Austin Westfall

Fox News Multimedia Reporters June 30, 2023

North Carolina school district installs AI-driven metal detectors: 'Proven to be very successful'

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina is one of many school districts across the country implementing AI-driven technology in buildings to prevent guns on campus.

HEALTH June 20, 2023

Cancer centers are suffering major shortage of popular chemo drugs

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network revealed a cancer drug shortage in the U.S. and experts say the issue will likely get worse before improving.

North Carolina May 18, 2023

North Carolina COVID lab finds new purpose in helping police clear decades-old backlog of rape kits

StarMed Healthcare, a private DNA lab in North Carolina is repurposing a robust COVID-testing operation to process rape kits from police agencies around the country.

Politics April 25, 2023

Why South Carolina matters in the 2024 GOP primary

Since 1980, South Carolina primary voters have correctly chosen the eventual Republican nominee in every election except for 2012, when Newt Gingrich beat Mitt Romney.

Midterm Elections October 28, 2022

Why border issues will play a pivotal role in this year's midterms

Security at the U.S.-Mexico border could be a deciding factor in tight races in the upcoming midterm elections. Republicans and Democrats tend to disagree on some of the key issues.

Midterm Elections October 25, 2022

Why Biden's quiet campaign season could help Democrats in November

A political expert weighs in on why he believes President Biden's lack of midterm campaign support could actually help Democrats come November 8.

Florida October 4, 2022

National Guard brings supplies to islands cut off from Florida after Hurricane Ian

Pine Island's only bridge to the mainland was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, and residents are effectively stuck. The Florida National Guard is flying in supplies by helicopter.

High School September 17, 2022

Schools around the nation can't find enough resource officers

One school district in South Carolina had to hire private security to fill SRO roles, but private security doesn't have the same training to deal with social-emotional issues in students.

Donald Trump August 18, 2022

Judge says he will release portion of affidavit that led to search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago

A federal judge ordered the DOJ redact, and said he would release, a version of the affidavit that led to the FBI's search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.

Pets August 16, 2022

Overcrowded animal shelters dealing with staffing shortages

Officials at an animal shelter in Charlotte, North Carolina, say they feel like they are crying wolf sometimes because they've been so full for so long.

Pets July 13, 2022

Veterinarians are grappling with today's national pet blood shortage

Pet hospitals are reporting a 26% drop in blood donations since the pandemic, leading to a critical shortage; BluePearl Pet Hospitals only get about a third of the donations they'd like.

South Carolina June 13, 2022

Facing Trump-backed primary challenge over his impeachment vote, Rice says he ‘upheld...oath’ to Constitution

Republican Rep. Tom Rice of South Carolina is facing a primary challenge from Donald Trump-backed state lawmaker Russell Fry. At issue - Rice's vote for impeachment.

South Carolina June 13, 2022

Nancy Mace predicts ‘double digit’ victory over Trump-backed GOP primary challenger Katie Arrington in SC

GOP Rep. Nancy Mace faces a challenge from Donald Trump backed Katie Arrington in Tuesday's First Congressional District primary in South Carolina

Pets May 31, 2022

Animal shelters say fostering could be key in clearing kennels

You can foster a dog for anywhere from one day to several months depending on the organization and the needs of the dog. And sometimes fostering a dog can leave space at the shelter for animals who need special care or management.

Allergy April 27, 2022

Bad news for allergy sufferers: Pollen counts are on the rise

Some areas, like the southeastern U.S. are seeing pollen counts roughly 10% higher than normal. And people are feeling it.

Ukraine March 29, 2022

Ukrainian florist who lives in Charlotte is helping refugees from afar

It’s not easy seeing some of the images coming from the war in Ukraine. And it’s especially tough for Ukrainians who live in the U.S. and still have family in the war zone.

Ukraine March 16, 2022

Law enforcement agencies donate tactical gear to Ukraine

Local law enforcement agencies around the nation are shipping tactical gear to Ukraine to defend against Russian forces.

MLB March 5, 2022

Spring training's postponement impacts small businesses, ballpark employees

If it weren’t for the ongoing MLB lockout, spring training games would already be underway for the league’s 30 teams.

MENTAL HEALTH February 23, 2022

Teachers organization focuses on mental health needs for educators

Being a teacher has never been easy, and the COVID-19 pandemic made the job even more stressful according to educators, who say that taking care of students is more challenging if you don’t take care of yourself first.

TECH February 10, 2022

World's first Black-owned autonomous grocery store opens near Atlanta

Nourish + Bloom opened in January, introducing a high-tech experience that aims to make grocery shopping as simple as possible.

Drug and Substance Abuse January 12, 2022

Fentanyl is becoming more accessible to kids on social media, raising alarms for parents

Health officials say fentanyl isn’t just killing people in the substance abuse community, it’s also killing children who aren’t even aware they're taking it.

Tornado December 13, 2021

Amazon warehouse collapse in Illinois: All missing people now 'accounted for,' police say

The community of Edwardsville, Illinois, is picking up the pieces after a tornado ripped through an Amazon warehouse Friday night, killing six employees.

Health December 2, 2021

1950s-themed senior centers are providing comfort for people with Alzheimer's

One in nine people over the age of 65 have some form of Alzheimer’s, and the disease is only becoming more common, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, but some senior day care centers are using 1950’s nostalgia to bring comfort to those with the disease.

Police and Law Enforcement October 28, 2021

North Carolina police department to study how officers make use-of-force decisions

Researchers at the University of North Carolina are studying the psychology behind officers’ decision-making using a state-of-the-art simulator.

US Army October 15, 2021

'First in, last out': North Carolina community welcomes Afghan translator who served the 82nd Airborne

One of the 82nd Airborne's translators, Zabiullah R. affectionately known by the troops as Johnny, arrived with his family at his new home in rural North Carolina.

Afghanistan October 15, 2021

Afghan interpreter welcomed to new North Carolina home

Crowds gathered in Weddington, North Carolina, on Wednesday to welcome an Afghan interpreter and his family to their new home community.

Veterans August 26, 2021

As Kabul fell, Afghanistan veterans began reaching out to the VA crisis line

As news and images spread of the fall of Kabul, many Afghanistan veterans are being left with a range of emotions.

EDUCATION August 17, 2021

Special education teacher shortage impacting 48 states

The U.S. Department of Education says most states don't have enough special education teachers fill vacancies.

MENTAL HEALTH August 11, 2021

Suicide Prevention Lifeline will be printed on student ID cards in several states

Teen suicide rates have been rising recently, and some states are trying to make it easier for students to get help, right in the palm of their hand.