CHARLOTTE — From catastrophic flooding to the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, North Carolina has been in the national news frequently over the last two years. We’ve seen responses from state and federal government officials because of those headlines, with the public having mixed feelings.
WSOC-TV and WRAL-TV teamed up with SurveyUSA to ask North Carolinians about multiple topics that received plenty of coverage over the past two years. The poll was conducted from October 7-11.
The Response to Hurricane Helene
The WSOC/WRAL poll found 50 percent say they are dissatisfied with how the government handled the response to Hurricane Helene. The poll found 63 percent of Western North Carolina residents were dissatisfied with the response.
[ SPECIAL SECTION >> Hurricane Helene Stories ]
Western Carolina Professor Chris Cooper says Helene response is the biggest issue for raises in Western North Carolina, particularly in the 11th Congressional District.
“Hurricane Helene relief is critical in the 11th congressional district,” he said. “I happen to live in that district and the mailers coming into my box reinforce that from both candidates.”
Iryna Zarutska
Nearly a year after Helene, Charlotte was in the spotlight after police say Decarlos Brown stabbed Iryna Zarutska to death on the light rail. In response, lawmakers passed Iryna’s Law. This cracked down on repeat offenders and cashless bail. The WSOC/WRAL poll found 53 percent of North Carolinians say it has made the state safer.
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Representative Tricia Cotham pushed for the bill to pass. She says while more work needs to be done, she’s glad to see progress.
“We’re really seeing some people who are not being allowed to get out of jail. We’re seeing repeat offenders held accountable and more money for mental health,” she said. “I provided 10 assistant district attorney positions and so is it the final answer or done? Absolutely not. It must be a work in progress, and I want to continue that work because I’m always going to fight for safety.”
The poll found the state’s bail guidelines for suspected violent offenders receive a net approval of -3, with 27 percent approving of the guidelines (6 percent strongly, 21 percent somewhat) and 30 percent disapproving (16 percent somewhat, 14 percent strongly), while a large plurality of 43 percent say they are not sure.
Operation Charlotte’s Web
CBP’s Operation Charlotte’s Web lasted nearly a week and led to hundreds of arrests. CBP arrested not only known criminals but also people whose only crime was that they were in the country illegally.
[ SPECIAL SECTION >> Border Patrol Operation in Charlotte ]
The WSOC/WRAL poll found 53 percent of North Carolinians think immigration authorities should prioritize people charged or convicted of crimes. In a separate question, 39 percent of North Carolinians support taking people into custody solely because they are here illegally.
Transgender sport participation
Despite being illegal in North Carolina, transgender sport participation continues to be a campaign topic. On Monday, Michael Whatley held a campaign event with Payton McNabb. In high school, McNabb was injured by the spike of a transgender girl during a volleyball match. The poll found 54 percent of North Carolinians say students should participate in sports based on their sex at birth. The poll found 14 percent of North Carolinians say students should participate based on their current gender identity, including a high of 34 percent among very liberal respondents. The poll found 18 percent say eligibility should be determined individually using factors such as age, sport, and stage of physical development, including 36 percent of somewhat liberal respondents and 30 percent of Democrats.
“When we talk about protecting our daughters, we are talking about real girls with real futures,” McNabb said Monday. “I lived with the consequences of what happens when this is ignored.”
In 2023, North Carolina lawmakers passed a law banning transgender girls from participating in K-12 and collegiate sports. Governor Roy Cooper vetoed it but the Republican legislature voted to override it.