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WBTV Investigates

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WBTV Investigates

Exclusive: Documents show split opinions in search for new CMS superintendent

Updated: 7 hours ago
|
By Nick Ochsner
Only one candidate was on each board member's top three finalists.

WBTV Investigates

Union Co. towns faceoff against county in wastewater battle

Updated: 11 hours ago
|
By David Hodges
In western Union County, wastewater is so limited developers can’t get permits for new construction projects.

News

GRAPHIC: Video of CATS bus shooting released

Updated: May. 26, 2023 at 2:56 PM EDT
|
By Michael Praats
Video from the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) showing a shooting that took place on a transit bus between a passenger and a bus driver.

WBTV Investigates

N.C. Governor calls for accountability after school bus sex assaults

Updated: May. 25, 2023 at 6:02 PM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
Cooper weighs in as WBTV pushes for answers on sex assaults

CATS Investigations

As CATS problems grow, interim CEO claims they are ‘fixable’

Updated: May. 24, 2023 at 11:11 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
“I have seen CATS make improvements, sometimes that gets lost in these incidents, but I am encouraged that CATS is moving forward in small and big ways every day,” CATS Interim-CEO Brent Cagle said.

Mecklenburg County

GRAPHIC: Video shows stabbing on Charlotte train car

Updated: May. 24, 2023 at 8:48 PM EDT
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By WBTV Web Staff and Nikki Hauser
The stabbing happened on May 4 just outside of Uptown.

CATS Investigations

General Manager of CATS light rail division placed on administrative leave

Updated: May. 23, 2023 at 11:50 AM EDT
|
By David Hodges
Deltrin Harris was hired as the Rail Operations General Manager in December 2020 and was earning more than $160,000 per year, according to HR records.

WBTV Investigates

Another Charlotte mom calls WBTV for help after daughter’s reported sex assault

Updated: May. 18, 2023 at 10:50 PM EDT
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By Nick Ochsner
Mom says CMS administrators waited 10 days to notify her of daughter's reported sex assault.

WBTV Investigates

Charlotte school system back under investigation for handling of sex assault cases

Updated: May. 18, 2023 at 6:47 AM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
WBTV Investigates: Feds open new investigation after two years of scrutiny

CATS Investigations

Fired CATS employee sues city for ‘fraudulently’ firing him after train derailment

Updated: May. 13, 2023 at 9:30 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
The accusations in the lawsuit raise more questions about how the light rail system is being run and by who, after a previous WBTV Investigation into the General Manager of the Rail Operations Control Center identified safety problems at his previous job.
7-Day Forecast
7-Day Forecast

News

Duke Physicians Warn that SB20 will Lead to More Maternal Death

Updated: May. 12, 2023 at 5:19 PM EDT
|
By Whitney Clegg
The Governor is expected to veto SB20 sometime this weekend. Republican lawmakers could overturn the Governor’s veto as early as next week.

News

Outside prosecutor appointed in Cabarrus Co. commissioner investigation

Updated: May. 12, 2023 at 12:05 PM EDT
|
By Michael Praats and David Hodges
WBTV Investigates: Move comes as SBI continues investigating Cabarrus Co. commission chairman

Crime

Officers address why they feel the bond system is broken

Updated: May. 11, 2023 at 1:12 PM EDT
|
By Alex Giles
WBTV spoke to a few different police officers in Charlotte to ask about the pretrial release system.

News

NCDOT confirms another Charlotte light rail car derailment

Updated: May. 11, 2023 at 12:55 PM EDT
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By David Hodges
A CATS light rail vehicle derailed in a Charlotte railyard Wednesday, an NCDOT spokesperson confirmed to WBTV. There were no injuries and NCDOT has not yet determined the cause of the derailment.

News

Are suspected criminals in Charlotte getting out of jail too easily?

Updated: May. 10, 2023 at 5:09 PM EDT
|
By Alex Giles
WBTV Investigates: Alex Giles uncovers the impact it has on safety in Charlotte.

News

Charlotte homeowners concerned over who’s paying to fix subdivision roads

Updated: May. 9, 2023 at 5:38 PM EDT
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By David Hodges
WBTV Investigates: North Carolina state lawmakers act to help homeowners.

News

Lawsuit claims CATS advertising company failed to make some payments, others not in full

Updated: May. 6, 2023 at 1:40 PM EDT
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By Michael Praats
The City of Charlotte says the company missed some of its monthly payments in recent years.

WBTV Investigates

N.C. DMV makes changes as driver license wait times mount

Updated: May. 5, 2023 at 4:49 PM EDT
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By Nick Ochsner
WBTV Investigates: Why is it so hard to get a driver’s license in Charlotte and North Carolina?

News

Charlotte in talks to fund stadium project, but can they feasibly afford it?

Updated: May. 5, 2023 at 12:04 PM EDT
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By David Hodges
Charlotte city leaders are starting to grapple with how much it could cost taxpayers to strike a new stadium deal with the owner of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, David Tepper.

News

New abortion ban fast-tracked through N.C. legislature. Will it tie doctor’s hands?

Updated: May. 3, 2023 at 7:23 PM EDT
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By Nick Ochsner
New N.C. law would ban abortions after 12 weeks with exceptions

News

Investigation into Cabarrus Co. commissioner prompted by local councilman

Updated: May. 3, 2023 at 6:12 PM EDT
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By Michael Praats and David Hodges
In a statement confirming the investigation, the SBI spokeswoman said the investigation was opened at the request of Shanley, the Cabarrus County DA.

WBTV Investigates

Charlotte’s confusing intersections: WATCH NOW

Updated: May. 2, 2023 at 4:36 PM EDT
|
By John Carter
Driven around the Charlotte area lately? You may have noticed plenty of traffic pattern changes - including intersections.

WBTV Investigates

Cabarrus Co. commission chair under investigation by SBI

Updated: May. 2, 2023 at 11:45 AM EDT
|
By David Hodges and Michael Praats
The SBI’s statement confirming the investigation did not contain any details or specifics about the probe into Morris other than describing them as "investigate allegations of potential collusion and fraud."

WBTV Investigates

‘Lives are in danger’ as N.C. nursing home inspections lag

Updated: May. 2, 2023 at 5:39 AM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
WBTV Investigates: N.C. officials says staffing shortage leading to delayed inspections

National

Emergency Medical Kits are essential to saving airline passengers, but doctors say regulations are outdated

Updated: May. 1, 2023 at 1:59 PM EDT
|
By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompa
Doctors across the country are sounding the alarm on emergency medical kits, commonly known as EMKs, on commercial flights saying sometimes they fall short and could be outdated. The Federal Aviation Administration hasn't updated the requirement for items on these kits for almost two decades, leaving it up to airlines to decide what to add.

Education

CMS doubles down on secrecy in superintendent search

Updated: Apr. 27, 2023 at 3:19 PM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
WBTV pushing for public access to redacted minutes of superintendent interviews

CATS Investigations

Major CATS meeting spotlights safety, oversight and failures of past CEO

Updated: Apr. 26, 2023 at 11:04 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
Questions about safety, oversight and the failures of CATS former CEO highlighted the evening and relegated other important topics like the Gold Line and the budget to mere side topics.

News

N.C. man has spent a decade fighting for custody of his daughter

Updated: Apr. 24, 2023 at 4:54 PM EDT
|
By Whitney Clegg
Interstate Compact is blocking kids from living with their parents.

WBTV Investigates

Is what’s being done to keep your kids safe at school enough? Experts say no.

Updated: Apr. 21, 2023 at 11:11 AM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
A letter demanded improvements in how the department handles cases involving Charlotte sexual assaults reported on school campuses.

CATS Investigations

City had evidence of CATS safety issues, shortcomings in months-old audits

Updated: Apr. 20, 2023 at 7:00 AM EDT
|
By David Hodges
Three separate audits of CATS completed in the last year identify more than 30 shortcomings the organization is now scrambling to fix, impacting taxpayers and the people who rely on bus and light rail service.

News

Thousands of guns are stolen from unlocked cars as violent crime in Charlotte rises 

Updated: Apr. 17, 2023 at 5:59 PM EDT
|
By Whitney Clegg
Experts point to an easy solution for keeping guns safe

WBTV Investigates

“Grand Canyon” of potholes shows size of HOA vs Developer problem

Updated: Apr. 13, 2023 at 5:45 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
In Bethel Glen and other neighborhoods across North Carolina there are orphan roads that didn’t meet government standards after they were left by the developer. Often it falls to the neighborhood HOA raising assessments on homeowners to pay for road repairs and replacements but it can end up as a taxpayer expense too.

CATS Investigations

Charlotte’s buses could face more cuts, firings if reliability doesn’t improve

Updated: Apr. 10, 2023 at 6:48 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
According to the letter, the City of Charlotte is already making contingency plans to make additional service cuts which could result in bus operator layoffs unless the contractor, TMOC/RATP DEV, “can stabilize service levels going forward.”

WBTV Investigates

Can Charlotte keep Blue Line trains on time?

Updated: Apr. 10, 2023 at 6:09 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
A WBTV Investigation found that while on average LYNX trains are departing stations on-time, some rush hour trains are between five to eight minutes late.

CATS Investigations

New CATS Problem: Short staffing at the rail control center

Updated: Apr. 3, 2023 at 5:47 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
CATS Interim-CEO Brent Cagle told the Transportation, Planning and Development Committee that CATS light rail division is dealing with a high level of vacancies.

WBTV Investigates

CMPD tries a new way to protect your car and catalytic converter

Updated: Mar. 31, 2023 at 10:43 AM EDT
|
By David Hodges
WBTV used CMPD incident reports to track catalytic converter thefts and theft of motor vehicle parts across Charlotte.

CATS Investigations

Charlotte transit plan delayed again as city looks to rebuild faith in CATS

Updated: Mar. 30, 2023 at 3:16 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
In an interview with WBTV on Tuesday, Republican Councilman Ed Driggs said the city needs to regain the trust of voters after a series of debacles at CATS that raise questions about transparency. Driggs also told WBTV that the Blue Line is safe after one of the cars derailed in May of 2022 but was kept secret from the public for nearly a year.

CATS Investigations

CATS Interim-CEO on failures to maintain trains: “I’ll never know exactly why.”

Updated: Mar. 27, 2023 at 5:38 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
Records from NCDOT show the failure of the previous CATS regime to complete the ‘overhaul’ maintenance was the root cause of one of the light rail vehicles derailing last year.

CATS Investigations

Transit meeting dives into CATS culture of silence

Updated: Mar. 22, 2023 at 10:17 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
More troubling news about safety was presented to members of the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

News

Charlotte Mayor: CATS ‘shortcomings’ were unknown to City Council

Updated: Mar. 21, 2023 at 5:04 PM EDT
|
By Michael Praats
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles addressed the recent revelations of problems facing the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) --- and said the ‘shortcomings’ were unknown to City Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission --- until a report was made public detailing concerns with the system.

News

CMPD video shows tense moments before officer involved shooting

Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 6:03 PM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
Newly released police video shows the tense moments officers chased a man carrying a pistol with extended magazine after stopping the vehicle because it was stolen. Officers ended up shooting at the suspect, who was not hit. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said the case raises questions about the local court system's practice of issuing low bonds to suspects charged in violent cases.

WBTV Investigates

Charlotte’s light rail cars are aging. New report urges fast safety action

Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 4:26 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
Officials from NCDOT who reviewed the report offered blistering critiques of some of CATS’ initial findings and found that failure to immediately perform midlife and truck overhauls of the trains was “not acceptable.”

WBTV Investigates

CMS board chair won’t answer questions about recent sex assault reports

Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 11:42 AM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
The chairwoman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education refused to answer questions about how the district handled two recent reports from five-year-old students who said they were sexually assaulted by male classmates.

Medical Debt

Your Stories Making a Difference: Leaders listen to people saddled with medical debt

Updated: Mar. 16, 2023 at 5:59 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
The WBTV Investigates Team has been telling your stories about crippling medical debt for years. Now, those stories are getting the attention of local and state leaders who want to protect patients.

WBTV Investigates

CMS vice chair makes first comments six weeks after sex assaults reported

Updated: Mar. 16, 2023 at 3:19 PM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board Vice Chair Stephanie Sneed made the first comments in response to recent reports by two five-year-old girls that they were sexually assaulted by male classmates. "I just want you to know that I hear you," she said.

WBTV Investigates

CATS light rail maintenance “overhaul” delayed for years before derailment

Updated: Mar. 15, 2023 at 6:52 PM EDT
|
By David Hodges
Although Charlotte city councilmembers only recently learned about the derailment, public records show the “midlife overhaul” plan to prevent this type of derailment from happening, was delayed again and again.

News

Books on race, sexuality among most targeted across N.C. schools

Updated: Mar. 15, 2023 at 4:00 PM EDT
|
By Whitney Clegg and Nick Ochsner
These books are increasingly coming under scrutiny by small but vocal groups, a collaboration of North Carolina media outlets found.

WBTV Investigates

Union Co. dad questions how school handled daughter’s reported sexual assault

Updated: Mar. 13, 2023 at 7:15 PM EDT
|
By Nick Ochsner
The father of a fifth-grade student at Union Elementary School called WBTV for help after spending weeks frustrated at how the school was handling his daughter’s reported sexual assault. Administrators waited more than a month after the report to place the teacher on administrative leave.

WBTV Investigates

Charlotte leaves the public in the dark when it comes to records, interviews and access

Updated: Mar. 13, 2023 at 9:58 AM EDT
|
By David Hodges and Danielle Chemtob
The city of Charlotte has become less transparent with the public and media, giving fewer opportunities for reporters to interview high-level officials, and leaving records requests unfulfilled for years.

WBTV Investigates

Charlotte’s second-ranking transit official placed on leave without pay

Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 7:17 PM EST
|
By David Hodges
A city spokesperson confirms Allen Smith is no longer the Chief Operating Officer of CATS, making him the third top CATS official to be removed from a post in the last five months.
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