Latest news with #EliBrand
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Real ID deadline hits for airports, travelers. Can you still fly without one?
Ready or not, the deadline to get a Real ID is here, and airports all across the country are bracing for the first day of enforcement. Channel 9's Eli Brand was at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where security officials are preparing for longer lines. Officials tell us that they'll still let you through security if you don't have that Real ID yet, but you need to be ready for more screening. They told Brand it could take an extra 30 minutes to get through the security line. The Real ID Act dates back to 2005 after a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission to streamline how people get IDs. It's meant to make travel safer. RELATED: People flock to DMVs ahead of Real ID deadline As of Wednesday, the only way to avoid extra security screening if you don't have a Real ID is to bring a current passport. For some passengers, they're just hoping they can get to their gates in a timely manner. 'It's a bit annoying, I will say. We have had ample warning,' one passenger told Brand. 'We've been told the last few years; I've had mine for four years. I'd say it's ridiculous because an ID is an ID no matter what.' There are still long lines at DMVs across North Carolina as people try and get Real ID compliant. Some locations have extended hours, and the state is considering extending expiration dates for driver's licenses to give people more time before they need to renew their Real ID and ease the strain on DMVs. RELATED: NC could extend driver's license expiration dates as RealID deadline approaches (VIDEO: Airport implements new elevator communication plan after traveler complaint)
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested in Ballantyne after slashing tires on dozens of cars in Publix parking lot
Dozens of Publix shoppers ended their grocery trip with an unpleasant surprise Saturday afternoon. A man slashed the tires on nearly 40 cars in the parking lot. Some cars with flat tires remained in the parking lot at the Ballantyne Town Center Publix on Monday morning when Channel 9's Eli Brand visited. 'You're lucky if you only have one tire slashed because you could put the spare on and get out,' one victim told Brand. 'But a lot of people had 2 or 3 tires slashed.' Sean Gray said he was still in his car when his tires were stabbed. 'I realized someone was walking by the front of the car and I didn't think anything of it until I saw my wife's car's tire pressure monitor go from 35 all the way to zero for the front left tire,' he said. And he wasn't the only one. Some of the tire slashing was caught on video and posted on the CltUncensored Instagram and TikTok accounts. The video shows at least one other victim was still inside their car when their tires were stabbed. READ: Sexual assault survivor waits hours but Novant SANE nurses didn't show Gray said he called 911 once he realized what was happening. 'I decided just to sit there because I wasn't about to go after a person that was mentally not all there for whatever reason, with a knife,' he said. The man with the knife was 30-year-old Darren Ransom, police said. Police reports show he slashed the tires on dozens of cars before being taken into custody. Gray took his car for repairs, but he said he was told there would be a wait. 'They said 'we can't make any promises' because everyone from Publix had taken their cars to Firestone and they were backed up,' he said. Gray's tire could not be patched, and he had to buy a new one that cost him $100. Ransom has been charged with ten counts of injury to personal property. His bond has been set at $500. His next court date is set for August. WATCH: Sexual assault survivor waits hours but Novant SANE nurses didn't show
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg County ABC stores now carry kits with lifesaving drug
Mecklenburg County ABC stores now carry a new product – the lifesaving overdose reversal drug naloxone. Channel 9's Eli Brand learned the goal for Mecklenburg County is to be a model for other counties, so they can follow the same blueprint. Brand went to the ABC Spirits on North Graham Street, which is one of 31 locations in Mecklenburg County with a naloxone kit inside the store. The kit includes a dose of naloxone and instructions on how to use it. ALSO READ: Local organization uses opioid settlement grant money to spread hope Naloxone, better known by the name brand Narcan, reverses opioid overdoses. 'They're not breathing well. Their pupils are dilated, maybe their lips and fingernails are turning blue,' said Scott Minderlein, a senior officer with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board. Minderlein is also an instructor with ABC University, a class that teaches useful skills like how to administer naloxone. Minderlein told Channel 9 he's personally had to administer the medication. He said the board's main concern is saving people who accidentally touch something potent like fentanyl. 'Maybe someone is using this drug and it gets on their hands and they wind up touching the doorknob, or maybe they end up touching one of the bottles, and the clerk rings it up and wipes their nose,' Minderlein said. 'Now they have inhaled or ingested the drug, so to speak.' Harry Parker works across the street from an ABC Spirits. He told Channel 9 he's apprehensive about the program and whether it's safe to have non-medical staff administer the medication. 'Let the police handle the situation,' Parker said. 'I mean you're not a medical physician what are you going to do?' Minderlein said the first call from employees will be to 911 to get medical officials on the move. He also said ABC law enforcement have the kits on them and know how to use them. The in-store dosages are there so employees can start the lifesaving process. ABC University also teaches other useful skills outside of how to use naloxone, including things like how to identify someone in danger of overdosing. The Mecklenburg County ABC Board said they want to help other counties get naloxone in their stores. They also want to get naloxone into nightclubs and bars across the county. WATCH BELOW: Nonprofit empowers formerly incarcerated with second chances
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘A regional issue': Police investigating link between thefts at hotels in Matthews
If you visit a hotel in the Charlotte area, it's not unusual to see a sign in the parking lot warning about potential thefts in your car. One in Matthews, in particular, has seen a few break-ins in recent weeks. Police in Matthews told Channel 9′s Eli Brand that it's not just a problem in the town, it's region-wide. 'This seems to be a regional issue, and of course, we're fortunate, everyone in the area is fortunate to have the citizens and the partners that we do,' said Tim Aycock with the Matthews Police Department. We've reported in recent weeks about cars being broken into in hotel parking lots in Huntersville. Now, Matthews police reported the same problem at two hotels just off Independence Boulevard: the Courtyard by Marriott and the Wingate by Wyndham. RELATED >> Huntersville hotels hit by series of vehicle thefts and break-ins Police released surveillance photos of a white Jeep they say the thieves were using. Chris Craft told Channel 9 he was visiting from Atlanta and travels frequently for business. He stayed in the Wingate Thursday night. 'I park where there are other cars, I park where there's a lot of walking traffic and visibility,' Craft said. Matthews PD says many times when people break into cars, they're looking for guns. 'There are weapons issues a lot of times in hotel parking lots. Check with the hotel to see if you can secure it inside of the room. A lot of the time these rooms will have safes there,' Aycock said. Matthews police are working with neighboring agencies to find out if these thefts are part of a larger ring. Police say if you're visiting a hotel, make sure your car is locked before you go inside. Make sure anything of value is brought inside with you, as well. (VIDEO: Mecklenburg County introduces hotel for those experiencing homelessness)
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
STEM event at UNCC in jeopardy due to federal funding cuts
The fate of a STEM event in Charlotte is in jeopardy due to federal funding cuts. A company promised the organization money and now they're afraid the Department of Defense might take it away. Channel 9′s Eli Brand spoke with Miracle Parker, a local student who has been part of the Tech Titans program at UNC Charlotte since it started in 2021. ALSO READ: Legislation could bring whole milk back to schools after 10-year ban Parker told Channel 9′s Eli Brand, 'It actually made me really happy. Changed my life, you know?' The program teaches kids skills in technology and engineering that prepare them for their future. A new Tech Titans spring break event has been planned for next week at UNC Charlotte for months. But the founder of the organization putting it on said it's now in jeopardy. 'The quality of the program, it will be affected somewhat based on the pieces that we're used to that we no longer have,' said Patrina Reddick, co-founder of PIMOSH – the organization that started Tech Titans. Reddick said last week, she received a call from one of their partners, a company called Hill Park Engineering saying they wouldn't be able to send the money they promised. Hill Park said they get much of their funding from a contract with the Department of Defense. They said that money is currently frozen as they wait to see how much could be cut by the Trump administration in the coming months. 'I can't go back to them and say, 'oh no, we did all of this work for nothing,'' Reddick said. She said other sources are also unable to help the program with tuition and transportation for their McKinney-Vento students who attend. Reddick said losing all of that money is a huge issue but she plans to hold the event anyway. ALSO READ: Trump announces sweeping new tariffs to promote US manufacturing UNC Charlotte has donated space at the Cone University Center for free for Tech Titans to use. Now, Reddick said they need help with transportation, technology to gift to students, and speakers to help educate. Parker and her father, Nathan, said the program makes a huge difference and needs to continue: 'The kids are our future.' Echoing her father's sentiments, Miracle added, 'I used to be shy about meeting new people but now I'm able to not be shy about meeting different people.' Hill Park Engineering said they'll definitely fund future Tech Titans events if their federal contract money is secured. If you would like to help Tech Titans with donations for their upcoming conference, you can email tech-titans@ WATCH BELOW: Bill aims to standardize notifications over school threats in NC
