Month: February 2026

10. Local business among 10 fined for price scanning errors

The Watauga Democrat  A local business was among 10 across the state that were recently fined for price scanning errors. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division fined 10 stores in nine counties for price scanning errors during the final quarter of 2025. The Staples located at 1275 Blowing Rock Road in […]

Written by on February 20, 2026

Scout says it’s on track; German publication dubious

Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors says its all-electric pickup and SUV assembled in South Carolina will be on sale next year, firing back at a published report that the multibillion dollar project will be delayed. The report in the German publication Der Spiegel cited unspecified “technical issues” for causing a delay to the multibillion-dollar project until 2028. […]

Written by on February 19, 2026

Court of Appeals: Duke fuel rider wrongly approved

A bipartisan state Court of Appeals panel says the Utilities Commission erred when it allowed Duke Energy to recover $17 million in excess fuel costs it paid out in 2022 via a surcharge on its 2024 rates. But Judge John Arrowood and his colleagues declined to order Duke to refund the money — because last […]

Written by on February 19, 2026

Nonprofit hospitals get $215M in local taxes breaks a year

The House’s property-tax committee is scrutinizing the tax breaks North Carolina gives its nonprofit hospitals, but a couple of its rank-and-file members are speaking up against the idea of making major changes. Legislative staffers on Wednesday told the panel the property and sales-tax breaks the hospitals receive cost city and county governments across the state a […]

Written by on February 19, 2026

1. A majority of City Council members want to delay I-77 toll lane project

Steve Harrison/WFAE Radio A majority of Charlotte City Council members say they want the North Carolina Department of Transportation to pause planning work for the Interstate 77 express toll lanes from uptown to the South Carolina line. Many westside residents are opposed to the project, which will add two toll lanes in each direction. Last […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

2. Tribal court hearing for former Swain sheriff delayed

Lucas Thomae/Carolina Public Press A jury trial for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ prosecution of former Swain County sheriff Curtis Cochran won’t be scheduled until at least this summer, according to the latest tribal court filings. Cochran, 73, had been set to appear in tribal court in Cherokee on Tuesday, Feb. 17. However, the […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

3. Can WS/FCS Board of Education incumbents regain trust amid financial crisis?

Amy Diaz/WFDD Radio Six of the nine Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education members are seeking re-election this year. But regaining trust amid a major financial crisis could be a challenge. The district unearthed a $46 million deficit last year, brought on by years of overspending and a series of accounting errors. The former superintendent and […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

4. PAC funding tied to sports betting bankrolls Pless campaign ads

Sarah White & Becky Johnson/The Waynesville Mountaineer In the Republican primary race for Haywood’s N.C. House Representative, money speaks louder than the campaign materials it pays for. In the final throes of the election, a flurry of flyers and commercials funded by an out-of-state PAC with ties to sports betting have emerged in favor of […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

5. First Wake County, City of Raleigh joint meeting in more than 20 years focuses on affordable housing

Shabnam Danesh/WNCN For the first time in two decades, Raleigh City Council and the Wake County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting Tuesday night to tackle the affordable housing crisis and homelessness. According to county officials, Wake County is short more than 67,000 affordable housing units. Some households, particularly seniors and single-parent families, are […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

6. Wilmington park deal goes ahead after divided New Hanover County vote on $1 million contribution

Rachel Keith/WHQR On Monday, New Hanover County Commissioners voted 3-2 along partisan lines to provide $1 million in support of a new city park off Greenville Loop Road. Democratic commissioners voted against the proposal over concerns about cost and transparency. The vote secures a three-way collaboration between the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

7. Canton passes 12-month moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining

Katie Myers/Blue Ridge Public Radio Emotions were high Wednesday night at a public hearing where the Town of Canton’s Board of Aldermen passed a 12-month moratorium on new data center development, server farms and cryptocurrency mining. The hearing was more preventative than reactive. It was prompted by inquiries from out-of-town companies about using the site […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

9. Lancaster County narrows search for new school superintendent

WSOCTV News Lancaster County has started narrowing down its search for a new school superintendent. The board of trustees is working with the state school board association in the search, officials said. The South Carolina School Board Association turned in a list of more than 20 applicants last week. Lancaster county plans to name finalists […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

10. Port City Java acquired by new owners

Emma Dill/WilmingtonBiz Wilmington-headquartered coffee chain Port City Java is now under new ownership. As of Jan. 30, the company began operating under the ownership of PCJ Holdings LLC, according to a news release from the company. A company representative declined to disclose the financial terms of the acquisition or the membership of the purchasing entity, […]

Written by on February 18, 2026

AG’s office settles towing-practices lawsuit

Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s office has settled a lawsuit against a Charlotte tower it’d accused of price gouging and deceptive trade practices. The deal with David J. Satterfield, A1 Towing, and Automobile Recovery & Towing Enforcement puts several restrictions on the firms’ business practices and requires payment of $30,000 in restitution. Another $110,000 in civil […]

Written by on February 18, 2026