N.C.
Stein Signs House Bill 3, Suspending North Carolina's 41-Cent Gas Tax From Oct. 10 Through Nov. 30
Lawmakers passed the bill 111-1 and 41-0 in a one-day special session. Fiscal staff say it is the first suspension of the state's motor fuels tax. It will cost an estimated $362.3 million, paid from a state reserve fund.
North Carolina Legislature Sends Two-Year, $34.4 Billion Budget to Gov. Stein After a Year-Plus Impasse
The Republican-led General Assembly gave final approval to a spending plan with income-tax cuts and pay raises; Gov. Josh Stein has 10 days to sign it, veto it, or let it become law.
AG Jackson Calls Duke Energy's Data Center Tariff Deal a 'Massive Step Forward'; He and Gov. Stein Both Ask for Changes Before Regulators Rule
Duke's proposed settlement with state consumer staff and large customers such as Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and the Defense Department sets a 75% minimum bill for big new power users, and the N.C. Utilities Commission must still approve it.
Acting CMS Superintendent Melissa Balknight Says Appointment 'Caught Off Guard' as Board Votes 6-2 to Start Search
Balknight, who had planned to retire in January, gave her first interview on Sept. 29. That is the same day the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board approved a committee to find a permanent replacement for fired Superintendent Crystal Hill.
Weather Service Issues Coastal Flood Advisory for Downtown Wilmington for Sixth Straight Day, Covering 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday
The National Weather Service forecast up to half a foot of water along the lower Cape Fear River on Sept. 30, 2026. Wilmington has been under advisories every day since Sept. 25, before and after a nor'easter hit the East Coast.
North Carolina's Aug. 27 Drought Map Lifts Dry Designations in Parts of Onslow and Jones Counties While Most of the State Stays in Drought
State environmental officials say recent rain helped a few areas, but part of Brunswick County remains in the map's most severe category and conditions worsened in parts of Edgecombe and Halifax counties.
North Carolina Gov. Stein Signs $34 Billion State Budget Without Vetoing It
The budget cuts the personal income tax rate to 3.49%, raises teacher and state-worker pay, and became law after bipartisan majorities gave it veto-proof support.
Central North Carolina Drought Hits 'Exceptional' as Record-Breaking Heat Wave Strains Health Systems and Duke Energy Runs Plants Past Pollution Limits Under Federal Order
Record-breaking heat pushed Durham into the U.S. Drought Monitor's most severe category, drove a rise in heat-related illness, and prompted federal emergency orders letting Duke Energy exceed environmental permit limits to keep the grid running.
Trump Rallies in Greenville for Whatley as Two October Polls Show Cooper Leading N.C. Senate Race by 7 and 14 Points
President Trump is scheduled to speak at about 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pitt-Greenville Airport for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley. The main GOP super PAC has canceled its remaining North Carolina ad reservations, and registered Democrats have cast the largest share of early-vote ballots so far.
Tillis Memoir 'How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents' Goes On Sale; He Calls His Hegseth Vote His 'Biggest Regret'
The retiring North Carolina Republican's book prints profane texts he says he sent Trump and criticizes several Trump officials. A senior White House official answered the leaked texts with an insult; on 'The View,' Tillis said he hopes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gets fired.
North Carolina Stops Issuing Plate Stickers and Routine Registration Cards as of Oct. 1; Printed Copies Are Free to Self-Print or $5 From the DMV
A state budget provision moves NCDMV to digital-only registration and removes $4.8 million from the agency's budget. Officials say police already check registration electronically. Some residents worry about drivers who are offline, about privacy, and about drivers no longer seeing when their registration has run out.
NC 12 Reopens on Ocracoke's North End as Pea Island Section Stays Closed; Hatteras-Bound Ferries Limited to Residents, Workers and Vendors
NCDOT reopened the Ocracoke stretch of N.C. 12 on Sunday, Sept. 27, and restarted limited Hatteras-Ocracoke ferries. Dare County's state of emergency limits Hatteras-bound travel to essential personnel, critical business vendors and permanent residents while crews rebuild a dune at Pea Island.