NC 36th in Bipartisan State Report Card

North Carolina placed 36th overall in a new bipartisan State of the States report released by Tulane University’s State of the Nation Project.

The assessment, drawing on more than three decades of data, highlights mixed results for the Tar Heel State.

Reading education scores pulled the state down, while broader strengths include a No. 6 ranking in adult life satisfaction, solid gross domestic product performance, and improving educational attainment for working-age adults. The state lagged in metrics of social capital, citizenship, democracy, and violence.

The report underscores shared national struggles across party lines, with regional patterns—particularly Southern states ranking lower—more evident than partisan divides.

NC Hospitals Plan Expansions

Several North Carolina health systems are pushing forward with new hospital projects to address growing demand and bed shortages.

Cone Health seeks approval for a $320 million, 56-bed facility in southeast Forsyth County.

CaroMont Health is planning an 18-bed “neighborhood hospital” in Kings Mountain to serve Cleveland County residents closer to home.

In the Wilmington area, Atrium Health submitted a Certificate of Need application for a full-service hospital amid rapid population growth and capacity strains, joining competitors in New Hanover County, where the state identified a need for 225 additional beds.

The moves come as Novant Health opened its new Scotts Hill Medical Center on Tuesday in New Hanover County, marking the area’s first new hospital in nearly 60 years and boosting local healthcare infrastructure.

JetZero Breaks Ground in Greensboro

JetZero officially broke ground Monday on its massive new aircraft manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro.

The California-based company plans to invest $4.7 billion to build an 8-million-square-foot campus over 600 acres, creating more than 14,500 high-wage aerospace jobs—the largest economic development project in North Carolina history.

The project includes renovating a 108,000-square-foot headquarters building known as “The Hub” into a collaborative innovation space, with full production and final assembly targeted for 2029.

The Z4 aircraft promises greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Officials from the U.S. Air Force, NASA, FAA, and Alaska Airlines joined Gov. Josh Stein at the ceremony.

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➤ Statewide: A court order has ended a GOP-led lawsuit, finalizing an agreement to remove noncitizens from North Carolina voter rolls using jury list data and to publicize those names. (More)

➤ Western NC: Potential Tropical Storm Arthur could bring heavy rainfall and flooding risks to the Gulf Coast, with forecasts indicating up to 3 inches of rain possible in parts of North Carolina’s mountains by Friday. (More)

➤ Raleigh: The Carolina Hurricanes’ championship parade on Saturday will start at 11 a.m. at Hillsborough and St. Mary’s streets, proceed past the Capitol, and end at Davie Street. Multiple downtown roads, including Fayetteville, Hargett, Martin, and Davie, will close from early morning through evening. (See Details)

➤ Wake Forest: The town of Wake Forest is defending its decision to station armed police officers on rooftops during the popular Friday Night on White concert series amid resident and business complaints about crowds and property damage. (More)

➤ New Bern: The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will review its science panel findings regarding oceanfront hardened structures during its 10 a.m. meeting tomorrow. (See Details)

➤ Leicester: Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm was named Best Chef: Southeast at the 2026 James Beard Awards for his acclaimed farm-to-table culinary excellence. (See Winners List)

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➤ UNC baseball continues its pursuit of a national championship at 2 p.m. this afternoon in the College World Series semifinals. (How to Watch)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes partnered with NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles this spring, giving marketing students a hands-on project crafting merchandise campaigns for the Stanley Cup champions. (More)

➤ The Charlotte 49ers added two transfer softball pitchers to its squad this week: Lexi King from Arkansas and Carly Compton from North Carolina. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | WNBA

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➤ A new bill would legalize alcoholic whipped cream, expand liquor tastings, permit one customer to order two mixed drinks at once, and introduce other reforms to ABC stores and alcohol sales. (More)

➤ North Carolina ranks sixth among U.S. states for the strongest economy in 2026, according to a new analysis of 28 indicators of economic activity, economic health, and innovation potential. (See Map)

➤ An unnamed pharmaceutical company plans a record $1.5 billion investment and 1,200 new jobs in Rock Hill, South Carolina—just south of Charlotte—on the former Tepper site. (More)

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➤ Gov. Josh Stein issued a humorous excuse letter for Carolina Hurricanes fans celebrating the team’s Stanley Cup victory, permitting late-night revelers to skip work and school the following day. (More)

➤ A new documentary and photo gallery highlight retired biologist Kim DeLozier’s key leadership role in the successful 2001 reintroduction of elk to Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Cataloochee Valley. (See Photos and Documentary)

➤ Southern Living magazine highlights the Little Parkway, a drive that winds through North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, as a scenic alternative to the Blue Ridge Parkway while repaving continues on much of it through fall. (See Photo)

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How close is the nearest hospital to you?

1. Within 5 miles
2. 5-10 miles away
3. Over 10 miles away
4. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you watching the College World Series?

1. No: 51%
2. Yes: 28%
3. Maybe a few games: 21%

Why did elk need to be reintroduced in North Carolina?

Show me the answer