Month: June 2026

6. Private equity firms now own nearly 40% of Triangle apartments. Why it matters.

Chantal Allam/The Raleigh News & Observer Private equity firms now own more than 46,700 apartments — or about 39.5% of total units — in the Raleigh-Cary metro area, according to new data from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP), a nonprofit financial watchdog. That’s among the highest concentrations in the country — a level of […]

Written by on June 12, 2026

7. Drought taking toll on Sampson

Anthony Goodman/The Sampson Independent As Sampson County farmers continue monitoring their fields following weeks of dry weather, agricultural experts say the effects of the recent drought could linger well beyond the arrival of recent rainfall. Sampson County is one of North Carolina’s leading agricultural producers, with thousands of acres devoted to corn, soybeans and cotton. […]

Written by on June 12, 2026

8. The Pilot a blueprint for newspaper success in 2026

Cristin Severance/WRAL News At a time when newspapers across the country are shrinking or disappearing, The Pilot in Southern Pines has become an example of how a local news organization is diversifying to survive. David Woronoff, a fourth-generation North Carolina newspaper publisher, bought The Pilot 30 years ago when he was 30 years old. He […]

Written by on June 12, 2026

9. North Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s breaks ground in Mebane

Mary Helen Moore/Axios Raleigh Construction has begun on North Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s travel center, a massive gas station and convenience store slated to open in Mebane in 2027. Why it matters: The Texas gas station chain has built a devoted following since the 1980s, thanks to its beaver mascot merch, clean bathrooms and endless array […]

Written by on June 12, 2026

10. City improvements discussed at Lumberton board meeting

Michele Chavis/The Robesonian Projects including the Lumberton Police Department, downtown revitalization and sewer improvements were among the items discussed in Monday’s Lumberton City Council meeting. Lumberton Chief of Police Michael McNeill requested and gained approval of a $46,345 grant from the Bulletproof Vest Partnership for the use of 45 female bulletproof vests and 55 male […]

Written by on June 12, 2026

1. With hemp regulations stalled, NC House tries for an age limit

Colin Campbell/WUNC News The state House is trying again to put an age limit on the sale of hemp-based products that have similar effects to marijuana. For several years, efforts to regulate hemp and THC products have stalled at the legislature. The House has passed bills with a wide range of regulations, while the Senate […]

Written by on June 11, 2026

2. Big changes for more than 200k NC student loan borrowers as SAVE plan set to dissolve

Kate Denning/Carolina Public Press  The student loan repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), introduced by former President Joe Biden will officially cease in light of the passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer. An estimated 269,000 North Carolina borrowers who are enrolled in SAVE will need to select […]

Written by on June 11, 2026

3. Trio of NC Senate bills propose overhauling state’s coastal hardened structure rules

Adam Wagner/NC Newsroom With 32 homes toppled since 2020, Buxton’s fast-eroding shoreline has become emblematic of challenges some North Carolina’s coastal communities are facing. Wednesday, North Carolina’s Senate Agriculture, Energy and Environment Committee discussed a trio of bills meant to protect Buxton and other communities with eroding shorelines. They would repeal the state’s long-standing ban […]

Written by on June 11, 2026

4. Durham mother sues property owner over son’s death in laundry room

Greg Childress/NC Newsline The mother of a Durham man who died of heart failure after he became trapped in the laundry room of her downtown apartment building has sued the property owner and management firm. Debra Davies seeks compensatory damages for the estate of Jason Pulliam, who was 39 at the time of his death. […]

Written by on June 11, 2026

5. New Atrium land swap in Charlotte for affordable housing was years in the making

Chase Jordan & Desiree Mathurin/The Raleigh News & Observer Atrium Health, Charlotte’s largest hospital provider, has given 14 acres of land off North Tryon Street for the city to build affordable housing at The Pearl mixed-use medical school and med tech development area. It’s part of a land swap deal that has been years in […]

Written by on June 11, 2026

6. Canes’ success spilling over to Raleigh business sector

Elaina Athans/WTVD Visit North Carolina says the Carolina Hurricanes’ run for the Stanley Cup could bring up to $15 million in local revenue, and the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce says there will be long-term benefits. “We are working every day using this run in the finals to really put us on the map and to […]

Written by on June 11, 2026

7. Charlotte votes raise questions about business influence and ‘the Charlotte Way’

Steve Harrison/WFAE Radio Two key votes by the Charlotte City Council in the past month have left some residents and business leaders wondering how much influence the city’s business community still has — and whether the so-called “Charlotte Way” is fading. The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a 150-day moratorium on […]

Written by on June 11, 2026

8. Apex homeowners face tax increase to expand public safety, utilities

WRAL News Apex property owners will pay more in fiscal year 2026-27 for public safety staffing, fleet replacement, parks and recreation programs, technology improvements and capital projects. The budget passed on Tuesday raises the town’s property tax rate from 35.6 cents to 37.35 cents per $100 of assessed value, or a cost of about $105 […]

Written by on June 11, 2026