Whatley Announces Senate Run

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley announced his candidacy for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat at a media event in Gastonia yesterday, a day after he filed his official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

The seat, vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis, has drawn other GOP contenders, including Andy Nilsson and Don Brown. Whatley, endorsed by President Trump, is favored to secure the Republican nomination.

Whatley’s likely Democratic opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper, announced his candidacy Monday and raised $3.4 million in 24 hours. The 2026 Senate race is expected to be one of the costliest, as Democrats aim to flip four seats nationwide to regain Senate control.

Whatley’s campaign will focus on immigration, law enforcement, gun rights, and the economy, aligning with Trump’s policies.

General Assembly Sends ‘Mini-Budget’ to Stein

The North Carolina General Assembly approved House Bill 125 this week, sending a “mini-budget” to Gov. Josh Stein for approval.

The bill appropriates more than $1 billion for public education, $823.6 million for infrastructure, $600 million for Medicaid rebasing, and $252 million toward developing an aircraft manufacturing site in Guilford County—widely expected to be JetZero’s. Another $198 million will go toward the project over four fiscal years.

The mini-budget also adds 40 new full-time driver license examiners at Department of Motor Vehicles offices during the 2025-26 fiscal year, and an additional 21 the following fiscal year, to help reduce wait times and other challenges.

New oversight measures through the Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency are also included in the bill, which House Speaker Destin Hall said he anticipates Stein will sign.

UNC Grad Commands NASA Crew-11 Launch

UNC-Chapel Hill graduate Zena Cardman will serve as the mission commander for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, rescheduled potentially for this morning at 11:43 a.m., after being scrubbed Thursday due to weather.

Cardman studied biogeochemistry and was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017 from over 18,000 applicants. She will lead a team consisting of NASA’s Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimiya Yui, and Russia’s Oleg Platonov on the Dragon spacecraft, which is expected to reach the International Space Station after a 39-hour journey.

Cardman, who delivered the spring 2024 commencement address at her alma mater, has conducted research spanning geobiology and geochemical cycling, with fieldwork from the Arctic to Antarctica.

The Crew-11 team replaces the Crew-10 aboard the ISS since March, where they will undertake experiments and maintenance tasks.

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➤ Statewide: An anonymous Charlotte man created ncdmvappointments.com, which scans the Department of Motor Vehicles website at all times, then, for a $5 fee, emails customers as soon as it identifies an open appointment. (More)

➤ Durham and Pitt Counties: State health officials identified North Carolina’s first 2025 case of West Nile virus in Durham County and confirmed the presence of West Nile-infected mosquitoes in Pitt County via routine monitoring. (More)

➤ Wilmington: New Hanover County officials will revisit their single early voting site plan on Aug. 6, following public outcry over an overlooked email requesting more locations. (More)

➤ Brunswick County: Swim advisories were issued for Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island due to high enterococci bacteria levels in the water. The North Carolina Recreational Water Quality Program will test additional samples to determine further actions. (More)

➤ Weaverville: A man was sent to the ER after a large bear swatted at him and pushed him down while trying to exit his front porch on July 2. The home’s residents said the bear was likely there to eat food they put out for feral cats. (More)

➤ Blowing Rock: A hiker identified as Barry H. Dubner of Parkland, Florida, died Wednesday after falling off the side of Glen Burney Trail. The trail is closed until further notice. (More)

➤ Ocracoke: Jody Hopkins and his son, Oden, set North Carolina state records after Jody caught a 7-pound, 3.2-ounce Channel Scabbardfish and Oden caught a 4-pound, 6.4-ounce Spinycheek Scorpionfish off Ocracoke Island on July 13. (See Photos)

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➤ The PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship kicked off yesterday at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. Follow all the action live at this link. (More)

➤ UNC is discussing plans to build a $5 billion stadium to serve as a “global sports capital” for hosting soccer, cricket, and rugby games. Current projections put the stadium’s occupancy at 25,000. (More)

➤ Tar Heel football game days were ranked among the most expensive in the country, with an average total cost of $267 per person. Wake Forest ranked No. 9 nationally at $114. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Nominations for the annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest have opened with the North Carolina Chamber recognizing three winners for the first time: businesses with under 100 employees, 100-999 employees, and over 1,000 employees. (More)

➤ Several first-phase projects in the $300 million Lenovo Center renovation in Raleigh, including lower-level suites and a third-level viewbar, are on track for fall completion. (More)

➤ Kane Realty is seeking approval from the City of Raleigh to rezone North Hills for four 37-story towers, sparking residents’ concerns over traffic and density. (More)

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➤ Foothills Conservancy acquired 22 acres in McDowell County for the 170-mile Wilderness Gateway State Trail to boost ecotourism and protect rare species like the four-toed salamander, mole salamander, and bog turtle. (More)

➤Fairview resident Lauren Steiner will host a six-course cicada-themed backyard dinner on Aug. 24, featuring cicada-centered dishes and cocktails crafted by renowned Asheville chefs. (More)

➤ Country music star Brad Paisley thanked local police officers for their service by inviting them up on stage during his July 24 performance at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Wilmington. (Watch Video)

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Have you ever seen the original Declaration of Independence in person?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe?
4. Hope to

Yesterday’s Results:

Who has the best chance of winning North Carolina’s open 2026 U.S. Senate seat?

1. Michael Whatley: 39%
2. Roy Cooper: 28%
3. Don’t care: 17%
4. Other: 16%

Where is the original Declaration of Independence?

Show me the answer