Two Charged In Deadly WNC Fire

(Rutherford County, NC) -- Two family members are being charged in a deadly western North Carolina fire. A Rutherford County grand jury indicted a mother and grandfather for involuntary manslaughter and child abuse this week in connection with the blaze several weeks ago in Bostic. Two toddler siblings died from injuries suffered in the fire. Investigators say the children may have been left alone at the time.

Animals Rescued From Abuse Situation In Buncombe County

(Buncombe County, NC) -- An animal abuse case is under investigation in Buncombe County. Officers seized more than two-dozen dogs and more than a dozen other animals from a home in Leicester yesterday. They were allegedly living in neglectful conditions. More than 30 animal-related calls were reported at the address since January 5th.

Murder Trial Underway In Buncombe

(Asheville, NC) -- A murder trial is beginning this week in Buncombe County. A woman is accused of shooting her boyfriend to death inside a Candler home in December 2020. She claims it was self-defense, but prosecutors are arguing otherwise. Jury selection is complete, while opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow.

Hearing Over Major Transylvania County Investments Upcoming

(Transylvania County, NC) -- A public hearing is coming up to consider major economic incentives for a Transylvania County project. A hospitality investment company is hoping to add more than 130 full-time jobs. The so-called Project Moon will be discussed at Brevard's Administration Building on February 13th.

Volunteers Looking For Info From Homeless Population

(Asheville, NC) -- Volunteers are out in Asheville to talk with the homeless population. WLOS-TV reports more than 80-people are taking part in this year's Point in Time initiative. Over 600 people were considered homeless in 2022. Crews are looking for information like reasoning for homelessness, gender, and age.

Flatiron Hotel Opening This Year

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's historic Flatiron building is expected to open as a hotel this year. A development firm told WLOS-TV this week that the business should be ready to go by the summer. The nearly century-old building will have just over 70 rooms.

Wells Fargo Employees Moving Offices In Uptown

(Charlotte, NC) -- Wells Fargo employees working in uptown are moving offices. Workers are expected to fill up almost all of the former Duke Energy Center by the end of the year. Major renovations are underway in the building now.

Man Found Dead In Gastonia

(Gastonia, NC) -- A death investigation is underway in Gastonia. A man was found dead late Tuesday afternoon on Union Road. Investigators told WSOC-TV the discovery was made behind a business. It's unclear now if the death was suspicious or not.

Panthers Coach Discusses Job

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers new head coach is preparing for his new job. Frank Reich appeared for the first time yesterday as Carolina's coach, after his hiring by Panthers' owner David Tepper. Reich most recently served as the coach for Indianapolis and was coincidentally Carolina's first quarterback in franchise history. Reich is considered an offensive-minded coach.

Zillow Names Charlotte As Hottest Housing Market

(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte is about to become home for more people. Zillow is predicting the Queen City will be the nation's hottest housing market this year. Value, growing economy and fast-moving inventory are big factors in choosing the market.

Concord Native Named Miss USA

(Concord, NC) -- A Concord native is the newest Miss USA. The title was passed to Morgan Romano this month after last year's Miss USA passed on her title after winning Miss Universe. She is currently an application engineer in Charlotte.

Hornets Drop Game To Bucks

(Milwaukee, WI) -- The Hornets will have to wait for its next win on the road. Milwaukee defeated Charlotte 124-to-115 last night despite a triple double from LaMelo Ball. Next up is a trip just down the road to Chicago to take on the Bulls tomorrow. Even with the loss, Charlotte has won four of seven.

Potentially Lethal Dose Of Drugs Containing Fentanyl Seized During Nash County ?Traffic Stop

(Nash County, NC) -- Over a million dollars worth of illegal drugs were seized during a traffic stop in Nash County yesterday. It happened on U.S. Highway 264. Deputies say they removed two kilograms from a pickup truck, containing what was believed to be heroin and methamphetamine laced with fentanyl. Sheriff Keith Stone said the amount of fentanyl seized was "enough to kill everyone in Nash County." The driver, identified as 38-year old Miguel Canela, was arrested and booked into the Nash County Jail on a 3-million dollar bond.

Pittsboro Files Lawsuit Against Multiple Chemical Companies For Dumping Toxic Waste Into The Haw River

(Chatham County, NC) -- The Chatham County town of Pittsboro has filed a lawsuit against more than 20-chemical manufacturing companies. The suit claims those companies are responsible for dumping unsafe levels of Forever Chemicals into the Haw River, Pittsboro's primary source of drinking water. Filed in Chatham County Superior Court, attorneys for the City are asking for monetary damages to help pay for cleanup of the toxic chemicals.

Duke Researchers Awarded Federal Grant To Continue Work On Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine

(Durham, NC) -- Researchers at Duke University have been awarded an 11-million dollar federal grant to continue development of a pan-Coronavirus vaccine. Such a vaccine would provide immunity against all current and future sub-variants of the virus. According to Dr. Kevin Saunders of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, the new drug would help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV2 related diseases that have yet to be detected in the human population. The money will also be used to begin phase one of clinical trials.

USDA To Invest 235-Million To Expand And Improve Electric Grids Across North Carolina

(Raleigh, NC) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to award 235-million dollars in grants to expand and modernize rural electric grids across North Carolina. In a statement released Tuesday, the Agency said the funds will be invested in seven electric cooperatives and utilities in eight North Carolina counties. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said the money will also be used to increase grid security.

RTA Holds Annual Meeting To Address NC Transportation Challenges Amid Unprecedented Population Growth

(Cary, NC) -- More than 300-business leaders and elected officials gathered in Cary on Tuesday, for the 21st annual meeting of the Regional Transportation Alliance. Attendees addressed concerns over how to balance the Triangle area's robust job market, rapid population growth and the increasing strain on future commuter transportation. Organizers predicted 850-thousand new jobs will be created by the year 2050, bringing with them, 1.5 million vehicles. The group urged state leaders to support a proposed 3.2 billion dollar commuter rail system.

Duke Downs Wake Forest 75-73 In Last Minute Nail Biter

(Durham, NC) -- Freshman sensation Kyle Filipowski scored the final seven points of the game last night, as Duke avenged an earlier loss to Wake Forest 75-73 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This included an impressive catch-and-shoot three pointer from the top of key, with just 47-seconds remaining. Filipowski finished the night with 16-points and 11-rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season. Jeremy Roach also scored 21 points and Tyrese Proctor contributed another 17 to help secure the victory.

Ex-Officer Arrested For Sex Crimes In Greensboro

(Greensboro, NC) -- The SBI is investigating a now-former officer with Greensboro Police. Matthew Hammonds was working as a crime analyst when he was accused of sexually exploiting a minor. He was arrested on three counts this week before being fired with the Greensboro department. Hammonds is the department's third employee in a month to face sex crime charges.

Homicides Up In Winston-Salem

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- There's an alarming trend of homicides in Winston-Salem. Investigators say there were nine in January, which marks a high set in 2021. The new police chief is reportedly setting up a meeting with local residents to discuss ways of reducing crime. One person was killed and another was injured in the latest shooting Monday night near Forsyth Technical Community College.

Panthers Coach Discusses Job

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers new head coach is preparing for his new job. Frank Reich appeared for the first time yesterday as Carolina's coach, after his hiring by Panthers' owner David Tepper. Reich most recently served as the coach for Indianapolis and was coincidentally Carolina's first quarterback in franchise history. Reich is considered an offensive-minded coach.

Elderly Man Killed In Wrong-Way Wreck

(Asheboro, NC) -- Officers are investigating a deadly one-way crash in Asheboro. It was Tuesday morning when a driver headed the wrong-way on I-73 in Asheboro. A 94-year-old man died in the wreck.

Wake Forest Plays Three Of First Four Football Games At Home

(Wake Forest, NC) -- Wake Forest will play most of its first-half football schedule at home next fall. The Demon Deacons found out its match-ups for 2023 this week, which begins with a Thursday night game against Elon. Wake will take on Vanderbilt the next week. Three of the team's first four games are at home.

Josh Michael