NC Approves $528M in Additional Hurricane Helene Relief

North Carolina lawmakers approved $528 million in additional funding for Hurricane Helene recovery, focusing on home and road repairs, agriculture, and infrastructure. This brings total state aid to over $1.6 billion, though the storm caused an estimated $59.6 billion in damages, with over 100 deaths reported. The bill includes $120 million for home reconstruction, $100 million for private road and bridge repairs, and $200 million for agriculture recovery. While Gov. Josh Stein requested $1.07 billion, more funding is expected in the coming months as the state seeks an additional $13 billion from Congress. (ABC 11)

Hurricane Helene Becomes 7th Costliest U.S. Storm, Claims 248 Lives

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Helene caused $78.7 billion in damage and 248 deaths, making it the seventh-costliest and fourth-deadliest mainland U.S. hurricane since 1950. The storm generated wind gusts over 100 mph in multiple states, led to 7.4 million power outages, and required 2,700 high-water rescues. North Carolina suffered the most casualties (105 deaths) and the highest rainfall (30.78 inches). Storm surges reached up to 16 feet in Florida, destroying entire communities. The historic flooding triggered 2,000+ landslides and shattered river-level records at 63 locations. Recovery efforts remain ongoing. (Citizen Times)

USDA Cuts Local Food Program, Impacting NC Schools and Farms

Hickory Nut Gap Farm CEO Jamie Ager expressed disappointment after the USDA cut funding for pandemic-era programs that helped schools purchase local, grass-fed beef and other farm products. The decision impacts farms and school districts, with Buncombe County Schools losing $93,954 in funding since 2023. Ager, who had supplied local beef to schools for three years, highlighted the program’s benefits for students, farmers, and the local food system. Despite strong community support, he warned that cutting such programs moves agriculture in the wrong direction and makes it harder for farms to thrive. (ABC 13) The USDA's cancellation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program has left North Carolina food banks and schools facing multi-million dollar funding gaps. MANNA FoodBank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC are among those affected, with MANNA losing $1.3 million and Second Harvest facing a $2 million shortfall. The cuts also extend to schools, with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools losing $541,142 in funding for locally sourced meals. Food banks warn of a ripple effect, reducing fresh food access for families in need and forcing farmers to scale back production. Advocates urge communities and elected officials to push for the restoration of funding. (News & Observer)

NC Supreme Court Race Still Unresolved, Appeals Court to Hear Case

The North Carolina Court of Appeals will hear arguments on March 21 regarding the unresolved NC Supreme Court race between Justice Allison Riggs (D) and Judge Jefferson Griffin (R). Riggs leads by 734 votes out of 5.5 million, but Griffin is challenging over 65,000 ballots, citing voter registration and ID issues. The State Board of Elections dismissed his claims, and a trial court upheld that decision. A three-judge panel—two Republicans and one Democrat—will now review the case, with a likely appeal to the NC Supreme Court, where five of six remaining justices are Republicans. (ABC 11)

Gov. Stein Proposes $33.65B Budget Focused on Education, Families, and Workforce

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein unveiled a $33.65 billion budget proposal for 2025–2026, increasing spending by $2 billion over the current year, with a focus on teacher raises (10.7%), free community college for high-demand fields, and $4 billion for school infrastructure. Stein proposes halting scheduled income and corporate tax cuts to avoid an estimated $825 million revenue drop by 2026–27, while also expanding child care subsidies, funding body cameras for law enforcement, and boosting rural health care access. (CBS 17)

Challenges in Hospital Price Transparency Enforcement

The 2021 federal rule requiring U.S. hospitals to disclose prices for 300 common services has faced compliance issues, with enforcement efforts under scrutiny. A recent report by Patient Rights Advocate found North Carolina ranked No. 8 in compliance, yet only 33% of its hospitals met the standard, slightly above the 21% national average. Former NC Treasurer Dale Folwell's 2023 report highlighted that only 51% of hospitals disclosed insurance prices for key services, and just five hospitals fully complied. While a new executive order aims to strengthen enforcement, experts argue that price transparency alone is insufficient without stronger competition and consumer incentives. (Carolina Journal)

NC Senate Bill Seeks Hospital Price Transparency, CEO Fines

The North Carolina Senate Health Committee approved Senate Bill 316, aimed at increasing hospital price transparency and reducing unexpected medical costs. The bill would limit facility fees, require itemized billing before collections, and mandate quarterly reports on procedure costs. Non-emergency patients must receive good faith estimates, with final bills not exceeding estimates by more than 5%. Hospital CEOs could face fines of $2,000 per day for non-compliance. Supporters argue the bill will lower healthcare costs by allowing patients to compare prices, while hospital representatives are still evaluating its potential impact. (NC Newsline)

NC Bill Proposes Cutting Early Voting Period from 17 to 6 Days

A newly filed North Carolina bill (HB411) seeks to shorten the early voting period for primaries and special elections from 17 days to six. Sponsored by five Republican lawmakers, the bill would limit early voting to start no earlier than the second Monday before an election and end by 3 p.m. on the last Saturday before Election Day. The change, also applying to municipal elections with early voting, would take effect on January 1, 2026, impacting the 2026 primaries if passed. (CBS 17)

Unaffiliated Voters Drop Lawsuit Over NC Elections Board Appointments

Unaffiliated voters and Common Cause have dropped their 2022 federal lawsuit challenging a North Carolina law that bars them from serving on the State Board of Elections. The case was dismissed without prejudice, with each party covering its own legal costs. The decision follows ongoing legal disputes over election board appointments, including Stein v. Berger, where Gov. Josh Stein is challenging legislative efforts to shift appointment power to State Auditor Dave Boliek. Plaintiffs had argued that excluding 2.5 million unaffiliated voters violated constitutional rights, but state officials contended that partisan affiliation was a legitimate requirement for the board. (Carolina Journal)

NC Bill Proposes Full Legalization of Cannabis, Creates Reinvestment Funds

House Bill 413, the “Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act,” filed by Rep. Jordan Lopez (D), proposes to fully legalize cannabis in North Carolina for adults 21 and older, allowing for possession, use, purchase, and cultivation under set limits. The bill outlines a regulatory and taxation system, including licensing, lab testing, packaging, and education. It also creates a “Community Reinvestment” office with three new funds to support equity, education, and small business opportunities. The bill cites racial disparities in arrests and lost tax revenue, and includes provisions for automatic expungement of past cannabis offenses. (CBS 17)

NC Senate Passes Permitless Carry Bill, Moves to House

The North Carolina Senate passed the Freedom to Carry NC bill (Senate Bill 50) in a 26-18 party-line vote, advancing constitutional carry legislation that would allow permitless concealed carry in the state. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senators Britt, Daniel, and Settle, now heads to the NC House, which has introduced similar legislation. While Republicans argue it expands Second Amendment freedoms, Democrats strongly oppose it, citing public safety concerns. North Carolina would join 29 other states with constitutional carry if the measure becomes law. (Carolina Journal)

Durham Council Approves Controversial 140-Unit Pickett Apartments Project

After nearly three hours of debate, the Durham City Council approved the Pickett Apartments, a 140-unit complex on 6.12 acres along Pickett Road, in a 4-3 vote. Despite concerns from residents about flooding, biodiversity loss, and traffic, council members cited the project's alignment with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and urban growth boundary goals to increase housing density and protect outlying rural areas. The developer responded to public feedback with added proffers, including $300,000 for parks, bird-friendly windows, and elevators. The project replaces the option for 12 luxury homes, offering instead a denser, partially affordable housing option near green space. (Indy Week)

Greensboro Approves Annexation for 80-Acre Christopher Village Development

The Greensboro City Council has unanimously approved the annexation of an 80-acre site along Carlson Dairy Road, paving the way for a new development called Christopher Villages. The project, led by developer David Couch, is one of six annexations approved this year as the city sees increasing annexation requests—37 properties totaling over 1,500 acres in 2022 alone. City departments evaluate whether full services like fire, police, water, and sewer can be extended to new areas before approval. Greensboro Fire Department confirmed it can meet its emergency response standards for the site. The city now awaits Couch’s full development proposal. (FOX 8)

Chapel Hill Finalizes Brownfields Agreement for Coal Ash Site

The Chapel Hill Town Council has unanimously approved a Brownfields Agreement with the state, marking a major step toward addressing coal ash contamination at 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The agreement outlines remediation requirements but prohibits housing, schools, and care centers on the site. While Friends of Bolin Creek raised concerns about coal ash removal and hurricane-related contamination risks, town officials emphasized flexibility in future decisions. Mayor Jess Anderson and council members stressed the importance of balancing safety and environmental justice, particularly regarding the impact on low-income communities where coal ash may be relocated. (Chapelboro)

Clinton Councilman Daniel Ruggles Announces He Won’t Seek Third Term

Clinton City Councilman Daniel Ruggles has announced he will not seek re-election for a third term in District 1, ending his eight years in office. Ruggles, who has lived in Clinton his entire life, emphasized his desire to pass the torch to new leadership, while confirming he has no plans to leave politics entirely. Among his proudest achievements were naming a bridge after fallen officer Donald Ray Tucker and advocating for small businesses and economic growth. He hopes his early announcement will encourage a competitive election, allowing District 1 residents to choose their next representative. (Sampson Independent)

NC Lawmakers Push for Local Control Over School Calendars

North Carolina legislators have introduced 27 bills aiming to give local school boards authority to set K-12 school start and end dates, with Senate Bill 103 and House Bill 121 applying statewide. The current law restricts schools from starting earlier than late August, but several districts have already defied it. The travel and tourism industry opposes changes, citing economic benefits. Meanwhile, four bills propose shifting additional school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan, potentially raising the number of partisan school boards from 56 to 60 across the state. (North State Journal)

NC’s Opportunity Scholarship Sees 40,000 New Applicants Amid Expansion

More than 40,000 new students have applied for North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship, adding to the 80,274 current recipients who can renew their vouchers for the 2025-2026 school year. The state has allocated $600 million in funding for the program next fall, increasing to $655 million the following year. The vouchers range from $3,458 to $7,686 per student, based on household income. With income caps removed in 2023, 43% of new applicants come from households earning over $119,000, including 6,600 applicants from families making over $267,000. A majority (58%) of new applicants remain in lower-income tiers, qualifying for the highest awards. (WUNC)

Durham Public Schools to Address $6.9M Budget Deficit in Meeting

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education will meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the district’s $6.9 million budget deficit and plans for the 2025-26 school year. Originally facing a $34 million shortfall, the district reduced the gap through 15% departmental budget cuts. The deficit stems from unbudgeted staff positions, charter school funding, child nutrition costs, and miscalculations in teacher master’s pay. To improve transparency, DPS has launched "Dollars and Decisions," an interactive tool for parents to track spending. The meeting will be livestreamed for public access. (WRAL)

UNC Board of Trustees Passes Resolution to Address Campus Protests

The UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees approved a resolution Thursday reinforcing the university’s collaboration with state and federal law enforcement to manage future protests. The decision follows destructive demonstrations in 2024, including graffiti, class cancellations, and a clash between protesters and police. The resolution aims to balance free speech with campus safety, ensuring compliance with Title IX and preventing violence and property damage. The discussion comes amid federal funding cuts to universities like Columbia over insufficient action to protect Jewish students. Some board members called for broader protections against all forms of hate speech. (WRAL)

Capital Boulevard Expressway Project Delayed to 2031, Toll Option Under Study

The N.C. Department of Transportation has pushed the start of the Capital Boulevard expressway project—from Raleigh to the Franklin County line—to 2031, a full decade later than originally planned. The 10-mile, $1.34 billion project would rebuild the corridor into a six-lane, restricted-access expressway in four phases, beginning with a $516 million section between I-540 and Durant/Perry Creek Road. Mayor Vivian Jones noted that the NC Toll Authority is exploring converting the corridor into a toll road, with CAMPO expected to vote soon. The project remains unfunded, and it is unclear if any land acquisition has begun. (Wake Forest Gazette)

Smith Creek Park Expansion Begins, Adding New Amenities

Phase two of the Smith Creek Park expansion has begun in New Hanover County, bringing a new restroom and picnic shelter, nature play areas, environmental education features, public art, and a 1-mile perimeter trail. Due to recent vandalism, the county is installing a temporary construction fence, increasing sheriff patrols, and adding security cameras to protect the site. Additionally, a temporary walking path from Emerald Drive will connect to the existing park during construction. (WWAY)

Wilmington Protest Opposes USPS Privatization Amid National Movement

Over a dozen protesters gathered outside the downtown Wilmington post office to oppose potential privatization of the U.S. Postal Service, echoing similar demonstrations nationwide. Chanting “US Mail, Not for Sale,” union members and citizens expressed concerns over rising costs if the package delivery sector is sold off, as suggested by the Trump administration. Local APWU president Daniel Matthews warned privatization could lead to higher prices and taxpayer liabilities, citing a Wells Fargo report that supports those concerns. The protest marks what Matthews called “the beginning of our movement.” (WUNC)

Charlotte Moves Closer to Hosting 2027 Military World Games with Pentagon Support

The Pentagon has endorsed Charlotte’s bid to host the 2027 Military World Games, a global athletic competition for military personnel. In a letter to the International Military Sports Council, Defense Undersecretary Jules Hurst confirmed the Department of Defense’s support, a crucial step for the U.S. bid against South Africa. While the endorsement does not guarantee selection, hosting the event could generate up to $3 billion in economic impact, according to past studies cited by Sen. Ted Budd. The local organizing committee would handle all logistics and costs, with no financial support from the DOD. (News & Observer)

Kevin Howell Named NC State’s First Black Chancellor, Emphasizing Legacy and Leadership

Kevin Howell has been appointed NC State University’s 15th chancellor and its first Black leader, following the retirement of long-serving Chancellor Randy Woodson. A former student body president, kidney transplant recipient, and senior administrator at NC State and the UNC System, Howell brings a deep personal and professional connection to the university. UNC System President Peter Hans called Howell a leader who represents both continuity and necessary change, poised to build on NC State’s rising national profile, including a quadrupled endowment and nearly $600 million in annual research spending. (The Assembly)