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North Carolina family visited sheriff’s office just HOURS before father’s apparent murder-suicide

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North Carolina family visited sheriff’s office just HOURS before father’s apparent murder-suicide


A North Carolina household visited their native sheriff’s workplace hours earlier than the daddy fatally shot his girlfriend and two kids, later setting their dwelling on fireplace and killing himself in an obvious murder-suicide.

Investigators consider Aschod Ewing-Meeks, 26, killed his household final week in what Davie County Sheriff JD Hartman known as ‘one of many worst, if not the worst’ case he had ever witnessed.

He allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, Ashton Brown, 26, and their two kids Bella, 4, and Brixtyn, 8 months, and set their Davie County dwelling on fireplace earlier than taking pictures himself.

About two hours earlier than the tragedy Ewing-Meeks, Brown and the youngsters had been captured on surveillance video talking with a receptionist on the Davie County Sheriff’s Workplace.

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Officers informed WGHP the household was obscure about what they needed however had requested to talk with a deputy. The household made a number of makes an attempt to talk with authorities earlier than their deaths.

Aschod Ewing-Meeks (proper), his girlfriend Ashton Brown (left) and their daughters, Bella (heart) and Brixtyn (in Brown’s arms) visited the Davie County Sheriff’s Workplace two hours earlier than Ewing-Meek allegedly killed the household and himself in an obvious murder-suicide

Investigators believe Aschod Ewing-Meeks, 26, shot his girlfriend and kids and set fire to their family home before turning the gun on himself. He is pictured with his daughter, 4-year-old Bella in a photo shared on social media on March 5

Investigators consider Aschod Ewing-Meeks, 26, shot his girlfriend and children and set fireplace to their household dwelling earlier than turning the gun on himself. He’s pictured together with his daughter, 4-year-old Bella in a photograph shared on social media on March 5

The household walked into the sheriff’s workplace round 12:10 p.m. on April 18, in search of to talk with a deputy.

The receptionist requested for the household’s info after which gave them a cellphone variety of somebody to contact throughout the division. They reportedly left the premises round 12:15 p.m.

‘There was nothing out of the peculiar. They actually would not work together with the receptionist or inform her what they needed,’ Hartman mentioned of the go to throughout a press convention Wednesday, Individuals Journal reported. 

Brown referred to as 911 at 12:35 p.m., once more asking to talk with a deputy. She mentioned the household had security considerations however reportedly didn’t specify what their considerations had been. 

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Eleven minutes later a deputy returned Brown’s name. The mother-of-two answered the cellphone and informed officers she had been calling on behalf of Ewing-Meeks.

She handed the cellphone to Ewing-Meeks, however the name ended after 30 seconds. It’s unclear if sign was dropped or if somebody hung up.

The household walked into the sheriff’s workplace round 12.10pm on April 18, in search of to talk with a deputy. The receptionist requested for the household’s info after which gave them a cellphone variety of somebody to contact throughout the division. They left the premises round 12.15pm

Bella is seen looking at the receptionist as her parents face the door to leave

Bella is seen trying on the receptionist as her mother and father face the door to depart

After they left the law enforcement agency, Ashton Brown (pictured with her daughters in October 2021) called 911 asking to speak with a deputy. She said the family had safety concerns but reportedly did not specify what their concerns were

After they left the legislation enforcement company, Ashton Brown (pictured along with her daughters in October 2021) referred to as 911 asking to talk with a deputy. She mentioned the household had security considerations however reportedly didn’t specify what their considerations had been

Authorities referred to as the household again a number of instances and had a number of brief conversations over the span of about half-hour.

Through the longest name, which lasted about six minutes, Ewing-Meeks defined he believed the household was being adopted, including that they had been driving across the neighborhood.

He refused to provide the deputy his particular location or return to the sheriff’s workplace to satisfy the officers.

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‘He suggested with the officer that he thought that somebody was following him, however he wasn’t at risk, they weren’t threatening him,’ mentioned Hartman. ‘The officer tried to get them to return again to the sheriff’s workplace. They had been driving round; they would not inform the officer the place they had been.’ 

After the decision, the deputy made two extra makes an attempt to succeed in Ewing-Meeks, shortly after 1 p.m., however the cellphone went to voicemail. Officers had been finally unable to succeed in the household.

The family and the deputy the had several short phone calls over the course of 30 minutes. Ewing-Meeks told police he was fearful they were being followed. Around 1pm the family became unreachable. Their home is pictured above shortly after the tragedy

The household and the deputy the had a number of brief cellphone calls over the course of half-hour. Ewing-Meeks informed police he was fearful they had been being adopted. Round 1pm the household turned unreachable. Their house is pictured above shortly after the tragedy

Ewing-Meeks and Brown were last seen around 2 p.m. arguing in the front yard of their home, witnesses told police. A few minutes later smoke was seen coming out of the house. Firefighters responded to the property 15 minutes later and discovered the victims' bodies as they worked the fire

Ewing-Meeks and Brown had been final seen round 2 p.m. arguing within the entrance yard of their dwelling, witnesses informed police. A couple of minutes later smoke was seen popping out of the home. Firefighters responded to the property quarter-hour later and found the victims’ our bodies as they labored the fireplace

Authorities found the bodies of the two children in the kitchen. Bella is pictured holding Brixtyn in a photo her mother shared to Facebook last September

Authorities discovered the our bodies of the 2 kids within the kitchen. Bella is pictured holding Brixtyn in a photograph her mom shared to Fb final September

Ewing-Meeks and Brown had been final seen round 2 p.m. arguing within the entrance yard of their dwelling, witnesses informed police. 

Moments later smoke was seen popping out of the home.

A neighborhood member, who occurred to be driving previous the burning dwelling, drove to the native fireplace station to report the incident.

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Firefighters responded to the property by 2:15 p.m. and found the victims’ our bodies as they labored the fireplace.

The 2 kids had been discovered within the kitchen and Brown within the doorway of a bed room. Police say Ewing-Meeks was discovered on the finish of a hallway, close to the kitchen, holding the gun. 

Preliminary on-scene investigation revealed the fireplace had been deliberately set, nevertheless authorities haven’t said how or the place it originated.

‘All 4 victims are deceased from gunshot wounds,’ Hartman informed reporters. ‘The fireplace was deliberately set. Mr. Meeks was deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and we discovered the gun that matches all of this truly nonetheless in Mr. Meeks’ hand.’ 

Police say Brown (left) was found in the kitchen and Ewing-Meeks (right) at the end of a hallway, near the kitchen, holding the gun. The couple is pictured with their daughter in June 2021. Brown was pregnant with Brixtyn at the time

Police say Brown (left) was discovered within the kitchen and Ewing-Meeks (proper) on the finish of a hallway, close to the kitchen, holding the gun. The couple is pictured with their daughter in June 2021. Brown was pregnant with Brixtyn on the time

A GoFundMe campaign was created to cover funeral costs for Brown and her children. The mother was an early childhood educator and reportedly well-loved throughout the community

A GoFundMe marketing campaign was created to cowl funeral prices for Brown and her kids. The mom was an early childhood educator and reportedly well-loved all through the neighborhood

Investigators collected and eliminated proof from the house as they proceed to probe the incident. 

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‘I’ve seen so much in 30 years, however kids – and particularly kids which might be killed by gunshots and burned – it is fairly heinous, so it is fairly near the worst, if not the worst,’ the sheriff added.

A GoFundMe marketing campaign has been launched to assist cowl the funeral bills and honor the mom and her younger kids.

Brown’s family members say she was an early childhood educator and well-loved all through the neighborhood. 

‘She liked her college students and went the additional mile to verify they had been cared for as her personal,’ the fundraising web page states. ‘Ashton lived to be one of the best mom she might be for her two kids, Bella and Brixytn. We’re saddened by this sudden tragedy and want to honor and bear in mind them as such.’

The Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline gives 24/7, free and confidential assist for individuals in misery, prevention and disaster assets for you or your family membersFor confidential assist, name the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click on right here. 

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North Carolina

Durham mayor issues a veganuary, plant-based diet city-wide challenge to start the new year

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Durham mayor issues a veganuary, plant-based diet city-wide challenge to start the new year


DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Could you give up eating your favorite meat for a whole month? The mayor of North Carolina’s fourth-largest city is challenging people in the Bull City to do so.

Durham’s mayor Leonardo Williams issued the ‘Bull City Veganuary Challenge’ at the end of December. He’s hoping the initiative will encourage people to adopt a plant-based diet for January.

The challenge is getting big support from Durham Public Schools, Downtown Durham Inc., Durham Public Schools Foundation, and other community partners to show a community-wide effort in pushing the benefits of plant-based eating, according to information from the mayor’s office.

Mayor Williams says it started as a one-day thing and turned into a month-long initiative after restaurants and schools wanted to be a part of the challenge.

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“We do it just to renew ourselves. We already have a lot of restaurants with vegan options anyway. So this is something we do. And now, you know, we have these initiatives working together.”

  • Durham Public Schools is having a Student Art Competition focused on plant-based eating. Entries to the competition will be displayed around various small businesses in Durham throughout January.
  • The Northern High School Culinary Program will allow students to compete in the Junior Vegan Chef Challenge and develop high-quality, plant-based entrees consistent with school lunch nutrition guidelines

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The Veganuary Challenge is not only aimed to have a positive impact on your health but on the environment as well.

Click on Bull City Mayor’s Veganuary Challenge for more information.

Check here for a list of vegan restaurants in Durham.

SEE ALSO | Reducing food waste is good for your budget and the planet

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Ranked Choice Voting would be good for North Carolina • NC Newsline

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Ranked Choice Voting would be good for North Carolina • NC Newsline


Why Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)?

Let’s talk about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). It’s a voting system that’s making elections fairer for millions of Americans—nearly 20 million, in fact! But what’s so great about it? Here are a few key benefits:

  1. Winners need majority support: With RCV, winners have to get over 50% of the vote. That means they can’t just squeak by with a small slice of support.
  2. Better campaigning: Candidates can’t just play to their base—they have to appeal to more people. This means fewer nasty attack ads and more focus on real issues.
  3. No more “spoiler” candidates: Ever felt like voting for your favorite candidate might “waste” your vote or hurt your second choice? RCV fixes that. You rank your choices, and if your top pick doesn’t win, that candidate is eliminated, and your vote can still count for your next choice.  This enables broader discussion from a wider range of candidates.
  4. Saves money and increases turnout: RCV skips the need for costly runoffs, which often have low voter participation.

In North Carolina, this kind of change could make a big difference. Right now, primary winners can take office with just 33% of the vote, and Raleigh City Council races can be won with only 20%. That’s not a true majority. RCV ensures fairer outcomes without the downsides of traditional runoffs.

Success stories in 2024

RCV made some exciting progress this year! Here’s where it won big:

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  • Washington, D.C.: Voters said yes to RCV with a whopping 73% support. Starting in 2026, it’ll be used for federal and local elections.
  • Alaska: Voters kept RCV by a hair—a 743-vote margin! Having been used for four years now, t’s already proving itself as a fair and non-partisan system.
  • Oak Park and Peoria, Illinois: Both places adopted RCV for local elections, giving voters more power and better results.
  • Richmond, California: Voters embraced RCV for local races, adding to the growing trend of cities making the switch.

Lessons from setbacks

Not everything went smoothly for RCV in 2024. Some states tried to combine RCV with other major changes, like open primaries or “top-four” systems, and those proposals didn’t pass.

Why? Well, bundling RCV with other reforms may have made things feel too complicated for voters and prompted strong partisan efforts against primary reforms. The good news? When RCV is presented on its own, it tends to win strong support. That’s a big takeaway for the future.

Why RCV matters in elections

RCV could completely transform elections. Take our home state of North Carolina, for example. Right now, candidates can win with as little as 33% of the vote. That leaves a lot of voters feeling left out. Here’s how RCV changes the game:

  • Majority support: Candidates have to get more than 50% of the vote to win.
  • No costly runoffs: RCV figures it all out in one election, saving money and avoiding low-turnout runoffs.
  • No wasted votes: You can rank your choices, so even if your favorite doesn’t win, your vote still counts.
  • Better engagement: When voters know their voices matter, they’re more likely to show up.

In general elections, RCV also ensures that winners truly represent the majority. Candidates are motivated to reach beyond their base and run more positive, inclusive campaigns. That’s better for everyone.

The future of RCV

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The successes in 2024—from D.C. to Alaska—show that voters are ready for a better way to elect their leaders. RCV makes elections fairer, ensures majority support, and helps reduce political division.

The setbacks also taught us something important: RCV works best when it’s not bundled with other reforms. Keeping the focus on RCV’s benefits helps voters see why it’s worth adopting.

Looking ahead, the goal is simple: give every voter a stronger voice and make sure every vote counts. Whether it’s for primaries or general elections, RCV is a step toward making democracy work better.

With more communities embracing this change, we can look forward to a future where elections are fairer, more inclusive, and truly reflect the will of the people. Let’s keep the momentum going.

To learn more about Ranked Choice Voting, visit Rank the Vote and Better Ballot NC.

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Mobile driver’s licenses coming to North Carolina in 2025

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Mobile driver’s licenses coming to North Carolina in 2025


RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – Mobile driver’s licenses will be coming to North Carolina in 2025 after former Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill into law this past summer.

The law, which Cooper signed on July 2, 2024, will make the mobile licenses available on July 1, 2025. According to the law, the digital licenses will be the “legal equivalent” of traditional, hard-card licenses.

The mobile licenses will be issued along with the physical copy, but based on the law, the mobile version seems as though it will have to be requested in order to receive it. Steps on how to request one have not yet been made public.

Once the new licenses become available, they will have the same information listed as traditional ones.

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When Cooper signed the law this past summer, it ordered the DMV and North Carolina Department of Transportation to begin a study and plan for implementing the digital cards. Among the items to be studied and planned were renewal processes, costs, and security and confidentiality of information.

The DMV and Department of Transportation were required to report back to the state legislature by Jan. 1, 2025. Support for the bill was nearly unanimous in both chambers of the General Assembly.

According to identity verification company IDScan.net, at least 15 American states have active mobile driver’s license programs. Dozens more are either considering legalizing them or developing apps.

Previous Coverage: NC lawmakers, DMV commissioner considering digital driver’s license

Watch continuous news coverage here:

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