Norman
Last year, Republican lawmakers decided that, despite their best efforts, North Carolina just wasn’t gerrymandered enough. So they took it upon themselves to draw yet another map that would supposedly guarantee their party an additional congressional seat. The expectation was that, in the 2026 midterms, the map would yield an 11-3 majority. Well, that 11-3 majority did happen — just not in the way Republicans had hoped . As of Wednesday, North Carolina is poised to send 11 Democrats and three Republicans to Washington, a stunning collapse of one of the most aggressive gerrymanders in the entire nation . Provisional ballots tallied on Tuesday tipped the race in favor of Democrats in North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District, making it the sixth Republican-held seat flipped in the midterms. Incumbent Greg Murphy conceded Wednesday after prematurely declaring victory a week prior. Provisional ballots also extended Chuck Hubbard’s lead over Virginia Foxx in the 5th Congressional District, though she has not conceded yet. What makes the collapse especially stunning is that nobody saw it coming. While some districts were targeted by national Democrats from the start and others became targets in the final weeks of the campaign , several of the seats Republicans
Along the edges of North Carolina’s swamps, slow-moving rivers, and quiet coastal wetlands, a dark snake may appear almost motionless among fallen leaves and tangled vegetation. It might be resting on a muddy bank, floating through shallow water, or disappearing beneath a patch of shoreline plants. For people who encounter one, the first question is often whether it is a water moccasin or one of the harmless water snakes that share the same habitat. The confusion is understandable because several North Carolina snakes have dark bodies, similar patterns, and a habit of swimming.
Chillier air moving in; Freezing temps Saturday night
Top stories for News & Observer readers on Nov. 10, from the latest on Mark Robinson and marijuana legislation to an attacking owl and a new eatery at Crabtree Valley Mall. Robinson files for bankruptcy, again. Former NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and his wife, Yolanda Hill, filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, noting that they collectively owe nearly $800,000. The 2024 Republican gubernatorial candidate has a long history of financial troubles, including three prior bankruptcies and a $35,000 campaign finance penalty from the State Board of Elections. Read more: Former NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and his wife file for bankruptcy Robert Reives prepares to lead NC House. Incoming Speaker Robert Reives said Democrats will be sworn in to the largest House majority in North Carolina since 1992 when the session begins in January. He said he plans to give committee chairs more independent power over which bills advance and that his handling of oversight committees will depend on what the Senate does during the lame duck session. Read more: After the blue wave: How Robert Reives says he will lead as next NC House speaker Frat cocaine use continued during investigation. Newly public search warrants show that NC State
(Caswell County, N.C.) – The North Carolina Department of Transportation has given an update on how long a portion of NC route 158 will remain closed. A piece of equipment bound for Duke Energy’s Hyco Lake Facility that fell off of the truck transporting it will keep the road closed until approximately December 4th according to the states 511 website.
While Western North Carolina saw more Democrats elected to the state House and Senate than the previous decade, most incumbent Republicans held onto their seats in the far west. After the Nov. 3 election, Democrats in Raleigh will now control the N.C. House of Representatives for the first time in 16 years after winning 71 of 120 seats, according to unofficial results . Democrat Lynne Russo won the 117th House district, which covers about half of Henderson County. Her victory marks the first time a Democrat has held the seat since 1959, according to her campaign, and she credits the victory to her focus on Hurricane Helene relief efforts – and the region’s frustration with inadequate funding. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); “The morning of the election, I said to my campaign manager, we’re about to find out just how tired America is – and it turned out they were pretty tired,” Russo told NC Local. She won by just under 4 points over Republican Chelsea Walsh. Walsh took incumbent Republican Jennifer Balkcom’s place in the election after Balkcom was tapped to run for N.C.’s 11th House District Congressional seat . Russo said she hoped to
Whether you’re eager to hit the trail or see where the day takes you, there’s more than one way to find adventure in North Carolina. Join us as we explore places that will inspire you to get moving and try something new.
The startling gains for Democrats in North Carolina’s 2026 midterms, according to Michael Bitzer , were largely driven by dissatisfaction over Republican President Donald Trump. But what happens to North Carolina’s government in 2028, he believes, will largely be up to state legislators themselves. Bitzer, director of the Center for North Carolina Politics and Public Service at Catawba College, shared his analysis of the recent election during a Nov. 12 event hosted by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce at The Restoration Asheville. Like most midterms, he said, 2026 could be considered a referendum on the president and his party. Yet the results were nearly unprecedented, he continued, calling them a “historic bloodbath” for Republicans. The last time midterm voters moved toward Democrats so strongly was 1974, following the resignation of Republican President Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal. Voters in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties, noted Bitzer, supported Democratic Senator-Elect Roy Cooper more strongly this year than they backed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024. Cooper ended up winning his race against Republican Michael Whatley by nearly 20 percentage points. The vote shares across all Democratic candidates in both state House and Senate elections were more than
Tom Campbell argues North Carolina voters want accountable leaders who prioritize reliable public services and bipartisan cooperation over partisan power.
“Eastern North Carolina Honor Flight (ENCHF) is dedicated to honoring Veterans of the WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Eras by providing them with a trip to Washington DC. During this special day of remembrance, Veterans visit the memorials and monuments built in recognition of their service and sacrifice. We are committed to expressing our deepest gratitude and respect for their bravery, dedication and service to our country.”
In an election of upsets and historic firsts rarely matched over the nation’s 250 years, western North Carolina voters were agents of national change in helping elect a new U.S Senate majority and in flipping the state’s congressional delegation from cardinal red to Carolina blue. That much we...
CHARLOTTE, NC (WSOC) — A lawmaker from Union County is planning on introducing a bill to break up Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, according to CMS Board Member Anna London. She confirmed that Rep. David Willis’s staff contacted her office to let her know about the plan to break up the state’s second-largest school district.
North Carolinians will get millions in restitution and lease forgiveness as part of a settlement over deceptive rent-to-own practices. The $183.5 settlement with Acima Digital and its parent company was reached by a group of attorneys general of 43 states. Acima Digital partners with major retailers such as Best Buy, Rooms To Go and Ashley Furniture to offer rent-to-own options for people buying furniture, electronics and appliances. If approved by the court, the settlement will bring over $1.66 million in restitution to more than 6,200 North Carolinians. More than 3,300 people in the state will get a total of around $4.24 million in lease forgiveness. If you are eligible for part of this settlement money, you’ll be contacted by the settlement administrator or Acima; you don’t need to take any action. “Acima tricked North Carolinians into rent-to-own agreements with unfair, unexpected terms that left them with higher costs,” Attorney General Jeff Jackson said in a news release . “This settlement means they can’t do this to anyone else, and it brings money back to thousands of North Carolinians who were deceived by Acima.” What Acima did, according to the AG Acima allows shoppers to rent major purchases by making auto-renewing
If you’re 60 or older, Harris Teeter takes 5% off your purchases every Thursday. North Carolinians who never read the posted checkout rules miss perks like that. Here are the Harris Teeter checkout rules North Carolinians should know before their next trip. 1. Scan Guarantee. When an item scans...
RALEIGH — As North Carolinians prepare for holiday gatherings, celebrations and community events, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging residents to consider food safety before purchasing prepared meals or food items, especially from individuals advertising food for sale through Facebook and other social media platforms.
A 4.5-inch glowing golf ball flying through the dark is not how I usually picture a round of golf. That is exactly why this place sounds so fun to me. The course keeps the grounds mostly dark while the holes and flags glow around you, which makes every full swing feel a little more ridiculous in the best way.
Jonathan Lawler argues North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program gives families educational choice and urges supporters to oppose efforts to end public funding for private-school scholarships.
Many North Carolina residents, including those in the Triangle, are days way from the first freeze of the season, with expected temperature to dip in the low 30s. About one-third of North Carolina residents are renters , and most rely on their landlords to make repairs. As it gets colder, are landlords required to provide heat for their renters? State law requires landlords to provide “fit and habitable conditions.” What makes a North Carolina rental ‘fit and habitable?’ State law requires landlords to “make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.” The home must be safe and have heat, water and plumbing, according to Legal Aid of North Carolina. State law requires repairs made for at least the following issues, according to Legal Aid: Unsafe wiring or electrical outlets Unsafe flooring or steps Unsafe ceilings or roofs Lack of clean drinking water Broken exterior doors and windows Doors and windows must have locks No heat in the winters Broken toilet, bathtub and shower Rat infestation Excessive standing water, sewage or flooding Broken or missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Repair appliances they provide like a stove, furnace, air
Drought conditions are worsening across eastern North Carolina, with several counties moving into severe drought this week and little relief expected in the coming days. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows conditions deteriorating in Washington, Tyrrell, inland Hyde and much of Beaufort County. Severe drought also affects areas including Pitt, Onslow, Duplin, Martin, Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson and Bertie counties.
Of the 700,000 veterans in North Carolina, 1 in 9 are food insecure, according to the GAO.