NC’s Population Exceeds 11 Million

North Carolina’s population reached roughly 11.1 million as of July 1, 2025, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The state added 145,907 residents over the past year, marking 1.3% growth fueled by more than 110,000 domestic migrants, the highest influx nationwide.

Growth was concentrated in urban areas, with the Charlotte metro area gaining 54,122 people, ranking No. 5 nationally. The Raleigh-Cary region ranked 10th with 2.4% growth.

Wake and Mecklenburg counties ranked fifth and seventh in numeric growth, each adding over 26,000 residents, while Brunswick County grew by 4.7%, making it the sixth-fastest-growing county nationwide. Iredell, Johnston, Pender, and Franklin counties also expanded rapidly.

Gov. Josh Stein posted on X that the data shows “North Carolina continues to be the best place to live, work, and play,” while stressing the need to invest in infrastructure.

Lawmakers Push for Return to Math Textbooks

North Carolina lawmakers are urging a return to traditional math textbooks in elementary schools, criticizing the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) shift away from them since around 2013.

Republican Reps. Hugh Blackwell, Brian Biggs, and David Willis pushed back on DPI’s optimistic proficiency reports, noting declining college- and career-readiness rates from third to eighth grade and questioning data tied to post-COVID recovery. They argued that consistent, high-quality textbooks would ensure uniform access to strong materials statewide.

DPI is advancing revisions to math standards aimed at better aligning with workforce demands, such as data science skills for diverse careers. Changes include reducing required high school math courses while maintaining four credits total, allowing more flexible pathways.

A second draft of the standards, emphasizing real-life problem-solving, is slated for release later this month, with full implementation targeted for 2028–29.

NC Farm Provides 40K Eggs for Nat’l Egg Roll

For the fifth consecutive year, North Carolina’s Braswell Family Farms in Nash County is supplying eggs for the White House Easter Egg Roll.

The fourth-generation family operation donated approximately 40,000 eggs for the 148th annual event, which will be hosted on April 6 by First Lady Melania Trump on the South Lawn.

The eggs were boiled and dyed in Winston-Salem before heading to Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited the Nashville farm on March 30, touring operations and participating in a roundtable with North Carolina egg producers.

Trey Braswell, farm president, expressed pride in the contribution, stating, “There’s something special about knowing these eggs came from our farm and are headed to Washington D.C.”

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Josh Stein warned of a $2.8 billion budget shortfall over two years, driven by revenue triggers for additional income tax cuts, urging lawmakers to avoid “fiscal decisions on autopilot” and invest in critical needs. (More)

➤ Eastern NC: A federal judge rejected a lawsuit seeking to upgrade the state’s experimental red wolf population to essential status, ruling the petition was “not the appropriate tool” to force reconsideration. (More)

➤ Mooresville: Police defended their drone program, which responded to 250 calls, amid privacy concerns after officials said a software glitch and training flights caused some missions to appear unlogged. (More)

➤ Raleigh: A 30-year-old Lyft driver from Cary was arrested on Wednesday and charged with felony kidnapping, DWI, sexual battery, indecent exposure, open container, and resisting officers after allegedly assaulting a rider on Rock Quarry Road. (More)

➤ Durham: Duke Gardens will reopen its main entrance and new Barnes Welcome Center on April 8 after $30 million in renovations, featuring a cafe, classrooms, an expanded gallery, and improved visitor facilities. (More)

➤ Nags Head: Jennette’s Pier is closed to fishing and sightseeing as crews replace all deck planks with fiber-reinforced polymer during renovations, with officials planning to complete the project in May. (More)

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➤ The World Rugby Nations Cup will bring international fixtures to Cary and Charlotte this July as part of a broader effort to expand rugby into the Americas. (More)

➤ Concord native Corey LaJoie will take over the No. 10 Kaulig Racing truck for the rest of the 2026 NASCAR season after driver Daniel Dye’s suspension and resignation. (More)

➤ Asheville City SC was eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, losing 3-2 to One Knoxville SC in a penalty shootout. (More)

➤ Wake Forest’s Allegacy Stadium is getting new end zone video displays ahead of the football team’s home opener in September. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Corning and Meta on Tuesday broke ground on a major expansion of Corning’s Hickory optical cable facility, boosting U.S. capacity for AI data centers under a multiyear agreement worth up to $6 billion. (More)

➤ Sun Life Financial will buy Greensboro-based Bell Partners for $350 million, acquiring about 70,000 apartments and $10 billion in assets nationwide, with the deal expected to close in late 2026. (More)

➤ PulteGroup plans to develop seven communities totaling more than 1,400 homes across four counties over the next year, offering single-family homes up to $1 million and townhomes starting in the mid-$300,000s. (More)

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➤ NASA launched the Artemis Real-time Orbit Website (AROW), allowing the public to track Artemis II through its site and app, showing Orion’s position, distance from Earth and the moon, and mission milestones. (More)

➤ A fearless cat named Scooter scared two bears away from its Asheville home by hissing and pawing at them through a glass door. (See Scooter)

➤ Renowned mathematician Stephen Abbott will deliver the Parsons Lecture tonight at UNC-Asheville, exploring math themes in Tom Stoppard’s plays during the free, public event at 7 p.m. (More)

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Should public elementary schools return to using math textbooks?

1. Of course
2. Not sure
3. Not necessary
4. When did they stop?

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you visited Old Salem?

1. Yes: 43%
2. No: 34%
3. Not yet: 23%

Which hurricane destroyed Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head?

Show me the answer