MORNING LINEUP
NC Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes, at podium, said on Sept. 3, 2026 that counties are prepared to begin mailing absentee ballots to voters on Sept. 4 as scheduled. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline)
By Lynn Bonner
Despite the tangle of federal court rulings concerning U.S. Postal Service control of absentee ballot delivery, North Carolina Elections Director Sam Hayes said Thursday that counties are ready to start mailing ballots to people who request them on Friday as scheduled.
“All 100 county boards of elections are prepared to start that process, and North Carolina would be the first state in the country to send absentee ballots for the 2026 general election,” Hayes said at a news conference.
Voting in 2026 primary election. (Photo by Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star)
By Greg Childress
The State Board of Elections has closed an investigation into complaints that a member of the Cumberland County Board of Elections made an illegal campaign contribution in 2022 and another member failed to report it.
By Clayton Henkel
On a steamy September morning, all of North Carolina’s agricultural bounty is on display at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh. The boxes and crates of neatly stacked fruits and vegetables stand in stark contrast to new data that reveals a worsening hunger crisis in North Carolina.
According to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap analysis, 1 in 7 North Carolinians are unsure where their next meal will come from. That compares to 1 in 9 individuals in 2021.
By Trevon Spencer
North Carolina is making $20 million available to expand childcare on community college and university campuses in counties affected by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, Gov. Josh Stein announced.
The funding is part of a $75 million federal grant awarded to the state for childcare recovery in disaster-affected areas. Applications for the $20 million program will open Sept. 14 and close Nov. 2.
MORE NEWSLINE
MORE HEADLINES
NEWS
US diesel prices hit a record high of $5.85 on average as the Iran war disrupts the flow of fuel |APnews.com
Vance says Iran fight isn’t a ‘war’ as Trump tries to navigate unpopular conflict as election nears|APnews.com
NC mail-in voting begins Friday amid legal wrangling over Trump order|
WUNC.orgNC plans to start mailing 2026 ballots Friday. Could the rules still change before then? | WRAL.com
Lombardi out as UNC investigators probe allegations of drug use, sex among players, staff | WRAL.com
WakeMed tells Stein Atrium’s $2B is ‘legally binding.' But WakeMed will pay part. |Raleigh News & Observer
As new report shows NC crime rates down, Whatley keeps public safety a focus of US Senate race|WRAL.com
Legislation in Congress could lead to a new state veterans home on Fort Bragg land |WUNC.org
Hendersonville police chief defends Flock cameras amid surveillance, AI concerns|WLOS.com
Asheville mayoral race puts homelessness, public safety, city deficit in spotlight |WLOS.com
COMMENTARY
Sara Pequeño: North Carolina loves Roy Cooper. All GOP has is misinformation. |USA Today
The internet didn’t respond well to Thom Tillis criticizing Pete Hegseth |
Raleigh News & Observer
US gets Venezuela's oil. Venezuelans don't get democracy.|Raleigh News & Observer
Chris Brennan: Trump pushes data center projects as Republicans slink away |USA Today
Thanks for reading Newsline Today, Morning Lineup. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.