Trustees approved a strategic plan and Medicare benefit changes on June 5 while expanding Lantern and an Eat Well pilot. Final votes on 2027 premiums are set for July 10.

A House committee advanced a bill that would turn Moore County and Albemarle municipal races into partisan contests and shift Moore County elections to even‑year ballots.

North Carolina’s county risk pool has amended its decision and will now cover Pender County’s defense in a First Amendment lawsuit from the Pender-Topsail Post & Voice.

House Democrats filed three constitutional amendments to reshape judge discipline, set clearer recusal rules and force 48‑hour public posting of bill text before votes. Sponsors call the moves a fix for an embattled disciplinary system; passage would require supermajorities and a public vote.

County leaders heard a $421.9M budget proposal that holds the tax rate, denied a contested Raleigh Road rezoning and reviewed a fire‑station study mapping future needs.

A Senate committee added released‑time language to an education bill that would require districts to excuse students for private religious instruction at least one hour weekly.

A News & Observer analysis found 33 of North Carolina’s 115 districts plan early openings, setting local boards against a 2004 calendar law and prompting lawsuits and legislative debate.

Rep. Jordan Lopez filed HB 1071 to direct $85M to replace federal SNAP administrative dollars and blunt a $191M county cost shift as federal rules change this fall.

Faith leaders warned HB 696’s technical changes could raise copays and strip coverage from thousands of lawfully residing immigrants and delivered a 348‑signature letter to the General Assembly.

State senators filed a bill to tax "harmful" sexual material — but the filed text creates a 10% retail excise, not the 50% figure some headlines claimed. The draft routes proceeds to anti‑trafficking and domestic‑violence programs.

Durham’s City Council approved a $16M expansion of its Axon contract, adding drones and license‑plate readers amid a heated debate over surveillance and safety.

City Manager Marchell Adams‑David's FY27 proposal includes a 1.7‑cent property tax increase; a June 2 public hearing will give residents a chance to weigh in.

WalletHub’s June 1 report places North Carolina sixth nationally, citing GDP growth and a stronger tech presence even as household income trails.