🌱 Wake Forest Face-to-Face Series + WSSU Graduate Death Controversy

Morning, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this spring morning with the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 68 Low: 57.
• Saturday: Warmer; a morning shower. High: 78 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories in Winston-Salem today:

1. Wake Forest University will be launching its Face-to-Face Series this fall with a couple of notable names coming to Winston-Salem. Comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah will be coming to the campus to speak on Apr. 17, 2024, and former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney will speak on Feb. 22, 2024, along with historian Jon Meacham. The series season will begin on Sept. 27 with historian Doris Kearns and journalist Michael Beschloss speaking. The founder of apparel company FUBU and an investor on the show "Shark Tank," Daymond John, will speak in another edition on Nov. 1. (Subscription: Winston-Salem Journal)
2. Troopers closed down I-40 East early Thursday morning after a three-car crash occurred between Stratford Road and Hanes Mall Boulevard in Winston-Salem. Garret Kneen, 21, of Yadkinville is facing charges of failure to maintain a lane as well as driving without proper registration, it is believed Kneen was the cause of the accident. A pickup truck crashed into a parked tractor-trailer, causing it to overturn and sending debris into another truck, which also overturned. The drivers of the two trucks were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (WXII12 Winston-Salem)
3. U.S. federal prosecutors have said they will not be pursuing charges relating to the death of Shanquella Robinson, who died in suspicious circumstances while on vacation in a Mexican resort last year. The FBI had been investigating the case since Robinson's death and the United States Attorneys' Offices for the Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina released a joint statement saying the available evidence did not support a federal prosecution. Local authorities in Mexico are also investigating Robinson's death as a homicide and have issued a warrant for a woman in connection with it. (Subscription: Winston-Salem Journal)

Today and tomorrow in Winston-Salem:

Friday, April 14

• Springtime In Paris Fashion Show - Brown And Douglas Neighborhood Center (11:00 AM)
• Backstage Bash - Winston Junction Market (7:00 PM)

Saturday, April 15

• Fairgrounds Farmer's Market - Dixie Classic Fair Grounds (6:00 AM)
• Merschel Park Ribbon Cutting - Mershel Plaza (3:00 PM)
• All Star Monster Truck Tour Friday - Winston-Salem Fairgrounds (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved Kenneth Jordan to take over as the new principal of Early and Middle College of Forsyth. With a master's degree in school administration and more than 25 years in the education field, Jordan is ready to take on his new role this coming summer – congratulations! (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools via Facebook)
• "The Boy from Oz" has its opening night tonight at the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance for the first of its two-weekend showing. You can purchase tickets and see further dates and times here. (Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance via Facebook)
• If you're a teen writer, come over to Paddison Memorial Branch Library for some feedback and tips from experienced writers on publishing your work. The teen writers' group will take place in nearby Kernersville at 4 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 17. (Forsyth County Public Library, Winston-Salem, NC via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.