North Carolina

Thousands attended final Saturday at the North Carolina State Fair: ‘It’s crowded’

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2023

Thousands attended final Saturday at the North Carolina State Fair: ‘It’s crowded’

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — They say to save the best for last.

And that’s exactly what we saw at the North Carolina State Fair on Saturday – Great weather led to large crowds on the final weekend of the fair.

Many battled traffic during the afternoon hours heading into the fairgrounds, including one family who made the trek from Nash County.

“It’s crowded, very crowded. There’s a lot more people it’s a little harder to find a stuffed turkey leg,” they said.

Aside from the traffic and higher prices on some of the food items this year, the crowds were much higher than last weekend, when it was rainy.

Last Saturday, just 62,000 people attended. This week, it was looking more like the kind of numbers reached in 2010 when the last Saturday of the fair saw over 150,000 people.

Hunger Relief Day at the North Carolina State Fair

With the large crowds, a lot more security was seen posted up along the perimeter.

“It’s nice, it’s enjoyable, it’s always safe, you feel good and secure,” said one visitor from Virginia.

She makes the trip every year because she likes the North Carolina fair better than her own.

“Yes they have one in Richmond Virginia but not as nice as this one, it’s not as big,” she said.

For the final Saturday, the hours were expanded to midnight.

Saturday’s attendance numbers won’t be released until Sunday at 10 a.m. But overall, it will still take massive weekend numbers to get ahead of the 2022 turnout.

Between Saturday and Sunday, there will need to be 284,000 people attending to surpass last year’s numbers, and 415,000 to break the overall fair record set in 2010. That year over 1,091,887 people attended the fair.

Since then, in the last few years recorded since 2018, we have not reached the million mark. In 2022, over 960,000 people were in attendance at the State fair.

ALSO SEE: Wellness and Self Care Fair in Wake Forest helps people cope with stress

Source link

Click to comment

North Carolina

Multiple injuries reported in northeast Charlotte 8-car crash

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Multiple injuries reported in northeast Charlotte 8-car crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – An eight-car crash injured several people and shut down a major interstate on Christmas Eve, the Charlotte Fire Department confirmed.

The crash happened at Interstate 85 North at West W.T. Harris Boulevard. I-85 was shut down by 7:40 p.m. and isn’t expected to reopen before 10:40 p.m.

Of those injured, two were taken to area hospitals, according to Medic.

Crews at the scene said to expect significant delays in the area.

For the latest traffic maps, visit drivenc.gov.

WBTV is working to find out more information. Download the free WBTV News app for the latest updates sent straight to your device.

Source link

North Carolina

How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina

Published

11 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina – CBS News

Watch CBS News

After Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding to North Carolina, internet and cell phone service were spotty at best. But many were able to coordinate relief efforts and get crucial information out over AM radio. Skyler Henry has the story.

Source link

North Carolina

North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards

Published

21 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards

Outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) and Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D-NC) filed an expanded lawsuit Monday to challenge a sweeping Republican-backed law that strips significant powers from the state’s incoming Democratic officeholders.

The move by the Democratic leaders escalates an ongoing legal battle over GOP efforts to reshape control of state agencies and boards ahead of next month’s transition.

The new legal action focuses on Senate Bill 382, which transfers the governor’s authority to appoint members of the State Board of Elections to the state auditor, a position set to be held by Republican Dave Boliek. Additionally, the law grants the auditor the power to appoint the leaders of all county election boards, further limiting gubernatorial influence.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) waves to supporters during an election night watch party for Democratic North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Grant Halverson)

“These blatantly partisan efforts to give control over election boards to a newly elected Republican will create distrust in our elections process and serve no legitimate purpose,” Cooper said in a statement.

The lawsuit was originally filed by Democrats over Senate Bill 749, a bill blocked earlier this year that would have overhauled the state election board structure. With SB 382 now law, Cooper and Stein are seeking to amend the lawsuit to reflect the changes, which they argue are unconstitutional and undermine democratic principles.

“In recent years, these legislative leaders have repeatedly tried and failed to seize control of the State Board of Elections for their own partisan gain,” Stein said. “This latest move insults the voters who rejected their power grab and must not stand.”

SB 382’s provisions extend beyond election oversight. It prohibits the incoming attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, from taking legal positions contrary to those of the Republican-led legislature. It also reallocates $227 million to a Hurricane Helene relief fund but does not specify how the money will be used, raising concerns about delayed aid to affected communities.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Republicans overrode Cooper’s veto of SB 382 earlier this month, using their supermajority in the state Senate. However, starting in 2025, they will lose their veto-proof majority in the House, creating a more challenging legislative landscape.

The case now heads to Wake County Superior Court as the political fight over North Carolina’s balance of power intensifies.

Source link