N.C.
NC Court of Appeals Rules 2-1 That State Auditor, Not Governor, Can Appoint Elections Boards
Two Republican judges upheld a 2024 law moving elections-board appointments from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to Republican Auditor Dave Boliek, and one Democratic judge dissented. Stein says he will appeal to the state Supreme Court.
Voter Groups Sue North Carolina Elections Board Over Absentee Ballot Rules Adopted in Sept. 4 Party-Line Vote
Three nonprofits and two voters asked a federal court to block new rules on unsealed inner envelopes, signature checks and ballot drop-off, after more than 8,000 mail ballots had already been cast.
Four Hospitals in Granville, Vance, Person and Franklin Counties Placed in State Health Plan's Non-Preferred Tier for 2027
State Treasurer Brad Briner's office says the new three-tier network will cut costs and protect rural access; a Democratic state legislator and hospital leaders say patients in one multi-county area north of the Triangle have no nearby preferred or access hospital.
NC Court of Appeals Rules 2-1 That Elections-Board Appointments Can Stay With State Auditor; Stein Says He Will Appeal
The September 16, 2026 panel decision reversed a trial court and left Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek in control of appointments that the governor held for more than a century.
NWS Wilmington Issues Coastal Flood Advisory for Lower Cape Fear River on Sept. 15; Separate Flash Flood Warning Covers Part of New Hanover County
The advisory warned of up to a half-foot of tidal inundation in downtown Wilmington, while a separate warning cited 2 to 4 inches of rain in north-central New Hanover County.
Charlotte City Council Takes Up Nine-Month Extension of Data Center Building Pause
The council was scheduled to vote Monday on adding nine months to a 150-day construction moratorium that expires Nov. 5, while city staff finish new zoning, noise and power rules.
North Carolina's 100 County Boards Begin Mailing Absentee Ballots Sept. 4 While USPS Rule Stays Blocked by Court Order
North Carolina is the first state to send 2026 general-election mail ballots, and it is doing so under a federal judge's temporary block on a Postal Service rule that 23 states, including North Carolina, are challenging.
National Weather Service Issues Heat Advisory for Union, Anson and Richmond Counties; Charlotte Forecast High of 97 on Sept. 3
Forecasters say heat index values could reach 107 to 108 degrees in the three advisory counties, with strong thunderstorms expected to end the hot stretch Saturday.
CMPD Officers Shoot and Wound Man on Autumn Frost Trail After Protective-Order Call; State Bureau of Investigation Reviewing
Charlotte police say 39-year-old Darnell Simms fired first and officers returned fire on Sept. 1; the North Carolina SBI and CMPD Internal Affairs are both investigating, and no body-camera video has been released.
Friday Storms Prompt FAA Ground Stop at Charlotte Douglas; Duke Energy Outage Reports Range From 18,100 to More Than 45,000
Severe thunderstorms hit the Charlotte metro during the Aug. 28 evening commute, halting inbound flights and downing trees and power lines, while eastern North Carolina was also under a National Weather Service flood and severe-storm outlook the same day.
Duke Energy Progress and North Carolina Public Staff Sign Settlement Cutting Requested Rate Increase by More Than Half
The August 5 agreement follows a similar July deal covering Duke Energy Carolinas customers; the North Carolina Utilities Commission has not yet ruled, and the state attorney general has declined to sign either settlement.
Raleigh Lifts Stage 1 Water Restrictions as Falls Lake Reaches 84% of Water Supply Pool
The city ended its April drought rules on August 3 after two weeks of heavy rain refilled the reservoir, while state officials say the wider drought is not over and flood watches remain posted in western North Carolina.