Lawmakers' draft budget includes millions for PFAS testing and mitigation around fire stations, funding tests, temporary water and gear‑cleaning pilots to protect firefighters.

Sen. Ted Budd and several North Carolina lawmakers say they may block the White House’s $87.6B supplemental unless Congress adds new Helene recovery money. Gov. Josh Stein has asked for roughly $10–$10.2B to finish rebuilding western North Carolina.

CENTCOM says a June 19 strike killed senior ISIS leader Ali Husayn al‑‘Ulaywi; Sen. Ted Budd praised the operation on X.

Two absences and a newly seated Republican allowed House Republicans to narrowly override Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes, enacting DEI bans and an immigration bill.

City council approved adding a 0.244‑acre "Triangle Parcel" to land for an 89,000‑sq‑ft Tepper/Live Nation music venue next to Bank of America Stadium after a tense vote.

Two state audits found $47.2 million in fraudulent unemployment overpayments and a 22% improper‑payment rate; auditors say only a fraction has been recovered and reforms are underway.

Eddie Knox, Charlotte’s 49th mayor and founder of Knox Law Center, has died at 89. His firm said his leadership shaped generations of lawyers.

Bank of America now forecasts three 25‑bp Fed hikes in 2026 as job growth stays firm. Markets and mortgage borrowers could feel the squeeze if the call proves prescient.

Columbus approved its FY2026–27 budget Thursday, holding the property tax rate at 51.5¢ while hiking water and sewer rates and adding a $3 card fee.

The North Carolina House approved HB1029 to let state‑chartered banks custody crypto and create a licensing path for payment stablecoins, with strict reserve and audit rules.

Chester County will stop taking new data‑center applications for six months while staff study energy, water and environmental impacts.

Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed major banks to probe whether accounts were closed for political or religious reasons. The requests seek customer lists and internal explanations.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools placed Dr. Crystal Hill on paid leave Wednesday as the district reviews administrative and operational matters.