Month: May 2026

2. Wake County board, all Democrats, walks back shadowy move

Alan Wooten/The Center Square  Commissioners in Wake County have paused, for at least 90 days, any action toward approval of Atrium Health’s takeover of WakeMed. In a surprise move, the commissioners on Friday had placed within Monday’s consent agenda an item for WakeMed’s articles of incorporation and a transfer agreement – the first public knowledge […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

3. NC House lawmakers push for better breast cancer detection

Christine Zhu/NC Newsline  Bipartisan lawmakers in the North Carolina House are backing a bill that would provide equal health insurance coverage for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. Legislators have introduced “Breast Cancer Prevention Imaging Parity” measures four times in recent years. The bill has passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support each time, but has […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

4. Cuban man living in Charlotte dies while in ICE custody in Georgia

Julian Berger/WFAE Radio A Cuban man living in Charlotte died last week while in federal immigration custody at a detention center in Georgia. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said 33-year-old Denny Adan Gonzalez died last Tuesday at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. ICE says Gonzalez’s cause of death remains under investigation. According […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

5. Duke Energy protesters gather in Raleigh over fossil fuel expansion plans, rising bills

WRAL News Protesters are expected to gather on Wednesday to oppose Duke Energy with a demonstration in downtown Raleigh. Environmentally conscious advocates, led by nonprofit group NC WARN, are raising concerns about rising power bills and fossil fuel expansion, as regulators approve a merger that could change how electricity is delivered in North Carolina. A […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

6. Mixed response from NC universities on pitching quicker degree programs

Kate Denning/Carolina Public Press The University of North Carolina System announced last month it was exploring the feasibility of offering degree programs consisting of around 90 credit hours as opposed to the typical 120. The UNC System’s curiosity about quicker, cheaper degrees is in line with national trends, appearing in some form in states like […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

8. Winston-Salem officials present ‘no frills’ budget as costs climb

April Laissle/WFDD Radio Winston-Salem officials are proposing a tight budget for the next fiscal year, citing rising costs driven in part by inflation and higher prices for major equipment. Construction expenses are up more than 80%, and the price of new fire trucks has nearly doubled. That’s what city manager Pat Pate told council as […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

9. Still Us Foundation: New nonprofit aims to transform local dementia care

Carrie Frye/The Southern Pines Pilot The need for dementia care is urgent and growing, nationally and right here at home. In Moore County, nearly one in four residents is over age 65, with communities like Pinehurst approaching 40 percent over age 65, more than double the national average. The fastest-growing segment is adults over 80, […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

10. Clinton recommended budget features no tax increase

Noah Britt/The Sampson Independent The city of Clinton has submitted a recommended budget for approval from the City Council that features no change to the ad valorem tax rate of .34 cents and maintains all the city’s services. The ad valorem tax rate is based on the assessed value of real or personal property, translating […]

Written by on May 6, 2026

1. Morrisville is considering making it easier for companies to get tax breaks

Jasmine Gallup/IndyWeek Pharmaceutical company Novartis Gene Therapies released new details last week about its plans to open two new facilities in Morrisville. Under an incentive agreement, the company—which plans to build a 56,000-square-foot facility, and upfit an additional 200,000-square-feet in the Pathway Triangle corporate campus—promised last year to invest more than $200 million and create […]

Written by on May 5, 2026

3. Wilmington outpaces Raleigh, Charlotte in job growth rate

Cierra Noffke/WilmingtonBiz The Wilmington metro area recorded the highest percentage of employment growth in North Carolina over the past year. According to new Current Employment Statistics data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Wilmington metropolitan statistical area – which includes New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties – added approximately 5,900 nonfarm payroll jobs […]

Written by on May 5, 2026

4. Pender officials reverse course, reinstate 2026 revaluation

Charlie Fossen/Port City Daily Pender County commissioners voted 3-2 Monday to move forward with using 2026 property revaluation numbers, reversing an earlier decision to suspend the reval, and resolving weeks of legal and budget uncertainty. Commissioners Jimmy Tate and Vice Chair Brad George voted against the motion, which directs staff to proceed with using 2026 […]

Written by on May 5, 2026