Gaston County’s commissioners adopted the FY 2027 budget, holding the property tax at 59.9¢ while shifting big projects to enterprise funds and asking the state to OK a school sales tax. The package adds five positions and prioritizes repairs over new construction.

A wide‑ranging NC bill would let localities open ABC stores on Sundays, allow canned cocktails in grocery aisles and add alcoholic whipped cream to the law. Lawmakers delayed a committee vote Tuesday.

North Carolina lawmakers asked President Trump to make U.S. tobacco exports a priority during his May summit in Beijing, citing the crop’s outsized role in the state economy.

A proposed state surtax would charge 7% on income above $1M to generate roughly $1 billion for public schools, a pitch led by Democratic lawmakers and Patriotic Millionaires that faces steep GOP opposition.

Mooresville approved a $99,900 settlement for former planning director Erika Martin as lawsuits and a judge’s order over town‑hall footage intensify scrutiny on town leaders.

A Charlotte judge allowed limited discovery in Sen. DeAndrea Salvador’s lawsuit alleging Whirlpool and Omnicom used AI to fake her endorsement. The order permits targeted depositions and document requests as the court tests jurisdiction.

A $378.75M recommended budget funds raises and infrastructure while holding property taxes and electric rates steady.

Union County approved a $174M 2026–27 budget that prioritizes teacher pay, repairs and tech upgrades. The proposal now goes to county commissioners for final review.

Mayor Vi Lyles will step down on June 30 after leading Charlotte since 2017, citing family and a desire to make room for new leadership. The city council must now decide who finishes her term.

Advocates rallied at the State Capitol pushing a Stop Super Speeders plan that would force certain drivers to install speed‑limiting tech amid worrying crash numbers.

The NC Senate gave initial approval to SB 889, pausing use of 2026 reappraisal numbers in about a dozen counties as lawmakers weigh tax relief and budget fallout. The move follows revaluation notices showing steep jumps in assessed values.

Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Russell Fry will unveil "Logan's Law" in Myrtle Beach — a proposal for a public violent-offender registry and a federal review of criminal-data gaps. The push follows the May 3, 2025 killing of Logan Federico and concerns about missing records.

Monroe mayoral candidate Surluta Anthony is under scrutiny after participating in a committee recommendation to fund a nonprofit she helps lead. The overlap raises legal questions under state recusal rules.