Month: April 2026

9. Stalemate on Canton sewer rates reaches 11th-hour extension

Sarah White/The Waynesville Mountaineer Hours before the sewer treatment contract between the town of Canton and the owner of the former paper mill site was set to lapse on Tuesday, the two parties agreed to extend the contract for 30 days. The deal came just in time, after months of negotiations to extend the contract […]

Written by on April 2, 2026

10. College level courses popular with North Carolina high school students

David Beasley/The Center Square  Fifty-four percent of North Carolina public school high school graduates passed at least one-college level course while still in high school, education officials said Thursday. “For those who have been around a moment and have gray hair or less hair, understand the magnitude of that number, that percentage,” first-term Democratic Superintendent […]

Written by on April 2, 2026

Appeals court rules against animal sanctuary

Winston-Salem officials acted within they authority in 2023 when they told the owners of a nonprofit animal sanctuary in the far-eastern part of the city to shut down, an all-Republican state Court of Appeals panel says. Court of Appeals Judge Chris Dillon and his colleagues rejected the owners’ attempt to use a pandemic-era precedent to […]

Written by on April 2, 2026

Panthers deal with Charlotte drawing scrutiny

For the Carolina Panthers, the price of getting $650 million in public money is that they’re going to have state auditors looking over their shoulder as they go about renovating Bank of America Stadium. Both Tepper Sports and city of Charlotte officials have signaled that they’re amenable to the extra scrutiny, State Auditor Dave Boliek […]

Written by on April 2, 2026

Treasurer: Rocky Mount on “extremely short leash” over finances

Local Government Commission members say Rocky Mount’s financial troubles stem from a bad culture that started at the top, with the city’s elected officials. They agreed Wednesday to warn the city that it’s at risk of having the commission take over its financial affairs and is on what State Treasurer Brad Briner called “an extremely […]

Written by on April 2, 2026

2. The House of Berger

Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) lost his primary and won’t run the chamber next year. But he’s leaving a legacy. Members of his family, former staff members, and former Senate colleagues hold positions of influence throughout government. They are top officials in the executive branch and UNC administrative offices, and sit on […]

Written by on April 1, 2026

3. A question about $25k. Source of campaign donation draws allegations.

Sarah Michels/Carolina Public Press Cumberland County election board member Brenda (Bree) Eldridge made a $25,000 donation to the county Republican Party in early 2022 to help pay for a featured speaker. The issue? Allegedly, the money wasn’t all hers. Under North Carolina campaign finance law, it is a felony to make a contribution in someone […]

Written by on April 1, 2026

4. Former Forsyth County Commissioner Dave Plyler has died

Amy Diaz/WFDD Radio Longtime Forsyth County public servant Dave Plyler has died. Plyler served on the Board of Commissioners for nearly 30 years and was chairman for ten of those. When he retired in 2024, the commission passed a proclamation honoring his accomplishments, which include a statewide recognition for being an outstanding county commissioner. Before […]

Written by on April 1, 2026

6. Brunswick schools eye affordable housing for staff

Brenna Flanagan/Port City Daily Brunswick County Schools could add another property to its ranks, but not a school; the district is using some of its acreage in Supply for affordable housing geared toward its employees. The board of education voted unanimously in favor of the proposal at its meeting on March 24. County commissioners would […]

Written by on April 1, 2026

9. Back-A-Round Records re-introduces vinyl to Fayetteville

Anna Tart/Up & Coming Weekly The door chimes as Joseph Mason opens the door at Back-A-Round Records. The sound of rock music fills his ears as he ascends the narrow staircase lined with graffiti-esque art, glowing under black lights. Mason, a regular at the record store, begins thumbing through the worn sleeves of vinyl that […]

Written by on April 1, 2026

10. Cape Fear sports and community coalition to launch at Wilmington event

WWAY News A new regional coalition focused on sports and community development is set to launch next month during an event tied to the proposed Wilmington arena project. Organizers say the Cape Fear Sports & Community Coalition will debut during the “Arena Rising” event on April 25 at Riverfront Park. The event is scheduled from […]

Written by on April 1, 2026