North Carolina Reporting Record For New Businesses

(Raleigh, NC) -- New businesses are popping up in the Tar Heel State more than ever. The Secretary of State's Office reports nearly 130-thousand business creation filings have been processed so far this year, which is more than 50-percent over 2020 totals during the same time period. The office is upgrading technology to help speed up new business filings.

Another Flooding Assistance Location Opens in WNC

(Transylvania County, NC) -- Western North Carolina flood victims have more options to apply for federal help. The U.S. Small Business Administration is opening another center at the Brevard campus of Blue Ridge Community College beginning tomorrow. The A-B Tech Enka campus and Haywood Community College Regional High-Tech Center also remain open for assistance. Victims are also encouraged to apply for help at Disaster-Assistance-Dot-Gov.

Second Homicide Investigated In Madison County

(Madison County, NC) -- Another homicide investigation is underway in a Madison County community. One man was initially charged with murder after allegedly using a bow-and-arrow in a homicide last week in the Burton Cove area. The sheriff's office told WLOS-TV a second investigation is now underway in Burton Cove, but details are limited.

State Helping Transport Patients To Booster Shots

(Raleigh, NC) -- The state is providing some extra help for those who need COVID booster shots. Anyone needing help getting to a vaccine site is encouraged to contact local transit agencies for a ride. The initiative is being coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Health and Human Services. Around two-and-a-half-million-dollars in federal funding is being used to make it possible.

Clean-Up Continues At Max Patch

(Madison County, NC) -- Clean-up efforts are continuing at a popular mountain spot in western North Carolina. The U.S. Forest Service shut down camping and fires at Max Patch in Madison County just over two-months ago due to an increase in garbage and vandalism. WLOS-TV says volunteers showed up on Saturday to pick up trash and educate hikers. One Forest Service official says people have been very receptive.

Asheville Planning Holiday Parade

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's holiday parade is slated for a return in 2021. The city's downtown association is planning to hold the annual event on November 20th, barring any major problems stemming from COVID-19. Last year's parade was canceled due to the pandemic. Applications to parade are being taken until October 15th.

Meck Health Officials Offering Booster Shots

(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Third-dose COVID booster shots are being offered through Mecklenburg County Public Health. The department is giving out Pfizer shots today after receiving state authorization. No appointment will be necessary at the Southeast and Northwest Health Department offices. Third-dose boosters are available for certain groups, including people 65-and-over, those at high-risk for exposure, and people with certain underlying medical conditions.

Mooresville Shooting Suspect Arrested In Georgia

(Mooresville, NC) -- A suspect who allegedly fled the state is being charged in a Mooresville shooting. Investigators say the man opened fire in the garden center of the Walmart on Norman Station Boulevard yesterday. Injuries to one victim weren't considered to be life-threatening. The suspect was charged with attempted first-degree murder after U.S. Marshals arrested him in Georgia.

Man Dies In Chester County Skydiving Accident

(Chester County, SC) -- An experienced skydiver is dead in a Chester County accident. Officials with Skydive Carolina say it didn't appear there was any malfunction when the 73-year-old landed yesterday. Witnesses say he made contact outside the normal landing zone. The man had reportedly completed over 17-thousand jumps before Sunday.

Rock Hill Murder Suspect Arrested

(Rock Hill, SC) -- A man is facing murder charges in a Rock Hill shooting. Officers say the suspect was shot multiple times during an argument with his child's mother at an apartment complex Saturday night. Her current boyfriend was killed in the shootout. The suspect was sent to jail for murder and domestic violence after being treated for injuries.

NC Reporting Record New Businesses

(Raleigh, NC) -- New businesses are popping up in the Tar Heel State more than ever. The Secretary of State's Office reports nearly 130-thousand business creation filings have been processed so far this year, which is more than 50-percent over 2020 totals during the same time period. The office is upgrading technology to help speed up new business filings.

Plane Makes Emergency Landing At CLT

(Charlotte, NC) -- No injuries are being reported after a plane made an emergency landing in Charlotte yesterday. American Airlines reported a plane headed for Maine was forced to turn around after experiencing a mechanical issue. The aircraft made it back to the gate at Charlotte Douglas International Airport under its own power. The flight was re-scheduled on a different plane.

Protesters Demand Improved Safety Conditions And More Accountability At Valley Proteins

(Fayetteville, NC) -- More than a dozen protesters gathered at Valley Proteins in Fayetteville Sunday to denounce what they claim are unsafe working conditions and to demand more accountability from the owners. This comes after a third workplace accident happened over the weekend in less than two weeks. Late Saturday night, a large crane slammed into the cab of a transporter truck, injuring the driver, who was rushed to a nearby hospital. On September 12th, the bodies of two other workers were found inside a building at the rendering and recycling plant. The company released a statement saying the fatal accident may have been caused by the workers not following safety procedures. The state Labor Department is investigating the deaths.

Pfizer Booster Shots Now Available For North Carolinians In High Risk Categories

(Durham, NC) -- People in North Carolina who have been fully vaccinated for six months, and fit certain health categories, are now eligible to receive Pfizer booster shots. The authorization came after the FDA and the CDC last week gave the go ahead for individuals who are at high risk of serious illness to get the third vaccine dose. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, those eligible for booster shots can get them from their health care providers, pharmacies, or other locations where the first and second doses have previously been administered.

Duke Class Of 2020 Returns For Official In-Person Commencement Exercises

(Durham, NC) -- Thousands of Duke University graduates from the class of 2020 returned to the campus Sunday for formal commencement exercises that were postponed last year because of the pandemic. During the keynote address, graduates were treated to lots of laughter and jokes from actor/comedian Ken Jeong, who graduated from Duke in 1990. Jeong is now a judge on the popular FOX reality talent show 'The Masked Singer.' At Sunday's ceremonies, Jeong was also presented with a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from Duke University.

City Of Garner's First Female Police Captain Set To Take Over As Interim Police Chief

(Garner, NC) -- Garner Police Captain Lorie Smith will begin her new duties as interim police chief on Friday. That's when current police chief Joe Binns officially retires. Smith, who first joined the Garner Police Department back in 1997, became the first woman in GPD history to be promoted to the rank of captain in 2017. Before being named as Interim Chief, Smith served as head of the Operations Bureau and Public Information Officer.

After Clemson Win, NC State Now Nationally Ranked

(Raleigh, NC) -- Following N.C. State's huge upset victory over Clemson Saturday, the Wolfpack has also received a surprise boost in the national college football rankings. There are only three ACC teams in this week's top 25 and N.C. state leads the way at number 23. Wake Forest is right behind at 24th. And, Clemson, who fell to the Wolfpack 27-21 in double overtime, dropped to number 25. NC State takes on Louisiana Tech this Saturday at Carter Finley Stadium.

Former Guilford Co. Schools Employee Facing Child Sex Charges

(Greensboro, NC) -- A newly hired Guilford County Schools employee is accused of taking indecent liberties with a child. Twenty-five-year-old Connor Earp resigned on September 22nd, exactly six weeks after he was hired. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office did not say what position Earp held, but according to his social media accounts, he was an assistant football coach at Guilford High School. It's not yet clear if the victim was a student at the high school. Earp was booked on 25-thousand dollars bail.

Winston-Salem Woman Shot Inside Home

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Winston-Salem woman is recovering after she was shot inside her home. Officers were called to the 800-block of North Jackson Avenue early yesterday morning. The woman was shot several times. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be okay. Officers believe her home was targeted in a drive-by. An investigation is ongoing.

NC Health Dept. Announces Authorization Of COVID-19 Booster Shots

(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is authorizing Pfizer's COVID-19 booster shot. Now, thousands of North Carolinians are eligible for a third dose. The boosters are available for those 65 and older, or people with underlying health conditions. The CDC says it will help bring an end to the pandemic.

Home, Truck Lost In Fire

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- No injuries are reported after a fire tore though a Winston-Salem businessman's home and food truck. The fire started early Saturday morning in the 52-hundred-block of Shattalon Drive. Luciano Perez tells "NBC News 12" he lost his Taqueria food truck and his home. Fire officials believe an electrical issue within the food truck sparked the blaze.

AAA: Triad Paying $2.95 For Gasoline

(Greensboro, NC) -- Gas prices in the Piedmont Triad are down slightly from last week. The Auto Club says drivers in Greensboro are paying an average of two dollars, 95 cents for a gallon of regular gasoline. That's two cents less than last week's average, but it's eight cents more than last month's price at the pump. One year ago, Triad drivers were paying right at two bucks a gallon.