ANNOUNCER: WXII 12 NEWS AT 6:00 STARTS RIGHT NOW.
>> HIS LAST WORDS WERE, I LOVE YOU, MOM.
LITERALLY I JUST FEEL LIKE A WHOLE HALF OF MY HEART IS GONE.
KENNY: A MOTHER’S HEARTBREAK.
SHE SPENT THE LAST YEAR GRIEVING THE DEATH OF HER SON, NOW SHE WANTS TO SEE SOMETHING CHANGE.
HOW SHE HOPES SHARING HER PAIN WILL HELP STOP THE VIOLENCE.
>> NORTH CAROLINA IS SET UP TO PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.
THE MESSAGE ELIZABETH WARREN IS BRINGING TO TRIAD VOTERS.
AND WHY SOME DEMOCRATS FEAR SHE WON’T BE ABLE TO BEAT PRESIDENT TRUMP.
KENNY: AN OLYMPIAN FROM THE TRIAD HOPES TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH HERE AT HOME.
WHEN KATHLEEN BAKER WILL RACE WITH SOME OF THE NATION’S BEST.
BRIANA: IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, PULL OUT THE WINTER COAT.
IT WILL GET DOWNRIGHT COLD IN THE PIEDMONT TRIAD.
KENNY: AND GRAB THE UMBRELLA AS WELL.
A LOT OF US WILL SEE NASTY WEATHER OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
LANIE: RAIN GEAR FIRST AND THEN WINTER GEAR.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WINTER COAT WEATHER.
TEMPERATURES THAT ARE MORE COMPARABLE TO JANUARY HIGHS RIGHT AROUND THIS FRONT.
IT IS BRINGING RAIN INTO THE AREA RIGHT NOW.
NOT A LOT OF RAIN BUT MAYBE JUST ENOUGH RAIN.
YOU HAVE LIGHT RAIN FROM WINSTON-SALEM TO JUST EAST OF GREENSBORO TOWARD BURLINGTON.
AND LIGHT RAIN FOR THE TO THE NORTH.
-- FURTHER TO THE NORTH.
BACK TO MOUNT AIRY AND GALAX, SOME SHOWERS.
TEMPERATURES THIS HOUR ARE PRETTY COMFORTABLE AND DEFINITELY MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THEY WOULD BE TOMORROW.
WE HAVE 50’S AND 60’S.
AND A VERY STRONG WIND WHICH WILL TAKE THE WIND CHILL VALUES.
THE TEMPERATURES WILL BE FREEZING.
THE COLD AIR WILL CONTINUE INTO THE WEEKEND.
KENNY: FOLLOWING BREAKING COMMITMENT 2020 NEWS.
ALIEN AIR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG MIGHT BE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AFTER ALL.
BRIANA: THE FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY SAYS HE WOULD NOT BE RUNNING BUT AN ADVISER SAYS HE HAS NOT MADE A FINAL DECISION.
HE IS EXPECTED TO FILE IN THE ALABAMA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.
KENNY: THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, AMERICANS WILL HAVE VOTED FOR PRESIDENT.
BRIANA: ELECTION DAY IS STILL 362 AWAY, BUT CANDIDATES HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THEIR PARTY’S PRIMARY FIRST.
SO THEY WILL BE CAMPAINGING ALMOST NON-STOP THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS TO TRY AND WIN YOUR VOTE.
KENNY: SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN IS THE LATEST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL TO BRING HER MESSAGE TO NORTH CAROLINA.
THIS IS A LIVE LOOK AT BROUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL IN RALEIGH, WHERE THE SENATOR IS EXPECTED TO SPEAK AT ANY MOMENT.
BRIANA: SENATOR WARREN ALSO BROUGHT HER MESSAGE TO TRIAD VOTERS.
THIS AFTERNOON, SHE SPOKE AT NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY IN GREENSBORO.
KENNY: BILL O’NEIL HAS TONIGHT’S COMMITMENT COVERAGE.
BILL: ELIZABETH WARREN TOLD SUPPORTERS, MANY OF THEM STUDENTS HERE AT A&T, EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR.
>> $50 BILLION AND I WANT TO BE RIGHT HERE TODAY.
BECAUSE I WANT TO SHINE A LIGHT ON WHAT THE HBC YOU IS DOING EVERY SINGLE DAY.
BILL: THE PROGRESSIVE SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS SAYS HER PLAN TO INVEST IN HBCU’S, CANCEL STUDENT DEBT AND PAY FOR UNVERSAL CHILDCARE WILL COME FROM A TAX ON THE WEALTHY.
A 2 CENT TAX ON EVERY DOLLAR OVER 50 MILLION.
>> YOU MAY HAVE HEARD SOME BILLIONAIRES CRYING ON TV.
[LAUGHTER] AWW.
BUT WE ASK THE TOP .1 OF 1% TO PITCH IN TWO CENTS ON THEIR FORTUNES, WE CAN INVEST IN AN ENTIRE GENERATION.
>> SHE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYTHING.
AND THE TWO CENT TAX, I’M ROOTING FOR THAT.
I NEED MY STUDENT LOANS PAID FOR.
>> I APPRECIATE WHAT SHE’S DOING WITH HBC YOU -- HBCU’S. >> -- BILL: PART OF WARREN’S STOP AT A&T INCLUDED SOME LIGHTER DISCUSSION, LIKE DOES SHE PREFER CHIC FIL A OR POPEYES, SHE CHOSE
POPEYES.
>> YES OR NO, DO WE NEED ANOTHER WHITE MAN AS PRESIDENT?
>> NOT RIGHT AWAY.
BILL: DESPITE RECENT CRITICISM FROM FELLOW DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING JOE BIDEN, WARREN DID NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ABOUT HER OPPONENTS.
BUT WHEN ASKED ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE QUESTION OF IMPEACHMENT, WARREN WASN’T SHY TO RESPOND.
>> NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.
NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> I HAVEN’T MADE UP MY MIND.
BILL: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
>> SOMEONE THAT CAN DO BETTER FOR THE COUNTRY AND CAN BEAT TRUMP.
BILL: THE FEAR AMONG SOME DEMOCRATS IS THAT WARREN MAY BE TOO PROGRESSIVE TO BEAT PRESIDENT TRUMP.
SHE’S CONSIDERED THE EXICTING BUT DANGEROUS CANDIDATE, TO JOE BIDEN’S DULL BUT SAFE CHOICE.
IN GREENSBORO ON THE CAMPUS OF A&T, I’M BILL O’NEIL, WXII 12 NEWS.
KENNY: WE ARE USED TO NORTH CAROLINA BEING A BIG FOCUS FOR CANDIDATES.
BUT OUR STATE’S ROLE COULD BE EVEN GREATER IN 2020.
OUR PRIMARY IS EARLIER THIS YEAR.
NORTH CAROLINA VOTERS WILL CHOOSE A CANDIDATE ON MARCH THIRD, OR SUPER TUESDA POLITICAL EXPERTS SAY THE EARLIER THE PRIMARY, THE MORE ATTENTION A STATE TENDS TO GET.
SENATOR THOM TILLIS IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2020.
HE’S CAMPAIGNING IN RALEIGH TOMORROW.
HE IS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH VOLUNTEERS IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THEN SPEAK AT THE NORTH CAROLINA FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN FALL DINNER THAN EVENING.
TILLIS IS FACING TWO CHALLENGERS IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.
BRIANA: NEW TONIGHT, A BILL CLOSING LOOPHOLES INVOLVING SEXUAL ABUSE AND ASSAULT, IS OFFICIALLY LAW IN NORTH CAROLINA.
GOVERNOR COOPER SIGNED THE BILL TODAY IN GREENSBORO.
KIRSTEN GUTIERREZ SPOKE TO THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THE NEW PROTECTIONS.
>> FINALLY IN NORTH CAROLINA, NO JUSTICE WILL NOT BE DENIED JUST BECAUSE IT’S DELAYED.
FINALLY IN NORTH CAROLINA, NO MEANS NO.
KIRSTEN: THE NEW LAW FOCUSES ON PROTECTING CHILDREN AND TIGHTENING UP LAWS WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL ASSAULT.
>> WHEN YOU HAVE 35% OF WOMEN HAVING REPORTED INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ABUSE THAT’S A STARTLING NUMBER.
KIRSTEN: PREVIOUSLY, A WOMAN HAD TO SAY NO BEFORE AND ENCOUNTERED FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED -- BEFORE AN ENCOUNTER FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED SEXUAL ASSAULT.
THE NEW LAW CHANGES THAT.
>> FOR WOMEN NOT TO BE ABLE TO REVOKE CONSENT CAN MEAN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CAN LEAVE A LOOP HOLE IN THE LAW THAT CAN LET PREDATORS GO FREE.
KIRSTEN: AS FOR CHILD ABUSE, IF YOU WITNESS IT AND DO NOT REPORT IT, YOU’RE BREAKING THE LAW.
>> AS FAR AS COMMUNITY OUTREACH WE CAN GO INTO THE SCHOOLS AND , WE CAN DO EDUCATION WITH TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO HELP PROTECT CHILDREN OF ALL AGES.
KIRSTEN: THE NEW LEGISLATION ALSO GIVES SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS MORE TIME TO COME FORWARD.
>> IT EXTENDS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS SO AN ADULT THAT’S AS OLD AS 28 COULD REPORT CHILD ABUSE AND COULD GET JUSTICE AT A MUCH OLDER AGE.
KIRSTEN: AND WILL ALLOW THEM CLOSURE IN THE COURTROOM IF THEY WISH TO SPEAK TO THEIR ABUSER.
>> THIS SENDS A MESSAGE TO THEM THAT IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
YOU ARE A SURVIVOR AND YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THIS AND HAVE JUSTICE DONE FOR YOU.
KIRSTEN: GOVERNOR COOPER SAYS WHILE THIS IS A GREAT START , THERE’S MORE WORK TO BE DONE TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.
IN GREENSBORO, KIRSTEN GUTIERREZ, WXII 12 NEWS.
BRIANA: THE GOVERNOR ALSO HELPED OPEN A NEW SECTION OF THE GREENSBORO URBAN LOOP.
THIS AREA IS JUST EAST OF THE HIGHWAY 220/BATTLEGROUND AVENUE INTERCHANGE.
THIS SECTION OF THE LOOP WILL BE NAMED FOR DOUGLAS GAYLON.
HE SERVED ON THE GREENSBORO CITY COUNCIL AND GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
HE ALSO SPENT 17 YEARS WITH THE STATE BOARD OF TRANSPORTATION.
KENNY: STAYING IN GREENSBORO, POLICE WANT TO KNOW WHO SHOT SOMEONE LESS THAN A MILE FROM NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY.
OFFICERS BLOCKED HUFFMAN STREET NEAR BYRD STREET IN GREENSBORO THIS AFTERNOON.
A&T STUDENTS GOT AN AGGIE ALERT BECAUSE THE SHOOTING WAS NEAR AGGIE SUITIES.
WITNESSES SAY THE SUSPECT WAS DRIVING A SILVER, NEWER MODEL NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATE.
IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE SHOOTING, GET IN TOUCH WITH THE GREENSBORO PD.
BRIANA: ALSO HAPPENING NOW, A MEETING TO TALK ABOUT SOLUTIONS TO THE VIOLENCE IN WINSTON-SALEM.
KENNY: THIS IS A LIVE LOOK AT THE PIEDMONT PARK COMMUNITY CENTER.
STEVE KING IS LIVE OUTSIDE THE MEETING.
BRIANA: STEVE, HOW CAN MEETINGS LIKE THIS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES?
STEVE: RALLY-UP WINSTON-SALEM HOLDS 2 OF THESE MEETINGS A MONTH.
ONE IS ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.
THAT IS TONIGHT.
THAT IS HERE AT THE PIEDMONT PARK COMMUNITY CENTER.
ORGANIZERS SAY IN ORDER TO STOP VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNIT AND BY SPREADING LOVE.
>> ANGER IS THE PRECIPICE OF WHAT IS LEADING TO VIOLENCE.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN COUNTERACT THAT IS LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOVED.
STEVE: TO SHOW THE IMPACT OF GUN VIOLENCE, WE CAUGHT UP WITH A MOTHER GRIEVING THE LOSS OF HER SON THAT WAS KILLED IN A SHOOTING NEARLY ONE YEAR AGO.
WILLIAM SIMMONS JUNIOR’S MOTHER SAYS THAT HE WAS A CARING YOUNG MAN.
A FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYER AT NORTH FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL, WILL HAD A PROMISING FUTURE UNTIL HIS LIFE WAS CUT SHORT.
WILL WAS SHOT AND KILLED AT AN APARTMENT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WINSTON-SALEM LAST NOVEMBER.
THEN 16-YEAR-OLD MEKAYLA MARSH IS CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN HIS DEATH, ACCUSED OF NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE OF A WEAPON.
NOW, WILL’S FAMILY IS LEFT WITH JUST HIS MEMORIES AND PAIN >> HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN GRADUATING.
JUST WATCHING ALL OF HIS FRIENDS GO TO PROM AND PREPARE FOR GRADUATION.
I DON’T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL THE HURT THAT I FEEL EVERYDAY.
STEVE: BOTH PENNY BARR AND ORGANIZERS OF TONIGHT’S RALLY WINSTON-SALEM AGREE THAT ONE SOLUTION IS MORE ADULTS TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY AND GETTING INVOLVED IN CHILDREN’S LIVES.
ORGANIZERS WANTED THOSE TO BE COMING TO THIS MEETING BUT THEY SAY EVERYBODY IS INVITED ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.
REPORTING LIVE IN WINSTON-SALEM, STEVE KING, WXII 12 NEWS.
BRIANA: TONIGHT, A MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AT DAVIDSON COUNTY DEPUTIES IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, AND IN JAIL.
TERRY SIMERSON IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER, AND ASSAULT ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
DEPUTIES SAY ADDITIONAL CHARGES ARE EXPECTED SOON.
INVESTIGATORS RESPONDED TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL IN THE LINDWOOD COMMUNITY YESTERDAY.
SIMERSON, A DEPUTY AND A WOMAN WERE ALL INJURED.
EVERYONE IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL TONI