Wrongful death lawsuits stacked up. But a Charlotte-area surgeon kept operating. Former patients and their loved ones say North Carolina doctor with a string of malpractice settlements should face more accountability.

A Charlotte-area surgeon has been sued for wrongful death and malpractice again and again, often settling out of court. But he's still operating.

And data shows doctors like him face few consequences from regulators.

ICYMI, read our investigation here: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Wrongful death lawsuits stacked up. But a Charlotte-area surgeon kept operating. Former patients and their loved ones say North Carolina doctor with a string of malpractice settlements should face more accountability.

This is outrageous. A must-read Investigation by @amb-balam.bsky.social for @charlotteobserver.com. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Tip Sheet: Reporting healthcare issues in North Carolina Help The Charlotte Observer uncover healthcare abuse, fraud, or poor patient care in North Carolina. Provide as much detail as possible.

In an ongoing investigation, The Charlotte Observer is examining the health care system in North Carolina, particularly the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.

Have a tip about fraud, abuse or poor patient care? Let us know here: bit.ly/4sgfrFj

Wrongful death lawsuits stacked up. But a Charlotte-area surgeon kept operating. Former patients and their loved ones say North Carolina doctor with a string of malpractice settlements should face more accountability.

Charlotte-area surgeon Dr. Timothy Ryan Heider has been sued for wrongful death or malpractice again and again, often settling out of court.

But the surgeon is still operating. And data shows doctors like Heider face few consequences from regulators.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Records show CATS bans don’t keep dangerous riders away from buses and trains Data obtained by the Charlotte Observer show bans intended to keep violent riders off Charlotte transit don’t always deter repeat offenders.

When Oscar Solorzano stabbed another passenger aboard Charlotte's Blue Line, he wasn’t supposed to be on the train at all.

But violent riders flouting bans is a common occurrence, the transit system’s records show.

My latest for @charlotteobserver.com:

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Charlotte woman again sues Novant, questions baby’s death LaChunda Hunter’s lawsuit says was told her baby had died in a hospital intensive care unit but something dramatically different days later.

After giving birth to a premature daughter, Legacy, at Novant, LaChunda Hunter was told her baby had died. But three days later, a specialist told her the baby’s condition was improving, her lawsuit states.

Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

In one decade, 170 babies, kids and teens died in NC after fentanyl encounters Despite a slowdown in deaths since 2022, the number of North Carolina children who died with fentanyl in their system increased fourfold between 2019 and 2024, new state data shows.

Fentanyl is killing North Carolina babies and teens. Story by @amb-balam.bsky.social

Measles is spreading: Is your child’s North Carolina school vulnerable? When the number of vaccinated children drop too low in a school, the risk of infection increases there and in the wider community, experts say.

The measles is going around. Is your child's school protected? I did a ton of data cleaning and analysis to bring you answers, via @charlotteobserver.com. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.

A New York Times video analysis of an ICE agent’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis contradicts the Trump administration’s account. Watch our investigation here.

if I get one more AI-written pitch I'm going to LOSE it

Charlotte-area father and son killed in Statesville plane crash were both pilots The crash north of Charlotte killed seven people, including former NASCAR star Greg Biffle, his family and three others.

Father and son Dennis and Jack Dutton, both pilots who were among the 7 killed in yesterday's Statesville plane crash that included NASCAR star Greg Biffle, were "deeply loved." www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

The operation appears to be winding down, with a helicopter and battering ram seen leaving the scene. I'm hearing unconfirmed reports of a man in custody.

Heavy SWAT presence in East Charlotte. Neighbors tell me they were asked to shelter in place as SWAT surrounded a home in the 4500 block of Carriage Drive. Story soon by
@jeff-a-chamer.bsky.social

Man stabbed on Charlotte light rail says he is recovering with tube in chest Kenyon Dobie said on a GoFundMe page that a tube is emptying blood from his lungs after he was stabbed on a train Friday.

Charlotte light rail stabbing victim Kenyon Dobie said in a GoFundMe post from his hospital room that he's "taken plenty [of] damage" and has blood in his lungs.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

Arrest made in Charlotte Blue Line light rail stabbing, records show Court records say the suspect in the stabbing is in the U.S. illegally and had previously been deported.

The suspect arrested in yesterday's light rail stabbing, 33-year-old Oscar Solarzano, is undocumented and was previously deported, court records show.

More from @jmarusak.bsky.social and @jeff-a-chamer.bsky.social:

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

Person stabbed ‘along the Blue Line’ in Charlotte and hospitalized, officials say MEDIC reported a serious injury at 25th Street and Brevard Street. Police said a stabbing victim was in critical but stable condition.

Just three months after the death of Iryna Zarutska, Charlotte officials say there’s been another stabbing along the Blue Line.

The victim has been hospitalized but police have released few other details.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

DHS wrongly said NC officials released immigrant charged in Charlotte murder The U.S. Department of Homeland Security falsely claimed Charlotte officials released a Honduran immigrant charged with murder.

DHS incorrectly said a Honduran man was charged with murder and released “back on to North Carolina’s streets” under “sanctuary policies” in Charlotte.

That man has not left Mecklenburg jail since he was booked in June 2024.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

Border Patrol broke his window. Charlotte man says Trump admin got story wrong The DHS responded to coverage by The Charlotte Observer on X. But Aceituno said its version of events is wrong.

The DHS responded to coverage by The Charlotte Observer on X. But Aceituno said its version of events is wrong.

Critics call for boycott of Charlotte-area company that provided ICE vehicles Two U.S. House members question whether a contract between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the company is linked to political contributions.

Critics are questioning whether a no-bid contract for ICE vehicles with Charlotte's Hendrick Motorsports is tied to the owner's right-wing political contributions. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Asheboro has discharged a likely carcinogen 1,4-dioxane at levels of 651 ppb into the drinking water supply. That's 18,000+ times the EPA's health advisory goal. Yet NC's Enviro Mgmt Commission refuses to regulate it in surface water

Shana Blake sits in a cage as part of an anti-ICE protest outside Manolo’s Bakery in East Charlotte Monday. The bakery closed for the first time in 28 years after Border Patrol arrests in the city.

“It’s such a faith effort to have people show up and support,” Blake said.

@charlotteobserver.com

Homeland Security says Border Patrol arrested over 130 in two days in Charlotte Arrests took place at big box store parking lots, residential areas and a church, prompting fear in Charlotte’s immigrant communities.

Arrests took place at big box store parking lots, residential areas and a church, prompting fear in Charlotte’s immigrant communities.

Charlotte settled ex-battalion chief’s lawsuit before naming his wife police chief A federal court was notified of the settlement just days before Estella Patterson was announced as the new chief of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

SCOOP: The city of Charlotte settled a longstanding racial discrimination suit filed by a former fire department battalion chief last week — just days before announcing his wife would lead the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

thank you!

North Carolina homeowners in limbo as they await FEMA buyouts after Helene State officials say applications to FEMA for more than $200 million in aid for homeowners have sat unapproved for months.

New: FEMA records show the agency has spent millions less on hazard mitigation in NC than expected this year thanks to delays.

As FEMA and state officials feud about who is to blame, families are left paying for homes that are too flood-damaged to live in.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

Life update: I’m headed to Charlotte! I’ll join McClatchy’s stellar NC investigative team Sept. 29th

@charlotteobserver.com & @newsobserver.com have a reputation for high-impact reporting—both were 2025 Pulitzer finalists. I’m thrilled to join them (+ experience fall on the East Coast again) 🍂

Thank you! I’ll miss it

Professional news: These are my last weeks at @dallasnews.com. I’m so grateful for all I’ve learned reporting on Dallas and the fantastic mentors who have lended an ear on the tough days.

More on where I’m headed soon, but I’ll be cheering the talented journalists at DMN on from afar!

Mayors petition Abbott to revive DART funding, governance bills in Texas’ special session The bills — House Bill 3187 and Senate Bill 2118 — would change how DART is funded and governed, respectively.

SCOOP: Five North Texas mayors are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to revive two bills aimed at Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s funding and governance during the upcoming special legislative session.

www.dallasnews.com/news/transpo...

Thanks, Alexander!