State News
Friday, April 10, 2026 · Tarboro
Dante Fowler Signs With Seahawks After Lawrence's Super Bowl Pitch
Dante Fowler Jr. signed with the Seattle Seahawks after DeMarcus Lawrence reportedly convinced him he could win a Super Bowl with the team. Fowler and Lawrence were teammates on the Dallas Cowboys from 2022-2023.
Arsenal Edges West Ham 1-0 After VAR Disallows Late Equalizer
Arsenal defeated West Ham 1-0 after a late West Ham goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul on the Arsenal goalkeeper. The win puts Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League standings.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Projected NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Field Released: Florida Holds Top Seed
The first projected 76-team field for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is out. Florida currently holds the top overall seed, according to bracketologists.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Top 25 Teams: Potential Award Candidates
Several players across the top 25 teams are emerging as potential candidates for prestigious national awards. Each team has a standout player whose performance places them in contention for individual accolades.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Penn State Football Undergoes Changes in Campbell's First Four Months
Head Coach Matt Campbell has implemented changes within Penn State's football program during his first four months. The focus is on player development and a renewed emphasis on recruiting. The impact on the team's performance remains to be seen.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Power Four Football: Top Newcomers to Watch in 2026
Several new faces are expected to play key roles for Power Four football programs in 2026. These additions, whether through recruiting or the transfer portal, could significantly impact team performance.
Friday, April 10, 2026
NCAA Proposal Grants Bowl Eligibility Flexibility to 5-7 Teams Meeting Academic Standards
The NCAA football oversight committee approved a proposal granting conferences flexibility in selecting 5-7 teams for bowl games. These teams must meet specific academic requirements to be considered. The measure aims to fill bowl vacancies when not enough traditionally eligible teams are available.
Friday, April 10, 2026
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.
Friday, April 10, 2026
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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 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.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Capitals Defeated by Royals in IPL 2026 Clash
The Rajasthan Royals defeated the Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Riyan Parag led the Royals with a strong performance. Delhi struggled after a previous defeat.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Spirit Airlines Shuts Down, Rattles RDU Travelers in NC
Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations early Saturday, canceling all flights and stranding passengers after 34 years in business. At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the low-cost carrier's exit disrupts five nonstop routes, though it represented just 1% of traffic. North Carolina flyers now scramble for alternatives as refunds process automatically.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Wake Forest Clinches 2024 ACC Soccer Crown Over Clemson in Cary PK Thriller
In a heart-pounding penalty shootout at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons outlasted rival Clemson 7-6 to claim the 2024 ACC Men's Soccer Championship. The fifth-seeded Deacs secured the league's automatic NCAA Tournament berth, igniting hopes for a deep postseason run. North Carolina soccer fans celebrated as the Winston-Salem squad triumphed on home conference soil.[6]
Friday, April 10, 2026
Guard Mobilizes as Western NC Battles Spring Wildfire Season
The North Carolina National Guard has activated personnel and heavy equipment to support local fire departments battling wildfires across the state's western mountains. The deployment marks the latest in a series of emergency responses that have tested the Guard's disaster relief capabilities over the past eighteen months.
Friday, April 10, 2026
RTP Biotech Boom: 1,000+ Jobs, Billions Pour into NC Triangle
North Carolina's Research Triangle Park is exploding as biotech giants like Genentech, Novartis and AbbVie announce massive expansions, promising over 1,500 high-paying jobs and billions in investments. From Holly Springs to Durham, these projects target gene therapies, obesity drugs and cutting-edge manufacturing. The surge cements the Triangle's status as a national life sciences powerhouse.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Hornets Fire Coach Borrego After Four Losing Seasons in Charlotte
The Charlotte Hornets have fired head coach James Borrego after a 138-163 record over four seasons, capped by blowout play-in losses. Team president Mitch Kupchak announced the move Friday, launching an immediate search for a replacement. Charlotte fans, starved for playoffs since 2016, await a turnaround for the Queen City's NBA squad.
Friday, April 10, 2026
NC Coastal Communities Secure Millions in Helene Recovery Funds
North Carolina's coastal towns battered by Hurricane Helene are receiving a wave of state and federal funds to rebuild resilient infrastructure. From $685 million in water system grants to beach renourishment projects, eastern counties are prioritizing flood defenses and public access. These investments signal a long-term push against future storms in the fragile barrier islands.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Duke Rallies Past UNC 74-71 in Charlotte Thriller, Eyes ACC Crown
In a pulse-pounding ACC Tournament semifinal at Charlotte's Spectrum Center, No. 1 Duke withstood a furious North Carolina comeback to claim a 74-71 victory Friday night.[1][3] The Blue Devils, now 30-3, advanced to Saturday's championship, extending their streak to 10 straight wins.[4] Tar Heels fans left heartbroken as UNC fell to 22-13 in the storied rivalry.[2][4]
Friday, April 10, 2026
NC Senate Overrides Vetoes, Pumps Millions into School Choice Expansion
The North Carolina Senate approved major funding for school choice programs and overrode five vetoes from Gov. Josh Stein, unlocking $248 million to clear voucher waitlists. Amid partisan clashes, Republicans hailed expanded options for families while Democrats decried cuts to public schools. The moves signal a bold push toward universal access in the Tar Heel State.
Friday, April 10, 2026
NC Rep. Edwards Denies Affair Allegations in Ethics Probe
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, the Republican voice for Western North Carolina's mountains, faces a House Ethics Committee investigation over claims of sexual misconduct with a former aide. The probe, sparked by a witness's account of improper behavior, has roiled his Asheville-based office and drawn national scrutiny. Edwards flatly denies wrongdoing, calling the accusations politically motivated as he seeks re-election.
Friday, April 10, 2026
LeBron James Discusses Career, Records, and Future in ESPN Interviews
LeBron James recently participated in a series of interviews with ESPN, discussing his perspectives on the greatest of all time debate, which of his records are most secure, and his future endeavors after his playing career concludes. The interviews cover a range of topics related to his impact on the sport and his outlook on life beyond basketball.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Cancer Death Rates Continue to Fall, National Report Shows
A new Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer indicates a continued decline in overall cancer death rates. The trend extends to both men and women, as well as various racial and ethnic groups. The report, based on data from 1975-2012, shows progress across most cancer sites.
Friday, April 10, 2026
CDC Report: High Blood Pressure Control Lacking in Older Adults
A new CDC report indicates that approximately 70% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older have high blood pressure. However, only about half of those individuals have the condition adequately managed. This lack of control elevates their risk for serious cardiovascular issues and mortality.
Friday, April 10, 2026