Tuesday, January 13, 2026

NC State Wire

Early voting begins; less than 2,500 to 3 million for unaffiliated bloc

Mon, 12 Jan 2026
Early voting begins; less than 2,500 to 3 million for unaffiliated bloc

(The Center Square) – Ballots requested by registered voters in North Carolina begin going out Monday, two days after confirmation the unaffiliated bloc climbed within 2,491 of 3 million.

The ninth largest state in the nation is just shy... Read more


Trucking association says revelation on CDLs ups safety, professionalism

Mon, 12 Jan 2026
Trucking association says revelation on CDLs ups safety, professionalism

(The Center Square) – North Carolina’s rate of 54% for illegal issuance of nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses drew applause from a truckers’ association and little else from state leaders.

They have pledged safety and integrity. Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association... Read more


McNabb: SCOTUS arguments ‘so important for women, especially athletes’

Sun, 11 Jan 2026
McNabb: SCOTUS arguments ‘so important for women, especially athletes’

(The Center Square) – From lying injured on a gym floor in the mountains of North Carolina more than three years ago to the steps of the United States Supreme Court, Payton McNabb’s journeys have seldom if ever been more important than Tuesday.

... Read more

Retirements and resignations to impact midterms as balance of power at stake

Sat, 10 Jan 2026
Retirements and resignations to impact midterms as balance of power at stake

(The Center Square) – Over the past several months, politicians once regarded as central to their party have bowed out of reelection campaigns or resigned from their positions altogether.

In the past week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ended his... Read more


Halfway home, pace up 22.3% in sports gambling tax proceeds

Fri, 09 Jan 2026
Halfway home, pace up 22.3% in sports gambling tax proceeds

(The Center Square) – Legal sports wagering in North Carolina’s second full fiscal year is on pace for a 22.3% increase to better than $142 million for state coffers.

December books closed the first six months with another $14.6... Read more


Whatley: Illegal immigration hurting ‘border state’ North Carolina

Fri, 09 Jan 2026
Whatley: Illegal immigration hurting ‘border state’ North Carolina

(The Center Square) – With early voting in his crowded primary starting next week, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley of North Carolina on Friday gave another lift to illegal immigration as a pivotal campaign issue.

Appearing in McAllen,... Read more


In North Carolina, 1 of 2 nondomiciled CDLs illegally issued

Fri, 09 Jan 2026
In North Carolina, 1 of 2 nondomiciled CDLs illegally issued

(The Center Square) – Review of North Carolina’s nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses shows 54% were illegally issued.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration analysis sets up withholding of $50 million in federal funding by the U.S. Department of Transportation.... Read more


Nearly 1M impacted by tussle over Affordable Care Act extension

Fri, 09 Jan 2026
Nearly 1M impacted by tussle over Affordable Care Act extension

(The Center Square) – An estimated nearly 1 million North Carolinians accessing insurance coverage are being impacted by the ongoing battle for expanded coverage in the Affordable Care Act.

The 2010 Obama era law was centered in the shutdown... Read more


Whether Venezuela or Minneapolis, protestors adjust and advocate

Thu, 08 Jan 2026
Whether Venezuela or Minneapolis, protestors adjust and advocate

(The Center Square) – Demonstrations in the heart of a town with the nation’s oldest public university adjusted Thursday from protesting American actions in Venezuela to Minneapolis.

Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street, the scene of many iconic celebrations for athletics... Read more


Secretary of state's office wants increased funding

Tue, 06 Jan 2026
Secretary of state's office wants increased funding

(The Center Square) – North Carolina Secreatry of Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said Tuesday that stagnant funding for her office by the Legislature threatens the progress the state is making in attracting new businesses.

The workload of the... Read more


Trio of Top 10s accorded North Carolina business climate

Tue, 06 Jan 2026
Trio of Top 10s accorded North Carolina business climate

(The Center Square) – North Carolina is nationally No. 1 in workforce development, No. 3 in best states for manufacturing projects, No. 6 in best business climate, and placed the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro No. 21 for best tech hub, a leading publication for economic development says.

... Read more

Earls shares health update, vows to serve and seek reelection

Tue, 06 Jan 2026
Earls shares health update, vows to serve and seek reelection

(The Center Square) – Justice Anita Earls, one of two Democrats on the seven-member North Carolina Supreme Court, said Tuesday she will battle through a breast cancer diagnosis and continue serving her eight-year term.

Earls, in a video message... Read more


Sheriff of Charlotte metro area accused of threat on state lawmaker

Tue, 06 Jan 2026
Sheriff of Charlotte metro area accused of threat on state lawmaker

(The Center Square) – Threats to a state lawmaker, extortion, corruption and “willful misconduct and maladministration in office” are charges filed Monday in Superior Court by a state representative and four former employees of a sheriff in North Carolina’s largest metropolitan area.

... Read more

North Carolina’s 51-day window for Super Tuesday voting starts Monday

Tue, 06 Jan 2026
North Carolina’s 51-day window for Super Tuesday voting starts Monday

(The Center Square) – Ballots for Super Tuesday can begin going into the mail on Monday from respective county boards of elections as requested by registered North Carolina voters.

Fifty-one days later, polls will close on March 3 and... Read more


North Carolina system avoids any freeze of child care funds

Mon, 05 Jan 2026
North Carolina system avoids any freeze of child care funds

(The Center Square) – Because North Carolina issues subsidy payments to child care providers after attendance is submitted, the federal notification sent Monday afternoon by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will not mean a freeze of child care funds to the state.

... Read more

Motor fuels tax up, individual and corporate income tax rates down

Mon, 05 Jan 2026
Motor fuels tax up, individual and corporate income tax rates down

(The Center Square) – Taxpayers in North Carolina have new levels in three areas impacting everyday life.

Arguably the most times transacted against least noticed will be at the gas pumps. Starting on New Year’s Day and running to... Read more


History: Republican registrations outnumber Democrats

Mon, 05 Jan 2026
History: Republican registrations outnumber Democrats

(The Center Square) – For the first time in North Carolina history, Republican voter registrations outnumber Democrats.

It’s a consolation prize at this point, with those choosing to be unaffiliated nearing the unprecedented 3 million mark and growing the... Read more


Delta Force answers the call in Venezuela

Mon, 05 Jan 2026
Delta Force answers the call in Venezuela

(The Center Square) – Manuel Noriega, Saddam Hussein, and now Nicolás Maduro and wife Ceilia Flores.

American presidents, when they make a 911 call, quite often dial up Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Second-term Republican President Donald Trump’s mission... Read more


For Venezuelans in the Carolinas, joy mixed with caution of instability

Mon, 05 Jan 2026
For Venezuelans in the Carolinas, joy mixed with caution of instability

(The Center Square) – Voices in the Carolinas over the weekend arguably confirmed the indictments of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and wife Ceilia Flores following efforts by America to stop drug trafficking from the South American country.

North Carolina is... Read more


Traditional transportation energy prices down to $2.61

Mon, 05 Jan 2026
Traditional transportation energy prices down to $2.61

(The Center Square) – Traditional transportation energy prices in North Carolina have dropped to the lowest level since before the COVID-19 era movement restrictions.

The average gallon of unleaded regular from Murphy to Manteo is $2.61, down a nickel... Read more