Month: May 2026

2. House ethics investigation of Chuck Edwards poses challenge in District 11 race

Ted Clifford/Asheville Watchdog In 2022, Chuck Edwards campaigned on his image as the responsible adult in the room. As a prosperous businessman with a chain of McDonalds, Edwards was a hardline if unflashy conservative who had risen through the ranks of the state Senate. He successfully offered western North Carolina a change of pace from […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

3. Massive US lithium discovery concentrated in Carolina mountains; NC lithium mine clears major hurdle: EPA

Rodney Overton & Michael Ramsey/WNCN & NewsNation The head of the Environmental Protection Agency is calling a newly identified lithium deposit in the Appalachian Mountains — concentrated in the Carolinas — a “great find,” saying it could help the United States reduce its reliance on China for critical minerals essential to modern technology. Federal officials […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

4. Who funded anti-Berger PAC? Mysterious out-of-state groups

Colin Campbell/WUNC News More than a month after the primary, the biggest spender opposing Senate leader Phil Berger finally filed a disclosure report listing its donors. But the report leaves more questions than answers about who funded the Guilford-Rockingham Alliance’s $453,000 campaign to help Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. More than a month after the […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

5. WNC passenger rail would be an economic boon, but paying for the construction is a different story

Emily Moosbrugger/The Waynesville Mountaineer The long-held vision of bringing passenger rail to WNC would generate an economic impact of $59 million annually to the region, according to a comprehensive economic impact study released earlier this year. The proposed passenger rail corridor would span approximately 139 miles from Salisbury to Asheville, not only connecting the region […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

6. Clock ticking for Littleton. Town pushing to complete audits, stave off state takeover.

Mackenzie Thomas/Carolina Public Press  Five years behind on financial audits, the town of Littleton faces a potential takeover by the North Carolina Local Government Commission if the town fails to complete its fiscal year 2021 audit by Monday. Littleton town officials attended the Local Government Commission’s meeting on April 1 to discuss the town’s current […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

7. Embattled New Hanover County elections director formally opposes her removal

Port City Daily The elections director for New Hanover County has formally opposed her removal to the state board of elections. New Hanover County Board of Elections filed a petition to terminate DeNay Harris’ earlier this spring. Her attorney, Gary Shipman with Shipman Wright & Moore, LLP, filed a response against the move and said […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

8. Business leaders call on legislature for child care subsidy investment this session

Liz Bell/Education NC Business leaders and owners advocated on Thursday for legislative funding this session for the child care subsidy program, which helps low-income working and student parents afford care. “Without enough affordable, high-quality child care, employers across the state are missing out on what they need; that’s talent and people,” said Gary Salamido, president […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

9. School budgets presented: HCC gets support while large HCS hike gets tepid response

Lily Levin/Smoky Mountain News   Haywood Community College President Shelley White got little pushback for the additional $268,000 she has asked for from county commissioners in HCC’s 2026-27 budget proposal, but Haywood County Schools Superintendent Trevor Putnam’s request for an extra $3 million encountered some resistance. Both school leaders presented their final 2026-27 budget proposals […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

10. Nonprofit encounters food shortfall

Paul B. Johnson/The High Point Enterprise Supporters of a longtime local nonprofit worry that they face cutting back on food donations and meals to families and individuals in need because of the lingering effects of a reduction in a national program. West End Ministries is considering options to reduce the amount of food it gives […]

Written by on May 4, 2026

1. Kane Realty sets its sights on Cary

Zachery Eanes/Axios Raleigh Raleigh’s most prolific developer, Kane Realty, is betting big on Cary. Why it matters: Kane Realty, known for its work in North Hills and downtown Raleigh, is proposing two significant projects in Cary, one that would add to the growth of downtown Cary and another that seeks to transform an aging office […]

Written by on May 3, 2026

2. Democrats investigate as Trump OKs almost $2 billion in taxpayer money to end offshore wind projects

Jennifer McDermott/The Associated Press The Trump administration is spending nearly $2 billion to get energy companies to walk away from U.S. offshore wind projects. Democrats in Congress are investigating. The Republican administration adopted this strategy after federal courts thwarted President Donald Trump’s efforts to stop offshore wind development through executive action. Three agreements have been […]

Written by on May 3, 2026

3. Record numbers of Durham high schoolers are missing school

Tanya Wan/9th Street Journal  Over half of Durham Public Schools high schoolers were chronically absent in the first six months of the current school year — yet another challenge for a district already facing state underfunding and declining enrollment. “In no way are we where we need to be with this data and with our […]

Written by on May 3, 2026