GUNS CONFISCATED-SCHOOLS

Fifth gun confiscated from school in North Carolina system

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina police officer has confiscated a handgun from a student’s backpack at a magnet school, the fifth such incident in the same school system this month. The Winston-Salem Journal reports the officer took the gun from a student on Wednesday at Paisley IB Magnet School. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office says the student will be charged with possessing a weapon on campus. Since a fatal shooting at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem on Sept. 1, authorities say handguns have been found on students at Reynolds High School, Parkland High School and again at Mount Tabor last week.

CENTENARIAN CROSSING GUARD

North Carolina crossing guard celebrates 100th birthday

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man who reached his 100th birthday has been celebrated by the elementary school students he helps get through morning traffic and safely to class. The News & Record of Greensboro report students at Peck Elementary School marked the milestone birthday for Thomas Faucette on Wednesday with hand-decorated birthday hats. Also, 100 of the children held two-dimensional construction paper candles. Faucette also accepted a plaque from Greensboro Police Chief Brian James in appreciation for his service with the department. Faucette is a veteran of World War II who also worked with the U.S. Postal Service before becoming a crossing guard in 1988. 

JUVENILE SHOT-COUNTY FAIR

Virginia sheriff’s office seeks public’s help in shooting

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) — A Virginia sheriff’s office is looking for the public’s help in a shooting at a local fair in which a North Carolina high school student was killed. The Danville Register & Bee reports the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is trying to identify three people of interest following the shooting on Sept. 18 at the Danville-Pittsylvania County Fair. According to authorities, a shooting in the fair’s parking lot left Bartlett Yancey High School student Joshua Rone dead. Authorities have provided very few details, but fair operators have said on social media that a fight broke out in the parking lot that ended with the fatal shooting.

AWOL WEAPONS-RISKY SOLUTION

AP: Military units track guns using tech that could aid foes

The Associated Press has found that a technology some units in the U.S. military are using to keep track of guns could let enemies detect troops on the battlefield. The rollout continues — even though the Pentagon itself called use of the tech in firearms a “significant” security risk. Radio frequency identification technology — RFID, as it is known — is everywhere in daily civilian life. When embedded in military guns, RFID tags can trim hours off time-intensive tasks, such as weapon counts and distribution. But outside armories, the same silent, invisible signals that help automate inventory checks could become an unwanted tracking beacon.

AP-US-RACIAL-INJUSTICE-NORTH-CAROLINA-DEATH

Family of Black man who died in custody files lawsuit

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — The family of a Black man who died in a North Carolina jail two years ago has filed a lawsuit saying his civil rights were violated. John Neville died after having a medical emergency at the Forsyth County jail. Body camera videos showed Neville struggling with guards to get up from where he lay on the floor, calling out for his mother and yelling “I can’t breathe!” more than 20 times as he was being restrained. Neville had been arrested several days earlier. Five former detention officers and a nurse were charged with involuntary manslaughter in Neville’s death. Attorneys for Neville’s son Sean Neville filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCHOOL BOARDS

Monthly NC school board votes on face masks stay in place

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republicans at the North Carolina legislature have turned back efforts to repeal a new law that requires school districts to vote regularly on face masks. Critics say the law has contributed to recent raucous board meetings. The House on Wednesday rejected an amendment to an education bill that would have scaled back the law. School boards must vote at least once a month on whether their face covering policy for students and staff should be modified. Nearly all of the state’s 115 districts have agreed to require face coverings in some form. Gov. Roy Cooper and top education leaders have lamented recent conflicts at local board meetings.

AIRPORT-CARJACKING ATTEMPT REPORT

Attempted carjacking attempt closes RDU parking deck

MORRISVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Raleigh-Durham International Airport officials say an airport parking deck was closed for about two hours Tuesday night while officials responded to a report of an attempted carjacking. The News & Observer reports that the airport says the parking deck was closed after law enforcement with the RDU Airport Authority responded to a call in the parking garage. During the search, passengers were told to stay inside the terminals, and travelers arriving at the airport were redirected to a nearby parking lot. Airport officials say no one was injured, and no suspects were identified or detained.

STATE BUDGET

NC legislators work out state budget; talks with Cooper next

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina General Assembly has wrapped up internal negotiations towards fashioning a two-year state budget. Now heavy lifting begins to see if acceptable changes for all can be made so Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will sign a final proposal. House Speaker Tim Moore said Wednesday that he and Senate leader Phil Berger completed their meetings to hammer out remaining differences between the two chambers. Now Republicans will present their negotiated plan to Cooper and his aides. The governor likely will say what changes he wants. Taxes, pay raises and education spending are expected flashpoints.

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