North Carolina
Statewide tornado drill has NC schools and workplaces practicing safety
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:41PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina schools and businesses took part in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The National Weather Service led the drill at 9:30 a.m., broadcasting it on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System. Schools, workplaces and households across the state were encouraged to join in.
The National Weather Service didn’t issue a follow up alert to mark the end of the drill. Instead, each school or business wrapped up once they felt they had practiced the procedures thoroughly.
Wednesday’s drill also replaced the regular weekly NOAA Weather Radio test.
SEE | New warning for parents amid new ‘fire-breathing’ social media trend
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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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