Free Republic

U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump in North Carolina’s Senate race, is pulling ahead of other GOP candidates in the polls for retiring Sen. Richard Burr’s seat. The Raleigh News & Observer reported Sunday that Budd, a Davie County native, is leading by the double digits in the polls ahead of former Gov. Pat McCrory, former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker and political newcomer Marjorie Eastman. He has skipped debates, strategizing to instead rely on campaign events and millions of dollars in advertisements to resonate with voters and secure the party ticket. The influential conservative...

ADVANCE, N.C. -- A neighborhood and school community are having difficult conversations with their children after a former Davie County elementary school employee was charged with 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Parents of Shady Grove Elementary School students received a voice message from Principal Sarah Maier notifying them that Jason Banks, 48, had been arrested by the Davie County Sheriff's Office. Davie County Schools tells FOX8 Banks worked as a speech language pathologist for the school system. He has been on leave since Jan. 22. Deputies say Banks is charged with 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation...