NC House passes bill to expand sheriff complicity with ICE/La Asamblea General aprueba un proyecto de ley para ampliar la complicidad de los alguaciles con ICE

NC House passes bill to expand sheriff complicity with ICE

May 13, 2025

On April 29, the NC General Assembly passed House Bill 318. The bill expands a 2024 law requiring cooperation of sheriff departments with ICE.

The expanded bill would require sheriff and other officials  to work with ICE to determine the status of anyone detained for a felony, class A-1 misdemeanor, or DUI-related offense. It would further expand the time that officials are required to hold the detained person for an ICE detainer, from 48 hours to 48 hours after the detained person is scheduled to be released.

The bill passed by a 70-45 margin on nearly straight party lines, with Rep. Carla Cunningham of Mecklenburg the only Democrat to join her Republican colleagues in voting in favor of the  bill. The bill, which has been sent to the state senate and is expected to be passed there, would still require endorsement by Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, to become law.

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La Asamblea General aprueba un proyecto de ley para ampliar la complicidad de los alguaciles con ICE

13 de mayo de 2025

El 29 de abril, la Asamblea General de Carolina del Norte aprobó el Proyecto de Ley 318 de la Cámara de Representantes. Este proyecto amplía una ley de 2024 que exige la cooperación de los departamentos del alguacil con el ICE. Este proyecto ampliado exigiría que los alguaciles y otros funcionarios colaboraran con el ICE para determinar el estatus migratorio de cualquier persona detenida por un delito grave, un delito menor de clase A-1, o una infracción relacionada con conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol. Además, ampliaría el tiempo que los funcionarios deben retener a la persona detenida para una orden de detención del ICE, de 48 horas a 48 horas después de la fecha programada para su liberación. El proyecto de ley se aprobó por un margen de 70 a 45 en líneas partidarias casi idénticas, siendo la representante Carla Cunningham de Mecklenburg la única demócrata que se unió a sus colegas republicanos para votar a favor. El proyecto de ley, que ya se envió al Senado estatal y se espera que se apruebe allí, aún requeriría la aprobación del gobernador demócrata Josh Stein para convertirse en ley.

Alzheimer’s Association Encourages the Triangle Area to Take Charge of Their Brain Health

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

RALEIGH, N.C., May 29, 2025 – This June, during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter is encouraging North Carolinians to take charge of their brain health. 

Today, there are more than 7 million people age 65 and older in the United States living with Alzheimer’s, including more than 210,000 in North Carolina. Two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor for dementia. The brain changes that cause Alzheimer’s are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start, which suggests that there may be a substantial window of time in which to intervene in the progression of the disease.

Experts believe there isn’t a single cause of Alzheimer’s. It’s likely the disease develops as a result of multiple factors. While not a direct cause of Alzheimer’s, the greatest known risk factor is advancing age. Although some risk factors like age can’t be changed, as many as 45% of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and lack of physical activity. Research shows that adopting healthy behaviors — like getting exercise and good quality sleep — can improve your brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

“Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month offers the perfect opportunity for North Carolina residents to take charge of their brain health,” said Christine John-Fuller, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “We want people to know there are steps they can take to keep their brains healthy. We also want to encourage anyone experiencing memory or thinking problems to talk to their doctor. There are many possible causes — and if it is Alzheimer’s disease, there are numerous benefits to getting a timely diagnosis.” 

The Alzheimer’s Association is offering five suggestions to take charge of your brain health and support the cause:

1. Incorporate healthy habits that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline: Based on mounting scientific evidence, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages individuals to incorporate these 10 Healthy Habits — such as challenging your mind and eating healthier foods — to help protect brain health. Whatever your age or stage of life, now is the time to take charge of your brain health. 

1. Learn the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementia: Many people equate Alzheimer’s to memory loss, and while that is one of the most common signs, there are others that can signal cognitive decline, including altered judgment, mood changes, challenges in decision-making, and planning and carrying out projects. Some memory changes can be a normal part of the aging process, but when changes start to interfere with daily living or stray drastically from the person’s normal behavior, it’s best to get it checked. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s to help people identify potential warning signs of Alzheimer’s or other dementia.

1. Be proactive in addressing memory and thinking problems: Studies show many individuals experiencing memory and thinking problems often put off discussing them with a doctor. However, early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementia offers the best opportunity for care, management and treatment. It also provides diagnosed individuals more time to plan for the future, participate in clinical trials and to live with a higher quality of life for as long as possible. In addition, there are now treatments that can slow disease progression for people in the early stage of Alzheimer's, making a timely diagnosis critically important. If you or a family is experiencing memory or thinking problems, it is important to get it checked. The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips and resources to help families navigate these conversations.

1. Help accelerate disease-related research: Clinical trials hold the key to new and better Alzheimer's disease treatments. Individuals living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, caregivers and healthy volunteers are needed to participate in clinical trials that help advance Alzheimer's research. Today, more than 50,000 participants are needed in current Alzheimer’s clinical trials examining potential new treatments — with hundreds of thousands more needed in broader dementia research studies. Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch® is a free, easy-to-use service that connects interested individuals with appropriate trials. 

1. Volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association: As an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, you can help those in your community take steps to reduce their dementia risk and recognize the signs of Alzheimer’s. Our education and support programs are flexible and easy to learn, giving you the opportunity to become a leader in the effort to end Alzheimer’s. 

In June, the Alzheimer’s Association - Eastern North Carolina Chapter is also offering several virtual and in-person events in conjunction with Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. These programs and more can be found at alz.org/ENCMonthlyPrograms or by calling 800.272.3900.  

An Era of Hope: Virtual Community Awareness Summit | June 3 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. | live webinar

Learn from inspiring speakers about the progress we have made in Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment, and what it's like navigating a dementia diagnosis in this new era. Find out how we have more hope than ever before, and how you can be a part of it. 

Healthy Living for your Brain and Body 

Science is helping us understand how to stay mentally and physically healthy as we get older. Learn how to eat well, stay active, keep your mind sharp, and connect with others to support healthy aging. 

June 17 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Durham  

June 19 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | live webinar

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s 

Alzheimer's and other dementias cause memory, thinking and behavior problems that interfere with daily living. Learn how to recognize common signs of the disease; how to approach someone about memory concerns; the importance of early detection; possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic process, and Alzheimer's Association resources.

June 20 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Wendell

June 23 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | live webinar

Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's, the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available, and Alzheimer's Association resources. 

June 1 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. | Cary

June 10 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Durham

The Longest Day: Fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s on the day with the most light | June 20

During June, the Alzheimer’s Association is also inviting North Carolina residents to participate in The Longest Day®. Held annually around the summer solstice, The Longest Day invites participants to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through a fundraising activity of their choice. Throughout the month and culminating on the summer solstice, June 20, The Longest Day participants will use their creativity and passion to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Participants bake, bike, hike, golf, knit, play bridge and take part in other favorite activities. Some examples of the more than 150 activities taking place across North Carolina for The Longest Day, including the Triangle:

Carnival | June 20 | 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. | TerraBella Hillsborough, 1911 Orange Grove Road, Hillsborough

Alpha Theta Rock-A-Thon | June 20 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | 105 West Chatham Street, Cary

For more information on how to host your own fundraiser for The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday.

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About Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

Established by the Alzheimer’s Association in 2014, Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is dedicated to encouraging a global conversation about the brain and Alzheimer’s and other dementia. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association, available resources and how you can get involved to support the cause, visit alz.org/abam.

Fight the Darkness of Alzheimer’s by Supporting The Longest Day

The Longest Day® is the day with the most light — the summer solstice. The Longest Day participants fight the darkness of Alzheimer's and all other dementia through a fundraising activity of their choice on a day that works for them. With sports tournaments, card games, parties, baking and more, participants raise funds to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. For more information and to register, visit alz.org/thelongestday.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

About the Alzheimer’s Association - Eastern North Carolina Chapter:
The Eastern North Carolina Chapter provides patient and family services, information and referral, education, and advocacy in 51 eastern North Carolina counties. It offers opportunities to get involved and to make a difference, in addition to a variety of services including: a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs and care consultations. For more information about Alzheimer's disease, or the Alzheimer’s Association - Eastern North Carolina Chapter, visit alz.org/nc or call 800-272-3900. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Trump signs more executive orders expanding immigration enforcement/Trump firma más órdenes ejecutivas que amplían la aplicación de la ley migratoria

Trump signs more executive orders expanding immigration enforcement

May 4, 2025

On April 28, Trump signed three separate executive orders (EO’s) expanding his administration’s crackdown on immigration, and punishing those who would stand in his way. 

Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens gives the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security thirty days to publish a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions”--states, cities, and towns the administration deems out of compliance with its immigration enforcement policies. Once identified, these so-called sanctuary jurisdictions would have their federal funds, including grants and contracts, cut off or canceled. 

The order states that the administration will “pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement actions” against sanctuary jurisdictions that fail to meet its definition of compliance. It further mandates the development of eligibility rules and regulations for any individual seeking federal benefits from private entities inside a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Finally, it authorizes the departments of Justice and Homeland Security  to take  action against public universities that offer in-state tuition to undocumented migrants and not to other out-of-state students. The White House did not clarify whether this section of the order would apply to DACA students (a.k.a. ‘Dreamers’), whose eligibility for enrollment is protected by law.

Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens gives the Attorney General and Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, 90 days to “increase the provision of excess military and national security assets in local jurisdictions to assist State and local law enforcement.” The EO represents a major departure in a long-held U.S. tradition of keeping the military out of domestic law enforcement, and may lay the groundwork for the utilization of the armed forces  in local-level immigration enforcement. 

Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers orders the enforcement of English proficiency as a requirement for drivers of commercial vehicles. Although English proficiency is already a requirement for commercial truck drivers, the EO rescinds previous guidance on English proficiency testing and mandates the issuance of new guidance and enforcement personnel to test for proficiency. This decree builds on Trump’s previous EO declaring English as the official language of the United States. 

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Trump firma más órdenes ejecutivas que amplían la aplicación de la ley migratoria

4 de mayo de 2025

El 28 de abril, Trump firmó tres órdenes ejecutivas  independientes que amplían la ofensiva de su administración contra la inmigración y castigan a quienes se opongan a su control.

“Protección de las Comunidades Estadounidenses contra la Inmigración Extranjera” otorga al Fiscal General y a la Secretaria de Seguridad Nacional treinta días para publicar una lista de "jurisdicciones santuario": estados, ciudades, y pueblos que la administración considera que no cumplen con sus políticas de control migratorio. Una vez identificadas, se les suspenderán o cancelarán los fondos federales, incluyendo subvenciones y contratos, a estas supuestas jurisdicciones santuario.

La orden establece que la administración "empleará todos los recursos legales y medidas coercitivas necesarias" contra las jurisdicciones santuario que incumplan su definición de cumplimiento. Además, exige el desarrollo de normas y reglamentos de elegibilidad para cualquier persona que solicite beneficios federales de entidades privadas dentro de una jurisdicción santuario.

Finalmente, autoriza a los departamentos de Justicia y Seguridad Nacional a tomar medidas contra las universidades públicas que ofrecen matrícula estatal a inmigrantes indocumentados y no a otros estudiantes de otros estados. La Casa Blanca no aclaró si esta sección de la orden se aplicaría a los estudiantes de DACA (también conocidos como ‘Dreamers”’), cuya elegibilidad para la inscripción está protegida por ley.

“El Fortalecimiento y Liberación de las Fuerzas del Orden de Estados Unidos para Perseguir a Delincuentes y Proteger a Ciudadanos Inocentes” otorga al Fiscal General y al Secretario de Defensa, en consulta con la Secretaria de Seguridad Nacional, 90 días para “aumentar la provisión de recursos militares y de seguridad nacional excedentes en jurisdicciones locales para apoyar a las fuerzas del orden estatales y locales”.

La Orden Ejecutiva representa un cambio importante en la larga tradición estadounidense de mantener a las fuerzas armadas al margen de las fuerzas del orden nacionales y podría sentar las bases para el uso de las fuerzas armadas en la aplicación de la ley migratoria a nivel local.

“La Aplicación de las Reglas de Sentido Común de la Calle para los Conductores de Camiones de Estados Unidos” exige el dominio del inglés como requisito para los conductores de vehículos comerciales.

Si bien el dominio del inglés ya es un requisito para los conductores de camiones comerciales, la Orden Ejecutiva anula las directrices anteriores sobre las pruebas de dominio del inglés y manda la emisión de nuevas directrices y personal de control para evaluar dicho dominio. Este decreto se basa en la Orden Ejecutiva anterior de Trump, que declaraba el inglés como idioma oficial de Estados Unidos.

Holly Springs Park Entertainment Complex Plans to Add Commercial

Garner Impact: Garner and Holly Springs both have populations around 41,000, however, Garner continues to struggle to attract commercial development and amenities.

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Holly Springs officials are planning to add an entertainment complex with restaurants and retail stores to Ting Park, a popular local sports and entertainment venue.

This expansion aims to provide more amenities for park visitors, such as those waiting for children at sports practices or games. The initiative comes as Holly Springs has experienced significant population growth in recent years, and the town hopes the new complex will encourage residents to stay local for entertainment and attract visitors.

Local residents have expressed support for having food options at the park, and officials are seeking public input this summer with potential bidding for developers starting in the fall.

Leaders Pack Cary Town Hall to Support Affordable Housing

Garner Impact

Garner Impact: While Garner has concluded its Affordable Housing Task Force work, other municipalities in Wake County are moving forward to take action.

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April 26, 2025

Leaders Pack Cary Town Hall to Support Affordable Housing

On Thursday night, ONE Wake leaders helped pack Cary Town Hall in a major show of support for the Carr Center, a new development that will bring dozens of affordable housing units, early childhood education facilities, and vital community space to the campus of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church. Over 130 Cary residents and supporters showed up, one of the strongest turnouts we have seen at a Cary Town Council meeting.

This project is the result of years of hard work and collaboration between Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, The Caring Place, and DHIC, working together to turn church and town-owned land into a place where more families can thrive. On Thursday night, the Cary Town Council voted unanimously and enthusiastically to approve the rezoning that will make this development possible. This is what organized people acting consistently and persistently can accomplish! 

Media Coverage
Indyweek: Cary Approves Affordable Housing in Church's Backyard
NewsObserver: Affordable Housing Set for Church Property Will Change Lives

Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, a ONE Wake founding member, shared the following message about this tremendous win:

"Not that long ago, people didn't believe such a thing was possible in Cary but your continued dedication and persistent presence has made a way. Thank you! Special thanks to ONE WAKE and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County for coming alongside us to make this historic turnout possible!

We'll be having a community launch party for the Carr Center on May 18 at GFBC from 3:00 - 5:00 pm and we'd love to see you there to celebrate."

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Jones Sausage Road: News and Observer, ‘Diverging diamond’ coming to I-40 interchange south of Raleigh. What drivers should know.

This N.C. Department of Transportation map shows the planned diverging diamond pattern at the Jones Sausage Road interchange with Interstate 40 in Garner. Construction is set to begin in July 2023 and finish in the fall. NCDOT

Garner Impact

Garner Impact: Garner Impact: This is significant change to the original plan. It is not clear what impact this will have on traffic along Jones Sausage Road or near by residents and businesses.

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Read at Watch at N&O: HERE

BY RICHARD STRADLING

July 14, 2023

Diverging diamonds are still new to most Triangle drivers. The design involves crisscrossing traffic at either end of the interchange in a way that eliminates left turns across traffic and the amount of time drivers spend sitting at red lights. When plans for the project were presented to the public in 2017, NCDOT anticipated the interchange would remain essentially as it is today.

Highlights

• But then Amazon announced that it would build a distribution center on the Garner side of the interchange, with thousands of employees and hundreds of trucks coming and going each day. NCDOT and the town agreed that the existing configuration of the interchange would be overwhelmed, said NCDOT spokesman Aaron Moody.

• “It’s going to have to handle more traffic,” Moody said. “And we know the DDI does that safer and more efficiently.”

Read at Watch at N&O: HERE

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WRAL: A new North Hills? Johnston County unveils multimillion dollar Waterfront District

Garner Impact

Garner Impact: While Clayton and Johnston County continue to grow and attract a diverse tax base from both the residential and commercial direction, mixed use developers are ignoring Garner leaving Garner prey to tract home/townhome and low-rise apartment builders.

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Read at Watch at WRAL: HERE

By Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

January 12, 2023

A multimillion dollar plan called 'The Waterfront District' is in the works near Highway 42. It would bring along hundreds of housing units, restaurants, and shops with waterfront views.

Nearby, an area called Flowers Crossroads is 'glowing with activity,' and right across the lake is where CEO Reid Stephenson says the Waterfront District will be located. It's a huge undertaking for a rural county – and bringing about mixed responses from locals.

Highlights

• Currently under construction are 312 apartments. The views and North District is going to be 315 townhomes with the Waterfront District adjacent to the lake.

Read at Watch at WRAL: HERE

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NEWS & OBSERVER: Open for decades, Raleigh’s oldest golf center will close to make way for development

Garner Impact

Garner Impact: The headline says Raleigh but this is actually in Garner’s planning jurisdiction and affects Garner residents. Over 1000 residents have signed a petition opposing the rezoning. See it HERE

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Read in News & Observer: HERE

By Aaron Sánchez-Guerra

AUGUST 24, 2022

On most afternoons, golf balls sail through the air and roll across the grassy expanse of 401 Par Golf on Fayetteville Road, where the sounds of nature mix in with the whooshes of swinging clubs.

Wake County’s rapid growth in the last few years has brought out even more people to play golf, take lessons and swing endlessly on the driving range, on which a scene of “Bull Durham” was once filmed.

Highlights

• A golf school, a golf gear store and the first Pelican’s SnoBalls shaved ice shop to open — businesses housed within the Par Golf property — have to close by December to make way for the development.

• The development has not been approved yet by the town of Garner. A request has been submitted to rezone the land to allow for high-density building. The timeline is unclear of when it will move forward to a public hearing with the town council, but residents already have started expressing concerns about a shift to dense development in the area.

• “Having an affordable, easygoing place where you can go where you’re not judged, and everybody is friendly, it’s hard to find that type of thing,” said Kristan, 63. “It’ll be difficult for people around here. ... A friend of mine said the other day, ‘If you go out of business, I’m going to have to drive 45 minutes to hit a bucket of balls.’ That’s insane.”

• Existing single-family homes currently surround the property. The land is federally designated as an Opportunity Zone, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which means that SLI Capital could qualify for economic incentives for building on the land.

Read in News & Observer: HERE

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NEWS & OBSERVER: N.C. city sees a nearly 75% increase in rent prices for a one-bedroom apartment

A mailbox unit at South Pointe Apartments in Greensboro. JASON DEBRUYN WUNC

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Garner Impact

Garner has also seen similar dramatic increases which has impacted the town’s housing affordability for teachers, government employees, police, fire, and other working class families.

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Read in News & Observer: HERE

BY KIMBERLY CATAUDELLA

UPDATED AUGUST 26, 2022 12:23 PM

Greensboro one bedrooms are 75% higher than they were at this time last year. Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Cary and Winston Salem also see rent increases.

Highlights

ONE-BEDROOM RENT INCREASES IN THE TRIANGLE Greensboro saw the largest increase in one-bedroom rent prices year-over-year, out of all the cities listed in this report.

• Greensboro: At $1,289 on average in July 2022, Greensboro one-bedroom units are 74.2% more expensive than they were last year. Raleigh also made the top-10 list for largest increases to one-bedroom prices year-over-year, coming in as the fifth largest increase.

• Raleigh: At $1,840 on average in July 2022, Raleigh one-bedroom units are 42.1% more expensive than they were last year. Here’s how other listed North Carolina spots compare for one-bedrooms:

Charlotte: $1,596 on average in July 2022. This is over 23% more expensive than last year.

Durham: $1,539 on average in July 2022. This is over 33% more expensive than last year.

Winston-Salem: $1,293 on average in July 2022. This is over 22% more expensive than last year.

Josie Williams, executive director of the Greensboro Housing Coalition, says she’s seen a significant increase in homelessness and those at risk of homelessness over the past year.

“A 75% increase in rent prices isn’t only consistent with what we’re seeing… it’s getting worse,” she said. “I’ve seen rent increase from $600 to $900. I’ve seen rent increase from $550 to $1030. And we don’t have an excess supply of housing for people getting priced out of their homes to go somewhere else.”

Read in News & Observer: HERE

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