North Carolina

Hurricane-hit battleground states face additional voting hurdles in run-up to Election Day

Published

3 months ago

October 14, 2024

Hurricane-hit battleground states face additional voting hurdles in run-up to Election Day

Voters in storm-ravaged parts of the Southeast could face new hurdles at the ballot box this year following the destruction wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, back-to-back disasters that have sparked a flurry of new outreach from states, parties, and even campaigns themselves in a bid to expand voters’ access to the polls and ensure their votes are counted.

Though the efforts in the hurricane-hit southern states have taken very different shapes, the shared goal is to increase engagement and participation in the 2024 presidential race, in which candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remain locked in a virtual dead heat with less than a month until Election Day.

In North Carolina, efforts have been focused on helping displaced residents access polling locations in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which barreled onto shore last month as a Category 4 storm, killing more than 220 people and causing billions of dollars in destruction.

The bulk of the storm’s destruction was concentrated in western North Carolina and in Georgia, two competitive states that could play a key role in determining the next president. Roughly 17% of North Carolina’s registered voters reside in the counties that were designated as disaster areas in the aftermath of Helene, Michael Bitzer, a professor of politics and history at Catawba College, previously told Fox News.

‘CAN’T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE’: NC CONGRESSMAN RAISES ALARM ON VOTER ACCESS IN AREAS HARD HIT BY HELENE

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks during a news conference at the White House. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

To that end, the North Carolina State Board of Elections voted last week to approve changes for 13 counties in the region, whose access to infrastructure, polling locations and postal services is believed to remain “severely disrupted” through Election Day. State election officials also announced coordination with FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management to set up portable restrooms, generators and trailers to support the more than 500 polling places in the state’s western region — and an area of devastation that spans some 25 counties.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign also hinted at new efforts to help transport voters to the ballot boxes in hurricane-hit states. Speaking to Fox News in an interview Monday, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the campaign has been in contact with state and local election officials in the Southeast to survey the damage and ensure voters have access to the ballots.

The campaign leadership, she said “has sent a letter “to state and local officials on the ground in North Carolina saying, ‘You need to provide as many accessible voting locations as possible on the ground,’” Leavitt told Fox News, adding: “Our campaign is reviewing how we can possibly provide transportation for voters who need to get to the polls and ensuring they have access to the ballot box.”

In Florida, which was battered by both Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order granting election officials in hard-hit counties additional flexibility to alter their election procedures — including polling locations and requests for mail-in ballot addresses to be changed at the last minute.

Meanwhile, Democrats suffered a blow in Georgia last week after a federal judge ruled that she will not order the state to reopen its voter registration process or extend its voter registration deadline in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, rejecting arguments from the Georgia conference of the NAACP, the Georgia Coalition of the People’s Agenda, and the New Georgia Project, which said disruptions from the storm had unfairly deprived them of their right to register.

The ruling could have a major impact in Georgia, a key battleground state that narrowly selected Biden by just 12,000 votes in 2020. (A federal judge in Florida also rejected a similar request brought in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, filed by the Florida chapter of the League of Women Voters.)

Federal judges in both states claimed that voters had ample time to register for the November election.

Biden speaks to reporters at a press conference in Florida after Hurricane Milton.

Biden speaks to reporters in front of damage from Hurricane Milton in Florida. (Getty Images)

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It is unclear what — or if — the Harris campaign is providing in terms of transport or options for voters in North Carolina or other states that were impacted by the natural disasters, or what specific actions might be taken by Trump’s campaign.

Campaign officials did not respond to Fox News’ request for comment.

Breanne Deppisch is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the 2024 election and other national news.

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North Carolina

School closings in Western North Carolina, Monday, Jan. 6

Published

8 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

School closings in Western North Carolina, Monday, Jan. 6

Some school systems in Western North Carolina are closed Monday, Jan. 6, due to winter weather.

Madison County Schools: Closed, optional teacher workday.
Mitchell County Schools: Closed, Schedule 2 staff workday.
Watauga County Schools: Closed, remote learning day.
Yancey County Schools: Closed, optional teacher workday.

This story will be updated

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North Carolina

Residents brace for freezing rain as winter weather nears Western North Carolina

Published

15 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Residents brace for freezing rain as winter weather nears Western North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Winter weather is expected to arrive in Western North Carolina on Jan. 5.

The weather is forecasted to begin with light rain around sunset on Sunday, transitioning to the possibility of freezing rain overnight into Monday, Jan. 6

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MCDOWELL COUNTY WITH POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT ICING

William Kehler, Emergency Services Director for McDowell County, released a statement on how the county is preparing for the incoming weather:

“We are monitoring the situation closely and will adjust staffing levels at EMS and 911 accordingly should the forecast change. These are the types of systems where a degree or two in temperature can make a big difference. The main areas of impact for us, based upon the advisory from NWS, will be the high elevation areas in NW McDowell County.”

Robin Gardner told News 13 that she has lived in Old Fort for about 40 years and still ventures out for essentials before harsh weather.

“We have extra propane bottles filled up, and we just got our 100-pound tank hooked up today—I have groceries stocked, all the things, gas in my vehicle,” she said.

Gardner said while she plans to stay inside and away from the cold, she also has a plan in case she has to venture out again.

“I will just stay inside for the next few days, and if I do have to go out, I’ll dress in layers — leggings on top of leggings, on top of jeans, on top of sweatpants,” she said.

According to News 13’s weather report, temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, with high wind gusts reaching approximately 30 mph.

While most areas in the region are not expected to experience freezing rain, the likelihood of freezing rain is highest along and near the Blue Ridge escarpment in areas such as Black Mountain, Ridgecrest, Montreat, Spruce Pine, Woodlawn, and Newland.

WINTER WEATHER TO BRING RAIN AND POSSIBLE FREEZING RAIN TO WNC STARTING JAN. 5

By Monday morning, temperatures in these areas are expected to rise above freezing, while the rest of the region will continue to experience cold rain.

For more information or details about the incoming weather, visit the National Weather Service’s website.

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North Carolina

Vote: Who was the top sophomore football player in North Carolina in 2024?

Published

23 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Vote: Who was the top sophomore football player in North Carolina in 2024?

With the 2024 high school football season complete, it’s time to look back at who was the top sophomore.

There were plenty of good sophomore players. Here are 15 candidates for your consideration.

The 5-foot-9, 140-pound defensive back corralled seven interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns. Batiste recorded 45 tackles.

Nichols, a dual-threat quarterback, led the Lions to the 3-A state championship. The 5-foot-10 star threw for 2,633 yards and 29 touchdowns with 4 interceptions. He had 614 yards and 9 touchdowns rushing.

Ingle threw for 2,966 yards and 35 touchdowns with 8 interceptions. In addition, he ran for 285 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Roberts caught 46 passes for 914 yards, averaging nearly 20 yards a reception, and 11 touchdowns for the Rams.

Clem ran for 1,747 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Bulldogs. A highlight of his season was a record-tying 99-yard touchdown run. Clem also saw time on defense, making 15 tackles a and breaking up two passes.

Eatmon ran for 1,139 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 9.04 yards per carry. He also made 18 tackles.

Hammock caught 51 passes for 881 yards and 8 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder also had a pair of rushing touchdowns.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge was spectacular with 26.5 sacks, 31 hurries and 123 tackles, including 35.5 for loss. Streets also blocked four punts and forced two fumbles.

Helms had 7 interceptions, 13 pass breakups and made 28 tackles. The two-way starter had 29 receptions for 344 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder had a superb season, going 14-of-17 on field goal attempts, with his longest being 49 yards. Fehling was a perfect 25-of-25 on extra points and had 27 touchbacks on 44 kickoffs.

Agee had a stellar season on both sides of the ball. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder ran for 1,043 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 9.9 yards a carry. He also caught 3 passes for 144 yards and 3 touchdowns. On defense, Agee had 53 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Coley caught 49 passes for 775 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound edge had a dominant season with 23 sacks, 29 hurries and 76 tackles, including 34 for loss. Dudley has college offers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Liberty.

Dillon did just about everything for his team. The 6-foot-2, 182-pounder caught 38 passes for 798 yards and 7 touchdowns, ran 14 times for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns and threw for 270 yards and a touchdown. Dillon also made 16 tackles.

The two-way starter had 46 receptions for 650 yards and 12 touchdowns. Curry had 8 interceptions, 5 pass breakups and 38 tackles as well.

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