State News
Monday, May 4, 2026 · Asheville
Raleigh Office Vacancy Dips to 6.75% on Tech Demand Surge
Raleigh's office vacancy rate fell to 6.75% as tech firms fuel demand in the Triangle, bucking national trends. Hybrid work adaptations and a flight to quality Class A spaces are tightening the market. Reports signal stabilization after years of post-pandemic flux.
Duke Energy Seeks NC Rate Hikes to Fund Reliability, Growth Investments
North Carolina's largest utility is pushing for rate increases totaling nearly $7 monthly for residential customers to recover winter fuel costs and bankroll new power projects. Duke Energy's plan aims to bolster grid reliability amid record demand and support the state's economic boom. Regulators now hold the fate of millions of household bills.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Apple Secures Extension for 3,000-Job RTP Campus in NC
North Carolina has granted Apple a four-year extension to meet its ambitious hiring and investment goals for a massive Research Triangle Park campus, resetting the timeline amid construction delays. The tech giant, already employing hundreds locally, eyes machine learning and AI roles to fuel its East Coast expansion. State leaders hail the move as a boon for the Triangle's innovation economy.
Monday, May 4, 2026
NC State Wolfpack Clinches ACC Coastal Crown in Wake Sweep
RALEIGH, N.C. — The NC State baseball team swept rival Wake Forest to secure the ACC Coastal Division title, earning a top seed in the conference tournament. The Wolfpack's dominant finish propels them into postseason play with momentum. Fans in the Triangle are buzzing over the Pack's return to glory.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Panthers Cut A'Shawn Robinson, Save $10.5M in Charlotte Cap Crunch
The Carolina Panthers released veteran defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson on Monday, freeing up $10.5 million in salary cap space ahead of the NFL draft. The move leaves the Charlotte team with just under $2 million in projected cap room, thrusting young talents like Bobby Brown III and rookies into bigger defensive roles. Fans at Bank of America Stadium brace for a youth-driven overhaul.
Monday, May 4, 2026
UNC Tar Heels Land Elite 2026 Class Amid ACC Rivalry Push
The UNC men's basketball team has assembled a top-10 recruiting class for 2026-27, blending high school stars and portal transfers to fuel ACC title hopes. Freshmen like 5-star center Sayon Keita join forces with California standout Maximo Adams, offsetting a key decommitment. In Chapel Hill, this haul signals a reloaded roster ready to challenge Duke's dominance.
Monday, May 4, 2026
CMPD Busts Major Fentanyl Ring, Arrests 12 in Multi-City Sweep
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, leading a multi-agency operation, arrested 12 suspects tied to a sprawling fentanyl distribution network plaguing North Carolina's urban centers. The takedown disrupts a deadly pipeline fueling overdoses across the state. Authorities seized significant narcotics, underscoring CMPD's push against the opioid crisis.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Tropical Storm Dexter Forms Off NC Coast, No Direct Threat
Tropical Storm Dexter spun to life late Monday off North Carolina's coast, marking the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. Though moving away from the U.S. East Coast, state officials urge coastal residents to review preparedness plans amid active tropics. The system poses no threat to North Carolina landfall.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Duke Hits Record Enrollment, Launches NC Health Disparities Initiative
Duke University in Durham welcomed its largest undergraduate class ever amid fierce competition, with over 54,000 applicants vying for spots. The milestone coincides with a new statewide research program targeting health disparities, backed by North Carolina grants. This dual achievement underscores Duke's growing role in addressing the state's educational and health challenges.
Monday, May 4, 2026
NC Senate Advances Federal Voucher Opt-In Amid Stein Veto Fight
The North Carolina Senate has passed House Bill 87 to join a new federal school choice tax credit program, setting up a clash with Gov. Josh Stein's veto. Republicans hail it as a win for parental freedom, while Democrats warn of drained public school funds. With vouchers already surging to $463 million this year, the debate intensifies over education priorities.
Monday, May 4, 2026