Cabarrus County approved a four-site early voting plan that excludes Midland and removes Sunday voting after weeks of debate and public records showing auditor involvement.

The state budget lets the SBI place AI license‑plate readers on DOT land, expanding a pilot into an option for any agency and setting off privacy alarms. Lawmakers say it’s about public safety; advocates call it mass tracking.

Rep. Chuck Edwards and his wife sold their McDonald's restaurants in Western North Carolina to Asheville franchisees Christine and Chris Nevant. The family says the move will free them to focus more on public service.

FEMA Region 4's Rob Ashe met with Sen. Ted Budd in D.C. as the agency signals new obligations for North Carolina recovery and local buyouts begin.

A former Webb Street School teacher has sued Gaston County Schools, saying her firing over a Facebook comment about Charlie Kirk violated her First Amendment rights. She is seeking damages and reinstatement.

Sen. Thom Tillis met with Cameron Hamilton and pledged to support his FEMA nomination while pressing for faster aid for Helene-hit western North Carolina.

A published 4th Circuit opinion says CBP officers may manually inspect phones at U.S. ports of entry without a warrant, while forensic extractions remain limited. The ruling will bind courts across the circuit.

Sen. Woodson Bradley is drafting a domestic violence offender registry after a fatal Pineville case and says she’s using Tennessee’s new system as a model. Lawmakers will debate scope and safeguards.

A federal review finds North Carolina behind on special education: slow evaluations, staffing holes and a push to study weighted funding.

Belmont approved an 8% water rate increase and secured a $10M state loan to move its intake and shore up an aging system after a 'distressed' listing. City leaders say upgrades and emergency interconnects will protect supply.

Gov. Stein signed HB1104 to change how North Carolina handles involuntary psychiatric commitments, ordering telehealth pilots, data upgrades and studies.

State Auditor Dave Boliek reassigned Dallas Woodhouse and discontinued the auditor’s elections-liaison role after reporting showed Woodhouse pressing local boards over early‑voting sites.

Gov. Josh Stein signed a law on July 6 that raises paid parental leave for eligible North Carolina state employees to 12 weeks as part of a broader HR overhaul. The State Human Resources Commission will write rules on eligibility, prorating and implementation.