N.C.
Stein and Jackson Ask Regulators to Require Data Centers to Help Pay for New Power Plants in Duke Tariff Deal
On Oct. 14, the attorney general filed comments with the N.C. Utilities Commission saying a settlement among Duke Energy, the Public Staff and major tech companies covers grid hookups but not new generation; on Oct. 27, Gov. Josh Stein repeated that request publicly.
Libertarian State Senate Nominee Jonathan Miller Charged After Hours-Long Armed Standoff in Cary; No Shots Fired
Cary police say Miller, 46, the Libertarian nominee for N.C. Senate District 16 in western Wake County, ran into the woods with a revolver during a wellness check prompted by suicide-related posts. He surrendered about 3 p.m. Monday and faces charges of communicating threats, resisting officers and going armed to the terror of the people.
Carolina Forward Poll Taken Oct. 1-7 Shows Earls 50%, Stevens 41% in N.C. Supreme Court Race and Cooper 50%, Whatley 40% for Senate
A survey paid for by a progressive advocacy group puts the Democrats ahead in both races and finds most likely voters say tariffs hurt the economy. Two other recent polls show Earls ahead by 2 and 7.6 points in the court race.
UNC System Sent 19 Student Complaints About Excel College Near Black Mountain to N.C. Justice Department in July 20 Letter
The complaints, which Asheville Watchdog obtained through public records requests, allege sexual misconduct, pressure to sign non-disparagement agreements and threats of lawsuits. The college's lawyer says it "utterly and categorically denies the allegations."
Carolina Journal Poll: Cooper 49.4%, Whatley 39.1% in N.C. Senate Race, a 10.3-Point Lead After 15.1 in September
The Oct. 18–20 survey of 600 likely voters shows Republican Michael Whatley gaining as undecided voters drop, while Democrat Roy Cooper's share holds near 49%.
US Conec Plans $149.7 Million Hickory Plant With 224 New Jobs; State Pledges $500,000 Performance-Based Grant
The Catawba County maker of fiber-optic connectors expects to finish hiring by the end of 2030, and Hickory and Catawba County will hold hearings on local incentives in mid-November.
Gov. Stein Asks N.C. Supreme Court to Review 2-1 Appeals Ruling That Let the State Auditor Appoint Elections Boards
Stein's petition challenges a 2024 law that moved elections board appointments from the Democratic governor to Republican Auditor Dave Boliek; Boliek's picks gave the state board and all 100 county boards 3-2 Republican majorities.
Stein Urges In-Person Voting, Says Mail Ballot Rejections Are 'Twice as High' as 2022; State Board Data Show 3.1% So Far vs. 2.6% at Same Point in 2022
North Carolina's governor blames new State Board of Elections rules on sealing absentee envelopes. The board's own early data show a smaller increase, and critics say his comparison overstates the problem.
Federal Judge Denies Bid to Block North Carolina's Sept. 4 Absentee Ballot Sealing and Signature Rules for the 2026 Midterms
U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder cited the Supreme Court's Purcell principle and the 18 days the challengers waited before suing, and called the rules' burden 'modest' because a voter whose ballot is rejected gets a replacement or can vote in person.
Trump Cites $1.5 Billion in Pentagon Chip Funding for North Carolina at Greenville Rally; Figure Matches Oct. 7 Conditional Wolfspeed Loan Offer
At an Oct. 20 rally for Senate candidate Michael Whatley, Trump said the 'Department of War' will spend $1.5 billion on chips in North Carolina, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said quartz supplier Sibelco will invest 'hundreds of millions of dollars' in the state. Neither man gave a site or a timeline.
N.C. Forest Service Rates Most of Western North Carolina 'Very High' — Fourth of Five Fire-Danger Levels — for Tuesday and Wednesday, Discourages Outdoor Burning
The rating is expected to fall to 'high' on Thursday and Friday. The state is asking people not to burn outdoors, but it has not issued a burn ban.
17 N.C. Counties Offer Sunday Early Voting, Down From 40 in 2022; Guilford Board Left N.C. A&T and UNC-Greensboro Without Campus Sites
Most of the choices by Republican-majority election boards were made in July and August, and CNN detailed them on Oct. 16 after early voting began; board members cite cost, staffing and nearby sites, while Gov. Josh Stein and other critics say the changes make voting harder for Black and young voters.