N.C.
North Carolina WARN Filings Show 3,402 Announced Layoffs So Far in 2026, About 30% of Them in the Charlotte Area
State Commerce Department notices logged large cuts at Lowe's, Thermo Fisher Scientific and a Family Dollar distribution center, even as North Carolina's unemployment rate stayed near 3.6%.
North Carolina Releases 2025-26 End-of-Grade and End-of-Course Test Results
The state Department of Public Instruction published proficiency, growth and School Performance Grade data for the 2025-26 school year on Sept. 2, 2026, a year after scores rose on 12 of 15 reading and math assessments.
NCDHHS Releases "Know What's Next" Toolkit on Medicaid Changes; Six-Month Renewals Start Oct. 1, 80-Hour Work Rule Jan. 1, 2027
The state agency published flyers, wallet cards and Spanish-language materials on two staggered changes: twice-a-year eligibility renewals and narrowed non-citizen coverage on Oct. 1, 2026, and an 80-hour monthly work-or-activity requirement on Jan. 1, 2027.
Gov. Josh Stein Meets Irish Companies in Ireland to Promote North Carolina Investment and Tourism
The North Carolina governor's Dublin-area stops came as U.S. tariff policy reshaped pharmaceutical trade, North Carolina's biggest import from Ireland.
Kalshi Suspends NC-01 Republican Laurie Buckhout for Three Years, Fines Her $2,589.96 for Trading on Her Own Race
The prediction-market exchange published a settlement notice on August 31, 2026 saying Buckhout bought under $1,000 of contracts on her House race against Rep. Don Davis; she called it "a dumb mistake," and Davis called it a "disqualifying breach of public trust."
NCDHHS Says October Asheboro Clinic Will Be North Carolina's 100th Opioid Treatment Program; Suspected Overdose Deaths Down More Than 23% in the First Half of 2026
State health officials announced federal approval of an Acadia Healthcare clinic in Randolph County and released midyear data showing fewer suspected overdose deaths and fewer overdose emergency room visits than in the same period of 2025.
NC Utilities Commission Waives Notice and Hearing Rules for 1.31-Mile Power Line to Vulcan Elements Magnet Plant
The commission let South River Electric Membership Corp. skip the usual public-notice and hearing steps for a 230-kilovolt line to the Benson factory, saying delay could jeopardize an in-service date tied to national defense objectives.
Four Health Systems Apply for North Carolina Approval to Add 92 Hospital Beds in Buncombe County
HCA's Mission Hospital, AdventHealth, Novant Health and UNC Health each filed certificate-of-need applications for beds the state says western North Carolina needs; a state decision is expected by the end of 2026.
Duke Energy Settlements Would Cut NC Rate Request; Attorney General Declines to Sign, Disputes 6.8% Figure
Duke's two North Carolina utilities settled with the Public Staff in July 2026 at a 9.8% allowed profit rate, but Attorney General Jeff Jackson declined to sign either deal — rejecting the Duke Energy Carolinas settlement over its own disclosed 9.5% residential increase, and separately rejecting the Duke Energy Progress settlement because he says residential bills there would rise 9.3%, not the 6.8% Duke testified to — as Utilities Commission hearings continued through August.
NC House and Senate Convene Aug. 31 Under Adjournment Resolution; Leaders Said in August That Voting Resumes Nov. 16
The North Carolina legislature's calendar lists a noon convening on Aug. 31, one of several limited sessions set by the adjournment resolution passed in early August, after leaders said they did not plan to hold votes before the November election.
One Inmate Dies After Assault at Harnett Correctional Institution; Another Inmate Charged With First-Degree Murder
North Carolina's prison agency says Christian Kahlil Bridges, 29, was assaulted by other offenders in a dormitory Friday night and died early Saturday; Lillington police have charged inmate Isaiah McKoy, 24, with first-degree murder.