Western North Carolina Prepares for Historic Flooding as Tropical Storm Helene Nears

Western North Carolina is bracing for severe flooding as Tropical Storm Helene approaches. The Swannanoa River in Biltmore Village is expected to surpass flood levels from 2004 and 1916, and the French Broad River in Fletcher may crest over 9 feet higher than its 20-foot record. Emergency officials are urging residents near the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers to evacuate immediately, warning that rescue operations may become impossible as flooding worsens. (ABC 13)

Concerns Over Delays and Fees in Access to Public Records in North Carolina

North Carolina faces criticism over delayed public record responses, questionable fees, and a controversial exemption for legislators. Over 1,000 requests remain unfulfilled in Charlotte alone, while slow or no responses affect both journalists and citizens. Experts suggest clearer deadlines and better staffing to improve transparency, but the 2023 legislative decision to exempt lawmakers from public record laws has worsened the situation, earning North Carolina the Society of Professional Journalists' "Black Hole Award" for 2024. (Charlotte Observer)

North Carolina State Superintendent Race Highlights Stark Political Divide

The race for North Carolina's state superintendent pits Republican Michele Morrow, a former homeschool teacher, against Democrat Mo Green, a former superintendent. Morrow, known for her controversial social media posts, calls public schools "indoctrination centers" and advocates for restoring safety and discipline, while Green, with extensive education leadership experience, stresses that public education’s "soul" is on the ballot. Despite vastly different rhetoric, both candidates support raising teacher pay and improving school safety, but propose different methods to achieve these goals. (WUNC)

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson Faces Resignations Amid Scandal; Names New Chief of Staff

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson appointed Krishana Polite as his new chief of staff following the resignation of Brian LiVecchi amid a scandal involving allegations of racially and sexually explicit posts. The controversy, sparked by a CNN investigation, has led to the resignation of a dozen staff members from both Robinson’s office and gubernatorial campaign. Robinson denies the accusations and has hired a law firm to investigate. As the November election nears, Republican groups and allies, including Donald Trump, have distanced themselves from Robinson. (North State Journal)

Tillis Pressures Robinson Amid Scandal Tied to Racist and Raunchy Posts

Sen. Thom Tillis has given North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson an ultimatum to address allegations involving racist and offensive posts linked to him by CNN’s KFile investigation. While Robinson denies the claims, the scandal has caused staff resignations and drawn national attention. Tillis urged Robinson to either disprove the allegations through legal action or step aside, stressing that the situation could harm Republican candidates in upcoming elections. Some Republicans remain supportive, while others, like Rep. Kathy Manning, question Robinson's qualifications. (News & Observer)

Cleta Mitchell Withdraws Motion for Protective Order in Democracy NC Lawsuit

Conservative election activist Cleta Mitchell has withdrawn her request for a protective order in a lawsuit filed by Democracy NC challenging a provision in North Carolina's Senate Bill 747. Mitchell had sought to limit the scope of her deposition, citing First Amendment concerns and her minimal role in crafting the bill. Mitchell, who gained national attention for her legal work supporting Donald Trump post-2020 election, has agreed to be deposed. Her motion withdrawal follows an agreement between both parties, and a trial in the case is scheduled for August 2025. (Carolina Journal)

FBI Whistleblower Marcus Allen Testifies on Retaliation for Questioning January 6 Narrative

Marcus Allen, an FBI whistleblower from the Charlotte field office, testified to Congress about retaliation from the FBI for sharing information that questioned the official narrative of the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite his long service, Allen was placed on unpaid leave, his security clearance suspended for 27 months, and he faced financial hardship. Allen criticized the FBI for punishing him without due process and emphasized the need for legal protections for whistleblowers. Congressman Dan Bishop supported Allen, expressing concern over the FBI's conduct, while Allen called for greater oversight and public action. (Carolina Journal)

Wake County School Leaders Oppose Bill to Expand Private School Vouchers

Wake County public school leaders criticized House Bill 10, which would allocate nearly $500 million to expand private school vouchers, urging state legislators to uphold Gov. Cooper’s veto. The bill, part of a Republican compromise, provides additional funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program, which subsidizes private school tuition. Wake County school officials fear this could harm public schools by reducing student enrollment and state funding. Superintendent Robert Taylor emphasized the potential negative impacts on both large and rural districts, stressing the need to prioritize public school funding. (News & Observer)

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Discourages Banned Books Week Celebration Amid Censorship Concerns

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has instructed librarians not to explicitly observe Banned Books Week, a national initiative highlighting the harms of censorship. Instead, CMS encouraged promoting general reading without directly celebrating the event. The directive follows a similar stance taken last year, which drew public backlash. Critics, like parent advocate Stacy Staggs, argue the move compromises neutrality and suppresses marginalized voices, while supporters, such as Moms for Liberty, applaud CMS for preventing exposure to age-inappropriate materials. The decision reflects CMS’s cautious approach to compliance with North Carolina’s 2023 Parents' Bill of Rights law. (Charlotte Observer)

CMS Board Rejects Expansion of Early College Program Amid Community Concerns

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board voted against expanding its middle college programs to include ninth and 10th graders, which would have created 800 new magnet seats. Despite Superintendent Crystal Hill’s hybrid proposal, the measure failed 5-4 due to concerns from faculty and students that adding younger grades might disrupt existing programming for 11th and 12th graders. Board member Lisa Cline emphasized the success of the current middle colleges, arguing against changing a working system. The middle college programs and existing early college at Central Piedmont Community College will remain unchanged next year. (WFAE)

Guilford County Seeks Public Input on Redevelopment of Former Erwin Montessori Site

Guilford County is encouraging citizens to provide feedback on the redevelopment of the former Erwin Montessori Elementary School site through an online survey available until October 18. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) from UNC Chapel Hill, includes two public input sessions: an in-person meeting on Thursday at 9 a.m. at McGirt-Horton Branch Library in Greensboro, and a virtual session on Saturday at 10 a.m. via Zoom. (ABC 45)

The Regulator Bookshop is a Community Pillar in the Age of Amazon

The Regulator Bookshop, a beloved independent bookstore in Durham, has thrived for nearly 50 years by fostering community engagement and offering a curated selection of books that prioritize small presses and progressive values. Despite the rise of e-books and Amazon, the store continues to draw customers through its personalized service and unique atmosphere. While it has faced challenges, such as pandemic closures and market competition, the shop remains profitable, thanks to in-person sales and a loyal customer base. Owners Wander Lorentz de Haas and Elliot Berger remain optimistic about the store's future in a rapidly changing industry. (Indy Week)