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...

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...

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...

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...

Emily Mikkelsen/WGHP News A Raleigh-based company has purchased a Triad staple brand that has been absent from store shelves for months. On Friday, it was announced that Neese’s Country Sausage had been acquired by Jesse Jones, LLC, a Raleigh-based brand, stating that the beloved sausage would return to store shelves...

Claire Michal/NC Newsline Nearly 1,000 days since the North Carolina legislature passed its last budget, state Senate Democratic leaders gathered to express frustration Thursday morning that the body is still failing to fulfill its most fundamental function. Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch (D-Wake), Sen. Lisa Grafstein (D-Wake), and Sen. Michael...

Jane Winik Sartwell/The Raleigh News & Observer At the first meeting of the Carolina North stakeholder advisory committee, one phrase prevailed: “We don’t know yet.” Carolina North is a 230-acre tract of land one-and-a-half miles north of the main campus, where UNC plans to build a satellite campus. It’s a...

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) is excited to announce that Upcycle Feed Commodities has selected Cumberland County for its first manufacturing facility. The project will create 25 direct jobs and invest over $6 million in real estate and equipment. Upcycle Feed Commodities specializes in...

Liz Schlemmer/WUNC News Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties are all raising their property tax rates this year to fund schools and county services. Despite those tax hikes, the counties still don’t have enough money to avoid budget cuts. WUNC Weekend Host Bradley George spoke with Education Reporter Liz Schlemmer about...

Alan Wooten/The Center Square  Prevention of violent crime, protection of the most vulnerable and stronger tools for lawmen and prosecutors are in a North Carolina proposal to crack down on gang violence. Jaleeyah’s Law, named in memory of the Goldsboro 13-year-old killed in December, cleared the House of Representatives 111-2...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...