A Hillsborough woman pleaded guilty to second‑degree murder and was sentenced to 16–22 years; the court heard she has schizophrenia and will receive treatment while behind bars.

A laptop synchronization problem at a Halifax County precinct pushed back North Carolina's primary results until 8:30 p.m., officials said.

Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Johnston County on March 3. Curbside voting and provisional ballots are available and sample ballots are posted online.

A U‑Haul allegedly fled a Hillsborough hit‑and‑run and was stopped on I‑40 with stop‑sticks; the driver now faces felony elude and other charges.

A consultant is urging Hillsborough to consider 7.5% water and sewer rate increases after Tropical Storm Chantal and rising operating costs, even though a 7.5% hike took effect last summer.

LongHorn Steakhouse opened at Eastfield in Selma, bringing the chain’s first Johnston County location and roughly 90 jobs to the I‑95 corridor.

Jurors were seated Monday as Sean Williams faces federal meth and cocaine charges in Western North Carolina after his 2023 Cullowhee arrest. The stop later produced material tied to multiple prosecutions.

A parent was detained outside Freedom Trail Elementary after deputies say they found a holstered handgun on school property. Authorities say no threats were made.

The UNC System has made a top ask for $158.5M to cover recent enrollment growth, warning that class sizes and waitlists could worsen without the money.

Reese Brantmeier and the NCAA say they’ve agreed on material settlement terms in a class action over prize‑money rules. The deal, now paused for final paperwork, could affect thousands of college athletes.

Cloudy Tuesday with patchy fog for early commutes and a high near 59°F; a fast warmup into the 70s–80s is expected later this week.

Hops & Flower opened in Durham even as a federal 0.4 mg THC cap threatens to remove most hemp-derived edibles and drinks; owners are scrambling to lobby for rules.

Heavy police activity briefly disrupted dismissal at Ligon Magnet Middle School; investigators say no evidence of shooting.