Cary Begins Charging Fees at Town-Owned Public EV Stations
Cary began fee-based charging at town-operated public EV stations Aug. 1, changing the cost of using the municipal charging service.
North Carolina
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North Carolina early-voting sites remain unsettled in at least 14 counties
County boards have disagreed over early-voting sites, hours and dates ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The State Board of Elections plans to review unanimous plans Aug. 6 and resolve nonunanimous plans Aug. 20.
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Public comment closes on Amazon data center and Duke Energy engine permits in Richmond County
North Carolina regulators have closed public comment on proposed air permits for Amazon’s Hamlet data center and 645 diesel engines. DEQ has not issued final permits.
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Duke Energy rate settlement would lower proposed increase but still raise bills
A proposed settlement would reduce Duke Energy Carolinas’ rate request, but customers could still pay more beginning January 1, 2027, if the North Carolina Utilities Commission approves it.
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Charlotte opposition puts I-77 South express-lanes proposal before regional decision
Charlotte City Council’s withdrawal of support has left the proposed I-77 South Express Lanes project awaiting a regional transportation decision, as a new poll found about half of surveyed Charlotte voters support it.
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Trump says Iran war talks will begin as major strikes are held off
President Donald Trump said talks to wind down the U.S.-Iran war would begin Aug. 3 after he said appeals from Gulf states led him to hold off on major strikes. The development has particular relevance in North Carolina, home to about 100,000 service members.
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North Carolina enacts 2026 state budget with teacher and law-enforcement pay raises
Gov. Josh Stein signed North Carolina’s 2026 state budget on July 8, enacting pay raises for teachers and law-enforcement officers along with infrastructure and public-service investments for fiscal year 2026-27.
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Charlotte schedules Aug. 10 hearing on bond orders tied to Nov. 3 referendum
Charlotte City Council is scheduled to hold an Aug. 10 public hearing on proposed bond orders connected to a Nov. 3, 2026, obligation-bond referendum.
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Raleigh City Council receives construction update with December 2026 completion target
Raleigh city staff updated the City Council on several major construction projects July 1, including at least one project targeted for substantial completion in December 2026.
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Raleigh schedules Aug. 18 hearings on two annexation petitions
Raleigh City Council will hold public hearings Aug. 18 on petitions involving properties on Mitchell Mill Road and Barrington Drive.
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Charlotte appoints Rob Harrington to serve as mayor through 2027
Charlotte City Council appointed Rob Harrington to fill the vacancy created by Vi Lyles’ resignation. Harrington was sworn in July 1 as Charlotte’s 60th mayor and will serve through December 2027.
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Raleigh leaders prepare youth-curfew proposal after July violence
Raleigh officials began developing a possible curfew for people 17 and younger after holiday-weekend gatherings that involved fights and shootings. A first ordinance draft was expected in August.
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Construction begins on 14-story, 295-room hotel in Charlotte’s South End
Construction began July 29 on a planned 14-story hotel with 295 rooms in Charlotte’s South End, according to Axios Charlotte.
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Gov. Josh Stein issues August observance proclamations for North Carolina
Gov. Josh Stein’s office listed four August 2026 observances in the state proclamation archive, including three monthlong recognitions and World Breastfeeding Week.
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North Carolina begins Opportunity Zone nominations for 202 census tracts
North Carolina’s Department of Commerce is advancing nominations for 202 census tracts under the federal Opportunity Zone program, a state-level step that could shape where private investors focus future projects.
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Raleigh Council starts drafting process for youth-curfew ordinance after July 4 violence
Raleigh City Council has directed city attorneys to draft a youth-curfew ordinance following late-night violence reported in two neighborhoods during the July 4 weekend.
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Raleigh Council Plans Aug. 18 Discussion on Proposed Youth Curfew
Raleigh City Council directed staff to draft a curfew ordinance for people 17 and younger after holiday-weekend incidents involving large juvenile crowds. The proposal was scheduled for further discussion Aug. 18.
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Charlotte council faces renewed I-77 South toll-lane vote amid repayment risk
Charlotte City Council is expected to revisit I-77 South toll lanes by Sept. 23 after reversing its earlier support, while a state budget provision raises the prospect of local governments repaying NCDOT investments if the project does not move forward under required terms.
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Construction begins on 14-story, 295-room hotel in Charlotte’s South End
Construction began July 29, 2026, on a planned 14-story, 295-room hotel in Charlotte’s South End.
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North Carolina House expected to consider hemp-THC restrictions after Senate action
The North Carolina Senate has advanced legislation that would bar covered hemp products containing more than 0.3% THC and limit purchases to people 21 and older. The House was expected to take up the proposal during the week of Aug. 3.
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North Carolina’s first full state budget in more than two years becomes law, with teacher and law-enforcement raises
Gov. Josh Stein signed Senate Bill 257 on July 7, making North Carolina’s 2026-27 budget law. The measure includes teacher and law-enforcement raises, more than 1,000 state-position cuts cited by the governor, a new capital-finance agency and an Oct. 1 Highway Patrol reporting deadline.
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North Carolina releases statewide AI roadmap with 17 strategic goals
North Carolina’s AI Leadership Council has released a statewide roadmap setting 17 goals for resident protections, workforce preparation and economic development, with phased milestones beginning in September 2026.