Updates in Tepper-York County case + Missing journalist still believed to be alive

Hello! KJ here. Today is journalist and former U.S. Marine Austin Tice’s 41st birthday. Tice disappeared in Syria on August 14, 2012 — nearly a decade ago, while reporting on Syria’s descent into war for McClatchy and other news organizations.

What progress is being made in the effort to bring him home? Read more in the stories below:

• Secret contacts revive the search for Austin Tice, missing for 10 years in Syria

• Ten years missing: A timeline of the efforts to return Austin Tice to the U.S.

The rest of your news is just a scroll away. Thanks to audience engagement intern Sydney Bergan for her help.

1. Tepper company offers $82 million to resolve claims tied to failed Rock Hill project

DT Sports Holding, owned by Panthers owner David Tepper, will make $82 million available to resolve creditor claims tied to the team’s failed headquarters project in Rock Hill.

If approved by a judge and creditors, the Tepper company would put up the money to resolve “allowable claims” that have been made by contractors, York County, and the city of Rock Hill, GT Real Estate said in a news release issued Thursday.

Meanwhile, the saga between York County and David Tepper continues to unfold in court. The other piece of news from this afternoon: Lawyers have asked a judge for a restraining order against York County’s lawsuit to recover $21 million, court documents show.

Andrew Dys has the details on these developing stories.

2. Secret contacts revive the search for Austin Tice, missing for 10 years in Syria

Ten years after Austin Tice disappeared in Syria, a sprawling, multinational and often halting effort to get him back is showing signs of revival.

Channels of communication through third parties that went dormant for months are back on, and direct contact between the United States and Syria is quietly underway, raising hopes that a serious negotiation is possible.

Michael Wilner has the full story.

3. White House officials to visit Gastonia to announce new climate funding

White House officials are visiting Gastonia tomorrow to announce “significant funding opportunities” for climate and infrastructure projects in North Carolina.

Gov. Roy Cooper will join Mitch Landrieu, the president’s senior advisor for infrastructure, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell during a tour of a nature-based infrastructure project that received funding for climate resilience.

The visit comes days after the US Senate passed historic climate legislation that Sen. Joe Manchin called “the greatest pro-climate legislation that has ever been passed by Congress,” per The New York Times.

Will Wright has the latest.

4. Charlotte city worker on paid leave as police investigate crash that killed biker

Patrick Carlos Ramia died when he merged left on his motorcycle in front of a 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department news release Wednesday.

The pickup was being driven by Morris Vanba Massalay and was a CDOT vehicle. He’s now on paid administrative leave pending the police investigation.

Joe Marusak has more on the incident.

5. Some more stories to read

• ‘Regained my energy.’ CMS board member says she’ll run for reelection after all

• Carowinds adds new 50th anniversary flight theme attractions with Aeronautica Landing

• Mega Millions mystery winner in NC shows up to claim her big jackpot

• Panthers Fan Fest could be wet. What to know if you’re heading to the stadium.

• This NC kid’s mullet ‘just screams America,’ earning a finalist spot in national contest
  
  
  
  

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