Asheville Plans Use of $225M Federal Relief for Infrastructure, Housing

At the Asheville City Council’s annual retreat, officials reviewed community input on how to allocate $225 million in federal relief funding. Nearly 6,900 residents (about 8% of the city) participated in a survey, with the top priority being rebuilding critical infrastructure, especially the water system, as part of recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Other priorities included expanding housing solutions, supporting economic recovery, and enhancing food security. While immediate action is not expected, council members aim to establish clear goals and a long-term vision for spending the funds effectively. (ABC 13)

North Carolina Launches Hurricane Helene Recovery Dashboard

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (NCOSA) launched the Helene Recovery Dashboard, an online tool for tracking hurricane recovery efforts across western North Carolina. Covering counties such as Buncombe, Haywood, and Watauga, the dashboard provides weekly updated FEMA data on displaced households, shelter assistance, and housing recovery. Auditor Dave Boliek emphasized transparency and accountability, noting ongoing collaboration with Governor Josh Stein’s office to enhance real-time data sharing. Additionally, NCOSA plans a performance and financial audit of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) this summer, as mandated by SB 382. (Carolina Journal)

NC Appeals Court Expedites Supreme Court Election Dispute Over 65,000 Ballots

The North Carolina Court of Appeals has set an expedited schedule to resolve the election dispute between state Supreme Court candidates Jefferson Griffin and Allison Riggs, though the case will extend into March. Riggs leads by 734 votes out of 5.5 million cast, but Griffin challenges more than 65,000 ballots, citing registration and identification issues. While the Appeals Court plans to review the case, the State Board of Elections and Riggs seek a direct ruling from the state Supreme Court, which currently has a 5-2 Republican majority. Meanwhile, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has left the door open for the case’s potential return to federal court. (Carolina Journal)

NC Senators Introduce Bill to Repeal Death Penalty

Four North Carolina state senators—Natalie S. Murdock, Julie Mayfield, Graig Meyer, and Sophia Chitlik—introduced SB 94, titled "Repeal Death Penalty," which aims to remove capital punishment from state law by replacing terms like “sentence of death” with “sentencing” or “punishment.” The bill follows a recent Johnston County ruling where a judge overturned a death sentence due to racial discrimination and former Gov. Roy Cooper’s clemency for 15 death row inmates. Although 121 individuals remain on death row, North Carolina has been under a death penalty moratorium since 2006, with no executions in 19 years. (CBS 17)

NC Voters Strongly Support Medical Marijuana Legalization

Despite repeated failures in the North Carolina General Assembly, medical marijuana legalization is expected to be reconsidered in 2025. A Meredith College poll found 71% of likely N.C. voters support such a law, with 23% opposed and 6% undecided. The North Carolina Compassionate Care Act was the most recent proposal, aiming to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for various conditions. Pollsters noted support across all demographics, including conservatives. With 39 states, D.C., and three U.S. territories already legalizing medical marijuana, N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger has suggested future discussions must address unregulated THC concerns. (CBS 17)

NC Lawmakers Reintroduce ‘Work-and-Save’ Retirement Program for Small Businesses

North Carolina lawmakers have reintroduced a "Work-and-Save" retirement program to help small business employees save for retirement through automatic payroll deductions into Roth or traditional IRAs. Sponsored by Reps. Jarrod Lowery, Jeffrey McNeely, and Harry Warren, the bill would establish the NC Small Business Retirement Savings Board to oversee the program, which would be voluntary for employers. A Pew study estimates that over 10 years, North Carolina could save $500 million in public assistance costs with such a program. Similar programs in 20 states have already helped employees amass $1 billion in assets since 2017. (NC Newsline)

NC Settles Lawsuit With Pactiv Evergreen Over Closed Canton Mill

North Carolina has settled its lawsuit against Pactiv Evergreen, with the company agreeing to repay $6.25 million of the $12 million in state incentives it received under the Job Maintenance and Capital Development (JMAC) program. The settlement includes $3 million for Haywood County, $2.7 million for Canton, and $500,000 for the state. The deal also resolves property tax disputes and waives Pactiv’s right to charge Canton for wastewater treatment costs through early March. Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Gov. Josh Stein framed the settlement as a step toward rebuilding Canton’s economy after the May 2023 mill closure, while Pactiv maintained it upheld its job commitments for over eight years. (WUNC)

Sheriff Sam Page to Challenge NC Senate Leader Phil Berger in 2026

Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page has announced his 2026 primary challenge against Senate leader Phil Berger, North Carolina’s most powerful Republican lawmaker. Page, who previously ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2024, has long opposed Berger, particularly over his support for casino expansion in Rockingham County. A Trump supporter and advocate for public safety, border security, and opioid crisis prevention, Page has pledged to seek Trump’s endorsement. Berger, who has held power in the NC Senate for over a decade, has not yet confirmed his reelection plans, but Page has committed to running regardless. (News & Observer)

Wesley Harris Announces Bid for Mecklenburg County Democratic Chair Amid Party Struggles

Former state representative Wesley Harris has announced his candidacy for chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party, following internal turmoil and criticism of current chair Drew Kromer. Harris, who lost the 2024 state treasurer race, cited low voter turnout and mismanagement of grassroots organizing, particularly in Black communities, as key issues. The party faced backlash after executive director Monifa Drayton resigned, likening her experience to that of Black women during the Jim Crow era. Harris aims to revamp party strategy and improve voter mobilization, stating, "We need to crack the code of Mecklenburg turnout woes." Party members will elect a new chair this spring. (News & Observer)

Greensboro Launches "Road to 10,000" Plan to Address Housing Shortage

Greensboro City Manager Trey Davis has unveiled the "Road to 10,000" initiative, aiming to create 10,000 new housing units—about one-third of Guilford County’s 2030 housing goal. The city has already allocated $11 million for housing and supportive services and issued 3,313 residential building permits in 2024. A task force will be formed within 30 days to identify development opportunities, streamline permitting and zoning, and explore incentives for public-private partnerships. The plan also considers repurposing city-owned properties, including the former Guilford County Animal Shelter for permanent supportive housing. City leaders emphasize aggressive action to ensure this initiative succeeds where past efforts fell short. (FOX 8)

Elm City Residents Oppose Extending Term Lengths for Elected Officials

Residents at Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting overwhelmingly opposed a proposal to extend mayor and commissioner terms from two to four years, citing ongoing town issues such as infrastructure failures, tax increases, and lack of business growth. A petition against the amendment has already gathered 141 signatures (16% of registered voters) and would force a referendum if the board moves forward. The meeting saw confusion over procedure, with delays in opening the public hearing, ultimately leading to a 3-2 vote to proceed. No residents spoke in favor of the amendment, and the discussion will continue in March’s meeting. (Wilson Times)

Chapel Hill, UNC Health Launch $20M Affordable Housing Loan Fund

The Town of Chapel Hill, UNC Health, and Self-Help Ventures Fund have officially launched a $20 million Affordable Housing Loan Fund to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing. The fund, seeded with $5 million from UNC Health and $750,000 from the town, aims to address the housing shortage as UNC Health expands its Eastowne campus. Administered by Self-Help Ventures Fund, the program offers loans ranging from $500,000 to $7 million for five-year bridge financing or 15-year permanent financing. Mayor Jess Anderson emphasized the fund's flexibility in removing financial barriers for developers, helping Chapel Hill meet growing housing demands. (Chapelboro)

Trump Moves to Dismantle Dept. of Education, Most NC Voters Oppose

President Donald Trump issued an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise but facing strong opposition in North Carolina. A Meredith College Poll found that 63% of NC voters disapprove, with 49% strongly opposing the move, while only 29% support it. Among Republicans, less than half (47.1%) favor eliminating the department. Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, a former WWE CEO and Small Business Administration leader, is undergoing confirmation hearings, though her tenure may be short-lived as Trump seeks to shut down the department entirely. (CBS 17)

Effort Underway to Designate New Hanover High School as Historic Landmark

Wilmington real estate developer Gene Merritt has applied to the City of Wilmington’s Historic Preservation Commission to designate New Hanover High School, built in 1922, as a historic landmark. The school, one of the county’s oldest buildings, is undergoing major repairs to fix cracks along its southern wall, while a $300,000 county-funded study evaluates the cost of additional repairs. Commissioner Dane Scalise and community members strongly support preserving the school, citing its historical significance and impact on generations of students. The Historic Preservation Commission discussed the application during its February 13 meeting. (WWAY)

Alamance-Burlington Schools Eye $80M+ Budget Request, Potential 35-44% Increase

Alamance-Burlington Schools (ABSS) Superintendent Dr. Aaron Fleming presented a preliminary county budget request ranging from $80.5 million to $85.3 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year, a 35.8% to 43.9% increase over the current $59.3 million allocation. The proposed budget includes $6.5 million for operations, $4.8 million for capital outlay, and $14.7 million for long-term capital improvements. Key cost drivers include state-mandated pay raises, $2.5 million for salary supplements, $1.5 million to restore eliminated positions, and $850,000 for rising operating costs. A public hearing is scheduled for February 24 to gather community input before the county commissioners vote in June. (Alamance News)

UNC Charlotte Achieves R1 Research Status, Expanding Opportunities

UNC Charlotte has been awarded R1 research status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, joining 187 elite doctoral universities nationwide and becoming North Carolina’s fifth R1 institution alongside UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, Duke, and ECU. The designation requires at least $50 million in research spending and 70+ doctoral graduates annually—UNC Charlotte surpasses these with $90 million in research spending and 160 doctoral graduates per year. Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber highlighted the impact on federal grants, business partnerships, and faculty recruitment, as well as research projects ranging from cancer studies to AI and clean water innovations. (WFAE)

RTI International Announces 226 Layoffs Due to USAID Funding Cuts

RTI International, a Research Triangle Park-based nonprofit, announced temporary layoffs for 226 U.S. employees, including 61 in North Carolina, due to federal foreign aid cuts under the new Trump administration. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a key funding source for RTI, has faced severe budget reductions, leading to disruptions in contractor payments despite a court-ordered freeze on grant cuts. RTI, which reported $1.2 billion in revenue from 3,832 projects in 2023, joins Durham-based FHI 360, which furloughed 36% of its U.S. staff, in facing setbacks from USAID funding uncertainty. (News & Observer)

Developer Selected to Revitalize High Point’s Historic Showplace West

A Virginia-based historic rehab team has been selected to redevelop Showplace West/One Plaza Center, a landmark Guilford County building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project, led by Echelon Resources Inc. and LBD Investments, marks their sixth joint venture and aims to convert the 1970s-era structure into market-rate apartments with 9,000 square feet of commercial space at Wrenn and Main Street corners. Downtown High Point leaders view this as a major step in revitalizing the city core, accelerating local growth and economic development. (FOX 8)

Valentine's Day Spending to Hit Record $27.5 Billion

Americans are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine's Day this year, up from $25.8 billion last year and surpassing the previous record of $27.4 billion in 2020, according to the National Retail Federation. The average consumer will spend $188.81, an increase of about $3 from last year. Popular gifts include candy, flowers, greeting cards, jewelry, and dining out, but prices are rising. A dozen red roses now averages $90.50 (a 2% increase), and dining costs are up 3.4% due to inflation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (ABC 11)

Fort Liberty to Be Renamed Fort Bragg, Honoring WWII Hero

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved renaming Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, but this time in honor of Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient, instead of Confederate General Braxton Bragg. The Fayetteville-based installation, home to over 52,000 military personnel, was renamed Fort Liberty in June 2023 following a congressional decision to remove Confederate names from bases. (NC Newsline)

Democrats Favor Party Shift to Center, Republicans Prefer Status Quo

A new Gallup poll shows 45% of Democrats and liberal-leaning independents believe their party should shift toward the center, compared to 29% who want it to become more liberal and 22% who prefer no change. In contrast, 43% of Republicans and conservative-leaning independents think their party should stay the same, while 28% favor becoming more conservative and 27% more moderate. The shift in Democratic sentiment follows their 2024 election loss, while Republicans, now controlling the White House, Senate, and House, hold record-high approval ratings. The poll, conducted Jan. 21-27 among 1,001 U.S. adults, has a 4-point margin of error. (News & Observer)

NC Democrats Raise More, But GOP Leads In-State Fundraising

In the 2024 North Carolina election cycle, 78.5% ($4.2M of $5.4M) of Democratic donations came from out-of-state, while 71.8% ($2.8M of $3.9M) of GOP donations came from within North Carolina. Despite a smaller in-state donor base, Democrats outspent Republicans thanks to the Leadership Fund’s $42M, including $13M from gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein. Without Stein’s contribution, the GOP would have outraised Democrats $22M to $29M. (Carolina Journal)