Exceptional drought expands to 10 central North Carolina counties
Parts of 10 central North Carolina counties are now in exceptional drought, while most of the state remains in extreme or severe drought, according to NCDEQ.
Latest News and Opinion
Worker Safety Act heads to governor after bipartisan passage
House Bill 258, the Worker Safety Act of 2026, has been presented to Gov. Josh Stein after bipartisan passage in the House and Senate.
NCDEQ opens $18 million grant program for Helene debris cleanup
NCDEQ is accepting applications for up to $18 million in grants to help eligible Western North Carolina communities clean up Hurricane Helene debris.
Stein signs property tax reappraisal moratorium, UNC capital bill
Gov. Josh Stein signed a property tax reappraisal moratorium and a UNC capital contracting bill into law Friday, while raising concerns about Helene recovery in Buncombe County.
Today’s NC Political News briefs
State briefs include a June 24 State Board of Elections meeting, election rule comment deadlines, an Opportunity Zone nomination deadline and a canceled legislative commission meeting.
Forty-nine NC Main Street communities earn national accreditation for 2026
Forty-nine North Carolina communities received Main Street America accreditation for 2026, recognizing downtown revitalization and preservation-based economic development work.
NC legislative calendar resumes Monday with education commission, House and Senate sessions
The North Carolina General Assembly’s next public calendar begins June 22 with the Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education and both chambers scheduled to meet.
State audits find late unemployment payments, $47 million in fraud overpayments
State audits found North Carolina continued to issue some unemployment payments late and had more than $47 million in fraud overpayments during the review period.
State approves $4 million in rural infrastructure grants tied to jobs, investment
North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority approved more than $4 million in local government grants tied to jobs, investment, building reuse, utility work and downtown improvements.
Today’s NC Political News briefs
Today’s NC Political News briefs include tax legislation, a rural public safety listening session, Main Street accreditation and an upcoming public education commission meeting.
Bill would expand education support for families of service members
House Bill 1203, the Family Support for Those Who Serve Act, remains active in the N.C. House after being reported favorably as a committee substitute and re-referred to Appropriations.
Medicaid provider controls bill moves to Senate Rules
House Bill 34, a Medicaid provider controls bill, was reported favorably as a Senate committee substitute and sent to Senate Rules.