North Carolina
North Carolina voters, political experts weigh in ahead of high-stakes debate
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The countdown is on to Tuesday’s high-stakes debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, set to take place at 9 pm in Philadelphia. The debate will air live on ABC11.
Political experts say, for VP Harris, the debate will represent perhaps her best opportunity to date to make a case to undecided voters to send her to the Oval Office — while President Donald Trump will continue his efforts to make inroads with critical voters in swing states that could decide the election.
“I think a lot of people are intrigued, excited to see just what dynamic is going to take place between her and Donald Trump during this debate,” said Steven Greene, political science professor at NC State.
Greene said he expects the Trump campaign to prepare a measured approach on debate night, while it’ll be up to Harris to calm concerns that exist for undecided voters.
“To really try and allay the fears of the American public that she is too liberal, that she’s responsible for high prices in the economy and things they don’t like,” Greene said.
On Sunday, ABC11 spoke with voters ahead of the debate — many of whom said, regardless of what happens on the stage Tuesday, they’ve made their decision already.
Harris-Trump ABC News presidential debate: How to watch, what to know
“My mind is completely made up. I like the United States of America to be a sensible country,” said Catherine Tragesser of Raleigh.
Another voter mirrored that sentiment.
“I think (debates are) very entertaining sometimes. I don’t know that they’d swing my vote. But they’re kinda like watching sports,” said Raleigh resident Jon Seelbinder.
Greene said it’s historically, debates rarely move the needle for the voting public — but after the fallout from the June showdown between former President Trump and President Biden — anything is possible.
“Am I expecting an absolute game-changer this time? No,” he said. “But I do think because of the very unique circumstances we are seeing with this debate that there is much more potential for it to make lasting changes in the dynamics of this campaign.”
ABC News reports that in the leadup to Tuesday, former President Trump is holding informal policy sessions with a team of advisors that includes GOP lawmakers, while VP Harris is holding mock debates, equipped with a stage and debate lighting.
ALSO SEE: NC to be VP Kamala Harris’ first post-presidential debate stop as part of ‘New Way Forward’ tour
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North Carolina
North Carolina man to serve 15 years after having sex with Cumberland County 12-year-old
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — A North Carolina man learned his fate after recording himself having sex with a minor in 2023, according to the Department of Justice.
Brayan Garcia-Vazquez, 25, was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment on April 1 after he knowingly had sex with a 12-year-old girl in her home and recorded it, the DOJ announced.
During his indictment hearing in 2024, it was found that he and the victim had sex on April 5, 2023, in Cumberland County. She told authorities she and Garcia-Vazquez had met on Instagram in 2022.
The Department of Justice said he came to her home on two separate days to have sex and, on the second day, he brought her a gold bracelet before recording them having sex.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that he shared the video with the victim, whose mother eventually found the video and shared it with authorities.
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After his sentence is completed, Garcia-Vazquez faces deportation after the Department of Homeland Security assisted with the investigation.
North Carolina
ThRive Local announces award winners for North Carolina
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — THRive Local has hosted five luncheons since they started in March and has announced some of the award winners.
THRive Local is a county-focused, community plan designed to strengthen local systems of care through targeted local partnerships, provider collaboration, and community-driven solutions.
The full list of North Carolina Award winners include:
Youth Advocate Award:
- Stacy Huss, Chief Court Counselor, District 2
- Terri Proctor, Chief Court Counselor, District 7
- Marlo Blake, Chief Court Counselor, District 3
Bridge Builder Award:
- Lori Leggett, Beaufort DSS Director
North Central CFAC:
- Lorrine Washington and Felicia McNair on behalf of the North Central CFAC
North Central Regional Advisory Board:
- Jerry Langley, Beaufort County Commissioner
- Deborah Herring, Co-Chair, on behalf of the North Central Regional Advisory Board
CIT Law Enforcement Officer Award:
- Probation Officer Harmony Campbell, NC DAC, Community Supervision
Equity in Action Award
- Ripe for Revival Mobile Market
- Stronger Together Black Youth Suicide Prevention
- Charletta Basnight, Trillium’s Council on Health Disparities
Appreciation of Service Award:
For more information, click here.
North Carolina
Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of North Carolina Rep. Mike Clampitt
Governor Josh Stein today ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, April 4 in honor of North Carolina State House Representative Mike Clampitt, who died on Wednesday, March 18, after a long battle with cancer.
Before his passing, Rep. Clampitt was serving his fourth term and recently won the GOP primary to run for a fifth term in office. A native of Swain County, Rep. Clampitt represented North Carolina’s 119th District including Transylvania, Jackson and Swain Counties. Services for Rep. Clampitt will be held in Cullowhee, North Carolina on April 4.
“Before I was sworn in as Governor, Representative Mike Clampitt was one of the first people I called as we worked to rebuild western NC after Hurricane Helene,” said Governor Josh Stein. “He was a steadfast public servant for his community in WNC, and today I am saddened by the news of his passing. May his memory be a blessing.”
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are also
encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the time indicated.
North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance with regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.
Click for the NC State Government Flag Guide.
Sign up for the North Carolina Flag Alert list.
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