Western North Carolina leaders warn that Hurricane Helene recovery efforts may last years longer than public attention and funding will. Governor Josh Stein describes the state's financial slowdown as a threat to rebuilding efforts, and recovery leaders express concerns about volunteer oversight and construction quality. Meanwhile, a federal prison sentence has been handed down to Greg Lindbergh for insurance fraud, and a major electricity merger between Dominion and NextEra is planned, which could affect utility rates in the northeastern half of the state. [... more]

A below-average hurricane season is predicted in the Atlantic, with El Niño conditions expected to disrupt storm development. In North Carolina, lawmakers are considering a proposal to impose new limits on large data centers and add ratepayer protections. Meanwhile, the state's elections data system is being modernized to improve cybersecurity and efficiency. [... more]

The North Carolina Supreme Court has denied a rehearing in the 32-year-long Leandro education funding case, ending the lawsuit and vacating all related court decisions. Meanwhile, the state treasurer's office is promoting financial literacy among high school students through an internship program and other initiatives. A new bill in the state legislature aims to overhaul how the state funds K-12 schools and create a pilot program for outside-the-classroom learning. [... more]

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announces her resignation, effective June 30th, citing a desire to spend more time with her grandchildren. Meanwhile, North Carolina officials urge residents to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1st. In other news, a competency hearing is set for DeCarlos Brown Jr., who is accused of murdering Irina Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail, due to concerns over his mental fitness to stand trial. [... more]

Representative Carla Cunningham switches party affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated, potentially impacting veto overrides in the North Carolina House. Meanwhile, a new infusion of federal disaster funding highlights progress and challenges in Western North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene. Governor Josh Stein's proposed budget would phase out the Opportunity Scholarship Program, affecting an estimated 60,000 students. The U.S. Postal Service's regulations on cluster box units are causing delays and adding costs to housing developments, making homes less affordable for many families. U.S. Representative Alma Adams was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the House Ethics Committee regarding an alleged inappropriate relationship with a staffer. [... more]

A new committee is formed in the North Carolina General Assembly to investigate the release of 4,200 inmates from prison under a settlement in 2021, sparking public safety concerns. Meanwhile, a state audit reveals $1.25 million in mental health resources were spent on items like stuffed animals and plants instead of supporting students and faculty in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The state auditor's office is working to bring transparency to how hurricane relief funds are spent, and the issue raises questions about waste and abuse in government spending. [... more]

The town of Lake Lure is reopening after months of storm recovery, with a phased soft opening allowing limited public access. Meanwhile, a North Carolina drone operator is taking his case to the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging state regulations on occupational licensing. The North Carolina legislature is also gearing up for a busy session, with lawmakers set to tackle issues like the state budget and drone regulation. [... more]

North Carolina Treasurer Brad Breiner is expanding the use of artificial intelligence in the state's treasurer's office after a successful pilot program. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein's proposal to revisit North Carolina's data center tax incentive is drawing attention from lawmakers and industry leaders. In Western North Carolina, private entities like Samaritan's Purse and Baptists on Mission are continuing their recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, with Samaritan's Purse expanding its rebuild program and Baptists on Mission completing 472 grant-related home repair projects. [... more]

Federal, state, and local leaders in Western North Carolina are pressing for faster disaster aid and structural reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Hurricane Helene's devastation. The new head of the Department of Homeland Security, Mark Wayne Mullen, visited the area, promising to work on regulatory reforms to speed up the funding process and ensure the region's recovery. [... more]

North Carolina's latest statewide audit of federal spending identifies questionable costs and reporting failures across multiple agencies. The audit resulted in 19 findings, including 18 related to federal awards and one tied to financial statement reporting. The state auditor's office will provide oversight for the $650 million stadium renovation project in Charlotte, the largest expense of public dollars in the history of the state. [... more]

A majority of North Carolina voters oppose deploying ground troops to Iran, and a plurality say the United States was wrong to launch military action there. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly are scrutinizing the costs of renewable energy, particularly solar power, and its impact on the state's energy grid and taxpayers. [... more]

The North Carolina Senate is facing a power struggle after Phil Berger's loss in the 2026 primary, with several Republican senators emerging as potential contenders for the president pro tem position. Meanwhile, a legal case is underway in the state Supreme Court, challenging North Carolina's law banning firearm possession by felons, with arguments centering on the type of felonies that should disqualify someone from owning guns. State education officials presented upbeat math scores, but Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the numbers tell a different story and are asking whether students have the materials they need for continued improvement. [... more]

A statewide burn ban is in effect in North Carolina due to drought severity and forecast fire weather, with six major wildfires burning across the state. Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, with some areas seeing progress and others still facing significant challenges. North Carolina's Republican congressional delegation is urging the Department of Homeland Security to clear administrative bottlenecks that have delayed FEMA aid for Hurricane Helene. Additionally, a state audit has found delivery gaps in the ABC system, which generates over $1.4 billion in revenue annually, despite meeting cost accuracy and safety performance indicators. The audit recommends improvements to the system, including developing contingency plans and establishing improved fleet maintenance schedules. [... more]

North Carolina's Senate District 26 is at the center of a heated election dispute between Phil Berger and Sam Page, with Berger's campaign requesting a recount due to concerns over incorrect ballots. Meanwhile, a group known as Grow NC is working to aid in the recovery efforts of western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, exploring disaster investment zones and long-term economic recovery strategies. [... more]

A new Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education has been formed in North Carolina to study the state's school system, examining areas such as teacher training, student achievement, and accountability measures. Meanwhile, concerns are emerging around Medicaid fraud, with a recent scheme exposing improper enrollment and potential fraud during the sign-up process. Additionally, Western North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, with a significant funding shortfall for water infrastructure repairs. [... more]

Rich Eisen discusses the NFL Combine and Draft with Mike Mayock, covering topics such as player evaluations, positional needs, and team strategies. They also touch on the Cowboys' plans for free agency and the potential trade of Max Crosby. [... more]

The NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis, with top prospects, including Ruben Bain, showcasing their skills. Meanwhile, teams are evaluating their quarterback situations, with Kyler Murray's future with the Arizona Cardinals uncertain. Sean Payton, head coach of the Denver Broncos, discusses his team's approach to the draft and the challenges of finding the right quarterback. [... more]

State officials and lawmakers in North Carolina are at odds over the pace of recovery efforts in western North Carolina, 17 months after Hurricane Helene. The state has allocated over a billion dollars for relief, but lawmakers say bureaucratic delays and complex designs are slowing repairs and increasing costs. [... more]

A safety crackdown in North Carolina removed nearly 2,000 unqualified drivers and vehicles from roads and highways. The state is facing concerns over commercial driver's licenses, with a federal audit finding 54% of non-domiciled licenses did not meet federal requirements. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is proposing revised math standards to better align with workforce needs, and the state is investing in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity initiatives. Additionally, a new partnership between federal and state agencies is providing a significant financial and operational boost to Western North Carolina's recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. [... more]

A federal safety audit has found widespread non-compliance within the Charlotte area transportation system, citing serious deficiencies in how the agency manages safety risks, protects transit workers, and oversees rising violence across its system. Meanwhile, a state audit has revealed over $1 billion in lapsed salaries across North Carolina, with some agencies collecting funds for vacant positions for years. The state auditor recommends improving tracking and reporting of lapsed salaries, reducing administrative delays in the hiring process, and making state salaries more competitive with surrounding states. [... more]