State lawmakers departed Raleigh on Thursday, announcing they will not return for voting sessions until November 16. The move has drawn criticism from House Democrats, who expressed concern that Republicans may use the post-election "lame-duck" period to pass significant legislation if they lose their supermajority in the upcoming General Election.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) unanimously approved early voting schedules for 80 counties for the November General Election. The remaining 20 counties, which failed to reach internal unanimous agreements on their plans, are scheduled to present their proposals to the state board on August 20.
House Majority Leader Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) has formally requested that State Treasurer Brad Briner and the State Health Plan Board of Trustees suspend a new provider-tier system set for 2027. Jones warns the policy will increase costs for rural members and financially destabilize community hospitals.
A provision in the recently signed state budget has transitioned North Carolina’s automatic license plate reader program from a pilot to a permanent fixture. Managed by the State Bureau of Investigation, the system has already logged 152 million plates via 140 cameras, aiding in the recovery of stolen vehicles and locating missing persons despite ongoing privacy concerns.
Clergy and community activists gathered at Halifax Mall to hold a prayer vigil in opposition to a new state law targeting undocumented immigrants. The group expressed concerns that the legislation, which mandates state agency cooperation with federal immigration authorities, will damage trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.
The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a findings letter alleging that Duke University School of Law illegally considered race in its admissions process. Federal officials claim the school used "proxies for race," such as Pell Grant eligibility and first-generation status, to bypass race-neutral requirements for the 2023-2025 incoming classes.
New court documents detail a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit regarding the use of solitary confinement for juveniles in North Carolina. A final approval hearing is scheduled for September 3 in Greensboro. The suit, filed in 2024, challenged the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's detention practices.
The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has suspended all alcohol permits for The 601 Bar in Dunn. The action follows a fatal shooting at the venue and an investigation by Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) that uncovered a history of regulatory violations.
A federal lawsuit seeking the removal of a Confederate monument outside the Tyrrell County courthouse has been dismissed with prejudice. All parties agreed to a stipulation of dismissal, meaning the complaint cannot be refiled.
Scott Strickland, the director of Nash County Emergency Services, died Saturday after drowning at a beach in Carteret County. Strickland was a veteran emergency responder; his death has prompted tributes from agencies across the state.
A child under six months old was killed Wednesday afternoon in an animal attack at a home in Tar Heel. Bladen County Animal Control seized two dogs from the residence following the incident. It remains unclear if one or both animals were involved.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have arrested 32-year-old Di-Quan Schafar Hunt in connection with a series of random assaults on women in the Dilworth area. The attacks were recorded and subsequently shared on Instagram. Hunt faces multiple charges, including assault on a female.
Health officials report that Cyclospora infections have reached record highs this summer. Quest Diagnostics reports a surge in testing demand as the parasite, often linked to contaminated produce, continues to spread across the region.
National labor statistics show a contraction in the workforce for July, with 23,000 jobs lost and significant downward revisions to previous months. Analysts suggest labor shortages and high interest rates are beginning to weigh heavily on hiring trends.
A major sinkhole in Statesville led to the closure of Gaither Road between Tonewood Drive and Radio Road on Sunday. City water crews are assessing the damage; no timeline for reopening has been provided.
Citizens in Rocky Mount are petitioning the city for relief following a surge in utility costs and subsequent service disconnections. Residents are calling for increased city assistance and an investigation into billing spikes.
A portion of the Appalachian Trail at Iron Mountain Gap on the North Carolina-Tennessee border has reopened following extensive repairs. The section had been closed since the 2024 hurricane for rerouting and debris clearance.
A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Defense must lift its current blockade on onshore wind energy projects. The ruling mandates the resumption of national security reviews for renewable energy permits that had stalled under the current administration.
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. Kuechly, who played for the Panthers from 2012 to 2019, was inducted alongside Drew Brees and Adam Vinatieri.
The 12U softball team from Clayton, NC, defeated Lake Mary, Florida, 4-0 on Saturday. The victory secures their spot in the championship game, marking the third time in four years a North Carolina team has reached the final.