Month: April 2026

10. CFCC launches commercial craft brewing program

Hannah Hall/WECT Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) has crafted a new program offering for students. According to CFCC, a new commercial craft brewing program will launch at the downtown Wilmington campus this summer. CFCC said students will have the ability to learn about the brewing process through classroom instruction and real-world experience, as well as […]

Written by on April 28, 2026

Majeed goes unaffiliated

Another Mecklenburg County legislator who lost in March’s Democratic Party primaries has turned in his membership card. District 99 Rep. Nasif Majeed announced via social media that he’s changing his affiliation from Democratic to unaffiliated. Majeed — an 80-year-old who piloted B-52s during the Vietnam War — said his move is “rooted in my responsibility […]

Written by on April 28, 2026

Poll: Many oppose casinos for their county

In case anyone needed a reminder after Senate leader Phil Berger’s GOP primary loss, a new poll suggests many North Carolinians would oppose having a casino built in their county. Commissioned by Locke Foundation co-founder and former President Marc Rotterman, the survey found that 56% of the 600 likely voters question would oppose casino development […]

Written by on April 28, 2026

Granville Co. opposes Franklin in Kerr Lake fight

Granville County isn’t one of Senate Bill 214’s direct targets, but it’s standing with the communities that are in the crosshairs of water-and-condemnation rights battle with Franklin County. That includes opposing the measure “by any means necessary,” Granville commissioners say in a resolution opposing the bill. Members clarified by that, they mean going to court, if […]

Written by on April 28, 2026

Batch backtracks on Medicaid rebase

Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch, D-Wake, has walked back her caucus’s support of the Medicaid rebase bill that it has already voted in favor of passing. She put out a letter on Friday asking the Senate’s Republican leaders to pull back the bill and rewrite it to drop three of its provisions. One of those […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

Franklin County: Give us the water

Franklin County officials say that while they remain willing to negotiate for access to Kerr Lake’s water, they want condemnation rights in Vance County to use as leverage to ensure talks play out in their favor. Senate Bill 214’s provision on the matter “gives Franklin County a tool it may need,” they say via a […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

Data-center developer sues Chatham County

A company led by UNC Board of Governors member Kirk Bradley has sued Chatham County, seeking to overturn the county’s moratorium on data-center development. Lawyers for Eco TIP West filed the lawsuit on Thursday. They allege the moratorium violates the firm’s vested rights in a tract within the Moncure megasite, the requirements of the moratorium […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

GOP puts Cooper on blast over American Efficient scandal

State Republican leaders have begun trying to make the federal government’s move to fine a Durham company $722 million over its energy-efficiency trades a campaign issue against former Gov. Roy Cooper’s bid for a U.S. Senate seat. N.C. GOP spokesman Matt Mercer issued a statement on April 21 that asks, “What did Roy Cooper know […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

1. NC moves to rein in soaring autism therapy costs amid fraud concerns

Jaymie Baxley/NC Health News Meredith McCumbee has seen firsthand the difference applied behavioral analysis therapy, commonly known as ABA, can make in children with autism. Aaron, her 16-year-old son, was diagnosed with autism and apraxia of speech — a disorder that makes it difficult to coordinate the muscle movements needed to form words — in […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

2. Sen. Mayfield’s proposal to HCA shareholders fails, but forces CEO to address Mission woes

Lucas Thomae/Carolina Public Press At their annual meeting on Thursday, HCA Healthcare shareholders voted down a proposal from NC Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, which would have required the Tennessee-based health system to examine the negative community impacts of its hospital acquisitions, including Mission Hospital in Asheville. The 22-minute virtual meeting also featured HCA Healthcare CEO […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

3. Apprenticeships are on the rise in North Carolina. Will that growth continue?

Analisa Sorrells Archer/Education NC Apprenticeships — the earn-and-learn model that dates back to at least the middle ages — are having a big moment. Often heralded as the gold standard in work-based learning, registered apprenticeships combine paid, on-the-job training with classroom instruction, culminating in an industry-recognized credential. Apprenticeships can increase earnings for workers, provide a […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

4. ECU discontinuing 44 programs as part of fiscal health initiative

Ginger Livingston/The Greenville Reflector ECU is discontinuing 44 programs starting in the fall of 2026 as part of its effort to generate $25 million in savings over a three-year period. Provost Chris Buddo and Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Stephanie Coleman gave an overview of the ongoing changes to course offerings and operations at […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

5. ‘No limits, no accountability’: Area residents rebuke state’s proposed PFAS, 1,4 dioxane rules

Charlie Fossen/Port City Daily State regulators faced sharp opposition this week during a public hearing on proposed PFAS and 1,4-dioxane rules, as residents raised concerns about the lack of enforceable limits, deadlines, or penalties on polluters. An overcrowded Wilmington City Hall had roughly 200 residents, environmental advocates, and public officials, clustered seat-to-seat — and for […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

6. Why the Cape Fear River looks dirty and what’s really in the water

Gareth McGrath/USA Today Network Despite its murky look and contamination issues, the Cape Fear supports a wide variety of marine life. If you time it just right, say a few days after decent rains in central North Carolina, and head down to the Wilmington riverfront near Point Peter where the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape […]

Written by on April 27, 2026

7. Why Duke is expanding its health system while the University cuts costs

Zoe Kolenovsky/The Duke Chronicle The past year has revealed a tale of two Dukes — the University cutting back, and its health system building out. At the University, institutional leaders scrambled to cut costs in response to federal funding shortfalls. Departments began bleeding faculty and staff over the summer after a one-two punch of voluntary […]

Written by on April 27, 2026