House Democrats filed H.B. 1059 to set a $15 statewide minimum for most employers, with an $11 carveout for very small businesses and annual CPI indexing. The measure faces steep odds in the GOP-run legislature.

Howard Reade, 44, was found fatally stabbed near the American Tobacco Trail on Monday. Durham police have opened a homicide investigation and are asking the public for tips.

Raleigh released a 500‑page Safe Streets plan naming crash hotspots and setting targets to cut fatal and serious-injury crashes toward zero by 2045. The report pairs quick engineering fixes with outreach.

A 30-year-old employee at a youth group home in Angier was booked in mid‑April and now faces 16 felony counts after a 15‑year‑old foster resident reported assaults last year. Authorities say the incidents happened April–June 2025.

A provision tucked into a session bill would let Franklin County acquire land in three upstream counties to secure Kerr Lake water, sparking swift backlash and a paused vote.

A 16-year-old girl was found shot early Saturday on Fox Ridge Road in Hope Mills and later died at a hospital. Detectives are investigating and asking anyone with information to call.

Federal sign‑offs freed $319M in BEAD funds to launch builds that the state says will reach more than 93,000 homes, businesses and community sites, prioritizing rural and mountain areas.

Taylor Morrison paid roughly $26M for about 95 acres at 45 Thompson Road and plans Rockyford, a 122‑home neighborhood of large ranch-style houses listed roughly $800K–$1M.

State officials say back burns will create heavy smoke as crews work to contain a brush fire along the Avery–Mitchell county line. Aircraft are on standby and homes are being protected.

Moore County's school board voted to dissolve its police department and hand SRO oversight to the county sheriff to ensure a dedicated officer at every campus.

Boxcar Bar + Arcade plans a fourth North Carolina location at 951 Trade St NW in downtown Winston‑Salem, promising arcade games, pizza, a full bar and a large patio. The company is targeting late summer 2026.

Wake County approved schematic design for a new Wendell North Public Safety Station to co-locate EMS and Wendell Fire; construction is planned to start in late 2026.

Sunny and in the mid-80s today with gusty winds and elevated fire danger. Open burning remains banned statewide.