The WRAL In Depth inbox is always full of great questions and feedback from viewers. In this installment, we address questions about the Meta legal settlement, how juveniles get access to weapons, and school bus safety on highways.
The Meta Settlement: Where Will the Cash Go?
Other WRAL Top Stories
Gary asked: "Where does the money go that comes from Meta?"
Meta recently settled a nationwide lawsuit involving nearly every state. Along with agreeing to make platform changes to protect teenagers, the company must pay out significant financial penalties.
North Carolina is slated to receive between $451 million and $645 million from the agreement.
How those funds are spent is up to the North Carolina General Assembly. Attorney General Jeff Jackson said he hopes state lawmakers direct the money toward youth-focused initiatives, including after-school and summer programs, mental health crisis helplines for children, and school health personnel.
While lawmakers have not finalized a spending plan, previous major legal settlements offer clues:
- The Opioid Settlement: North Carolina received $1.5 billion from a $26 billion national settlement with pharmaceutical companies. The bulk went directly to county and local governments, funding recovery housing, addiction treatment, and naloxone distribution to reverse overdoses. The remainder supported state research projects.
- The Volkswagen Settlement: After the automaker settled claims regarding emissions testing, North Carolina received nearly $100 million. The state invested the funds into low-emission school buses, state fleet vehicles, and fast-charging stations for electric vehicles.
Guns in Schools: Where Are Kids Getting Weapons?
Billy asked: "Where do these juveniles get the guns and ammunition? Why isn't someone arrested for supplying them with that?"
There is no single source, but law enforcement officials point to vehicle break-ins as a primary pipeline.
According to Raleigh police, thieves frequently target vehicles overnight to steal unsecured firearms, which are later used in street crimes and shootings. In one recent case, a 17-year-old was arrested in connection with breaking into more than 100 vehicles and stealing multiple weapons.
Other weapons come directly from homes. When adults fail to secure firearms, law enforcement agencies have pursued criminal charges:
- Fayetteville: A mother was charged after police said her child brought an unloaded handgun to school.
- Nash County: A 10-year-old found a loaded handgun in his backpack after boarding a school bus. The sheriff's office charged his mother with improper storage of a firearm.
- Garner: A mother was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after police said her child threatened classmates with a machete.
School Buses: Why Are School Buses Allowed on Interstates?
Aaron asked: "Can anyone please tell me how it is safe for school buses to drive on the interstate? If they can only drive 45, then wouldn't it make more sense to stay on local roads?"
In North Carolina, school buses are legally restricted to a maximum speed of 45 mph. That speed limit can create tight margins on interstates, where minimum speeds are typically set at 40 mph.
School district transportation departments design bus routes to stick to local roads and secondary state highways whenever possible. Interstate travel is treated as a last resort, used only when alternative routes are unavailable or impassable. When buses must take the highway, transportation officials emphasize that drivers on all sides need to stay alert and give buses plenty of room.
Have a question or topic you want us to look into? Send an email to InDepth@jshu.net.
Publishing note: AI assisted in the formatting of this article. All reporting, research, interviews, fact-gathering and fact-checking were conducted by WRAL journalists.