AdvertiseDonate
LatestDemocrats seize Congress and Texas House in historic midterm sweep
CharlotteWinston-SalemGreensboroDurhamRaleighAtlantaRichmondChesapeake
Thursday, November 5, 2026News from America’s biggest cities.
News Media Business · 615 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Politics · Charlotte

North Carolina candidate links light rail murder to state policies

Michael Whatley cites the death of Iryna Zarutska to criticize Governor Roy Cooper's record on prisons and repeat offenders.

By Jisoo Vega ·

Illustration for: North Carolina candidate links light rail murder to state policies
Illustration generated for this article, not a news photograph.

Brett Winterble opened the Friday episode of his radio show by discussing the emotional strain of election cycles. He argued that Americans often treat every vote as a final verdict, leading to exhaustion. Winterble suggested that politics is a continuous process rather than a single battle.

The program featured a guest appearance by Michael Whatley, a candidate from North Carolina. Whatley focused the conversation on public safety and criminal justice. He stated that his campaign prioritizes supporting law enforcement agencies across the state.

Whatley raised the case of Iryna Zarutska, who was killed on a Charlotte light rail train. He used this incident to question the state's current approach to violent crime. He specifically criticized the handling of repeat offenders in the justice system.

The candidate directed his critique at Governor Roy Cooper. Whatley pointed to Cooper's record on prison releases as a key area of concern. He also cited the administration's approach to law enforcement and immigration enforcement as areas needing stronger policy.

Whatley argued that these policy choices have left North Carolina communities vulnerable. He maintained that tougher measures are required to protect residents from violent crime. The discussion centered on how state-level decisions impact local safety outcomes.

Winterble concluded the segment by inviting listeners to watch the full interview on his YouTube channel. The episode also included additional topics related to the current political calendar.

Source: WBT

More Politics · Report a business · Got a Story?

Get News Media Business in your inboxNews from America’s biggest cities. Free, a few times a week, unsubscribe any time.

Related stories

Get News Media Business in your inboxNews from America’s biggest cities. Free, a few times a week, unsubscribe any time.