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Asheville Citizen-Times

partner publisher · 29.1K followers
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Democrats flip NC House as WNC helps break GOP control

ASHEVILLE - The red wall finally cracked in Raleigh. Western North Carolina helped bring it down. Democrats seized control of the North Carolina House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, ending 16 years of Republican dominance and dramatically altering the balance of power in state government. "The voters of North Carolina made their voices heard loudly and clearly. They want balance. They want common sense in their government," Gov. Josh Stein said during a Nov. 4 press conference in Raleigh. Unofficial results showed Democrats winning 71 of the chamber's 120 seats, a stunning reversal from the 71-49 Republican advantage heading into the election. Democrats also made substantial gains in the Senate, where Republicans appeared poised to retain a narrow 26-24 majority, although several races remained close enough for recounts. For Democratic Gov. Stein, who spent his first two years in office battling a Republican-controlled legislature, the results represented a political transformation. Characterizing the results as a demand for cooperation on affordability, public education, public safety and recovery from Tropical Storm Helene , Stein expressed optimism about working with incoming House Speaker Robert Reives, who is expected to replace Republican Destin Hall. Stein acknowledged that even he had underestimated the scale

North Carolina · 1d

The Wilson Times

partner publisher · 15.9K followers
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The world is larger than Wilson

Rosa Gobien argues that cutting support for Eyes on Main Street and the American Center for Photographers could weaken Wilson’s cultural vitality and downtown revitalization.

Wilson, NC · 3d

ABC11 Eyewitness News

partner publisher · 141.7K followers
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How NC election results could reshape education

Changes in the North Carolina General Assembly could affect education funding at the state level.

Wake County, NC · 1d

thehowler.org

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WakeMed-Atrium merger initiates change for North Carolina healthcare

On Sept. 26, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve the official merger between WakeMed hospitals and Atrium Health. With more than $2 billion in investment from Atrium, the agreement is expected to provide WakeMed with the resources to renovate existing facilities, improve technology and expand its capacity to meet the growing needs of healthcare services within North Carolina.

North Carolina · 1d
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Raleigh News & Observer

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

What Gov. Josh Stein says is the message NC voters sent state politicians

The day after Democrats flipped the North Carolina House as part of a national blue wave, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said that voters sent a message that they want “balance” in state government. Stein talked about working together with Republicans, ending partisan gerrymandering and what message North Carolina voters sent lawmakers about what they want them to do. The message North Carolina voters sent “Last night was an incredible night for the country, of course, but especially so for us here in North Carolina,” Stein told reporters during a news conference outside the Executive Mansion in downtown Raleigh. “The voters of North Carolina made their voices heard loudly and clearly. They want balance. They want common sense in their government.” “The voters want leaders who work together on their behalf. Our job as those elected leaders is to listen and to work together because we can work together to lower costs.” On getting rid of the ‘political cancer’ of gerrymandering Stein told reporters he would support an independent redistricting commission following years of Republicans gerrymandering districts in their favor. “There are a few causes of the political cancers that we suffer from in this country. Partisan gerrymandering is certainly one,”

North Carolina · 2d

The Wake Weekly

partner publisher · 4.7K followers

Wake County and Town of Zebulon invest in major improvements to Nomaco Park Stadium

A new playground area, community event space and updated Sky Lounge are among the new and renovated spaces coming to Nomaco Park Stadium in Zebulon.

Zebulon, NC · 2d

wcti12.com

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Church volunteers repaint and repair Mount Olive rec facility press box and bleachers

MOUNT OLIVE, Wayne County — Volunteers from The Bridge (Mount Olive) Church have refreshed the press box, dugouts and bleachers at a Mount Olive recreation facility, according to Mount Olive Parks and Recreation. The department says volunteers pressure-washed the areas, replaced wood, scraped and primed surfaces, and applied multiple...

Mt Olive, NC · 11h

Neuse News

partner publisher · 2.1K followers

Lenoir, Jones counties among those eligible for UMO AgPrime Grants

UMO AgPrime grants are available to farmers and agribusiness owners in Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Gates, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Onslow, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.

Mt Olive, NC · 13h

Lovely Garden Roots

partner publisher · 15.3K followers

North Carolina Soil Tests Are Generally Free Through November and Cost $5 a Sample From December, So Wayne County Extension Says to Submit Before Thanksgiving

North Carolina soil tests are free through Nov. 30 and $5 a sample from Dec. 1. Samples must reach the Raleigh lab by 5 p.m. Nov. 30 to avoid the fee.

Wayne County, NC · 5h

WRAL News

publisher · 100.6K followers

Drought worsens: Parts of Triangle now in extreme drought, NC's severe drought expands

North Carolina's drought continues to worsen, with parts of Wake County now in extreme drought. The areas shown in red below are in extreme drought, according to the latest drought status report released on Thursday, Nov. 5. According to WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner, the drought has worsened since the last...

Wake County, NC · 1d

Raleigh News & Observer

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

How Wake County school board plans to enforce ethics rules among its members

Wake County school board members are creating a process to punish members for misconduct while saying they’re not going to stifle dissent. The Wake County school board gave initial approval Wednesday to a revised Code of Ethics policy that creates a process for publicly censuring board members. School board chair Tyler Swanson said the policy changes will provide clear guardrails on what board members can and can’t do. “Our job is the governing body,” Swanson said in an interview after the vote. “This policy does not yield that power away to staff. It allows us to have some checks and balances, so the board can stay above the fray, and staff can deal with the day-to-day operations through the superintendent’s guidance.” He said they’re emulating school districts such as Johnston County, which has censured members over their conduct. In 2022, Johnston County school board member Ronald Johnson was censured for actions such as trying to transfer the children of an adversary and for inappropriately texting sexual comments about a female school employee during board meetings. In 2025, Johnson was removed from the school board by a judge after being convicted of extortion and obstruction of justice. Caution urged on enforcing

Wake County, NC · 1d

Raleigh News & Observer

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

NC schools identify $18 billion in construction needs. Can it be funded?

A $680 million bond referendum approved this week by Wake County voters represents just a small fraction of the school construction needs in the state. The K-12 Facilities Needs Survey presented Wednesday to the State Board of Education show that North Carolina school districts are reporting $18 billion in school construction needs over the next five years. While there’s some state and local funding available, state board members questioned whether there’s enough money to pay for the school projects. “When we see $18 billion for this five-year plan, I’m a very optimistic person, but I don’t see us cutting into that number and I think it’s going to go up a lot more during the next five years, particularly with these construction costs,” said Alan Duncan, vice chair of the state board. “So if we’re truly focused on giving a sound public education to our students, that includes a safe and nurturing learning environment.” Renovation needs rising for schools Under state law, school boards are required to report their school construction needs every five years to the state board. The last study done in 2021 showed $13.1 billion in needs over a five-year period. The new report showed a nearly

North Carolina · 1d

NC Newsline

partner publisher · 19.7K followers

A new documentary looks not-too-far back at NC college student voting this election

Some ballots haven’t even been counted yet, but a documentary about the 2026 election from the perspective of North Carolina college students fighting for campus early voting sites has already had its debut. “Where Do I Vote Again?” screened Thursday night at The Rialto in Raleigh. It encapsulates the work of students who tried to […]

North Carolina · 4h

Carolina Public Press

partner publisher · 2.8K followers

After the deluge. Making sense of the altered political landscape in NC.

Massive wins across North Carolina for Democrats and losses for Republicans in 2026 election have multiple causes, complex implications.

North Carolina · 7h

Raleigh News & Observer

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

Wake school board extends superintendent's contract. Why there's no raise.

Wake County Schools Superintendent Robert Taylor is getting a contract extension but not a raise. The Wake County school board voted 7-1 on Wednesday to extend Taylor’s contract an additional year through June 2030 — the maximum length allowed under state law. School board chair Tyler Swanson said it was Taylor who asked that the contract extension not come with a raise. “He advocated that due to the fact that there are tough budgets and teachers have not received the raises that they deserve — especially our veteran teachers — that he was not going to accept a raise in his extension,” Swanson said in an interview after the vote. Taylor did get a 3% raise as part of this year’s state budget that lifted his annual base salary to $349,942. Board members said they wanted to reward Taylor for his leadership of North Carolina’s largest school district. This year, Wake saw its highest passing rates on state exams since 2012 . “We’ve had historic gains under his leadership,” Swanson said. “So, I am confident in his ability to lead, and grateful for his ability, his leadership, and we have much more work ahead of us. I look forward to

Wake County, NC · 2d

takemetotn.com

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This North Carolina College Was Quietly Crowned The State’s Hidden Gem Heading Into 2027

Some of the calmest acres in Raleigh sit just a few minutes from the busy downtown core, and plenty of North Carolinians drive right past them without a second look. Behind the campus gates is a small school with a big reputation for close-knit classes, friendly faces, and athletic fields worth a stroll.

Raleigh, NC · 5d

Raleigh News & Observer

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

Former Democratic state representative unseats NC Senate incumbent

A Democratic challenger unseated his Republican opponent Tuesday in one of the most competitive state Senate races. James Gailliard, a pastor and former state lawmaker, defeated Lisa Barnes, who was seeking her fourth term in Senate District 11, with all 51 precincts reporting unofficial results. The district encompasses Franklin, Nash and Vance counties. Gailliard posted to social media that he is “deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve.” “It is a true honor to be able to represent our communities in Raleigh, and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” he said. “Let’s get to work!” Gailliard, a pastor at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount who served two terms in the state House, campaigned on reforming criminal justice, increasing access to broadband in rural areas and decreasing unemployment. Barnes, a former Nash County commissioner who served one term in the House, advocated for cutting taxes, increasing access to healthcare and uplifting the agricultural community throughout her campaign. She has worked in agribusiness alongside her husband, Johnny Barnes, who owned one of the country’s largest sweet potato producers. He died last year. Multiple campaign ads have stirred controversy within the race. Lisa Barnes shared a video on social

Franklin County, NC · 2d

The Enterprise

partner publisher · 3.3K followers

Nash incumbent Stone reigns supreme in race for sheriff

Republican Sheriff Keith Stone won reelection in Nash County, defeating Democrat David Brake with 22,533 votes to secure another four-year term.

Nash County, NC · 2d

Raleigh News & Observer

partner publisher · 97.4K followers

Camp Lejeune, Vance rally: What the Triangle talked about Oct. 26-Nov. 1

From a Durham prosecutor’s decision to drop charges in a closely watched abortion case to a vice presidential rally moment that went viral, readers had plenty to weigh in on last week. Here are the five stories that drew the most comments on newsobserver.com from Oct. 26 through Nov. 1. Durham DA dismisses charges in teen abortion case Nearly three months after an 18-year-old and her 20-year-old boyfriend were arrested in connection with an attempted third-trimester medication abortion, Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry dismissed all charges, citing legal technicalities around fetal personhood and a lack of evidence. The baby, delivered at 31 weeks and revived by paramedics, is now living with the teen’s mother. Readers had strong — and sharply divided — reactions. »» Read the story, see the comments Trump ties Camp Lejeune payouts to midterm results At a Greenville, N.C., rally, President Donald Trump told veterans and families sickened by Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water that if Republicans don’t win the House and Senate, “there’s no money.” Former Gov. Roy Cooper called the remarks “shameful” and “disgusting.” Senate candidate Michael Whatley brushed it off as campaign talk, saying military families must be taken care of. The money, readers

Durham County, NC · 1d