Latest news with #EvanDonovan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Permitless concealed carry bill heads to NC governor despite bipartisan opposition
A proposal allowing people 18 and older to carry concealed guns without a permit in North Carolina will reach the governor's desk on Friday. It narrowly passed the House last night despite bipartisan opposition. Channel 9's Evan Donovan delved into the bill and its chances of becoming law. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Both sides weigh in on statewide concealed carry legislation One pro-gun rights group he spoke with said the bill is just certifying an existing right. 'It removes the need for that governmental permission slip,' said Paul Valone with Grassroots NC. However, groups that support more gun control disagree with that sentiment. 'There are many laws that people break, but is that a reason not to have a law in the first place? I mean, that's just that's insane,' said Becky Ceartas with North Carolinians Against Gun Violence. In a 2022 study, Johns Hopkins University found that states that relaxed their gun laws to no longer include live-firearm training saw an 18.3% increase in the average rate of gun assaults. But some argue that the bill will help law-abiding gun owners to protect themselves. 'The bottom line is, criminals will carry anyway. All we're doing, once again, as we have done before, is to allow the law-abiding to remain law-abiding,' said Valone. Federal and state laws have long allowed restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. As the Supreme Court noted in the 2008 opinion, which cemented the individual right to bear arms. Ceartas, however, said the current permit requirements are an important catch. 'It's still a felony or a crime for them to carry concealed, but we would not know that without a background check,' said Ceartas. Similar efforts have failed in the past, including in 2023, when North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger opposed it. An Elon University poll also found 54% of North Carolinians oppose permitless concealed carry, with 34% in support. The bill passed along party lines, except for two republicans in the state house, who voted against it. However, many lawmakers expect Governor Josh Stein to veto it. And without those two votes, plus at least one democrat changing sides, it will be hard for republicans to get this bill into law. VIDEO: Both sides weigh in on statewide concealed carry legislation
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Charlotte's Jewish community ‘united' after deadly attack at Capital Jewish Museum
A man is now charged with murdering foreign officials after a deadly attack at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. -- two Israeli Embassy staffers are dead, and the FBI is calling Wednesday night's shooting an act of terrorism. Channel 9's Evan Donovan spoke with leaders in Charlotte's local Jewish community, and they say they're shaken up after the tragedy. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were reportedly about to be engaged on a trip to Jerusalem next week. Police in Washington say the suspected shooter shouted that he shouted, 'Free Palestine' during the attack. Witnesses reported the suspect said, 'I did it for Gaza.' 'We just have to channel our pain into purpose,' said Adam Kollett, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. 'We have to fight anti-Semitism, strengthen community at every step of the road, and we need all of the support we can get in fighting hate.' The Federation estimates there are at least 32,500 Jews in the Charlotte area, about 3.5% of the population. Gov. Josh Stein, North Carolina's first Jewish governor, sent a post on X Thursday morning saying he was 'saddened about [Thursday] night's murder' and 'praying for their families,' adding, 'May the memories of the victims of this senseless crime be a blessing.' Kollett said the community is focused on empathy in the wake of the tragedy. 'Our response is to double down, make sure we are united, providing everybody possible with education, and that we're showing compassion to those who lost their lives and those in our community who are struggling,' Kollett said. As a memorial grows outside of the museum, the investigation into the alleged gunman is just beginning. (VIDEO: Jewish Federation of Charlotte travels to Israel)
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Culture problem': Parents, administrators battle over future at Charlotte Catholic High School
After numerous headlines in the last year, parents at Charlotte Catholic High School say they're worried about the direction administrators are taking and how those in charge are responding to their concerns. Channel 9′s Evan Donovan first started investigating issues at the school last year, from bullying incidents on the football team to unease over an accreditation change. This past Sunday, a pastor at the biggest Catholic church in Charlotte weighed in. One parent told Donovan it started with the arrival of new superintendent Dr. Gregory Monroe in 2020. 'Just moving to be a more restrictive version of Catholicism than had previously been in place,' she said. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Petition demands changes at Charlotte Catholic High School Parents say there's a culture of bullying at Charlotte Catholic High School She signed onto a petition last month, along with nearly 2,000 others, expressing concerns about recent departures of teachers, changes to the curriculum, and lack of transparency around a change in who does the school's accreditation. 'I think the solution is dual accreditation, at least until Lumen is more widely recognized and accepted,' the parent said. 'A number of parents have suggested this. The school has made clear it will not do that.' She decided to speak to Channel 9 after a video of a meeting on Thursday showed Principal Lori Phillips responding to a parent's concern about a 'culture problem' at Charlotte Catholic. 'I agree with you there is a culture problem. There is a culture problem right here,' Phillips said. The room erupted into boos after Phillips' comment. In several letters to parents, administrators apologized for their lack of communication about changing accreditation from Cognia to Lumen. But they claim 'Lumen Accreditation holds the same professional standing as other accrediting bodies at colleges and universities ... [and] focuses on academic rigor as well as Catholic identity.' Several parents told Channel 9 they support the switch. 'This accreditation affects all 20 [Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools]. Sadly it seems like this has only become an issue at Charlotte Catholic,' one parent said. On Sunday, Fr. John Allen of St. Matthew Catholic Church said he'd asked school administrators to pursue dual accreditation 'on many occasions.' '[I] have consistently and persistently made requests to the Catholic schools' office that all our parents and teachers be heard and respectfully listened to,' Allen said. (VIDEO: Charlotte Catholic High School confirms expulsions, suspensions after locker room bullying)
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Attempted robbery of Brinks truck under investigation, sources say
Wednesday afternoon, a massive police presence was observed by Chopper 9 Skyzoom outside a bank in Ballantyne. Police vehicles were seen surrounding an armored Brinks truck. Channel 9′s Evan Donovan spoke with a source who indicated that the incident may have been an attempted robbery of that truck while it sat outside of the bank. That source said the suspected robber was a man in a dark hoodie with a black handgun and may have gotten away in a truck. It happened around noon at the Truist Bank in the Blakeney Town Center. ALSO READ: ATM service technician killed during robbery in Kings Mountain 'I saw them looking around, running around, looking for something,' said Carlos Vega. Vega told Channel 9 that he works at a store nearby and saw looks of police in the area, including K-9 units. 'They were just investigating the whole area. Probably about three sheriffs and six police officers as well,' Vega continued. In the last six months, Channel 9 has covered at least three other incidents involving armored trucks in the Charlotte area. In October, a driver was shot and killed in Kings Mountain. In August, another driver was shot at a CVS in Statesville. A third incident also occurred that same month, resulting in $270,000 being stolen from an armored truck in University City. However, Vega said this isn't something the Ballantyne area sees often. 'In this area, not really. It's a pretty nice area; I've lived here all my life,' Vega elaborated. It is unclear how much money was stolen or if any was stolen at all. However, a branch manager told Channel 9 that no one was hurt in the incident. VIDEO: 4 arrested for killing ATM service worker in Kings Mountain, police say
