Tillis’ Senate Seat Sparks Wide Interest

Plenty of potential candidates are being discussed both in North Carolina and nationally for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’ soon-to-be vacated Senate seat in 2026.

Party insiders say the Republican nomination will go to Wilmington native Lara Trump—President Trump’s daughter-in-law and the wife of Eric Trump—if she wants it. If she doesn’t, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley might pursue the seat.

Other Republican possibilities include Rep. Pat Harrigan, NC-10, and former North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore. Businessman Andy Nilsson, who previously ran for lieutenant governor, has already entered the race.

On the Democratic side, former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is reportedly “strongly” considering a run to flip the seat blue. Other notable Democrats include Rep. Kathy Manning, D-6; North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson; and former Rep. Wiley Nickel, who has already launched his campaign.

Supreme Court Vacates NC Health Plan Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court vacated the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Monday in Kadel v. Folwell, a case involving the North Carolina State Health Plan’s coverage of medical treatments often requested by transgender patients.

The high court asked the appeals court to give the case “further consideration” in light of its United States v. Skrmetti decision on June 18, which upheld a Tennessee law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender adolescents.

In 2024, the 4th Circuit issued an 8-6 split ruling ordering the state’s health plan, which insures around 740,000 people, to cover the treatments. That decision will now be reconsidered by the full court.

NC Companies Charged in Massive Fraud Case

The U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges Monday against five people and one North Carolina substance abuse treatment company as part of what U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called a “record-setting” wide-scale probe into Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Kimberly Mable Sims, Francine Sims Super, and Keke Komeko Johnson were charged in connection with paying patients of Kinston-based Life Touch more than $1 million in illegal remunerations via gift cards. The three are also accused of making false statements to Medicaid auditors, which resulted in more than $25 million in Medicaid payments to Life Touch.

Two others, Brandon Eugene Sims and Randal Fenton Wood, were also charged in related cases.

The DOJ’s investigation also led to charges against several suspects accused of defrauding South Carolina’s Medicaid program of $21 million by creating fake health care companies in North Carolina and submitting fraudulent reimbursement claims. Read summaries of all DOJ cases here.

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➤ Frisco: Bystanders found a 67-year-old man from Nanuet, New York, face down in the ocean off Hatteras Island. They attempted CPR, but were unable to revive him. Rip currents were not observed in the area.  (More)

➤ Cherokee County: A federal inmate who escaped from Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital during a doctor visit fatally shot a detention officer and injured another, then fled in a stolen car. The inmate was apprehended in Macon County. (More)

➤ Cary police are looking for the driver of a silver 1990s Hyundai Elantra after a road rage incident Monday on U.S. 1 northbound that resulted in a 5-year-old girl being shot in the leg while she was riding in a truck. The child is expected to recover. (More)

➤ NC State police received seven reports of car break-ins that occurred between 8 p.m. Sunday and 12:30 a.m. Monday. Various items, including one firearm, were taken. (More)

➤ Charlotte police are warning South End residents and visitors about a recent surge in cell phone thefts at popular bars, restaurants, and outdoor patios, especially during peak evening hours. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: Gov. Josh Stein signed the PAVE Act Tuesday, allowing the county to put a one-cent sales tax for a transit plan on the November ballot that includes rail service to Iredell County and expanded bus service into Matthews. (More)

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➤ The Charlotte Hornets signed Mason Plumlee to a one-year deal to kick off the first day of free agency. Plumlee spent two seasons in Charlotte, setting career highs in points and rebounds during the 2022–23 campaign. (More)

➤ A father tried to help his son win a race at Bowman Gray Stadium by blocking a rival car before the finish line, setting off a post-race brawl on the speedway. (Watch Video)

➤ EA Sports announced it’s bringing back an NCAA basketball video game for the first time in nearly 15 years, with a targeted release in 2028. The last version came out in 2010 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis 

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➤ Road work for the 75,440-square-foot Buc-ee’s in Mebane, expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027, is underway and includes rebuilding the Trollingwood-Hawfields interchange, widening the bridge, and adding turn lanes. (See Photos)

➤ Jabil Inc. will invest $500 million and create 1,181 jobs in Rowan County by opening an AI and cloud data support center, part of a job development investment grant approved on Monday. (More)

➤ An East Carolina University survey on workforce housing options in the Outer Banks found that a majority of non-resident second homeowners don’t support any scale of workforce housing. A follow-up survey focusing on the local workforce’s perspective is planned. (More)

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➤ The North Carolina State Highway Patrol submitted a photo taken atop a Chimney Rock State Park observation deck to the 2025 America’s Best-Looking Cruiser calendar contest, which runs through 5 p.m. on July 11. (See Photo)

➤ The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that reports from residents on June 29 of mysterious black smoke rings in the sky were caused by fireworks and were not a cause for concern. (See Photos)

➤ The Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project posted photos of sea turtle tracks that led to the discovery of the first nest of the season, found the morning of June 29. (More)

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