N.C.
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.
NCDHHS Says Central North Carolina Teen Is Critically Ill With Naegleria fowleri Infection
State health officials announced the case on Aug. 27, 2026, and said the source of the teen's water exposure is still under investigation.
Nippon Electric Glass Begins Phased Shutdown of Shelby Fiberglass Plant Aug. 31, Cutting 282 Jobs at a Site Running Since 1957
The Japanese company says it is leaving North American glass fiber production; a plaintiffs' law firm is examining whether workers got the full 60 days of notice federal law requires.
NC Republican District Committee Picks Retired Judge Jerry Tillett to Fill Vacant State Senate Seat
Tillett, already the party's November nominee in Senate District 1, was recommended on Aug. 29 to serve out Bobby Hanig's term; under state law Gov. Josh Stein must make the appointment within seven days.
North Carolina Set to Receive at Least $451 Million From Meta Settlement, Up to $645 Million if Rivals Adopt Similar Teen Limits
Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced the state's share of a multistate deal that ended a federal trial in Oakland; Meta agreed to new default limits for teen accounts and denied the states' allegations.
NC Rules Review Commission Approves 15 Election Rules; Objection Letters Send 7 to Legislative Review After Gov. Stein's Delay Request
Gov. Josh Stein asked the commission to hold off on rules that would let a majority of a county elections board reject a voter's photo-ID exception form; the commission approved the rules on Aug. 27, but written objections mean lawmakers must sign off on several of them.
Public School Forum Releases Two-Year Study of Weighted School Funding for North Carolina, Modeling Base Amounts From $5,133 to $9,450 Per Student
The report, released August 27, follows a 2026 state budget provision that funds a work group to plan a possible move away from North Carolina's allotment system, with recommendations due July 15, 2027.
NC Announces $375,000 Grant for Boater's World Plan to Add 179 Jobs at Chocowinity Boat Plant
Gov. Josh Stein's office says Boater's World Manufacturing Group will spend more than $6 million on the former NauticStar/Fountain site in Beaufort County, with a state grant paid only if hiring targets are met.