North Carolina

NC House Bills target predatory towing

Published

2 years ago

June 14, 2024

RALEIGH, N.C. (WJZY) — North Carolina representatives have introduced a bill that would look to tackle predatory towing and problematic booting practices, which have racked up complaints for years.

House Bill 1024, which has large support from area representatives, would see the creation of a commission that would set standards, maximum fees, and review complaints.

Over the past five years, Queen City News has covered several of the 627 complaints filed by customers with the state’s Attorney General’s office.

Drivers of town trucks reported their vehicles were booted while they were inside the vehicle, and they were forced to pay hundreds to thousands to get their trucks and cargo back.

“One trucking company…reported $15,000,” explained Mecklenburg County Representative Laura Budd.

She supports the bill and called acts like this, “extortion.”

The representative also stressed, “Most people who are engaged in the towing business there, their small businesses, they’re good companies run by good people just earning a living. And then you have your bad apples or your bad actors, and they are the ones who are essentially creating the problems that now necessitate the need for a regulatory framework.”

When Queen City News contacted the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office to follow up on one of the predatory towing complaints, we were told, “Currently, there is no statutory cap on the price they can charge as long as it is clearly stated on the sign.”

The commission would look at a set fee towing companies would charge for the tow, and limit the cost companies charge customers for storage.

It would also limit fees if customers use credit cards to make the payments.

Rep. Budd explained how the two processes of a passenger vehicle would work under the proposal.

She said tow drivers would, “log into the database that will be set up and you put in their name and their permit number, the purpose of the tow, who authorized the tow . . . the purpose . . . then the amount they’re going to charge for the tow.”

The bill would make it illegal for towing companies to boot tow trucks under any circumstances, and make it illegal to boot or tow vehicles with occupants in them.

The commission would include members from the organization Towing and Recovery Professionals of North Carolina.

In a statement to Queen City News, they stressed:

“We deeply appreciate the bill sponsors’ interest in promoting industry best practices and advancing policies that positively impact both the Towing and Recovery Professionals of North Carolina and the citizens we serve. Embracing the opportunity to collaborate with policymakers for optimal outcomes is a privilege we deeply value, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the bill sponsors for their steadfast commitment to this collaboration. At the core of TRPNC’s mission is the promotion of industry excellence, a commitment we are dedicated to upholding. With our longstanding history of working closely with policymakers for this purpose, we look forward to continuing that collaboration this session and in the years to come.”

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North Carolina

State and local leaders discuss ‘child-care crisis’ in NC

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

State and local leaders discuss ‘child-care crisis’ in NC

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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North Carolina

Lawmakers discuss solutions to solving a 'child care crisis' in NC

Published

21 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Lawmakers discuss solutions to solving a 'child care crisis' in NC

State and local leaders are meeting in Durham to talk about solutions to what lawmakers call a “child care crisis” in North Carolina. There will also be local leaders discussing other solutions to improve child care services and make them more affordable.

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North Carolina

North Carolina teen accused of killing 1 sibling, seriously injuring another

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina teen accused of killing 1 sibling, seriously injuring another

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.”

SEE ALSO: Mar-a-Lago shooting: NC man shot, killed never interested in politics, guns, family says

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.”

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