State Auditor Looks Into Alleged CMPD Settlement

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek has launched an investigation into a possible secret settlement between the city of Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings involving as much as $100,000 to $300,000 in public funds, reportedly tied to a police vest controversy.

The city has not confirmed whether a settlement occurred, citing legal confidentiality rules surrounding closed-session discussions and the city council’s code of ethics.

Boliek’s office aims to determine how much money has been paid, whether a payment exists, where the money came from, and other issues related to the alleged settlement.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party for North Carolina’s 12th District is calling on Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to resign in the wake of the alleged settlement, stating the city’s refusal to disclose the details is a “deliberate lack of transparency” that violates the public’s trust in elected officials.

SBI Arrests Seven for Internet Sex Crimes

Seven men were arrested and three warrants remain pending after a statewide operation targeting internet sex crimes against children, led by the State Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The SBI’s Computer Crimes Unit helped execute 10 search warrants last week as part of the operation, which involved nearly 250 agencies across the state. Further investigations are ongoing based on seized evidence.

The men range in age from 22 to 56 and are residents of Alamance, Alleghany, Granville, Moore, Wayne, and Lee counties. Charges include sexual exploitation of a minor, criminal solicitation of a minor, and dissemination of obscene material to a person under age 18.

Bond is set in amounts that range from $20,000 to $500,000.

NC Organizations Study Path of Plastic Pollution

Researchers dropped 20 GPS-enabled plastic bottles into Raleigh’s Marsh Creek on Tuesday to study how litter moves through waterways, as part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funded study.

Led by NC Sea Grant, NC State, and local nonprofits, the study examines how litter moves through Marsh Creek’s watershed—from street to stream—and tests practical solutions for reducing plastic pollution.

Much of the litter is made up of single-use plastics—lightweight bottles, wrappers, and containers—that are swept into storm drains and streams, travel through waterways, and eventually reach rivers and the coast.

An April 15 test run revealed that some bottles traveled more than 25 miles within a few weeks. Each bottle includes a QR code that citizens can scan to upload photos and log locations. Researchers will handle their final retrieval.

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➤ Statewide: The North Carolina State Health Plan Board approved 2026 benefit changes affecting 750,000 members. Deductibles for active and non-Medicare members will rise significantly under both the 70/30 and 80/20 plans. (See Details)

➤ Western NC: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed 6 million cubic yards of Hurricane Helene debris from Western North Carolina waterways—enough to fill 800,000 school buses and stretch over 5,300 miles. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Despite ranking in the top five last year, Charlotte did not make U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 expanded list of the 250 Best Places to Live out of 850 cities. (More)

➤ Ballantyne: Former Ballantyne Post Office clerk Dontavis Truesdale was sentenced to 27 months in prison for stealing over 200 business checks worth $1.9 million while employed by the U.S. Postal Service from 2022 to 2023. (See Details)

➤ High Point: A local man was one of three people arrested after an investigation of the April 26 Myrtle Beach shooting that injured 11 people and resulted in police fatally shooting suspect Jerrius Davis. The identities of those arrested have not been released. (More)

➤ Lee County deputies mistakenly detained Willard Smith’s brother at a funeral while attempting to arrest Smith, a suspect in a 1995 murder case. A $10,000 reward is offered for information leading to Smith’s arrest. (More)

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➤ UNC football coach Bill Belichick is reportedly engaged to his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. According to the New York Times, Hudson told at least one person the two are engaged. (More) 

➤ That same day, reports revealed that Hudson was “instrumental” in stopping the production of the Hard Knocks franchise’s look at UNC football. (More)

➤ Tar Heels pitcher Jake Knapp was named the 2025 ACC Pitcher of the Year, holding opposing hitters to a .187 batting average this season. (More)

➤ Incoming Duke freshman Nikolas Khamenia was just named to Team USA’s U19 basketball training camp roster. He’ll join other top prospects, including potential future Duke teammates Brandon McCoy, Jordan Smith, and Christian Collins. (More)

➤ Sign up here in one click to receive NIL Wire to stay up-to-date on everything related to name, image, and likeness in college sports. 

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | WNBA | NHL | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ Raleigh City Council approved plans for a 150-room boutique hotel near Moore Square, advancing a project first proposed in July 2021. The hotel will replace a parking lot behind City Market. (More)

➤ Five Durham small business owners each received $5,000 stipends Tuesday through the Durham Rising initiative—a city, county, and local partnership aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and boosting community commerce. (More)

➤ The North Carolina House proposed a budget provision to begin privatizing Department of Motor Vehicle services by piloting third-party vendors for driver’s license renewals. The project aims to address longstanding mismanagement and modernize operations. (More)

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➤ Hendersonville’s communications team shared the city’s proposed 2026 budget via a video of city employees dancing alongside the budget details. (Watch Video)

➤ Carowinds will open an adults-only section of its Carolina Harbor Waterpark this weekend called the Carolina Harbor Shore Club, featuring a swim-up bar, luxury cabanas, a pool, shaded lounges, and lawn games. (More)

➤ Wilmington and Myrtle Beach tied as the top U.S. destinations people are moving to in Pods Enterprises’ fifth annual Moving Trends Report, thanks to their low cost of living, ideal weather, and stunning beaches. (More)

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Should North Carolina’s DMV be privatized?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I’ll ponder it

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to the symphony?

1. Yes: 55%
2. No: 32%
3. It’s on the list: 13%

What’s the most expensive North Carolina beach town to buy a house in?

Show me the answer