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Election lawsuit season kicks off. Change in NC absentee ballot rules challenged in federal court.

Election watchers from political parties observe Granville County Board of Elections members scan accepted absentee-by-mail ballots on Oct. 13, 2020, in Oxford. Jordan Wilkie / Carolina Public Press

Groups are suing to prevent the NC State Board of Elections from spoiling ballots over rules they see as unrelated to voter eligibility.

Election lawsuit season kicks off. Change in NC absentee ballot rules challenged in federal court. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Filling the gaps after Helene. Volunteer groups have stepped up across the NC mountains over last 2 years.

In many Western NC communities devastated by Helene, volunteer organizations have helped bring relief while government funding has been slow.

Filling the gaps after Helene. Volunteer groups have stepped up across the NC mountains over last 2 years. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Ronda beyond help? NC town appears headed for dissolution.

Town officials have voted to move toward dissolving Ronda, based on advice from NC Local Government Commission. But some still hold out hope.

Ronda beyond help? NC town appears headed for dissolution. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Three hot NC legislative races in Wake County

Growing pains, schools and property taxes are hot issues in each of the three close NC legislative contests in Wake County in 2026.

Three hot NC legislative races in Wake County is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Power-grid needs come up against cultural history claims in Cherokee County

Property owner describes Cherokee cultural artifacts and possibly burials. TVA plans transmission line there as data center drives demand.

Power-grid needs come up against cultural history claims in Cherokee County is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Fixing NC’s troubled hospital approval system

Some want NC courts to strike down certificate-of-need law, legislative repeal or partial reforms. Hospital lobby likes things as they are.

Fixing NC’s troubled hospital approval system is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Effectiveness of NC certificate-of-need law meant as healthcare guardrail in doubt

NC certificate-of-need law governs building healthcare facilities. Research and recent outcomes suggest it may do more harm than good.

Effectiveness of NC certificate-of-need law meant as healthcare guardrail in doubt is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Needed hospital beds across NC delayed by industry appeals

NC awards certificates of need for new healthcare facilities to qualified providers. Legal squabbles keep holding up those hospital beds.

Needed hospital beds across NC delayed by industry appeals is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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What’s up with all these ballot questions in NC in 2026?

Voting in Rocky Mount 2018

From proposed constitutional amendments about taxes and voter ID to a range of local referendums, 2026 NC voters will face ballot questions.

What’s up with all these ballot questions in NC in 2026? is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Fayetteville State seeing record enrollment, retention

Successes at Fayetteville State University come as many other schools struggle. FSU officials say these wins are no accident.

Fayetteville State seeing record enrollment, retention is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Moore Co. DSS settles federal lawsuit with family of children with disabilities

Federal legal case stemmed from problematic Moore DSS placements of children while their mother was sick. County denies any wrongdoing.

Moore Co. DSS settles federal lawsuit with family of children with disabilities is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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What’s up with mail-in voting in NC in 2026?

Durham County Board of Elections staff process absentee ballots at the agency's warehouse on Sept. 29, 2020. Each blue bin holds ballots from a different precinct. The workers are removing ballots from absentee-by-mail envelopes and flatten them, to be scanned in batches later on. Jordan Wilkie / Carolina Public Press

Answers to frequently asked questions about mail-in voting in North Carolina, which gets underway Sept. 4, the earliest in the nation.

What’s up with mail-in voting in NC in 2026? is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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NC to withhold struggling town’s sales tax distribution

Littleton working to fix financial woes, but with audits in arrears, NC Local Government Commission to withhold town's sales tax distribution.

NC to withhold struggling town’s sales tax distribution is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Rival Helene recovery narratives compete as Asheville hosts G20 summit

White House emphasizes administration's role in Western NC post-Helene recovery during G20 summit in Asheville. But some say it's a big "lie."

Rival Helene recovery narratives compete as Asheville hosts G20 summit is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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The NC elections rules that aren’t quite rules yet

mail A poll worker in Nash County scans 2020 primary election voters’ paperwork before giving them ballots at the Braswell Memorial Library polling place in Rocky Mount on March 3, 2020. Calvin Adkins / Carolina Public Press

Thanks to a sufficient number of objections, several proposed NC elections rules need further review and likely won't affect 2026 voting.

The NC elections rules that aren’t quite rules yet is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Rising stars? Challengers to NC sheriffs bank on voters’ thirst for change.

Candidates trying to unseat sheriffs criticize tendency to reelect incumbents and appoint handpicked successors in many NC counties.

Rising stars? Challengers to NC sheriffs bank on voters’ thirst for change. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Asheville terminates Flock contract in heated council meeting

Move to end Flock contract fails to placate Asheville residents who object to city's continued investment in other surveillance technology.

Asheville terminates Flock contract in heated council meeting is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Rethinking involuntary commitment in NC while trying not to break the system

vetoes records State Legislative Building. Budget impasse.

New law creates studies through pilot programs to find solutions for involuntary commitment in NC that balance hospital and jail concerns.

Rethinking involuntary commitment in NC while trying not to break the system is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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Flock backlash growing in some Western NC communities

Citizens groups push for NC governments to cut off contracts with Flock and similar surveillance companies. Some sheriffs defend programs.

Flock backlash growing in some Western NC communities is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP

State Board of Elections mostly backs fewer Sundays, more Saturdays in early voting plans. Increasing evidence of auditor staff interference.

NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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