North Carolina

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that public education lost 50,000 jobs between June and July. Analyzing data for over 9,500 districts showed that while employment declined by 11,000 teachers, the districts served 225,000 fewer students overall. Consequently, the student-to-teacher ratio continued to decline in most parts of the country.

North Carolina teachers routinely fund classroom needs using their own money, spending an average of $1,632 annually. To ease this financial burden, Exponential Scholars announced a donation of $2.25 million to cover every open project on the DonorsChoose website. This funding will benefit over 3,200 classroom projects across more than 1,000 schools in North Carolina.

North Carolina health officials confirmed 940 total cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora. As of Tuesday, Aug. 25, there were 11 new cases reported with no hospitalizations recorded in the latest update. Health officials stated that cases have been linked to foods including parsley, cilantro, and lettuce.

The Supreme Court restricted challenges to President Donald Trump’s order on mail voting, restarting the legal dispute while new regulations from the U.S. Postal Service take effect. These new rules require specific formatting for ballots and mandate state electronic identification systems for voters by mail. Critics warned that this rapid overhaul of procedures could inject chaos into the upcoming midterm elections.

A Virginia State Police trooper was injured after a crash on Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County. Following the Monday night accident at a work zone, the North Carolina driver involved is facing a reckless driving charge.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections met to decide early voting options for 20 counties. Critics allege that plans developed by Auditor Dave Boliek's office favored Republicans and failed to keep pace with voter growth, leading to concerns over reduced sites available per 10,000 voters. Testimony revealed efforts were made to slash Sunday voting access, while analysis suggests the decisions may benefit specific candidates rather than all voters.

The Supreme Court gave preliminary approval to a restriction on mail voting stemming from an order by Donald Trump but stated it was too early for states to challenge. This action restarted a legal fight, creating uncertainty due to new U.S. Postal Service regulations that require specific envelope formatting and electronic identification methods many critics suggest are impossible for jurisdictions to implement in time.

The Supreme Court preliminarily approved President Donald Trump's order restricting mail voting, which has thrown into uncertainty the method used by many jurisdictions. New postal regulations require specific envelope formatting and an electronic system for states to identify voters by mail; however, critics warn that complying with such a sweeping overhaul is impossible given the compressed timeline.

Despite a recent cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, Consumer Reports advises that proper preparation methods do not necessitate avoiding salad greens altogether. To mitigate foodborne bacteria risks, individuals should wash produce in cold running water and clean cutting boards, or cook the items by heating them to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

North Carolina families are deeply worried about rising healthcare costs and potential Medicaid cuts, which pose significant risks to complex medical needs. Stacy Staggs expressed anxiety that service loss could affect her daughter Emma's ability to remain in her home community. Sen. Jay Chaudhuri noted that thousands of North Carolinians have already lost coverage due to ACA premium increases and state-level cuts to Medicaid.

The Senate Leadership Fund announced that it has raised over $500 million for the 2026 U.S. Senate elections to defend a Republican majority. The group plans to use ad campaigns in states like Iowa, Maine, Michigan, and North Carolina, highlighting elements such as crime policies and opposition to President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. SLF executives stated they are confident that with funding and messaging, Republicans will maintain their majority this November.

Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina’s western half, resulting in devastation that occurred two years ago. Although some areas show signs of returning to normal, evidence of the disaster's expensive impacts, such as debris and empty storefronts, still persists. This lingering issue contributes to political blame between candidates and looms over the US Senate race for North Carolina.

Medicaid home and community-based services allow North Carolinians with disabilities to receive essential care at home, enabling independence and pursuing goals. While the state has passed funding increases for programs like the NC Innovations Waiver, the author warns that federal policy changes under The One Big Beautiful Bill Act threaten Medicaid by reducing federal funding by nearly $1 trillion over ten years.

The article questions why U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has been unwilling to share a debate stage with her primary opponents and will continue to avoid debates with general election opponent Jerri Green this fall. Although some suggest avoiding debates is a tactically sensible choice, the author posits that Blackburn's reluctance may stem from concerns over her political agility or fear of making an unscreened mistake.

Johnson C. Smith University will receive over $1 million in federal funding to bolster its STEM education and undergraduate research initiatives. The funds will be used for purchasing advanced equipment across multiple fields, including environmental chemistry, biology, and agriculture. U.S. Rep. Alma Adams noted that the grant aims to prepare students for high-demand careers while strengthening economic mobility in Charlotte and North Carolina.

Bankrupt Saint Augustine’s will not offer fall classes. The private North Carolina HBCU had previously planned online courses, but these plans are now on hold due to ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.

A Mooresville teen is advocating for more bicycle-friendly policies following a recent deadly crash. The incident occurred in Tennessee, near the North Carolina border, when a car collided with nine cyclists belonging to a small Christian school's cycling team.

The North Carolina DMV is seeing shorter wait times after the summer rush, with customers averaging only 22 minutes of waiting in July. To improve efficiency, drivers are encouraged to check live wait times and appointments online, or use various available online options that allow them to avoid visiting an office altogether.

Executive coach Shane Arthur advises clients against preparing for work on Sunday nights, advocating instead for routine 'startup' and 'shutdown' routines during the week. He coaches individuals, including business owners and CEOs, to protect Monday mornings and Friday afternoons by ensuring those times are free from demanding meetings.

Parents at Middle Creek Elementary School in Wake County are debating the right to opt their children out of a music class taught by a transgender teacher. The contentious dispute reached the Wake County Board of Education, with speakers divided over whether accommodating religious objections constitutes protecting parental rights or discriminating against teachers. One father noted that critics challenged families with options like homeschooling if they did not support school hiring policies.

Parents at Middle Creek Elementary School in Wake County, North Carolina, are disputing a music class taught by a transgender teacher and requesting official opt-out alternatives. The conflict was debated before the Wake County Board of Education, where speakers argued whether accommodating these requests upholds parental rights or discriminates against teachers based on gender identity. Aaron Driver criticized opponents for suggesting that objecting families should instead homeschool or leave public education.

A prayer vigil was held in Hertford County, North Carolina, to stand against the new ICE processing center arriving in the county. Dozens of residents and members of activist groups attended the event to make their voices heard.

A kitten named Jersey was found wedged beneath a car that traveled from New Jersey to Georgia. University of Georgia student Jadyn Sawyer spotted the cat's leg and called UGA Police, who subsequently contacted Cat Zip Alliance - Campus Cats. The rescue required mechanics at Tires Plus to lift the vehicle, allowing the young cat to be safely removed for veterinary care.

A North Carolina man, John Benfield, was arrested after crashing into a college cycling team on August 19 in east Tennessee. The crash occurred near Carter County and resulted in the deaths of two students, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, and injured seven others. Benfield faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide by recklessness.

Advance Auto Parts Inc. reported second-quarter net income of $55 million, generating a profit of 90 cents per share. Although revenue reached $2 billion, missing analyst forecasts, adjusted earnings came in at $1.03 per share, beating Wall Street expectations. The company anticipates full-year revenues between $8.49 billion and $8.57 billion.

An 18-year-old man faced charges after property was damaged by shots fired in Ahoskie. Police began an investigation and, through developed leads, contacted Jikeveyon Ahye Mitchell of Washington, North Carolina, who was subsequently arrested.

An Oklahoma woman reunited with her missing dog. The pet was found over 1,000 miles away across the country in North Carolina.

An Oklahoma woman successfully reunited with her missing dog across the country. The pet was found in North Carolina, which is over 1,000 miles from its original location.

An Oklahoma woman reunited with her missing dog across state lines. The dog was found over 1,000 miles away in North Carolina.

Three men were accused of killing 26-year-old Angelo Markantonakis on Christmas Eve 2024 in Kannapolis, N.C. Over a year and a half later, charges were filed against the suspects, including Justin Javan Roberts who was arrested in Charlotte. Two other men, Deonandre Isaiah Potts and Antonio Martez Woodward, are awaiting extradition from California to face first-degree murder charges.

The Justice Department stated there is no serious dispute that a social media post of seashells made by James Comey could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors questioned Comey's account regarding the shells and suggested his Instagram post was an effort to sell copies of a forthcoming novel. In response, Comey's lawyers contended that investigators had misled judges in their efforts to prove he intended a physical threat.

The Justice Department defended its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey concerning a social media post featuring seashells. Prosecutors asserted that there is no serious dispute that this content could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump, challenging Comey’s account of finding the shells in North Carolina. The government also suggested that the Instagram post was connected to promoting an upcoming novel about a far-right social media personality.

The Justice Department is defending its prosecution of James Comey, asserting that his social media post featuring seashells could be interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors also questioned Comey's explanation regarding the number arrangement and suggested his Instagram post was an attempt to sell copies of a forthcoming novel. Meanwhile, Comey’s lawyers contend that investigators misled judges and failed to prove he intended a physical threat.

A study warns that a federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy nearly 5 million jobs across the country, hitting Sun Belt states like Florida, Texas, and Georgia hardest. The proposal also entails eliminating the federal tip credit, raising the direct cash wage requirement for tipped employees up to $25 per hour. Rebekah Paxton of the Employment Policies Institute projects these job losses are concentrated in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

A new Elon University Poll suggests that North Carolina adults, including Republicans, Democrats, and independents, have more common ground than politics may suggest. The study was conducted as part of Elon's 2026 North Carolina Political Landscape Report, surveying 800 North Carolina adults.

North Carolina confirmed over 920 total cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the parasite cyclospora. The state reported that the increase in cases was linked to foods including parsley, cilantro, and lettuce, not to a specific fast-food chain. Health officials stated they are working with local partners to identify the cause of the rise.

A heat advisory was issued for several Charlotte-area counties due to sizzling conditions. Weather officials warned that extreme heat and high humidity could cause heat-related illnesses, with heat index values possibly reaching 105 degrees. Residents are urged by WBTV meteorologists to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in air conditioning.

North Carolina health leaders advise parents on keeping children updated with vaccines following an executive order from President Donald Trump, which recommended reducing required vaccines and splitting the MMR shot. However, North Carolina’s State Health Director explained that while federal recommendations are confusing, they do not anticipate any changes to the vaccine guidance for children in North Carolina.

President Donald Trump endorsed North Carolina state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom as the replacement Republican nominee for the state's 11th Congressional District. This designation came after Trump-backed incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards dropped his re-election bid. Edwards made the announcement following a House Committee on Ethics report that recommended censure due to professional misconduct towards two young female staffers.

Donald Trump endorsed North Carolina state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom as the new Republican nominee for the 11th Congressional District after incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards dropped his re-election bid. The withdrawal occurred in the wake of a report from the House Committee on Ethics recommending censure against Edwards following findings regarding inappropriate conduct toward young staffers.