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NC legislators advance new treatment to aid with depression • NC Newsline

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NC legislators advance new treatment to aid with depression • NC Newsline


Members of the House Health Committee advanced legislation Tuesday that would require insurers offering a health benefit plan in North Carolina that provides coverage for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to provide coverage for those procedures performed by any properly licensed healthcare provider or healthcare facility.

Representative Wayne Sasser (R-Montgomery) told members that the bill would allow primary care doctors to use TMS therapy to treat depression.

“As pharmacists, we use medication to treat depression. The reality is that only like 30% of people that take medications for depression are successful,” explained Sasser. “This particular treatment has a 62% success rate.”

Representative Wayne Sasser (R-Montgomery) (Photo: NCGA video stream)

Sasser told the committee that eight percent of the American people have major depression, 27% of Americans have been diagnosed with depression, and 11% of the population currently is dealing with some form of depression.

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With a shortage of licensed psychiatrists and therapists, Rep. Sasser said House Bill 939 is simply trying to make transcranial magnetic stimulation more available.

The National Institutes of Health describes transcranial magnetic stimulation as a non-invasive stimulation of brain tissue. A coil from a TMS machine is placed against the scalp delivering magnetic pulses to the brain. It is considered a safe treatment for those struggling with depression.

“Most insurance companies do pay for this treatment but this bill has nothing to do with mandating who pays for it, who doesn’t pay for it. It’s just making the treatment more accessible to the people that need it,” explained Sasser.

“Just want to make sure I understand, so the primary care physician can actually do the
procedure?” asked Rep. Cynthia Ball (D-Wake).

“Well, can have the procedure done. They don’t specifically own the machine that does it….they will send the patient to have that procedure done,” responded Sasser.

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Tammy George told legislators that she is a firm believer in the TMS treatment.

“I have had a lot of trauma starting at age 4 and at age 48, two life events pushed me off the cliff,” George said in offering her support of TMS.

George said when her nephew died and her daughter disappeared, she would have be institutionalized without this treatment for her depression.

“Thank God I was in a psychiatric practice that knew about TMS and got me in the system quickly. Had my general practitioner or my primary care physician known about this, I could have gotten
help and been the woman that I am today,” said George.

George told lawmakers she is a successful business owner today, but might have realized that success 20 years earlier has she been treated sooner by her primary care physician.

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She told lawmakers that she felt a difference within seven days of starting after suffering depression since age four.

“Please reach deep down in your heart and think hard about this. It’s a no-brainer for me because I’ve lived it.”

House Bill 939 moves next to the House Appropriations Committee.



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North Carolina

Shooting in park near North Carolina school leaves two dead and several hurt

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Shooting in park near North Carolina school leaves two dead and several hurt


At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.

Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.

Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.

Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.

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Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.

“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.

According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.

Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.

This is a developing story

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NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for April 19, 2026

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

Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing

Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6

Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing

Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4

Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

02-21-32-35-37

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Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing

18-26-27-31-42

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing

32-42-52-53-55, 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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Three Underrated UNC Football Seniors To Watch in 2026

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Three Underrated UNC Football Seniors To Watch in 2026


The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.

As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.

Ade Willie, Cornerback

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Michigan State’s Ade Willie celebrates after breaking up a Youngstown State pass during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.

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Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.

Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman

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Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson (94) sacks Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.

North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.

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Coleman Bryson, Safety

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Coleman Bryson (16) and linebacker Mikai Gbayor (4) react in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.

It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.

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