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WLOS.com

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New Eliada Homes counseling center brings resources to more lower-income families

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A once-unused building at Eliada Homes has a new purpose: Expanding access to trauma-informed mental health care as some western North Carolina children continue working through the effects of Helene. The Asheville nonprofit transformed the space into a counseling center for children, adolescents and families,...

Asheville, NC · 10-06
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carolinajournal.com

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Cape Fear utilities back DEQ in court fight over 1,4-dioxane rules

Utilities serving 750,000 water users in southeastern North Carolina are siding with state environmental regulators in a dispute at the state’s second-highest court. The Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Brunswick County, and Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority filed paperwork Monday to submit a friend-of-the-court brief in a case that pits the Department of Environmental Quality against Asheboro, Greensboro, and Reidsville.

North Carolina · 10-05
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NC Newsline

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The rocky road to more manageable healthcare costs in NC

As it seeks ways to make healthcare in North Carolina more affordable, a group of some of the state’s main decision-makers in medical care, payments, and policy highlighted the challenges of developing and agreeing on ideas that will lead to lower costs and better health.  In on the discussions are the state’s big insurers, including […]

North Carolina · 10-05

wrgc.com

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Rabies Vaccine Bait Drops Begin

Rabies vaccine bait distribution begins this week in western North Carolina, as federal and state agencies work to keep raccoon rabies from spreading westward. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says ground crews will distribute baits by vehicle inside Asheville city limits through October ninth. Helicopter drops are scheduled October ninth through the thirteenth in the greater Asheville area, Burnsville, Mars Hill and Waynesville.

Asheville, NC · 10-05
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ednc.org

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Treasurer criticizes new Atrium affordability program ahead of State Health Plan open enrollment period

State Treasurer Brad Briner has publicly criticized a new Atrium Health program, which he called a “scheme,” saying it could cost taxpayers and State Health Plan (SHP) members hundreds of millions of dollars. The program is “a new initiative designed to preserve access, patient choice and affordability for...

North Carolina · 10-06

Star News

partner publisher · 16.2K followers

Meet the candidates for NC Senate District 7

Incumbent Michael Lee is facing challenger Jessica Bichler in the race for N.C. Senate District 7, which represents most of New Hanover County. State senators serve two-year terms and earn a base salary of $13,951. In-person early voting begins on Thursday, Oct. 15 and continues through 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Here are the candidates’ responses and their thoughts on current issues. Candidate responses have been edited for style, grammar and length. Jessica Bichler Age: 48 Occupation: Small business owner and yoga teacher; co-owner of Wilmington YogaCenter Education: B.F.A., Ithaca College; M.A. in Visual and Cultural Anthropology,University of South Carolina Political experience: First-time candidate Political affiliation: Democrat Michael Lee Age: 57 Occupation: Attorney; founding partner, Kaess Parker Lee, PLLC, Wilmington Education: B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1991; J.D., cum laude, Wake Forest University School of Law, 1997 Political experience: NC Senate, 2014-2018 and 2021-present; Senate Majority Leader; Chairman, Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and Senate Education/Higher Education Committee; co-chair, bipartisan Hunt-Lee Commission on the future of education; former chairman, NC State Ports Authority Board; former member, NC Board of Transportation, myFutureNC,

New Hanover County, NC · 10-05

ourlocalcommunityonline.com

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Rabies Vaccination Bait Drops Start This Week

The USDA is conducting its annual oral rabies vaccination program across western North Carolina this month. Helicopters will distribute rabies vaccine baits in Burnsville, Mars Hill and the greater Asheville area from October 9th through the 13th. Then, from October 15th through the 22nd, low-flying aircraft will distribute more than...

Mars Hill, NC · 10-05

postindustrial.com

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Pennsylvania joins 20 states suing EPA to reinstate climate pollution rules for power plants

More than 20 states, including Pennsylvania, as well as several cities, are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its repeal of most greenhouse gas emissions standards for coal- and natural gas-fired power plants. The agency’s proposal would also thwart future administrations from reinstating the rule. 0:00 / 0:00.

Pennsylvania · 10-05

newsfromthestates.com

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The rocky road to more manageable healthcare costs in NC

The NC commission coming up with ideas to lower healthcare costs met Oct. 2, 2026. From left: independent practitioner Dr. Karen Smith, facilitator Barak Richman, NC DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai, state Treasurer Brad Briner and Mark McClellan, director of the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy. As it seeks ways to...

North Carolina · 10-05

wschronicle.com

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Atrium pledges lower patient costs as State Health Plan enrollment nears

The Jan. 1 program includes Wake Forest Baptist, but members should check eligibility, outside-physician bills and how the discounts interact with their insurance. Atrium Health announced Tuesday that it will reduce what eligible North Carolina State Health Plan members pay for care beginning Jan. 1, 2027, offering a new option for teachers, public employees and their families ahead of the plan’s Oct. 12-30 enrollment period.

North Carolina · 10-06

nsjonline.com

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Atrium, State Health Plan reach deal ahead of 2027 enrollment

RALEIGH — What began as a public standoff over hospital prices and higher costs for state employees has ended in a deal between Atrium Health and the North Carolina State Health Plan, giving thousands of members greater access to Atrium facilities when a new tiered healthcare system takes effect Jan. 1.

North Carolina · 10-03

WRAL News

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Lawmakers probe allegations that NC health officials used false information to secure Medicaid funds

North Carolina lawmakers say they are looking into a long-overdue state Medicaid technology overhaul following the revival of a state audit into the project — and unsealed allegations that state North Carolina health officials used false information to secure federal funding for it. State Sen. Benton Sawrey said Friday...

North Carolina · 10-02

borderbelt.org

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National Health Survey Comes to Southeastern North Carolina

Residents of Scotland, Richmond, and Hoke counties can take part in a national survey about Americans’ health and nutrition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts the annual National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in randomly selected counties across the U.S. every year. It uses interviews and health screenings from about 5,000 participants to create a snapshot of the country’s health. The survey’s public database has been used to study racial disparities in conditions like high blood pressure and prevalence of behaviors like fast-food consumption.

Scotland County, NC · 10-05

FOX8 News

partner publisher · 187.5K followers

Changes to Medicaid, SNAP begin in North Carolina

The new rules are due to changes in federal legislation from H.R. 1, signed into law through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025.

North Carolina · 10-02

avlwatchdog.org

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Possible settlement in antitrust lawsuit against Mission Hospital

A major antitrust lawsuit against Mission Hospital and its owner HCA Healthcare appears close to settlement for most of its parties. A court filing this week says the plaintiffs, HCA and Mission Hospital have reached an “agreement in principle” to resolve the claims in the lawsuit accusing Mission of anticompetitive practices that drove up healthcare costs in western North Carolina.

North Carolina · 10-02

beckersspine.com

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Spine surgery is moving beyond its oldest divide

For generations, the path to becoming a spine surgeon began with a choice: orthopedics or neurosurgery. Jeffrey Mullin, MD, a neurosurgeon at Williamsville, N.Y.-based University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, sees a future in which that choice matters considerably less. Across operating rooms, training programs and professional societies, the two branches of...

Durham, NC · 10-02

star1025fm.com

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New Medicaid Eligibility Limits Take Effect in North Carolina

New federal eligibility rules taking effect October 1 may end full Medicaid coverage for thousands of North Carolinians with certain noncitizen immigration statuses. People affected by the change may lose coverage for routine doctor visits, prescriptions, dental services and mental-health treatment. Emergency Medicaid may remain available for qualifying medical emergencies, but it does not replace comprehensive coverage.

North Carolina · 10-01

WRAL

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Investigating North Carolina's troubled Medicaid computer system

Lawmakers in North Carolina are investigating significant delays and issues surrounding the state's overdue Medicaid computer system overhaul. State auditors are currently examining the project's spending, potential impacts on healthcare access and fraud detection capabilities.

North Carolina · 10-02

WLOS.com

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Federal changes to SNAP, Medicaid take effect Oct. 1 in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — Major changes to both SNAP benefits and Medicaid will take effect across North Carolina starting Oct. 1, 2026. New SNAP costs will hit N.C. counties on Oct. 1 and residents will be forced to pay millions of dollars more to fund food assistance. According to...

North Carolina · 10-01

Star News

partner publisher · 16.2K followers

Voters want healthcare affordability. GOP needs a plan | Opinion

RALEIGH — The top priority among voters this year is affordability. Various polls in North Carolina and other states ask the question in various ways — sometimes asking respondents about “affordability” explicitly, or using such terms as inflation or the cost of living, or allow respondents to volunteer their own responses — but the answers all converge. Voters want their leaders to do whatever they can to make essential goods and services more affordable. Candidates who appear blasé about affordability are about to lose competitive races and, even in safe seats, draw fewer votes than normal. To the standard trio of food, clothing, and shelter, most voters would add healthcare and energy as essentials. In the 2026 midterms, politicians cannot afford to ignore any of these issues, regardless of which office they seek. On healthcare, for example, Democratic candidates, activists, and policy professionals have long offered a coherent policy agenda. Republicans have not. By no means am I equating coherence with prudence. I consider the Democratic approach to healthcare reform — a mix of incremental expansions of Medicare and Medicaid into something akin to a single-payer system, incessant litigation against private hospitals and insurers, and price caps — deeply misguided.

North Carolina · 10-03