ROLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) — Powerful tornadoes tore through parts of the Deep South on Friday night, killing at least 23 people in Mississippi, obliterating dozens of buildings and leaving an especially devastating mark on a rural town whose mayor declared, “My city is gone.”

'My city is gone:' Tornado kills 23, injures dozens and levels buildings across rural South

'Take cover now:' Tornado flattens parts of Mississippi, killing 13

A man is dead after an altercation with Lenoir County Sheriff deputies during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Suspect shot, killed in Kinston after aiming rifle at deputies 

An Asheville photographer captured an incredibly rare event Thursday night: The Northern Lights, typically not visible this far south, dazzling in the starry, purple North Carolina skies.

Incredibly rare: Northern Lights visible in North Carolina 

Northern Lights seen as far south as Asheville, NC, an incredibly rare event. Photo credit: Asheville Pictures

Possibility for an isolated storm Saturday afternoon with winds outside of any storms gusting up to 35 mph.



Stormy Saturday: Afternoon showers could bring gusty winds, isolated storms

Weather for March 25, 2023

The list, circulating among students and parents at York Elementary, includes names and descriptions that range from cute and sweet to lazy and the use of vulgarities, even comments about one student's pimples. 

Wake Co. teacher suspended; burn list circulates with insults about 5th graders

Exceprt from York Elementary burn list

NCAA bracket

College hoops bracket challenge

All assets associated with the tag: pen pals

Pen pals Coverage

Letters have been bridging the 5,000-mile gap between Tania Nemer and Jorgette Vitorino for more than 30 years. Nemer lives in Ohio and Vitorino lives in Brazil. 

ANNOUNCED IN THE COMING DAYS. BACK TO YOU. SO MANY PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THAT RIGHT NOW. THANKS, BRIAN. NOW TO A MEETING DECADES IN THE MAKING TO PENTHOUSE FROM OTHER SIDES OF THE WORLD ARE FINALLY GETTING THE CHANCE TO MEET IN PERSON. LETTERS HAVE BEEN BRIDGING THE 5,000 MILE GAP BETWEEN TANIYA NIMR AND GEORGETTE VITTER. RENO FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. MEMORY LIVES IN OHIO AND ERIE KNOW LIVES IN BRAZIL. THE PAIR STARTED AS PEN PALS IN THE 5TH GRADE AND NEVER LOST TOUCH. AND THIS PAST WEEKEND, THEY FINALLY MET IN PERSON. BOTH WOMEN SHARE A LOVE FOR WRITING

After 30 years, pen pals 5,000 miles apart ready to meet

Residents at the Victorian Senior Care Facilities nursing home in Asheboro were looking for pen pals. The response they have received so far has been incredible.

BUIL >>> SO MANY SENIORS ARE IN LOCKDOWN ISOLATED AND ALONE SOME HAVE FOUND NEW FRIENDS AROUND THE COUNTRY.>> TONIGHT WE FIND OUR TAR HEEL TRAVEL AND RANDOLPH COUNTY IN ASHBOROUGH WITH A HEARTWARMING STORY OF PENPALS.>>REPORTER: THIS IS A BLESSING.>> SHE HAS GOT MAIL, PILES OF MAIL OPEN. VICTORIAN SENIOR CARE AND ON FACEBOOK THE SENIORS AT ITS VARIOUS CENTERS AGAIN ASKING FOR PENPALS. SPENT IT EXPLODED. SPENT>> NORTHPOINT IN ASHBOROUGH ONE OF THE SENIOR CARE FACILITIES.>> THEN THERE IS A JANICE.>> 102. >> THAT IS HER AGE AND MAYBE THE NUMBER OF LETTERS SHE RECEIVED TODAY.>> MOST ARE ASKING HOW DID YOU GET TO BE 102 AND I HAVE NOT THE FAINTEST IDEA. IT JUST HAPPENED. >> IT JUST HAPPENED, THE PENPAL LETTERS TO JANICE AT ALL OF THE OTHER SENIORS.>> OH MY LORD.>> HIGH MY NAME IS LINDA.>> NORTH LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS, NAZARETH PENNSYLVANIA, XENIA, OHIO, SENT TO ASHBOROUGH TO JANICE. SHE WAS BORN DURING WORLD WAR I. SHE CHRISTENED A SHIP DURING WORLD WAR TWO. STAR CITY INDIANA. MARYSVILLE WASHINGTON. ASHLAND ALABAMA. HELLO JANICE I AM ALSO A TEACHER.>> I USED TO GO HOME AT NIGHT AND PUT MY HEAD DOWN AND SOB.>> SHE TAUGHT DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN. >> I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO HELP THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ASPIRE TO GET OUT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LIFE HAD CAST THEM.>> AND NOW LIFE HAS CAST THEM INTO UNINSPECTED ISOLATION. THE STAFF PRAISE BEFORE THEIR SHIFTS. NO VISITORS AT THIS TIME.>> THEY LOVE IT AND THEY ARE BLOWN AWAY.>> THANK YOU.>> PHOENIX, ARIZONA. WALKER, MICHIGAN.>> I WANT TO CORRESPOND WITH THEM AND I HAVE BEEN EXCITED BY LIFE. I THINK EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL PUT I HAVE LOVED LIFE AND I STILL DO. I STILL DO.>> SIMPLE THINGS MEAN SO MUCH AND THE OUTPOURING

Seniors at Asheboro nursing home get outpouring of support ... and letters

N.C. seniors looking for pen pals

Sophie Chhowalla, an 8-year-old from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, is undergoing long-term treatment for Neuroblastoma. Since she can't be out in public due to her condition and the coronavirus, she's getting support in other ways.

So what is the name of what you've got Um ner I know you're Oh I know why Last known what I know last Oma Morris we have to get down me on that one parent come which was extremely rough for us because my husband comes toe everything with me We got very used to That is our routine and this idea And then she had to be in for a very rough chemo And only one p parent was allowed to be there and that was it was you know because it's tough  Yeah I wasn't expecting I know And it was very soon she was talking about that she had to put this together and she was thinking about kids like Sophie and what they were going through  So how did that make you feel Well like state we feel like I'm there is just one of just amazing people who kind of even in times of tough times where there you know worrying for their own family or other own life  They think about kids like so you're going through a lot Mm

Virtual pen pals fill void for sick kids

Child with cancer

 The popularity of handwritten letters may be diminishing, but that hasn't stopped two lifelong pen pals. The pair connected nearly 40 years ago, and are finally meeting in person for the first time.

Pen pals Coverage

After 30 years, pen pals 5,000 miles apart ready to meet

Seniors at Asheboro nursing home get outpouring of support ... and letters

Virtual pen pals fill void for sick kids

Life-long pen pals meet in person