropped a bit since July’s wet weather, but levels are still higher than what you’d find in a typical August.