Month: June 2025

7. Leaders in Sampson County sign ‘historic’ joint budget resolution for schools

Anna Pogarcic/Education NC The Sampson County Schools Board of Education and the Clinton City Schools Board of Education have partnered with their local board of commissioners to sign a joint budget resolution. Under the resolution, both school districts are guaranteed a certain amount of local funding each year. According to a press release, “the school […]

Written by on June 5, 2025

9. ‘Improper’ Helene debris removal has disturbed WNC’s rare wildlife, Rep. Edwards says

Will Hofmann/Asheville Citizen Times An agreement struck between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will address improper waterway debris removal in Western North Carolina, Rep. Chuck Edwards office announced June 3. The agreement comes after Edwards held two meetings with more than 30 different local advocates, environmental nonprofits and […]

Written by on June 5, 2025

10. Hospital invests $1M in Barton health sciences program, begins fellowship program

The Wilson Times Wilson Medical Center is investing $1 million into Barton College to help train the next generation of health care professionals in Wilson County. The investment will go toward Barton College’s School of Health Sciences with the construction of a state-of-the-art facility. The partnership also includes the establishment of the Barton College Wilson […]

Written by on June 5, 2025

A $10B data center campus for Richmond County

All of the afternoon’s discussion of energy policy followed the announcement that Amazon will invest at least $10 billion in building a new data center campus in Richmond County, near the South Carolina border 80 miles east of Charlotte. The Amazon Web Services project should come with at least 500 new jobs over five years, […]

Written by on June 5, 2025

NC House advances bill to let Duke Energy recover plant costs sooner

House leaders are shooting for a Tuesday floor vote on a bill that would make it easier for Duke Energy to recover power-plant construction costs before a facility’s ready to go on line. They’ve ditched the original Senate bill and come up with their own counter, rewriting Senate Bill 266, which previously addressed the issue of […]

Written by on June 5, 2025

1. NC budget amendment would undermine local control over University development

Nick Fogleman/The Watauga Democrat An amendment added to the North Carolina House budget proposal could significantly affect how Appalachian State University interacts with local governments in Watauga County. On May 21, the North Carolina House adopted Amendment 23 to legislation that would expand current exemptions for state-managed construction projects. The amendment, which passed 77-36, adds […]

Written by on June 4, 2025

2. UNC trustees approve faculty tenure after monthslong delay

Brianna Atkinson/WUNC Radio UNC-Chapel Hill’s Board of Trustees has approved tenure for select faculty after deferring to vote on the issue twice. The move comes after widespread criticism and concern from faculty at the public institution and other North Carolina universities. The trustees had been delaying the tenure vote since March, but only for faculty […]

Written by on June 4, 2025

3. Residential treatment school closes in North Carolina after deaths of 2 girls

Jeffrey Collins/The Associated Press A residential treatment school for girls in the North Carolina mountains has closed after a state investigation and the deaths of two of its students who took their own lives. Asheville Academy announced Tuesday that it released all of its students from its Weaverville campus this past weekend, saying the decision […]

Written by on June 4, 2025

4. Residents pack Alamance County Commissioners meeting, voicing budget fears

DJ Simmons/WFDD Radio Dozens of residents spoke out at an Alamance County Commissioners meeting on Monday, calling for more support in the budget for schools and libraries. The concerns came after a recent presentation showed that keeping the tax rate flat would require deep cuts to services. Officials clarified at the meeting that no decision […]

Written by on June 4, 2025

5. Rebuild with resilience. Listening to NC people along flood-prone streams, yields insights, solutions, hope.

Jack Igelman/Carolina Public Press Months after Tropical Storm Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, rural communities, unincorporated towns and small municipalities are still trying to recover and rebuild. They face another monumental challenge: ensuring their homes, businesses, and public spaces are more resilient to future extreme rainfall events, intensified by climate change. Solutions, say experts, should […]

Written by on June 4, 2025

6. Iconic round Raleigh Holiday Inn to transform, won’t be torn down

WRAL News The downtown Raleigh Holiday Inn on Hillsborough Street will not be torn down. It is going to stay right where it is. Built back in 1969, it’s best known for its circular shape. People who live in Raleigh have described the building at 320 Hillsborough St. as both iconic and an eyesore. The […]

Written by on June 4, 2025

7. Nearly $40 million in Opportunity Scholarship vouchers disbursed in Mecklenburg County

James Farrell/WFAE Radio Intellicor Academy, an Islamic school in east Charlotte, is one of Mecklenburg County’s largest Opportunity Scholarship recipients. The latest data from the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority show Mecklenburg County students received nearly $40 million in Opportunity Scholarship funding this school year to attend private schools. The 2024-2025 school year was […]

Written by on June 4, 2025

8. Wilmington’s budget passes first reading 6-1, two developments also greenlit

Brenna Flanagan/Port City Daily The Wilmington City Council took its first of two votes on its 2025-2026 budget Tuesday night, though one council member dissented based on one-tenth of a cent. Highlights of the city’s budget proposal include $8.6 million for increases to salaries, including for first responders, $30.5 million for capital improvements and $2.3 […]

Written by on June 4, 2025