Most General Election Races Set, Some TBD

North Carolina’s primary election set the stage for a competitive U.S. Senate race between former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and former Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, who leads Whatley in fundraising.

Republican Laurie Buckhout won the GOP primary for the state’s 1st Congressional District, setting up a rematch against Democrat incumbent Rep. Don Davis, who will now face her in the redrawn, more Republican-leaning district.

Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam requested a recount in her race against U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee for the 4th Congressional District after Foushee’s narrow 1% win. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page’s two-vote lead against North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger in the GOP primary for Senate District 26 will likely head to a recount.

Rev. Rodney Sadler decisively ousted Charlotte-area state Rep. Carla Cunningham in the Democrat primary, and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden narrowly won reelection in a four-way race, advancing unopposed to the general election.

NC 3rd Fastest-Growing State in Nation

North Carolina is the nation’s third-fastest-growing state by total population growth, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates that show the state added approximately 756,000 residents between 2020 and 2025, representing a 7.2% population increase. Texas took the No. 1 spot, and Florida ranked No. 2.

From July 2024 to July 2025, North Carolina again ranked third in growth, adding nearly 146,000 residents and achieving a 1.3% growth rate—trailing only South Carolina and Idaho and reaching a population of 11.2 million.

Officials attribute much of the influx to domestic migration, where North Carolina ranks No. 1 nationwide, according to January 2026 estimates, with a net gain of 84,000 residents from other states.

Gov. Josh Stein credited the state’s economic opportunities, natural appeal, and welcoming communities as key draws.

Charlotte Outlines ‘Big Moves 2030’ Plan

Charlotte leaders unveiled “Big Moves 2030” during a City Council retreat Tuesday, outlining a transportation plan aimed at addressing congestion and supporting regional growth.

The plan highlights key road improvements, such as upgrades along Dearmon Road, the Ashley, Freedom and Tuckaseegee intersection, and the Lastway Drive and Shamrock Drive intersection.

Separately, Mecklenburg County leaders have formed the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority to oversee billions in revenue from a one-cent sales tax voters narrowly approved in November. The funding will support transit modernization, including advancing the long-awaited Red Line commuter rail to north Mecklenburg towns.

Officials say these coordinated efforts aim to ease traffic, boost bus and rail options, and prepare Charlotte for continued expansion.

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➤ Statewide: The North Carolina State Board of Elections will stop providing free printed voter registration forms to organizations running registration drives due to printing costs of more than $269,000 in 2024. Groups will need to print their own forms after the current supplies run out. (More)

➤ Statewide: North Carolina’s primary election experienced strong voter turnout and a notable early voting surge, with the State Board of Elections reporting that approximately 701,000 voters cast ballots early, up from 559,000 in the 2022 midterm primary. (More)

➤ NC Schools: Voters decisively rejected all six candidates recruited by the pro-public schools group Educators on the Ballot, who failed to unseat Republican incumbents in state House races. (More)

➤ Wake County: Former teacher and youth pastor Mikah Brondyke, 36, was arrested on multiple child sex crimes, including indecent liberties with a child and exploitation of a minor. Meanwhile, his wife, Rolesville High School Assistant Principal Chloe Brondyke, faces felony drug charges. (More)

➤ Asheboro: A man in boxers and a cowboy hat was arrested for doing the Fortnite “Take the L” dance in the street while intoxicated, and faces charges of intoxicated and disruptive behavior and obstructing an officer. (More)

➤ Rockingham County: A missing girl from Memphis, Tennessee, was safely located approximately 670 miles away in a man’s Stoneville home on Tuesday. Authorities arrested 27-year-old Dakota Vettor on felony child abduction charges. (More)

➤ Cape Hatteras: Restoration of the historic Bodie Island Double Keepers’ Quarters began this week, following an electrical fire on Jan. 7, 2025, that caused interior damage and temporary closure. (More)

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➤ NC State’s Chris McHugh smashed a 374-foot home run in the eighth inning to give the Wolfpack baseball team a 6-4 victory over No. 16 Coastal Carolina. (See Highlight)

➤ Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Taylor Moton launched a new initiative called “Keep Teachers in the Game,” aimed at supporting educators and encouraging them to stay in the profession. (More)

➤ With UNC basketball’s 67-63 win over Clemson, the Tar Heels capped off a perfect 18-0 home regular season, a new program record. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ North Carolina entrepreneurs can apply for the SBCN Startup Showdown through April 7. The statewide pitch competition offers up to $30,000 in startup funding plus training, mentorship, and exposure through the North Carolina Small Business Center Network and Wells Fargo Foundation. (More)

➤ LendingTree shares soared nearly 25% Tuesday to close at $46.75 after the Charlotte-based company reported 2025 revenue of $1.1 billion. The company also issued a forecast of $1.275 to $1.33 billion in revenue for 2026, surpassing analyst expectations. (More)

➤ Greensboro-based Kontoor reported full-year 2025 revenue of $3.15 billion, a 21% surge driven by its acquisition of Helly Hansen and a 12% increase in Wrangler brand revenue. (More)

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➤ A Duke University-led cross-cultural study of over 400 children ages 5-13 from five countries found that while young kids initially prioritize self-interest, older children’s choices in cooperative situations like fairness and honesty increasingly reflect local cultural norms over time. (See Details)

➤ Murphy native Braden Rumfelt, 22, advanced to the Top 30 on American Idol Season 24 on Monday after impressing judges with a cover of Sam Smith’s I’m Not the Only One. (See Photos)

➤ WRAL viewers sent in photos of the SpaceX launch, which could be seen above North Carolina early Wednesday morning. (See Photos)

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Did you see the SpaceX launch on Wednesday morning?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Too early for me

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you see the blood moon early Tuesday morning?

1. No: 55%
2. Who gets up that early? 23%
3. Yes: 22%

At what age does North Carolina allow voter preregistration?

Show me the answer