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Erik Verduzco.

Willy Aceituno, left, makes a police report with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer N. Sherill, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers broke his window during an enforcement operation, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Immigration enforcement surge begins in Charlotte, North Carolina, officials confirm

November 15, 2025

Federal officials have started a surge of immigration enforcement in Charlotte, North Carolina. Agents were seen making arrests on Saturday. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the move aims to ensure public safety. Local officials including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles are criticizing the arrests, saying they cause unnecessary fear. Residents of North Carolina’s largest city are reporting agents seeking to arrest people outside businesses and in front yards. Observers say they have seen an increase in stops by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents since Friday.

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Park ranger Jesse Anderson speaks to visitors during a weekly carnivorous plant hike Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Carolina Beach, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Insect-eating Venus flytraps thrive in the Carolinas as hikers peek into their native ecosystem

May 26, 2025

Some of the most unique living things in the world — plants that supplement the nutrients they get from sunlight by digesting ants, flies and spiders — are only found in a small part of North and South Carolina. Venus flytraps in the wild aren’t like the human-size, ravenous and cruel Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Instead, they are the size of a lima bean and mean no harm to anything other than insects. Their special hairs snap their leaves together when brushed — but only twice in about 20 seconds or less to reduce the amount of false alarms by dust or rain.

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