The Carolina Panthers dropped their season opener — and the NFL season opener — in a Super Bowl rematch with the Denver Broncos last night. Unlike last year's Super Bowl, the game was close throughout, with the Panthers leading almost the entire game. In the end, a missed field goal from Graham Gano following a great comeback drive from the Panthers put them down for good. 

Many fans, reporters and even teammates believed that Broncos defensive players were targeting Panthers quarterback Cam Newton with dangerous helmet-to-helmet hits, without any repercussions from the referees. Thomas Davis and Greg Olsen spoke in post-game interviews about the fact that Newton wasn't getting the calls that they believe are necessary to keep quarterbacks like Newton safe. 

The officials, Broncos, Panthers & NFL were all at fault when it came to protecting Cam Newton. (via @Ian_OConnor) https://t.co/13eQfCkAPl

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 9, 2016

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Police have made an arrest in a Labor Day shooting that occurred outside of Northlake Mall. Antonio Gaines, 27, was arrested on Pine Street yesterday. Police say he was found with a loaded handgun, and a search of the residence turned up an additional handgun and rifle ammunition. Gaines has been charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. 

Police responded to Northlake Mall at around 3:14 p.m. on Monday in response to a call for shots fired. They found evidence of a shooting in the parking lot, but were originally unable to find a suspect or victim. They eventually identified the victim, who has yet to be identified, and suspect. The two are said to be known to one another and had been involved in prior altercations that led to the shooting.

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Police are asking for help in finding a woman who cut off the electronic monitoring bracelet she was ordered to wear as part of her pre-trial release agreement. Tomika Richardson is wanted on charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, damage to property and interfering with an electronic monitoring device. Police say she cut the bracelet off yesterday and was last known to be on Key Street, near exit 35 (Glenwood Drive) off I-85.  

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) released its annual 2016 Congressional Voting Record this morning, providing a report card outlining how senators and representatives voted on women's issues in the 114th Congress (from January 2015 to August 2016), and it looks like many of North Carolina's representatives will be held back a grade. 

In the Senate, Sens. Richard Burr (R) and Thom Tillis (R) both scored a 25 percent, voting in accordance with AAUW's positions in two out of eight votes on the report card. Their only positive votes came in relation to the Justice for Victim of Human Trafficking Act and Women Airforce  Service Pilot Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act. However, Thillis and Burr voted against women's interests, according to the AAUW, in six other votes, including bills related to the economy, education, and civil rights. 

In the House of Representatives, a few of North Carolina's representatives fared better, including Rep. Alma Adams (D), whose newly drawn 12th district is now fully in Charlotte. Adams scored 100 percent on the AAUW report card, voting positively for women in nine out of nine relative votes. Other scores above 50 percent in North Carolina included Rep. David Price (D), who scored 88 percent, and Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D), who scored 78 percent. Many North Carolina representatives in the House scored even lower than the above-mentioned senators, with eight out of 13 representatives being scored at 22 percent. 

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Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia Center for Politics' widely read, nonpartisan publication Sabato's Crystal Ball moved his ranking for North Carolina's gubernatorial race from "toss-up" to "leans Democratic," favoring Attorney General Roy Cooper. 

"As things stand, Cooper leads in both major polling averages by about four points. Not only that, but both aggregators find the Democrat running ahead of his presidential standard bearer by a couple of points," Sabato and others wrote. "While the gubernatorial race is certainly close, because Cooper may be in a stronger position than Clinton suggests that a Democratic pickup could be on the cards in the Tar Heel State." 

Sabato cited a recent Monmouth poll showing that McCrory's infamous House Bill 2 has an approval rating of 36 percent and a disapproval rating of 55 percent. 

New gov ratings show how murky the outcomes in some gov races appear to be right now. https://t.co/JvfSrMFMMg pic.twitter.com/xYvkw3xUV7

— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) September 8, 2016

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Two North Carolina men have been arrested on federal conspiracy charges after allegedly hacking several federal officials and U.S. government computer systems. Andrew Boggs, aka INCURSIO, 22, of North Wilkesboro, and Justin Liverman, aka D3F4ULT, 24, of Morehead City were arrested this morning and, yes, the U.S. Department of Justice used numbers in Liverman's alias in their official press release. 

According to the release, Liverman and Boggs were members of a hacking group called "Crackas with Attitude," and used “social engineering” hacking techniques, including victim impersonation, to gain unlawful access to the personal online accounts of senior U.S. government officials, their families and several U.S. government computer systems. The men allegedly uploaded personal information they obtained from victims' private accounts onto public websites. They also allegedly made harassing phone calls and defaced their social media accounts. These are some very bad boys we're dealing with here. 

About 40 people gathered at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets last night at the height of rush hour to show solidarity with the #NoDAPL movement, which has been gaining steam in North Dakota in recent weeks.

The protesters gathered in Charlotte shortly after a judge in Washington D.C. ordered a partial stop to construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, while allowing it to continue in other parts of North Dakota that the Standing Rock Sioux tribe considers sacred.

Six organizers from North Carolina — including one from Charlotte — will be heading to North Dakota on Friday to join the DAPL resistance.

The DAPL is a $3.8-billion pipeline that, if finished, will stretch 1,100 miles from the Bakken shale fields of North Dakota to Peoria, Illinois. #NoDAPL protesters are working not only to protect sacred Sioux sites but also to stop the fracking that will follow the construction and prevent the negative effects on the main water source for the Standing Rock Sioux and about 8 million people living downstream.

Resistance from members of the Standing Rock Sioux and other nearby tribes began early on in the construction process, but has grown in numbers and momentum in the last week or so as protesters from around the country have converged on North Dakota. Things came to a head on Saturday when protesters and security guards clashed following the alleged destruction of sacred Sioux sites by Dakota Access bulldozers.

At last night’s rally in Charlotte, organized by local chapters of the Trans and Queer People of Color Collective (TQPoCC) and Show Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), protesters did not shut down the intersection as has been done in previous actions, but waved signs at passing cars while working to educate passersby on foot, some of which eventually joined in.

Andrea Tommy of Rock Hill, who said she is an unrecognized member of the Cherokee tribe, made the trip to Charlotte to join the protest because she said otherwise she would be at home “hitting my head up against the wall.” She said she’s not the type to join the loud chants of her fellow protesters, but wanted to come show her appreciation for their efforts.

“For me to stand up for what I believe in, that means a lot, but when I can see other people doing it with me, it just shows that there’s no way for us to be separated. As community citizens we all have to fight for what’s good for the world and for people,” Tommy said. “Even if I don’t speak up vocally, I can at least stand up and hold up those who do.”

Terry Creech of the Coharie tribe also came to address the group of protesters and stand in solidarity with them.

“I wanted to represent the native community at this rally, for our community,” Creech said. “It’s being put on by individuals who are not native, but I felt like there had to be some form of representation from our group.”

Creech said he’s appreciative of organizations that usually focus on the movement for black lives standing up to fight for Native American rights, even when the struggle is centered in a conflict hundreds of miles away.

“It’s incredible. Honestly, we need a lot more of that if we expect to see any kind of change in this country. Everybody’s got their own issues that are going on within their groups, but as long as we stay separate, we’re never going to change anything,” Creech said. “People need to know that these issues affect all of us. They don’t just affect one particular group in one area … It’s important that people everywhere in all these different cities are collectively one voice that is coming together to say we do not want this happening there, because if it happens there it gives you the freedom to do it anywhere.”

On August 27, organizers with Black Lives Matter arrived at Red Warrior Camp, where North Dakota protesters are currently residing. “Our liberation is only realized when all people are free; free to access clean water, free from institutional racism, free to live whole and healthy lives not subjected to state-sanctioned violence,” read a statement from the group.

Gloria Merriweather, an organizer with TQPoCC Charlotte, said that people may not see the connection between groups like TQPoCC or Black Lives Matter and the struggle the Standing Rock Sioux are facing, but to her it’s obvious.

“I would have to argue that it is almost intrinsically connected to the movement for black lives,” Merriweather said. “The plight of black folks in America was built on stealing land from the indigenous people, so the struggles will always be dual, though how they attack us is separate.”

Merriweather pointed out how folks in North Carolina are already facing water safety issues at the hands of corporations like Duke Energy. She also said local protesters will soon be organizing resistance against construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline scheduled to be built by Dominion. That pipeline will begin in Virginia and run through North Carolina.

“What’s attacking North Dakota is also attacking us,” Merriweather said. “There’s a pipeline to be built, which will be coming through the Carolinas. Our water is already under attack as well; the fact that drinking water in Belmont is inaccessible. It’s really important to show the world that these things are all very connected in the way corporations are attacking land. It’s very violent and displacing.”


On September 3, protesters were able to stop construction of the DAPL as it reached Highway 1806 through nonviolent direct action and mass assembly. According to leaders in the Red Warrior Camp, private security guards hired by Dakota Access LLC used dogs and pepper spray to push back the peaceful protesters; men, women and children who call themselves “water protectors.” According to a recent update, six water protectors were bitten by dogs while dozens were pepper sprayed.

Dakota Access has said protesters “stampeded” the construction area, attacking guards and dogs with makeshift weapons.

A video posted by Democracy Now shows a dog with the blood of protesters visible around its mouth.

It was this behavior by corporate authorities that brought one woman, who only wanted to be identified as Kiki, to the rally in Uptown Charlotte on Tuesday night.

“We invaded their country, and we are still doing it to them in 2016,” Kiki said. “We unleash dogs, we pollute them. I don’t believe in karma, but if there is, we’re fucked. I think we owe it to them to stand in solidarity.” 

The group of North Carolina organizers set to leave for North Dakota on Friday are currently raising money for supplies and travel costs. To donate, visit their YouCaring page. 

Local community members, including organizers with Greenpeace and the Hip Hop Caucus, introduced a new "People, Not Polluters" platform at First Ward Park this morning in an attempt to shed light on dirty money in politics, especially in regards to the relationship between Duke Energy and North Carolina's state leaders. 

This morning's press conference came as members of Gov. Pat McCrory's administration began testifying under oath in Raleigh in regards to recently unsealed depositions from state toxicologist Kenneth Rudo. In his deposition, Rudo claimed he was pressured in a meeting with state officials to play down the health risks of Duke Energy coal ash ponds for those living near by. 

“The state health director’s job is to protect public health, and in this specific instance, the opposite occurred,” Rudo said in the deposition. “We knowingly told people that their water was safe when we knew it wasn’t.”

This morning, Hanna Mitchell with Greenpeace called on McCrory and Roy Cooper, McCrory's gubernatorial opponent in this year's race, to make promises to protect people by closing up coal ash ponds across the state, support distributed renewable energy policies, halt the expansion of natural gas and fracking and defend voting rights for everyone. 

"As long as Duke Energy keeps burning coal and keeps storing this toxic sludge in unlined dumps next to our waterways, we're going to keep dealing with the toxic legacy of coal ash pollution," Hanna Mitchell with Greenpeace said this morning. "Duke's dumps are like ticking time bombs and we all know that we live downstream from coal ash. We're all waiting for the next spill or breach. That's why we're here today, to call for a government that will protect people and not polluters." 

Nakisa Glover, an organizer with the Hip Hop Caucus, also spoke this morning, stating that while her organization is in the midst of its "Respect My Vote" campaign, its members do stand by the "People, Not Polluters" platform. 

"We should also understand that since 2014, and I'm sure it's been going since before 2014, there's been an all-out attack on the environment of North Carolina, and by environment I mean the land, the air, the water and the people," Glover said. "We've seen [neighbors of coal ash ponds] living on bottled water … also we've seen the permitting of fracking, we've seen offshore drilling being explored in North Carolina and we've seen the blocking of energy access for all ... There's something wrong with that if we have a government that's based on the polluters' system."  

Organizers unveiled a chalkboard they will bring around the state to let community members express their wishes regarding where Duke Energy should spend their money — as opposed to putting it toward government campaigns — and ways in which the next governor should listen to their constituents as opposed to Duke lobbyists. Contributions from Duke to the campaigns of McCrory and Cooper surpass $70,000, along with contributions to organizations like the Republican Governor's Association, which in turn contributes money to GOP candidates like McCrory.  

After today, the tour will continue across North Carolina, with stops in Raleigh, Greensboro, Wintson-Salem and Asheville. 

A pedestrian was reportedly struck and killed by a car near Nations Ford Road this morning on the southbound I-77 ramp. Multiple media outlets are reporting that the person was struck just after 10:30 a.m. Creative Loafing will update this story with any more details after CMPD releases a statement. The ramp will reportedly remain closed until at least 2 p.m. while police investigate at the scene. 

[MORE] Story: One dead after being struck on I-77, ramp closed https://t.co/op16Gz0UVj pic.twitter.com/jYRqw87We3

— WBTV News (@WBTV_News) August 30, 2016

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In an interview with WRAL yesterday, Meet the Press host Chuck Todd explained how troubles with Gov. Pat McCrory may be negatively affecting the chances of other Republicans on the ballot in North Carolina come November. He spoke about Charlotte and the Raleigh-Durham area specifically, where he did well four years ago but is now struggling due to House Bill 2 and the I-77 tolls. 

"I think frankly I think [the gubernatorial race is] adding to the uncertainty of the political landscape in North Carolina," Todd said. "I think the fact that he is running into so many problems, particularly in the suburbs of Charlotte and in Research Triangle with voters there that he over performed with four years ago, and now struggling with as he tries to defend HB2. I think that actually might have a bigger impact on some other races than Trump. This is a case where Trump might not be the determining factor for the ballot, it could be the Governor." 

Not willing to let Todd's words fall on deaf ears, organizers with McCrory's opponent Roy Cooper used the interview as an opportunity to release a statement of their own to help emphasize his opinions. Cooper campaign spokesperson Jamal Little released a statement yesterday afternoon after the interview had aired on WRAL. 

“While Republicans throughout the country are worried about the drag Donald Trump will have on their races, North Carolina Republicans have an even bigger problem: Governor McCrory," Little wrote. "As voters learn the truth about Governor McCrory's disastrous record, it’s not surprising that political observers like Chuck Todd see that Governor McCrory is dragging down Republicans in North Carolina. The dangerous demagoguery from Donald Trump and partisan ideology from Pat McCrory is bad for our country and state. It’s time for leaders who will work to put the interests of North Carolinians first." 

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Yesterday police took custody of a woman responsible for a crash in southwest Charlotte that killed a woman on August 20. Kelly Ann Conkin, 23, has been in Carolinas Medical Center since the wreck. She was discharged yesterday and transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, where she was charged with second-degree murder, felony death by motor vehicle, felony serious injury by motor vehicle, reckless driving and possession of marijuana. Police say Cokin was impaired when she caused the wreck, which killed 79-year-old Cecelia De Gonzalez. 

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Family and friends of Daniel Harris held a candlelight vigil last night on the street near his home in northeast Charlotte where the 29-year-old man was killed by a North Carolina State Trooper last Thursday. 

The circumstances of Harris' death are still unclear, but the incident began as an attempted traffic stop for speeding on I-485. Family members say Harris, who is deaf, may not have known the police were following him. It has been reported that the state trooper's vehicle was involved in some sort of accident before Harris finally stopped on Seven Oaks Drive, where he lived. Police have said there was an "encounter" between Harris and the trooper trying to take him into custody, but haven't explained any other details. 

At last night's vigil, Daniel's brother, Sam Harris, spoke about how things could have been different had police known his brother was deaf. He also said there will be a memorial for Daniel at First Baptist Church in Uptown this evening at 5 p.m. The family is raising money to pay for the memorial and cremation expenses on a YouCaring page. 

"Any monies left over will be used to set up a foundation in his name to educate and provide law enforcement proper training on how to confront Deaf people," the family wrote on the page. "Subsequently, we hope to change the DMV registration system by requiring states to set up a 'DEAF' alert to appear when law enforcement look up a car's license plate. With this change, Daniel will be a hero in our Deaf community." 

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Police have arrested a man for the murder of a 20-year-old woman in south Charlotte yesterday morning. Police have charged 23-year-old Jalen Anderson with murder, attempted murder and shooting into an occupied property causing serious injury. The victim, Mary Tarr, was shot in a home on Baybrook Lane and Pineville-Matthews Road at around 3 a.m. yesterday. A second female victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, but it's unclear what condition she is now in. 

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Police yesterday confirmed that a body found in the Cabarrus County woods last Wednesday during the search for Truc Quan "Sandy" Le was, in fact, Le's body. Police are still searching for Alexandro Castillo and Ahmia Feaster, Le's coworkers who are believed to be involved in her murder. Castillo and Feaster are believed to have driven Le's car across the country, dumping it in Phoenix, Arizona, and crossing the border into Mexico. 

Trump supporters were met with a relatively tame group of protesters outside of his Charlotte appearances yesterday. A group of protesters, a mixture of environmentalist organizers with Greenpeace and the Durham-based NC United Front Against Racism and Fascism, gathered in front of The Westin, where Trump was enjoying a fundraiser dinner with state leaders like Gov. Pat McCrory, Sen. Thom Thillis and Sen. Richard Burr. The protesters, some of which wearing hazmat suits, poured out buckets of coal on the sidewalk in front of the hotel, then swept it under the rugs, symbolizing McCrory's continuous cover-ups regarding coal ash and the health risks it poses. 

After the coal clean-up, protesters marched next door to the Charlotte Convention Center, where Trump was scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. A small group of protesters gathered at the entrance and chanted slogans like "Black Lives Matter" and "Let's be clear, immigrants are welcome here" for an hour or so, with not much engagement coming from Trump supporters. The group disbanded before Trump's speech with promises of meeting Trump supporters to protest his policies at any appearance he makes in Charlotte. 

The following photos were taken at The Westin and Charlotte Convention Center between 4:30 and about 6:30 p.m.

A group called the NC United Front Against Racism & Fascism will be gathering in The Green to protest a fundraiser dinner being held in Uptown that will feature such GOP names as presidential candidate Donald Trump, RNC Chair Reince Priebus, NC Gov. Pat McCrory, NC Sen. Thom Thillis and NC Sen. Richard Burr. The $50,000-per-ticket fundraiser at The Westin will precede an appearance by Trump at the Charlotte Convention Center next door beginning at 7:30 p.m. Around 200 people have already shown interest in a Facebook event asking anyone and everyone to attend to "Shut down racist billionaire Donald Trump — and his friends…" 

"The rise of Donald Trump reflects a desperate and dangerous effort to destroy working-class unity by trying to turn the anger of white workers away from billionaires like himself and against their immigrant, Mexican, Arab, Muslim, African, Asian, Indigenous sisters and brothers in this country and across the world," the event's hosts wrote. "He doesn't simply travel the country giving speeches — he is creating a toxic climate to give rise to violence against immigrants, Muslims and Arabs, LGBTQ people and women, and all oppressed people." 

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The investigation into the disappearance of Truc Quan "Sandy" Le led police into the Cabarrus County woods yesterday, where they say they found a deceased body. It is unclear yet whether it is Le's body, but the CMPD report specifically states that tips during this specific investigation led detectives, the Charlotte Fire Department, the Robinson Volunteer Fire Department and Medics to that area of the woods. 

Le disappeared along with two coworkers last week and police announced during a press conference earlier this week that her car was found in Phoenix, Arizona. The investigation was then handed over the CMPD's Homicide Unit. It is believed that her two coworkers, Alexandro Castillo and Ahmia Feaster, drove her car across the country and are now in Mexico. 

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A 22-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle wreck near Charlotte Douglas International Airport this morning. Police responded to the crash just after midnight on Wilkinson Boulevard near Rosemont Street and found a Dodge Ram pickup truck that had struck two utility poles and overturned before striking a metal box and metal pole. The driver, Zachary Eubanks, was partially ejected and pronounced dead on the scene. His two passengers, 23-year-old Reed Camp and 22-year-old Ian Stanley, were both transported to CMC-Main with non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe speed and alcohol played a role in the crash.

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Local police are searching for a man they believe to be involved with a Monday shooting on LaSalle Street in west Charlotte. Daniel Marquise Moore is wanted on nine counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to cause serious injury and seven counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling. Detectives say he has family and friends in the Beatties Ford Road area and was last seen driving an older model box-style silver Grand Marquis. He is considered armed and dangerous and has a lengthy arrest history involving violence.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Moore is asked to immediately contact the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team at 704-336-VCAT or call 911.

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released new details in the case of three missing Charlotte coworkers today, stating that a car belonging to Sandy Le has been found in Phoenix, Arizona, and that her two coworkers are now wanted for possession of a stolen car and for questioning in Le's disappearance. 

Tru Quan "Sandy" Le, 23; Alexandro Castillo, 17; and Ahmia Feaster, 19, were all reported missing within a three-day period last week and investigators quickly made connections in the case. All three work at the same Charlotte restaurant, and it's believed that Le and Castillo were once in a relationship. 

Feaster's car was found in Charlotte on Saturday, and now police say Le's car has been found in Phoenix. At a press conference held this afternoon, Maj. Cameron Selvey with the CMPD's Criminal Investigations Bureau told reporters that evidence gathered during the investigation shows that Castillo and Feaster drove the car cross-country and are believed to have crossed into Mexico. The CMPD is now treating the case as a homicide investigation, although there is no evidence that Le has been killed. 

"We feel that due to the nature of [Le's] disappearance — the fact that no one has heard from her — we are very concerned for her safety and our goal is to find her and ideally to reunite her with her family. This is one of those situations where I say that we hope for the best but plan for the worst," Selvey said.

"We are investigating it as a homicide, but I am hoping for the best. I would love nothing more than to come back in front of you and say we found Ms. Le safe and sound and we could reunite her with her family," he said. "That’s my hope for the best. My plan for the worst is that we’re going to investigate it as seriously and as vigorously as we do any investigation, but especially with an eye on, if it were to go towards a homicide, that we have done all we can do to bring some closure and justice to her family, if we go down that path." 

The change in status allows CMPD to put more detectives on the case, but they are also already in contact with FBI offices both in Charlotte and Phoenix. 

"It’s one thing if I’m reaching across the border to Fort Mill, it’s a lot different if we’re reaching across international borders. Our federal partners will be assisting with that," Selvey said.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to call 911 immediately. 

Wildin Acosta, one of the North Carolina Six that Creative Loafing reported on in March, was released late on Friday and brought by his family from the detention center in Georgia where he had been held for over six months to his home in Durham. "This is a big win for our community," Ivan Almonte, member of advocacy group Alerta Migratoria, said in a press release. "None of this would have been possible without all the people who stood by Wildin in his time of need. But this fight is not over. We still have more youths who are still detained or could very well be in detention soon."

Three of the NC 6 have now been released, while three remain in custody of immigration officials. Yefri Sorto-Hernandez of Charlotte was released on $30,000 bond in late June, while Pedro Salmeron, also of Charlotte, remains in Stewart Detention Facility in rural Georgia. It is feared that Salmeron and Bilmer Juarez of Greenville are facing imminent deportation, with action being taken possible this week. 

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There is now a $10,000 reward being offered for information in the case of three missing people whose cases appear to be connected. Truc Quan (Sandy) Le, 23; Alexandro Castillo, 17; and Ahmia Feaster, 19, all went missing last week, and Feaster's car was found abandoned in east Charlotte on Saturday morning. All three of the missing people work together and are believed to be together. Castillo, for example, was last seen being picked up by Feaster outside of his home. It's been reported that at least one of the missing people contacted family on Saturday evening and said they are safe but don't know where they are. Family members believe they are being held against their will. CMPD asks that anyone with info on the missing trio call 911 immediately.