Korie Dean/Border Belt Independent The UNC System could soon offer accelerated undergraduate programs, joining a growing number of universities around the country that allow students to earn their degrees in three years instead of the traditional four. UNC System President Peter Hans told The Assembly that he believes the initiative...

Stephanie Meador/Greater Fayetteville Business Journal This morning, April 30, the City of Fayetteville braved the rain to break ground on the new Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation sports complex. The complex is being built on McArthur Road, between I-295 and Lake Mont Court. “Today is not just a ceremony. It’s a...

Frank Daniels IV/The (Southern Pines) Pilot Aberdeen has finally received part of the $1.5 million in funds it requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair infrastructure damaged last July during flooding following Tropical Storm Chantal. Assistant Town Manager and Fire Chief Phillip Richardson said the disbursement comes by...

Kate Denning/Carolina Public Press State Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne, drives 85 minutes to see his primary care physician in Scotts Hill, a small community on the Pender and New Hanover County border, so it’s not a question in his mind whether his alma mater of UNC-Wilmington should move forward with...

Ashley Fahey/Charlotte Ledger Chris Thomas, a leader at Charlotte commercial real estate firm Childress Klein who was involved in many community initiatives in Charlotte, passed away on April 29, after a brief battle with liver cancer. Thomas headed up Childress Klein’s retail development, marketing and leasing practice. He had been...

Port City Daily As the May planning board meeting approaches in Brunswick County, only two items will be up for consideration and one could bring a couple hundred homes to the Shallotte area. A 400-home planned development is being submitted for Gray Bridge Road Southwest from Humabuilt Development, a North...

Adam Wagner/WUNC Radio House Rules Chairman John Bell, R-Wayne, introduced legislation this week that would establish a $50 million fund for nonprofit housing developers to conduct preconstruction activities. A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the N.C. House of Representatives have introduced legislation seeking to create a $50 million fund to...

The Associated Press The NCAA has agreed to overhaul its restrictions on athletes accepting prize money before enrolling in college under the terms of a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit brought by North Carolina women’s tennis champion Reese Brantmeier. The NCAA agreed to pay $2.02 million in damages...

James Farrell/WFAE Radio The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education on Tuesday night rejected Superintendent Crystal Hill’s proposed $2.1 billion budget, in a surprise vote that left the superintendent asking for more direction and saying she didn’t know what changes the board wants. The vote was 8-1 against, with only board...

Matthew Sockol/WNCN News MV Realty has been banned from doing business in North Carolina, the state attorney general’s office said Monday. According to the Office of the North Carolina Attorney General, MV Realty locked more than 2,100 residents in exclusive listing contracts for 40 years through Homeowner Benefit Agreements. Residents...

Jack Evans, Sally Kestin & John Boyle/Asheville Watchdog A new query seems to come every day. An email pings in Otto Sharp’s inbox, or the phone rings at Swannanoa Valley Animal Hospital, and though the company on the other end may change, the gist is always the same: Ever thought...

Joseph Williams/The (Whiteville) News Reporter Lacy Wayne Freeman, 59, of Buckhead will serve as the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe’s next chief. Freeman won the Saturday election with 220 votes, defeating Vice Chief Pamela Young-Jacobs, who received 123 votes, according to results published by the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe. Freeman spoke with The...

Dasia Williams/CityView On Monday inside the multipurpose room at Manchester Elementary School, Kendra Dale approached the podium quietly, a sheet of paper in hand. The kindergarten instructional assistant turned to face board members seated at the front of the room. Across her chest, her message was already written in bold...

WRAL News Residents in Vance County on Wednesday will have a chance to share their concerns about a new data center planned for the area at a rural listening session hosted by Gov. Josh Stein’s office. Vance County is one stop in the governor’s statewide tour giving rural communities a...

Conor Doherty/WWAY News A push for stronger nicotine laws in North Carolina is gaining momentum this week as dozens of high school students prepare to meet with lawmakers in Raleigh on Wednesday, April 29th in support of legislation aimed at reducing youth vaping and tobacco use. Two of those students...