Proposed Chemours PFAS Deal Would Fund Water Protection in 3 States
A proposed federal deal with Chemours would direct more than $450 million toward penalties, pollution controls and drinking-water protection near three-state facilities.
North Carolina
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Camden County EMS Wins Grant for Community Paramedic Program
Camden County commissioners accepted a $299,839.50 Rural Health Transformation Program grant on July 6, funding a full-time community paramedic, response vehicle, equipment and training. The new service is intended to add preventive and follow-up care to Camden County EMS’s 911 response system.
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CATS begins next Red Line design phase serving Huntersville
CATS has begun a 30% Red Line design update serving Huntersville, but station decisions, construction timing and passenger-service dates remain unsettled.
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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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Rocky Mount Reports Three Untreated-Wastewater Releases After July Rain
Rocky Mount reported three rain-related sanitary sewer overflows after July 23-24 rainfall, with estimated releases totaling 51,000 gallons into the Tar River, Cowlick Creek and Little Cokey Swamp.
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Raleigh to Lift Water Restrictions Monday After Falls Lake Rebounds
Raleigh will end Stage 1 water restrictions Monday, Aug. 3, after Falls Lake reached 84% full, while officials continue urging efficient water use.
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Durham water restrictions remain in effect as reservoirs sit at 52% capacity
Durham’s mandatory Stage 2 water restrictions remain in effect. A July 30 city snapshot showed reservoir storage at 52% and 127 days of easily accessible premium supply.
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Greensboro housing proposals could clear way for roughly 430 homes
Three Greensboro residential proposals advanced by the Planning and Zoning Commission could allow roughly 430 homes, but final action, development review and construction remain ahead.
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Fayetteville-Cumberland 911 merger moves toward early-September agreement deadline
Fayetteville and Cumberland County approved a joint governance framework for a consolidated 911 center on July 8. The interlocal agreement still must address funding, staffing, technology, employee protections, performance standards and the transition schedule.
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Scotland County lowers property-tax rate to 69.9 cents after state law change
Scotland County commissioners voted July 13 in Laurinburg to lower the 2026-27 county property-tax rate from 99 cents to 69.9 cents per $100 of assessed value. Some vehicle-tax bills had already been issued at the earlier rate, so affected residents should contact the Scotland County Tax Office for current payment or adjustment instructions.
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Cary’s public EV chargers are no longer free. What drivers pay now
Cary began charging for use of its town-owned EV chargers on August 1. Drivers now pay 20 cents per kilowatt-hour and may face an idle fee for leaving a vehicle connected beyond the charging period.
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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 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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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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Charlotte schedules special Safety Committee meeting on juvenile curfew concerns
Charlotte announced a special City Council Safety Committee meeting to consider possible city actions related to public-safety issues associated with juvenile curfew violations.
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Raleigh moves toward youth curfew after large weekend gatherings and gun incidents
Raleigh City Council took a first step July 7 toward a youth curfew after police and partner agencies responded to weekend incidents involving juveniles and guns amid large gatherings at Brier Creek and Glenwood South.
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North Carolina identifies additional cyclosporiasis cases and launches public dashboard
North Carolina health officials announced additional cyclosporiasis cases on July 28 and launched a public dashboard intended to provide ongoing statewide information about the illness.
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UNC Charlotte launches Student AI Fellows program to pilot campus uses for large language models
UNC Charlotte’s Office of OneIT selected six computer-science students for its inaugural Student AI Fellows cohort, which worked with university units on supervised pilots using licensed large language models.
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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.
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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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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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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.