Month: October 2026

1. A family’s loss triggers NC probe of Scotland EMS

Mackenzie Thomas/Carolina Public Press Sharon Cripe is angry. Her uncle, Stacy T. Britt, died on Jan. 25, and she has questions about the care he received that night from the county’s EMS, she said. For more than 40 years, Britt was a resident of Wagram, a small town in rural Scotland County, where he was […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

2. $84 million Cary railroad project could force businesses to relocate

Bailey Stamos/WRAL News A proposed $84 million railroad project in Cary is designed to make a busy crossing safer and improve traffic flow, but it could also force businesses in the area to relocate. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is proposing to take Northeast Maynard Road underneath the railroad tracks near East Chatham Street, […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

3. HBCUs are underfunded. A legal effort starting in Missouri seeks to fix it

Heather Hollingsworth & Collin Binkley/The Associated Press An effort to address decades of underfunding at some historically Black colleges and universities kicked off Wednesday with a lawsuit against the state of Missouri. Students and graduates of Lincoln University in the state’s capital of Jefferson City allege the lack of financial resources undercut their education and […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

4. UNC Health breaks ground on Research Triangle Park hospital

Zachery Eanes/Axios Raleigh UNC Health broke ground Tuesday on a new hospital on the edge of Research Triangle Park. Why it matters: The hospital, expected to open by 2032, is a key part of UNC Health’s local growth strategy and will add 144 new beds to the area and employ around 1,000 people, according to […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

5. Dampf Good BBQ decides against opening restaurant in downtown Durham following community backlash

Aaron Sánchez-Guerra/WUNC News A nationally-renowned, Texas-style barbecue food truck in Cary has decided against opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in the heart of downtown Durham. The decision by Dampf Good BBQ comes after weeks of backlash over past social media posts made by owner Nick Dampf and his wife Kimmy, which reflect the family’s conservative […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

6. Moore County Chamber enters final quarter with strong momentum and a clear focus on what’s next

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal The Moore County Chamber of Commerce is entering the final quarter of the year with strong momentum and an increasingly clear focus on the work that matters most to the future of Moore County’s business community. While the Chamber continues to provide opportunities for businesses and organizations to connect, learn […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

7. Cumberland County Schools tells employees to turn off smart glasses

Dasia Williams/CityView Cumberland County Schools employees must power off smart glasses on the job under a new policy adopted after parents raised concerns about teachers wearing the recording-capable devices in classrooms. The new policy for smart glasses applies to AI, Meta, and other smart eyewear capable of capturing, recording, livestreaming, transmitting, or transcribing data, audio, […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

8. CMPD officer under federal investigation for gun purchases

WSOC News A CMPD officer is under investigation by the feds, according to multiple sources who spoke with Channel 9 Crime Reporter Hunter Sáenz. Sources told Channel 9 that a Metro Division officer was allegedly buying guns for a convicted felon. Sources said that during a separate incident, a suspect was arrested with guns. When […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

9. State will take over Ronda to ensure bills are paid and essential services continue

David Ford/WFDD Radio On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, State Auditor Boliek release a statement announcing the Local Government Commission taking financial control action over the Town of Ronda. The state is taking financial control over the town of Ronda in Wilkes County. After repeated warnings and recommendations by state officials, commissioners voted unanimously in favor […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

10. Next gen 911 technology answers the call

Frank Daniels IV/The Southern Pines Pilot When people need immediate help, 9-1-1 is the first resource — but dispatchers often must grapple with aging infrastructure built for a time before cell phones. A “next generation 9-1-1” initiative has set North Carolina as an example of change, with centers across the state already equipped to receive […]

Written by on October 8, 2026

2. For fearful film industry, state lawmakers promise additional funding

Cece Nunn/WilmingtonBiz State lawmakers plan to give North Carolina’s film incentive program a cash infusion, officials announced Tuesday at Cinespace Studios in Wilmington. If approved by the legislature, the appropriation would amount to an additional $31 million for new film projects in fiscal year 2026-2027, said Sen. Michael Lee, R-New Hanover and senate majority leader, […]

Written by on October 6, 2026

3. NC Head Start programs could face major changes under proposed federal rules

Trevon Spencer/NC Newsline For thousands of North Carolina families, Head Start is more than a preschool program. It can mean a safe place for children to learn, eat nutritious meals and a schedule parents can rely on while they work. But those services could look different under proposed federal changes that Gov. Josh Stein is […]

Written by on October 6, 2026

4. Jim Bakker’s rise, fall and legacy, remembered by a reporter who covered it

Nick de la Canal/WFAE Radio Jim Bakker, the televangelist who built the PTL Television Network and the sprawling Heritage USA Christian theme park near Fort Mill, has died. He was 86. At its peak, Heritage USA drew more than 6 million visitors a year. Bakker and his then-wife, Tammy Faye, became household names through their […]

Written by on October 6, 2026