Month: January 2026

9. Coach K weighs in on UNC’s Smith Center debate: ‘I would listen to Roy’

Shelby Swanson/The Raleigh News & Observer Mike Krzyzewski said he would defer to Roy Williams as the debate over the future of North Carolina’s basketball arena continues, adding that any changes should preserve Dean Smith’s legacy. The retired Duke coach, who had a 17-19 record at the Smith Center, said he was unaware of the […]

Written by on January 26, 2026

10. Water line break in Waynesville leads to boil water advisory

Sarah White/The (Waynesville) Mountaineer A main water line break in Waynesville has caused low pressure and outages across the town, leading to a boil water advisory issued for all residents on Sunday morning. The break occurred just off Allens Creek Road on Camp Branch. The town does not yet know exactly how widespread the resulting […]

Written by on January 26, 2026

1. Elections board denies challenge to Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley’s eligibility to run for reelection, finding she lives in the city

Dan DeWitt/Asheville Watchdog The Buncombe County Board of Elections unanimously denied the challenge to Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley’s candidate eligibility Tuesday, finding that her primary residence is in Asheville. John Miall Jr., the longtime former city of Asheville employee who filed the complaint on Jan. 8, submitted evidence that he said cast doubt on […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

2. These 3 policy moves are likely to change health care for older people

Paula Span/KFF Health News Month after month, Patricia Hunter and other members of the Nursing Home Reform Coalition logged onto video calls with congressional representatives, seeking support for a proposed federal rule setting minimum staff levels for nursing homes. Finally, after decades of advocacy, the Biden administration in 2023 tackled the problem of perennial understaffing […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

3. Buddhist monks on national Walk for Peace receive flowers, tears, and gratitude along an NC highway

Aaron Sánchez-Guerra/WUNC Radio Walking 3,200 miles throughout the South can wear you out. On Thursday, the 19 monks doing so took a break for lunch before resuming their trek on U.S. Highway 64 toward downtown Pittsboro. Onlookers parked their cars for miles along the highway, while Chatham County Sheriff’s officers escorted the group. Hundreds waited […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

4. Charges dismissed in controversial UNCG arrests. School doesn’t halt student disciplinary action.

Kate Denning/Carolina Public Press Criminal charges against a UNC-Greensboro student, Alisia Rea, 22, and her partner Quinten Thomas, 24, were dismissed Wednesday. The charges were issued in October after UNCG Police stopped Thomas for a traffic violation, though the situation turned physical when officers grabbed and cursed at Thomas for not exiting the vehicle when […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

5. NC animal groups push for spay-and-neuter law, low-cost services amid rising euthanasia rates

Sarah Krueger/WRAL News A WRAL investigation into increasing euthanasia rates at shelters statewide prompted many emails and comments from viewers, including from animal rights groups and rescues wanting to push for solutions. One solution they are hoping for is a state spay-and-neuter law, along with increased access to low-cost spay and neuter clinics. “There isn’t […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

6. NC’s epidemiologist says state’s measles cases are “embers” from SC outbreak’s “fire”

Adam Wagner/NC Newsroom North Carolina has reported more measles cases since December than it did between 2014 and 2025, with patients largely testing positive in parts of the state where vaccination rates are slumping. Speaking to reporters on a webinar Wednesday, Zack Moore, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Service’s chief epidemiologist, linked many […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

7. CMS floats potential magnet overhaul as part of plan to reassess student assignments

James Farrell/WFAE Radio Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is considering an overhaul of its magnet programs — one that would reduce the number of magnet themes from 16 to six, while expanding career and technical education programs to every high school in the district. Administrators presented the proposal to the CMS school board at the board’s retreat in […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

8. $4 million pre-K investment in Forsyth County pays off, report says

Sergio Osnaya-Prieto/Education NC A two-year, $4 million investment in high-quality pre-K classrooms across Forsyth County led to strong student outcomes, high teacher retention, and increased family engagement, according to a new report from The Pre-K Priority. The report evaluates the Pre-K Model Cohort Classroom initiative, a program started in 2023 with American Rescue Plan Act […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

9. Former Sea Grant Director BJ Copeland leaves coastal legacy

Jennifer Allen/Coastal Review Online A powerhouse in the marine science and coastal management community, Dr. B.J. Copeland, 89, died Wednesday, Jan. 14. Copeland left a lasting impact on the state as the director of North Carolina Sea Grant, a N.C. State University professor, and through his work with the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership. He served […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

10. Johnston County man wins $2 million lottery prize during work break

Matthew Sockol/CBS 17 News A work break led to a Johnston County man winning the first top prize of a new game, lottery officials said. Harlee Aliff of Kenly was on his break when he bought a $20 Stacks of Cash scratch-off from the Handy Mart on Wilson Mills Road across from the clearing and […]

Written by on January 24, 2026

2. Durham Public Schools superintendent says changes are underway after three admins indicted

Sarah Krueger/WRAL News Durham Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis held a news conference Thursday, addressing the criminal indictments against three district administrators. Lewis stressed that DPS is committed to student safety, and outlined changes underway as a result of the incident. Lewis declined to answer any questions at the conclusion of the press conference, claiming […]

Written by on January 22, 2026

3. Top banker snubbed from Trump reception in Davos in widening rift

Tom Latchem & Leigh Kimmins/Daily Beast The White House left Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan off the guest list for a reception honoring Donald Trump. The presidential snub, which isolated the boss of the nation’s second-largest bank, unfolded on Wednesday night on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort […]

Written by on January 22, 2026