Democrat Wins State Senate Seat, Breaks GOP Supermajority

A Democratic challenger for North Carolina Senate District 19 has won the seat after the Republican incumbent failed to request a recount prior to the deadline to do so.

Republican Sen. Wesley Meredith of Fayetteville had until 5 p.m. Monday to request in writing a recount of the vote totals that showed him losing by 433 votes to Kirk deViere.

With the latest victory, Democrats will hold 21 Senate seats to 29 seats for Republicans in the General Assembly, breaking the supermajorities that hobbled Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes.

Winston-Salem Bans Bird Scooters, For Now

The City of Winston-Salem has banned Bird scooters from city streets.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the city's Public Safety Committee voted 3-1 in favor of the ban Monday night.

City Manager Lee Garrity says the scooters may return after officials figure out how they want to regulate them.

Garrity says there have been citizen complaints about scooters being ridden on sidewalks, running red lights and going the wrong way in traffic.

About 100 Bird scooters appeared suddenly around town in August.

Greensboro banned use of the scooters earlier this month.

State Holds School Safety Public Forums

A committee from the Governor's Crime Commission is hosting two public forums to gather input on school safety. One will be held next week in Greensboro.

The Special Committee on School Shootings was created earlier this year. It's made up of representatives from law enforcement, courts, schools and other groups.     

The public forums will allow community members to ask questions and provide feedback. The Greensboro meeting will take place on November 29 at the Koury Convention Center.

The Special Committee's final report, including public comments, will be delivered to the Governor's Crime Commission in December.

Community Shocked By Death Of Winston-Salem Restaurateur

The community is mourning the loss of Tonya Bess, who owned Prime Tyme Soul Food Cafe.

People are sharing their memories of 51-year old Bess on social media, saying she supported other minority businesses, and was a sponsor of the National Black Theatre Festival. Bess previously co-owned another local restaurant - Nitty Gritty Soul Cafe.

Bess was found a few hours before the restaurant was scheduled to open on Friday, after authorities responded to a 911 call about an unconscious woman. Preliminary autopsy findings have not yielded a determination of cause of death and authorities are awaiting final toxicology results. 

The Winston-Salem Police Department says Bess's death is suspicious in nature and they are following up on multiple investigative leads.

36 Contract Chickenpox At North Carolina Anti-Vaccination Stronghold

Asheville is experiencing one of the state's worst chickenpox outbreaks in more than two decades. The virus has taken hold at a school where many parents seek religious exemptions from vaccine requirements.

Officials say that as of Friday, 36 children have contracted chickenpox at the Asheville Waldorf School.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reports more than two-thirds of the school's 152 students haven't received the chickenpox vaccine, which became available in the U.S. in 1995. The school's website says it enrolls children from early childhood through sixth grade.

Swastika Painted On Duke Mural Honoring Synagogue Victims

Duke University officials say someone painted a Nazi symbol on a mural honoring victims of last month's Pittsburgh synagogue massacre.

University president Vincent Price said in a letter to the school community that a red swastika was painted Sunday night on the tribute to those who died in the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. The East Campus Bridge and tunnel underneath are spaces where students can paint messages ranging from campus event promotions to memorials.

Price condemned the swastika as cowardly vandalism.

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