Month: June 2026

5. How a 90-minute White House deadline sparked Silicon Valley’s biggest AI fight

The Washington Post Just three days after artificial intelligence company Anthropic released its latest and most powerful AI model, Fable, the Trump administration called with an unusual demand: take it offline. Officials offered scant details on the reasons, according to two people familiar with the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of […]

Written by on June 15, 2026

6. Atrium land deal clears way for 1,200 homes

Michelle Crouch/Charlotte Ledger & NC Health News After months of scrutiny, Atrium Health announced this week that it has finalized a deal to fulfill one of the affordable housing promises it made in 2021 while seeking public support for The Pearl, its medical innovation district. The agreement calls for the hospital to transfer nearly 14 […]

Written by on June 15, 2026

7. Southport residents threaten litigation if historic district regulations pass, mayor suggests voluntary approach

Shea Carver/Port City Daily The Southport Historic Preservation Committee has completed its three-and-a-half-year effort drafting regulations for a potential historic overlay district in the city, but one group of residents have considered legal action should it pass an aldermen vote. However, this week the mayor suggested the commission revert from quasi-judicial to a voluntary committee […]

Written by on June 15, 2026

8. Bump or bust: Used car values are up, but is that a good thing?

Sarah White/The Waynesville Mountaineer An unexpected bump in motor vehicle property taxes has meant more money for local governments, and higher taxes for vehicle owners. That’s because the value of used vehicles has soared. Vehicle taxes are based on the value of the vehicle, so as the price of used vehicles has gone up, so […]

Written by on June 15, 2026

10. County expected to join city in offering tax incentives to lure manufacturer

Bill Moss/Hendersonville Lightning Henderson County is expected to join the city of Hendersonville in offering tax incentives to attract a $124 million manufacturing plant employing 148 workers making an average wage exceeding $62,776, raising the total potential property tax refund to $6½ million over seven years. The Hendersonville City Council on June 4 agreed to […]

Written by on June 15, 2026

1. How $4 billion came off Durham’s tax rolls last year, mostly benefiting corporate landlords—and blowing a hole in the city budget

Lena Geller/Indy Week Property taxes in Durham went up nearly universally last year in the wake of a countywide revaluation. So when City Manager Bo Ferguson announced, last month, that the city faces a $9 million budget deficit due to low property tax revenue—the largest source of income for both the city and the county, […]

Written by on June 14, 2026

2. Too sick to work, but can they prove it? New Medicaid rule worries patients

Ali Swenson/The Associated Press On hot afternoons, DeAnna Brandon’s three dogs zag around while she splashes in a backyard kiddie pool with her grandkids. These are the moments the 48-year-old blood cancer survivor cherishes — and wonders if she will get to have in the years to come. Brandon, who lives in Rockwell, North Carolina, […]

Written by on June 14, 2026

3. Data center moratorium fever for NC local governments

Lucas Thomae/Carolina Public Press Charlotte just became the latest, and largest, North Carolina community to instate a temporary pause on the development of new data centers. Its city council unanimously approved a 150-day moratorium in front of a packed house Monday night, in a scene similar to ones which have played out in town halls […]

Written by on June 14, 2026

6. Ethics, policing policies weighing down Public Safety nominee

Andrew Pomeranz/Carolina Journal Ethics compliance, potential conflicts of interest, and a history of progressive policing policies of Jeffrey Smythe are under review by a North Carolina General Assembly panel ahead of a Senate confirmation hearing. Smythe, former police chief in Burlington, was picked by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. He was appointed to lead after […]

Written by on June 14, 2026

7. 13K-home development agreement sparks concerns from residents, commissioner

Emily Sawaked/Port City Daily Residents will have an opportunity to provide feedback on almost 13,000 homes planned for Brunswick County at June 15’s commissioners meeting. The county and Strategic Real Estate Partners have drafted a development agreement and Monday will be the first time the commissioners have taken up the project since it was first […]

Written by on June 14, 2026

8. Spotlight grows brighter, hotter on healthcare CEO compensation

Richard Craver/Charlotte Observer The accelerating consolidation of not-for-profit healthcare systems in North Carolina is magnifying the spotlight on executive compensation. The focus is particularly bright for Eugene Woods, chief executive of Advocate Health, whose fiscal 2024 compensation jumped 39% to $25.87 million as he became the system’s lone chief executive in July 2024. Advocate, based […]

Written by on June 14, 2026

9. Buc-ee’s breaks ground on new Mebane travel center, first in North Carolina

Henry Taylor/WCHL Chapelboro Brisket, beef jerky, fudge and a whole lot of gasoline. Buc-ee’s, a Texas-based gas station chain famous for its ginormous travel centers, is bringing its first North Carolina location to 1425 Trollingwood-Hawfields Road in Mebane. The 74,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed by November of 2027. Situated at the […]

Written by on June 14, 2026