North Carolina
North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation, Raleigh holds awareness event
Human trafficking continues to be a growing global issue as well as a troubling crisis here in North Carolina, which is ninth in the nation for human trafficking cases.
WRAL anchor/reporter Julian Grace was emcee of Thursday’s Human Trafficking Awareness Conference in Raleigh and brought his three young sons, Justice, Jacob and Garrison.
“Because I wanted them to see and know that there are some unprincipled men and women in this world, but there are also those on the frontlines that are fighting this,” Grace said.
Participants learned about how substance use, mental health struggles and domestic violence contribute to exploitation.
Wilmington-based Safe Place executive director Dawn Ferrer said, in most cases, people aren’t forced into that lifestyle.
“They are groomed, manipulated by the trafficker who gains their trust and gets them to agree to do things that they otherwise wouldn’t do,” Ferrer said.
Ferrer said North Carolina is vulnerable to the growth of trafficking.
“Because of our highway system, the tourist industry, military bases,” Ferrer said. “We all know there are more clubs in those areas where there’s trafficking and exploitation and higher levels of prostitution are.”
National trafficking hot-line statistics from 2021 point to the ease of recruitment with 65% of trafficking and exploitation taking place online. It’s also the most common method for the grooming of boys today in the U.S. through online video gaming.
“The rule of thumb is any game, app or website where you can interact with someone anonymously, there will be a predator,” Ferrer said. “There is no doubt, there will be a predator.”
The effort to help rescue victims of trafficking has the support of U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, Jr.
“Our success has to also turn on the number of victims that we rescue and how we can get those victims stabilized to turn them from victims into survivors,” Easley said.
Ferrer says it’s important for survivors of trafficking to share their stories of exploitation so that law enforcement and prosecutors can convict those who exploited them.
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
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.
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
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.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
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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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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