Month: July 2025

1. The tariff-driven inflation that economists feared begins to emerge

Christopher Rugaber & Josh Boak/The Associated Press Inflation rose last month to its highest level since February as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs push up the cost of everything from groceries and clothes to furniture and appliances. Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

2. NC joins lawsuit vs. Trump’s Department of Education over $165m in frozen K-12 funds

Liz Schlemmer/WUNC Radio North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced Monday he is joining 22 other state attorneys general and two governors in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. On July 1, the Department of Education notified states that they would not be receiving certain K-12 federal funds that are typically disbursed each […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

3. Fields of destruction. Central NC farmers devastated by Chantal.

Jane Winik Sartwell/Carolina Public Press Barns and roads collapsed. Miles of fencing and acres of corn lay flattened. Tobacco and soybean fields flooded. On Sunday, July 6, Tropical Depression Chantal left a scar on what was shaping up to be a banner season for Central North Carolina farms. The system dropped more than 10 inches […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

4. Charlotte’s new med school: high-tech, hands-on

Michelle Crouch/NC Health News & Charlotte Ledger When the Charlotte campus of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine holds its first classes this week, it marks more than the arrival of the city’s first four-year medical school. It also brings to North Carolina a novel approach to training doctors — one that ditches the […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

5. Jackson residents blast library exit, demand explanation

Cory Vaillancourt/Smoky Mountain News Public frustration boiled over at the July 1 Jackson County Board of Commissioners meeting, where speaker after speaker condemned the board’s recent decision to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system, urged reconsideration and asked for a public statement from commissioners. The remarks, delivered during the informal public comment period, revealed […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

6. EPA revokes funding for multiple PFAS research projects

Evey Weisblat/CityView The Environmental Protection Agency canceled a research project that looked at new ways to detect “forever chemicals” in the air surrounding Chemours’ Fayetteville Works Plant, according to research participant and local clean water advocate Mike Watters. The study was led by UNC professor Jason Surratt. Surratt was unavailable for comment, but a member […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

9. SBI looking into allegations against former Greensboro city attorney

Scott D. Yost/Rhino Times Eight days after former Greensboro City Attorney Chuck Watts abruptly stepped down from his post, city officials have confirmed that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent review into business transactions that occurred during Watts’ time in office. At a Wednesday, July 9 press conference, Greensboro Police […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

10. ‘We’re walking a fine line’: UNC’s Erin Matson talks house settlement, new AD and upcoming season

WCHL Chapelboro UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson joined 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell for a wide-ranging conversation Monday. Matson discussed the effects of the House settlement on her program, the hiring of Steve Newmark athletic director-in-waiting and preparations for the 2025 season. Brighton McConnell: Welcome back to the studio. How are you? Erin […]

Written by on July 15, 2025

1. Flood risk is widespread in the U.S. Few people have insurance for it

Michael Copley/WFDD Radio Nearly every county in the United States has experienced flooding in the past few decades, but just 4% of homeowners nationwide have flood insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It’s what experts call the flood insurance gap. Most homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. And while FEMA aid may be available […]

Written by on July 14, 2025

2. As NC struggles to fund road upgrades like Capital Boulevard, are tolls the answer?

Colin Campbell/WUNC Radio The cost of building roads is skyrocketing, and it’s leading to big delays for highway expansions in North Carolina. That’s prompting the state Department of Transportation to consider tolling to pay for the projects — but that approach could face opposition in the state legislature. The latest battle over tolling centers on […]

Written by on July 14, 2025

4. NASCAR teams 23XI and Front Row seek urgent court order to retain charters

Jenna Fryer/The Associated Press The two race teams suing NASCAR over antitrust allegations filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction Monday to be recognized as chartered organizations for the remainder of 2025. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are locked in a lengthy legal battle over the charter system, which is the equivalent […]

Written by on July 14, 2025