Transcripts For WBTV WBTV News 3 At 5PM 20160223

Thank you. And you can track Severe Weather right on your smartphone or your tablet. Download the free wbtv weather app it has the forecast and live radar and alerts to warn you of any problems or lightning in your area. Right now, what some are calling a victory for charlottes lgbt others are calling a threat to public safety. The city Council Passed an ordinance that would allow transgender people to choose bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity. Wbtvs Pamela Escobar is on your side with how the ordinance could be enforced and what it means for you. What can you tell us . Well, i wanted to speak to the City Attorney about this updated ordinance that goes into effect in april but he did not want to sit down. I was able to review memos that he wrote to city councilmembers answering their questions and sat down with two lawyers asking to me if there is a lesson from the Civil Rights Era the statutes need to have teeth and if they dont have teeth you are not going to have broad compliance in the community. Josh says the newly approved nondiscrimination ordinance that includes sex, marital status, family status, gender identity and gender expression does not have teeth because if someone experiences discrimination for one of those reasons they cannot go to court and file a complaint. The public accommodation statute has a weak enforcement provision. Which only allows somebody who has been victimized to make a complaint with the Conciliation Division. And the Conciliation Division has no power to compel a business that violated that statute to comply. The City Attorney wrote in a memo to council the zika viruses voluntary compliance through the Community Relations committee or misdemeanor. Ordinance violations are class three misdemeanors. So presumably if you are a business, club, ymca, and you violate this ordinance, then somebody could be arrested for a class three misdemeanor for not enforcing it. Criminal lawyer brad smith read the ordinance and asked who would get arrested in that case and asks does the ordinance tell a business how to comply with the law when it comes to questions regarding bathrooms . Does it practically speaking set out standards for enforcement . Does it set out standards for how its supposed to be enforced . If the ordinance goes into effect in april, it looks like members of the Lgbt Community and businesses could really end up challenging the effectiveness of that Community Relations board who is going to hear the violations or complaints. Governor mccrory talked with wbtv news today about his plans to take action against charlottes ordinance. He sat down with steve crump and steve joins us live from raleigh. Steve, what is he going to do here . Well, paul, we came to the Governors Mansion at his request today and patrick cannon cannon pat mccrory is fuming over the decision by city council. The governor says the North Carolina General Assembly will visit this issue during the short session this coming april. Mccrory says going to the bathroom is a matter of privacy and told us what the Charlotte City council did is an overreach by local government and is passionate about the topic and says it sends the wrong message. I think breaks the basic standards and frankly expectations of privacy that all children alike would expect in a restroom facility or in a locker room facility. And i just i think they are creating a lot of potential problems. Now, the governor told me he has been in touch with at least one city councilmember during the conversations. But he plans on talking to a number of state lawmakers and legislators as they plan on drafting this legislation that he hopes will rescind what was done by the city of charlotte last night. More from the governor tonight at 6 00 p. M. Live in raleigh, Steve Crump Wbtv on your side. Thank you. Now this ordinance takes effect april first and it could have a big impact on local businesses. Sarablake morgan talked with Business Owners on both sides of the debate you will hear their reaction on wbtv news at 6 00. A man accused of raping an 11yearold child is in jail. Charged with two counts of statutory rape, six counteds of statutory sex offend and indecent liberties with a child. He is in the Detention Center under 1 million bond. President obama unveiled his proposal to close the Detention Center at guantanomo bay and move prisoners to the u. S. From cuba and one facility considered is in south carolina. Jamie boll has more details. President obama announced his latest proposal to close the detention facility at guantanomo bay in cuba. Its counterproductive to our fight against terrorists because they use it as propaganda in their efforts to recruit. Moreover, keeping this facility open is contrary to our values. There are 91 detainees left with a third cleared for trants efficients to other countries, 56 would be moved to the u. S. Mastermind chic mohammed. It will cost 475 million to move them and build a new facility but it will save 85 million a year in operating costs. We can ensure our security, uphold our highest values around the world and save american taxpayers a lot of money in the process. The administration has identified 13 locations in the u. S. , including facilities in south carolina. Kansas and colorado. But lawmakers from those states have opposed the moves. Along with republican leaders. What he is proposing to do is in contradict contradiction with the will of the american people. It would be illegal under law to transfer Foreign Terrorists at guantanomo bay into the united states. The white house is europeing congress to act urging congress to act before the president leaves office. Jamie boll wbtv on your side. Speaker of the house paul to reveal the details such as the cost and location of the alternative facility. The annual ciaa tournament week is underway in charlotte and declared an extraordinary event which gives police extra authority. The tournament tipped off today at Time Warner Cable arena. Johnson c. Smith University Womens team defeated Elizabeth City State University 7050 in round one today. And basketball is the focal point mayor roberts says there is a big boost for local businesses. I think charlotte looks bright today. There is a lot going on this week and a lot of people who will be paying attention to our city and here enjoying themselves and see we are a very welcoming city. Mayor roberts spoke at the breakfast conversation bissonette working event and 55 million Economic Impact on charlotte. Time for a check on the roads. Here is tonya rivens in the first alert traffic center. Things have not been too bad. Your first alert traffic is sponsored by peoples bank. As we check here at johnston road heads up at Pineville Matthews highway 51 an accident. And another caramel road and an option is south boulevard and volume is starting to build. This is typical for this time of day between rea road and johnston road. Slowmoving traffic, as well as we check in about 20milesperhour in that area. And volume on providence road. Looks like its heading towards center city away from 485 and then approaching 51 slowmoving traffic in that area as well. Here is a look at the d. O. T. Camera, i77 and tyvola road still accidentfree at the moment. I want to make sure we get this correction, johnson c. Basketball team defeated Elizabeth City State University. Credit is given to them for the kickoff of the ciaa tournament. Golden balls. And that powerful storm system moving towards the carolinas caused damage in louisiana. Alex giles is live in the alert center with video. Louisiana. This is recent video of this afternoon bad damage reported in parts of louisiana according to cbs news this is from prairieville. No reported injuries that is good. But bad thing. Look at the damage. There have been reports of tornadoes. And officials are investigating trying to confirm whether or not a funnel cloud touched down in the state. And there are downed power lines in several areas. That is some nasty stuff. No injuries have been reported so far out there. Thank you. And looks like we have strong winds headed our way. We will track that system. Thomas keeping a close eye and this thing has lots of layers to it. You took the words out of my mouth. There is a lot of concerns on the table with this. We have a strong wind field and flood potential and isolated Severe Weather. Stay tuned. We will break it down for you in the forecast. And next. Potential jurors share their experiences about substance abuse, Domestic Violence and police. They are not the ones on trial. But their surprising answers decide the outcome of one. Domestic violence and dangers to police. All part of a trial of a cornelius man accused of shooting at police two years ago. Lawyers say he is not reaction to his insomnia medicine. Their job is to defend him but the jurors who took the tough questions today. Sharon smith is live at the courthouse with more on what happened inside. And explain to us . Well, i tell you nowhere else but here at the courthouse can you find such a Diverse Group of strangers. And get them to open up and share things about very, very personal issues. We heard typical questions like are you connected to any Police Officers . Have you ever been involved in a Domestic Violence case . And yes, some of the potential jurors said they had. And came the questions about drug use and drug abuse. Jury selection is one time attorneys all wish they could be mind readers. They try to predict which side gains favor based on probing questions. In this case, attorneys for charles sane say they will argue saying sane was unconscious and is not culpable because of the prescription sleep aid ambien. He is accused of firing shots at cornelius Police Officers as they responded to his home about a Domestic Violence call. Today state prosecutors eased into asking potential jurors about their experience with alcoholism or substance abuse. At least five of the first 13 admitted they or a close relative had been an alcoholic. They were also quizzed about their experience with ambien five said they took it or lived with someone who did. One woman said she had no issues. Others noticed a change in demeanor. And one woman said she would never drink with it its powerful enough. And prosecutors asked potential jurors a lot of questions about drinking and alcohol, expect that to play into part of their case. I will tell you that the warning use alcohol if you are using that drug. As for the outcome of this case it will depend whether the jury believes sanes actions were voluntary or involuntary. Sharon smith wbtv on your side. It will be interesting to watch this trial thank you. Opening statements and the presentation of evidence could start tomorrow. Lets check the roads. It is 5 18 and here is tonya rivens. Thank you. Your first alert traffic is sponsored by peoples bank. As we check in here i85 sugar creek road interstates i85, i77, have been quiet. And an accident that is close to sugar creek road on hubbard falls drive and we have volume on old statesville 115 and w. T. Harris headed westbound. As we continue to look around the area heads up around north tryon close to w. T. Harris a lane is partially blocked due to and volume building on University City boulevard near 485 as well. Thank you. Misty out right now. And the temperature was cooler than i thought it was going to be. One of the days where the windshield wipers are a nuisance. But you have to keep them running. Saturated and the overcast 500 feet cutting off the skyscrapers. And we have spotty mist and drizzle and its ahead of this intense storm system that is exploding out of dixie. Youve heard about the tornado watches already damage that way. And this is working towards the carolinas and a patch or two of rain ahead of it. But where things stand on the radar, you will see that we have a few more spotty light showers working up i85 and, yes, we take you up into Caldwell County and the mountains, watauga and ashe county, light rain this way and that is scooting off to the we take to to the futurecast and how things will continue to evolve through the evening. Once we get you into the late night hours there could be more and larger patches of rain working into the picture. Here is how it looks. Temperatures were cool lack of sunshine. We did have a wind shift out of the northeast and that trickled in the cool air. But we are locked in. We will leave it in the 40s all evening long. Back to the futurecast now here is where things get going. As we take you into the Early Morning hours already showers thunderstorms now rolling into the picture. This along with that front that is at the moment cutting across the gulf coast states. Expect Stormy Weather in the morning give yourself extra time for that commute and notice the temperatures in response to the storm system from the south are going to be on the rise through the overnight hours and you could start your day off in the mid50s. Back to the futurecast noon it looks like most of this will be its not out of the question that another boundary tries to form and could pose a threat to us into the afternoon but overall most of the commotion will be during the Morning Hours and by 5 00 p. M. And extending into the evening hours things should settle down. Worth repeating if you missed this there is a big flood threat and the folks living in floodprone areas. And then a strong wind field with this. That is going to be a threat and isolated severe thunderstorms could produce brief tornadoes. Look at the wind field as we take you through the overnight hours. Well stop it at 8 00 a. M. We could be seeing gusts to 40 or moremilesperhour around the piedmont. And you expect them to be strong in the mountains and that is going to continue through the afternoon. Even if you do not get hit directly by a severe thunderstorm it will be a strong wind field. Saturated ground, not shocking to see trees coming down tomorrow. 4 00 p. M. And the snow moves in as cooler air wraps into the high country that will be the story for them. And the rest of the sevenday firstalert forecast, the stormy day on wednesday. The cooler air with the mountain snow thursday and then we will be seasonal with the sun out taking you into the weekend. This is going to be delightful until rain gets back in early next week. Another update with leigh brock at 5 30. Next with the possibility of that Severe Weather on the way several places are deemed highrisk for trees falling. Find out if you live in one of those neighborhoods. And the charlottemecklenburg school board is about to take an important vote in regards to student assignment. Well tell you what they could decide at 6 00 p. M. On wbtv news is sponsored by. Introducing longhorns big, bold, steaks. The only way to make em better was to make em bigger. Our new center cut 10 ounce filet. Our perfectly seasoned 16 ounce tbone. And our fire grilled 18 ounce outlaw ribeye. Big, bold, steaks. Only at longhorn steakhouse. You cant fake steak. For lunch, try our steakhouse burger still ahead here on wbtv news at 5 00. Two teenagers including a 14yearold arrested for shooting this puppy with a bb that story is nex vo know you have a dedicated advisor and team who understand where you come from. We didnt really have anything, you know. But, we made do. Vo know you can craft an Investment Plan as strong as your values. Al, how you doing. Hey, mr. Hamilton. Vo know that together you can establish a meaningful legacy. With the guidance and support of your dedicated announcer wbtv on your side. Wbtv news starts right now. Now at 5 00 two teens are accused of torturing a puppy by shoot to go with a bb gun 18 times. And soggy ground means more trees into homes. Find out if your house is in a community that is highrisk. First we are tracking the potential for Severe Weather in your neighborhood. Alabama, mississippi and louisiana. Welcome to wbtv news im molly grantham. Im jamie boll. At least seven reports of possible tornadoes so far today. Four more high wind damage reports in louisiana and texas. This video just into our newsroom of possible tornado damage in louisiana. You can see just how strong the storm was that moved through. We have not heard of any injuries as of yet. This same system heading into this direction. Leigh brock is tracking it all in the first alert weather center. It is. Tomorrow will be a completely different day. Today it it is cool and dam. And here is our system. That is off to the west. Moving through mississippi, alabama, louisiana but it has its eye on us just in time for wednesday. Things are calm right now. Mainly cloudy skies. A couple of light sprinkles outside nothing that is going to stand in your way. The rain ramps up overnight. Player now through tomorrow morning we head from the upper 40s to the low 50s. And then tomorrow morning going from the low 50s quickly to the mid60s. There is a very fast temperature drop thanks to a warm front and that is going to give this system more potential. Already we have not seen rainfall through the day but we have a Flash Flood Watch in effect because last night we had some cases two inches of rain and the ground is saturated. And tomorrow we could see another 12 inches why we have the Flash Flood Watch and saturated ground and the winds are picking up on top of that. We have a wind advisory in place 40milesperhour wind gusts and trees could come down and on top of that we have the possibility for severe thunderstorms tomorrow. I have all the details and the timing coming up in a little bit. Thank you. Right now lets get over to alex