NC’s property tax amendment could do more harm than good + Western NC: 2 years after Helene

By Greg Childress

There will be much at stake in November when North Carolinians go to the polls.

The state has one of the nation’s most closely-watched U.S. Senate races. A win by former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper — a Democrat matched against Michael Whatley, former chairman of the Republican National Committee — could help change the balance of power in the Senate.

By Clayton Henkel

Before there was Helene, there was Katrina.

The destructive Category 5 hurricane that devastated New Orleans in 2005 convinced Alex Webber to move from Louisiana to the mountains of western North Carolina.

Webber thought she’d found a climate-safe area in the picturesque town of Marshall until 2024, when Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic flooding and landslides to her backyard.

This weekend marks the two-year anniversary of Helene, and Webber brushed away tears as she recounted 24 months of trying to rebuild the life she had before the storm arrived.

By Christine Zhu

As President Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to flounder, Vice President JD Vance visited Greensboro on Monday to stump for Republicans in key congressional races in North Carolina. 

Recent polls show Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper maintaining a sizable lead over former Republican National Committee and North Carolina Republican Party chair Michael Whatley in their contest for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. 

By Clayton Henkel

Nick Blanchard tumbled out of bed and poured himself a cup of ambition Friday morning, then headed straight to a table in front of the Wake County Express Library in downtown Raleigh.

Blanchard and his friend Kelly Forbes were presiding over a children’s book drive to honor the late music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton.

At least 10 people detained at Columbus County checkpoint, NC advocacy group says | Trevon Spencer

Poll: 2 out of 3 North Carolinians get political news from local TV or social media | Christine Zhu

Report: Youth in Durham juvenile detention now go to class, but still spend too much time in cells. |Lynn Bonner

Childcare workers struggle to afford care for their own kids. NC communities are testing solutions. |Trevon Spencer

A federal lawsuit challenges new NC requirements for absentee ballot returns |Lynn Bonner

NC treasurer ‘profoundly concerned’ by county’s approval of hospital merger |Clayton Henkel

‘A lot less bad’: Wake commissioners approve updated deal to combine WakeMed and Atrium |Clayton Henkel

Judge rules Chatham County data center can proceed despite moratorium |Christine Zhu

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