Raleigh North Carolina News

Governor Cooper and the State Budget Director are set to announce their recommendations for disaster recovery funding on Wednesday, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The two will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. at the Albemarle Building. As the need for assistance grows, many are eager to learn what relief efforts to expect. The storm, one of the worst natural disasters in the state’s history, has fostered a rare sense of bipartisanship,…

A group of right-wing political activists is calling for North Carolina lawmakers to decide how the state votes in 2024, overriding the right of the people to cast their ballots. The group said Hurricane Helene’s damage has made it impossible to have a secure election. Ivan Raiklin has dubbed himself former President Donald Trump’s “secretary of retribution.” Raiklin was a speaker this past weekend at a Christian Nationalist rally in Selma. He told the crowd…

Organizers of the annual National Gingerbread House Competition have canceled this year’s event due to the damage from Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Asheville and the surrounding communities have struggled to recover, leading to Grove Park Inn’s decision to cancel the competition. It was supposed to be the 32nd year for the event. “We are saddened that we cannot come together formally this year to honor their ginger-works-of-art, but we eagerly look…

RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (AP) — Renee Kyro already has voted for Republican nominee Donald Trump for the third consecutive presidential election. But she plans to volunteer for the first time, reaching out to her neighbors in hurricane-battered western North Carolina to make sure they have a voting plan amid a flurry of precinct changes. “I want to say I’m confident he wins, but I’m worried that people are just overwhelmed and may need some help or…

In the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a warning to North Carolina taxpayers about scammers posing as charitable organizations to get personal and financial information from unsuspecting donors. Scammers commonly set up fake charities to take advantage of peoples’ generosity during natural disasters and other tragic events. “Many people want to assist survivors and their families by donating to charities,” said Danny Werfel, IRS Commissioner. “Unfortunately, criminals frequently…

A Lee County Middle School teacher has been missing for weeks after her home in Avery County was swept away by Helene’s floodwaters. Kim Ashby was last seen in a red shirt and black pants floating down the river after the floodwaters carried away her home in Elk Park. Her husband was found alive days later, 2 miles away. He is recovering and refuses to leave the area until his wife is found. Kim’s daughter, Jessica Meidinger,…

Distribution of IV fluids to most hospitals nationwide were reduced 40-60% after the nation’s largest manufacturer was hit by Hurricane Helene. The Baxter North Cove facility in Marion, N.C., produced roughly 1.5 million bags a day. The location is responsible for about 60% of the country’s supply of IV fluids. Duke University Hospital’s Chief Quality Officer Dr. Jon Bae said there is a shortage of “a lot of the traditional IV fluids, normal saline, Lactated…

Several University of North Carolina member institutions are waiving application fees for students in counties that were affected by Hurricane Helene. The offer is valid for all applying students from 39 disaster-declared counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27 in an effort to reduce hardships for college-bound students. The move is part of College Application Week, a statewide initiative to encourage high school seniors to pursue higher education….

By Brian Murphy, WRAL News Durham, N.C. — The Durham Rays? It seems like a long shot, but Hurricane Milton’s destruction in Florida, particularly in the Tampa area, has, at least, allowed some to dream of a Major League Baseball team coming to the area. The roof Tropicana Field, the home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, was badly damaged during Hurricane Milton which hit Florida earlier this month, raising questions about its viability for the…

On Wednesday, students at Appalachian State University returned to the classroom for the first time since Hurricane Helene hit on Sept. 27. Students will have some catching up to do – and the campus still has damage to repair. All water and power has been restored on campus, and most of the buildings have been repaired, but there are a few areas that are blocked off, including a concert hall on campus. A close-up of…

Some people planning to vote absentee are finding an unpleasant surprise when they receive their ballots. State officials say moisture from Hurricane Helene has caused one or both envelopes used to return the ballot to seal shut. There’s no word on exactly how many counties or ballots have been affected. In an email, North Carolina State Board of Elections spokesperson Pat Gannon wrote “Chatham and a few other” counties have reported problems, likely “caused by…

On Wednesday, students at Appalachian State University returned to the classroom for the first time since Hurricane Helene hit on Sept. 27. Students will have some catching up to do – and the campus still has damage to repair. All water and power has been restored on campus, and most of the buildings have been repaired, but there are a few areas that are blocked off, including a concert hall on campus. Freshman Madyson Bajema…

Tens of thousands of students in the Southeast are dealing with school disruptions after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc so severe — on homes, campuses and municipal power and water systems — that some districts have no idea when they will reopen. While virtual learning helped during the COVID-19 school closures, that has not been an option for this crisis because internet and cellphone service has remained spotty since the storm struck in late September. In…

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck a family in western North Carolina who fled the war in Ukraine, only to be swept away by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. Loved ones told WRAL News that two family members have been found dead, while two others remain unaccounted for. A photo shared with WRAL shows Anastasia and Dmytro Segen, and their 13-year-old son Yehveni. Another photo shows the grandmother, Tetyana Notvitnia. The family fled Ukraine in 2022,…

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck a family in Western North Carolina who fled the war in Ukraine, only to be swept away by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. Loved ones told WRAL that two family members have been found dead, while two others remain unaccounted for. A photo shared with WRAL shows Anastasia and Dmytro Segen, and their 13-year-old son Yehveni. Another photo shows the grandmother, Tetyana Notvitnia. The family fled Ukraine in 2022, seeking…