NC High Schools Could Ditch Class Rank

The North Carolina State Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to ask lawmakers to allow public high schools to omit class rank from transcripts, an option already granted to charter schools under a bill passed earlier this year.

Proponents say high-level competition is prompting students to enroll in courses that raise their grade-point averages instead of taking classes they’re genuinely interested in, resulting in an “unproductive atmosphere” and concerns about student well-being.

In recent years, some school districts, including Wake County, switched from naming valedictorians and salutatorians to labeling groups as summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude.

Cary student and state board adviser Ian House proposes including deciles or quartiles on transcripts to show a student’s approximate rank without listing their individual placement.

Blue Haven Apps Open Amid Shifted Focus

Applications for the Blue Haven housing development in Avery County, which is funded by country star Eric Church’s Chief Cares Foundation, are now open to Hurricane Helene victims, educators, health care workers, and first responders.

The first group of mortgage-free homes, completed in September, will go to “the people who hold our communities together—from those whose homes were lost, to those who are critical to rebuilding,” Church stated in a press release.

The statement reflects a shift in the foundation’s focus to provide homes for community pillars in addition to victims of Hurricane Helene.

In total, Blue Haven will include 40 to 45 homes offering a range of floor plans with one to three bedrooms. Those eligible can apply here.

UNC Professor Reinstated After ACLU Threat

UNC-Chapel Hill reinstated Professor Dwayne Dixon on Friday after his Sept. 29 suspension over concerns about alleged advocacy of violence tied to his involvement with a “pro-worker, anti-racist organization” known as Redneck Revolt.

The reinstatement followed a university assessment that found no evidence of threat or policy violation, as well as a threat of legal action from the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, citing First Amendment concerns.

ACLU staff attorney Ivy Johnson called the university’s actions against Dixon “particularly alarming” and based on “flimsy allegations.”

Dixon condemned UNC’s actions as a free speech violation. He resumed teaching Asian and Middle Eastern studies classes after being reinstated.

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➤ Statewide: The National Flood Insurance Program expired Oct. 1 due to the federal government shutdown, halting new policy issuance and forcing homebuyers in high-risk flood areas to seek private insurance. (More)

➤ Great Smoky Mountains: Sugarlands Visitor Center, Chimneys Picnic Area, and Cades Cove Loop Road’s visitor center and picnic area reopened Sunday and will stay fully staffed through Oct. 10 due to support from state and local partners. (More)

➤ Cherokee: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians President Michell Hicks called a letter the Lumbee Tribe sent to President Trump—claiming his daughter, Tiffany, has ancestral ties to their tribe—a “lobbying push” that shows “how far the Lumbee are willing to go” for federal recognition. (More)

➤ Triangle: The 60th Triangle Parade of Homes continues Oct. 10-12 and 17-19, noon to 5 p.m., showcasing over 250 homes across Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties. (More)

➤ Raleigh: The Grayson Murray Classic took place Monday at Raleigh Country Club to raise funds for mental health awareness through the Grayson Murray Foundation,  created in honor of the PGA Tour winner, who died by suicide in 2024. (More)

➤ UNC-Wilmington: A new reservation system has been implemented for the university’s Spirit Rocks, lifting a temporary pause on their use after students painted over a tribute to Charlie Kirk. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Hurricanes come into the season ranked No. 5 on USA Today’s preseason NHL Power Rankings—a position strengthened by their free agent acquisition of Nikolaj Ehlers. (More)

➤ New Life Camp has risen to become the state’s No. 7-ranked volleyball team, continuing its storybook success from last season. The homeschool-based program has become one of the most dominant volleyball teams in the state since 2022. (More)

➤ Appalachian State officials have begun planning renovations for Kidd Brewer Football Stadium following approval from the board of trustees. The plan adds more restrooms and concessions, premium seating options, and other game-day amenities. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ The NC Chamber supports an appeal challenging North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s lawsuit against DuPont and Chemours over alleged environmental contamination, arguing it creates regulatory uncertainty. (More)

➤ North Carolina ranks 30th nationally in creating new manufacturing jobs, according to a report based on the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s forecast of 3.5% manufacturing job growth through 2032. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Barber & Beauty Tradeshow, featuring business and hair education seminars, exhibitors, vendors, and professional and student barber competitions, is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Hampton Inn Suites in Raleigh. (See Details)

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➤ Saturn, Jupiter, and Neptune will be visible after sundown across North Carolina this month, with views of Neptune requiring binoculars. The Andromeda Galaxy may also be visible on clear nights. (See Details)

➤ Raleigh’s historic Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern, located in an 1879 Victorian-era house, ranks No. 3 on TripAdvisor’s list of the top 10 fine dining restaurants in the U.S. (See List)

➤ A roundup of fascinating historical sites across North Carolina includes Town Creek Indian Mound, Tryon Palace, Bentonville Battlefield, and Reed Gold Mine, among others. (See List)

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Should high schools ditch class ranks?

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