A new state report finds 159 North Carolinians died in fires in 2025, and early‑2026 data show a worrying uptick; officials urge testing smoke alarms.

A peer-run recovery café opened in downtown Raleigh on Feb. 24, offering no-referral drop-in peer support backed by state funding and local partners. Organizers say the space will connect visitors to jobs, housing and clinical care.

Raleigh’s Longleaf Swine is taking over Luna’s downtown Carrboro spot and plans to open a Carrboro outpost later this year. The move brings the whole‑hog smoke to the Chapel Hill‑Carrboro scene.

A county slide deck posted on Tuesday lays out fast population growth, a big jump in home values and rising postsecondary credentials that will shape tax, school and workforce decisions.

The state sued Raleigh-based Holly Christina Photography after investigators say the firm took deposits and failed to deliver photos, leaving clients with about $750,000 in alleged losses. The attorney general seeks injunctions and restitution.

FBI Charlotte and Jacksonville police released a new video this Tuesday and renewed a reward for information in the 2021 killing of Jenna Franks. Investigators say evidence exists but no arrests have been made.

Raleigh startup Slate Medicines closed a $130M Series A to develop SLTE‑1009, an anti‑PACAP antibody for migraine prevention. The company plans a Phase 1 trial in mid‑2026.

Young buyers are snapping up long-running North Carolina firms, modernizing operations while keeping employees and customers local.

State health leaders will answer questions about a recent spike in measles and explain where families can get vaccines. The hourlong session begins at 6 p.m. ET.

A body was found in a boat in a marsh south of Wanchese; authorities say the remains may be those of a Wanchese man reported missing in December.

Durham deputies say a fourth smash-and-grab at Research Triangle Park left unsecured firearms taken after thieves smashed car windows in an employee lot.

A suspect ran onto the Lufkin Road Middle School grounds during a noon police pursuit in Apex; K‑9 and drone teams helped secure a quick surrender and the lockdown was lifted.

NC State projects an $18.5M athletics deficit in the first year of direct revenue sharing. Officials are eyeing concerts, donors and naming rights to close the gap.