North Carolina, the Wild West of Hemp
N.C. House Overrides Stein Vetoes of Immigration, DEI Bills
Two key lawmakers were absent, giving House Republicans enough votes to overcome the governor’s veto on DEI and immigration bills.
Thom Tillis Regrets His Vote to Confirm Pete Hegseth
The retiring North Carolina Republican senator criticized Hegseth’s experience and called his execution at the Pentagon “sophomoric.”
Lumbee Tribe Rejects Amendment Opening the Door for a Casino
Tribal leaders said a casino could bring jobs to rural southeastern N.C., but critics worried about speed and transparency.
Why N.C. Educators Are Hopeful About the Country’s Future
Our most recent Newsmakers event looked at the pressure on history and civics education as we mark the country’s 250th anniversary.
Politics
Smells Like 4th Amendment
An attorney wants a do-over in a recent ruling that sidesteps whether the smell of alleged marijuana can justify searching someone’s vehicle.
Republicans Accuse Gov. Josh Stein of Holding up a Legislative Nominee
House Speaker Destin Hall’s office said a Stein representative threatened to tie up a nomination unless Republicans agree not to override his vetoes.
Buckhout’s Website Loses Gas
Laurie Buckhout’s campaign overhauled her campaign website amid the war with Iran and removed a reference to gas prices.
Higher Ed
N.C. Community Colleges Compete for $1 Million Prize
Forsyth Technical Community College and Stanly Community College were selected from more than 1,000 community colleges as finalists for the Aspen Institute award.
How the Rise and Fall of Shaw’s Medical School Helps Explain Modern Racial Disparities
Journalist Nicole Carr’s debut book includes pieces of North Carolina history that surprised the Tar Heel State native.
Students Criticize UNC Charlotte Disability Office’s Handling of Accommodation Requests
Eight students say the office objected to their requests for adjustments due to disabilities. The office and legal experts say the situation is complicated.
Health
Emergency Measures
Available data indicate that cannabis-related emergency visits have skyrocketed among people under 18 since the legalization of hemp.
What’s in My Weed?
Our investigation found many hemp products for sale don’t have the THC levels they claim—but do contain bacteria and other contaminants.
Former Partners Accuse Embattled Hospital Owner of Siphoning Revenue For Personal Gain
Lawsuits accuse Mike Sarian of using company accounts to fund personal expenses, including a luxurious Beverly Hills hotel and a Rolls-Royce.
Culture
A Magical Run: How Raleigh Came Together for the Canes
The Carolina Hurricanes’ journey to the Stanley Cup Final finally brought out some hockey joy in the capital city.
Filmed in Durham, a New Movie About Cosmic Coincidences Has Flown Under the Radar
The Bull City is somewhat of a main character in the indie rom-com ‘Everything & the Universe,’ streaming since last year on Amazon Prime. So why has no one heard of it?
When Billy Graham Peered Into the Nation’s Soul
The young minister from N.C. took Los Angeles by storm in 1949, holding tent revivals that made him a national figure.
From Our Network
Durham County Moves Toward Data Center Moratorium
County commissioners could vote on a moratorium as early as next month, joining the City of Durham in banning data center construction.
Crowded N.C. Jails Grapple with Iryna’s Law
Some law enforcement officials and district attorneys say the law has put strain on local jails without providing more resources.
Fayetteville Council Reinstates Youth Curfew
The ordinance restricts teens 16 and under after 11 p.m., penalizing adults—not juveniles—as council members clash over whether the policy protects or harms youth.
The Budget No One Wanted
A state-mandated moratorium on property tax revaluations gave Greensboro and Guilford county little time to pivot as they finalized their budgets. The result? A substantial tax rate increase.
Q&A: What Deborah Ross Saw Inside the ICE Processing Facility in Cary
U.S. Rep. Ross recently toured the Cary ICE facility as part of a congressional oversight visit.
How $4 Billion Came Off Durham’s Tax Rolls and Blew a Hole in the City Budget
A county board granted billions in property value reductions to corporate landlords. City leaders, banking on the tax revenue, didn’t know until April.
Featured Stories
Even if Phil Berger Wins, He Lost
The Senate leader’s primary might not be resolved for weeks. But even Berger’s best-case scenario will leave the political giant diminished.
Whistleblower Pushes to Regulate Controversial Organ Retrieval Technique
A North Carolina surgeon has raised concerns about an innovative procedure that reanimates a dead body to enable organ transplants.
Greg Bovino’s Last Stand
North Carolina native Greg Bovino was known for being theatrical and hyperaggressive. Those traits just cost him his job.
As Helene Survivors Await State Help, Some Victims of Earlier Hurricanes Are Still Out of Their Homes
A new housing recovery program created to avoid the delays and cost overruns that plagued past efforts is already seeing similar problems.
The Enduring Hazards of College Hazing
Administrators have worked for years to eliminate fraternity hazing. But we found more than 1,500 pages of records showing it continues.
Well I’ll Be Dammed
North Carolina is about to get its first Buc-ee’s, the massive, cult-classic gas station. What’s all the hype about?
Lost and Found
Meet the teams working to reunite people with mementos they lost during Hurricane Helene.
If You Build It, Will They Come?
New charter schools are struggling to enroll enough students to stay solvent. One High Point school’s implosion shows the consequences.
How Tupac Came to Rest in North Carolina
The cremated remains of the rapper, still omnipresent three decades after his death, now lie in a Lumberton grave.
UNC-Chapel Hill’s Lesson in Civics
The School of Civic Life and Leadership’s hiring battle is part of a long-running rupture over the mission of similar efforts.
From ‘Superstar’ Cop to Drug Kingpin
A talented police officer busted drug rings along I-85. Then he bewildered everyone who knew him by becoming a drug trafficker himself.
How North Carolina Officials Kept the Truth About a Police Shooting Hidden
In 2019, a state trooper killed Brandon Webster claiming self defense. Evidence contradicted that account but wasn’t made public—until now.
A Tale of Two Six: J. Cole’s Fayetteville
A native son, a homecoming-inspired final album, and how Fayetteville—if only for a weekend—became the center of the hip-hop universe.
Transgender State Workers Are Facing Whiplash
The state’s health insurance plan no longer covers gender-affirming care, which has left some employees in limbo.
I’ve Seen How the Neo-Nazi Movement Is Escalating. You Should Worry.
A reporter gets a first-hand look at how the ‘militant accelerationism’ movement operates.
