Families Sue Cabarrus over Bathroom Policy

Three families filed a federal lawsuit Friday against Cabarrus County Schools over a Cox Mill High School policy that lets male students who identify as transgender use girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas.

The plaintiffs—three Cox Mill students and their mothers, working with the America First Legal Foundation—say the policy violates Title IX, the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, and the North Carolina Constitution.

According to the complaint, the girls were told administrators “could do nothing” because the policy was required by law, and one student stayed quiet after a coach suggested that objectors should quit the team.

The school offered the objecting students access to staff restrooms instead. The families are seeking an injunction and damages; the district has not commented publicly on the litigation.

Ethics Panel Moves to Censure Edwards

The U.S. House Ethics Committee said Monday it found reason to believe Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Western North Carolina Republican, sexually harassed two young female staffers, and it recommended the full House censure him.

The committee said Edwards gave the two women jewelry worth more than $1,000, guns, designer purses, flowers, electronics, vacations, and one-on-one dinners, and that he also sent notes expressing affection.

Investigators found no evidence he had sexual contact with or propositioned staff, but said his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to read it as romantic advances.

Edwards’ campaign said the findings “completely exonerate” him under House rules. He also accused committee staff of inventing their own standards and called the process politically motivated. He faces Democrat Jamie Ager in November in a race forecasters have moved to a toss-up.

Biochar Turns Helene Debris into Opportunity

Western North Carolina is turning the trees Hurricane Helene knocked down into biochar, a charcoal-like soil booster made by baking woody debris in low-oxygen kilns.

In Haywood County, operators are running storm debris through industrial equipment that converts it into the carbon-rich material while shrinking the piles headed for landfills.

The state Department of Environmental Quality put $1 million toward mobile biochar units for flood-damaged farms, part of a $3 million package for debris cleanup and watershed work in the county.

While officials caution it’s no cure-all, supporters say biochar can rebuild flood-scarred soils, cut wildfire fuel, and open new markets for a timber economy battered by the 2023 closure of the Canton paper mill.

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➤ Statewide: North Carolina joined 24 other states in suing the Trump administration Monday over new Section 301 tariffs on more than 80 trading partners, arguing the levies are illegal and will raise costs for consumers and businesses. (More)

➤ Fort Bragg: Sgt. Michael Swinton, a 30-year-old soldier from Fayetteville who died in July disposing of a downed Iranian drone in Iraq, returned home Monday to a water-cannon salute at Fayetteville Regional Airport. His funeral is Saturday at Southview Baptist Church. (More)

➤ Charlotte: City leaders face a $64 million state penalty for voting to kill the I-77 South toll-lane project and must decide by Oct. 5 whether to reverse course to avoid the clawback. (More)

➤ Raleigh: CAM Raleigh, the contemporary art museum that opened in the Warehouse District in 2011, has closed and listed its building for sale after years of financial strain. (More)

➤ Leland launched its Live in Leland series at the new Founders Park, with free outdoor concerts, theater, food trucks, and a beer garden running 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 13, Aug. 21, Aug. 27, and Sept. 3 at the park’s amphitheater. (See Details)

➤ Raleigh is North Carolina’s top pet-friendly city in a new ranking of the 100 largest U.S. cities, finishing 16th nationally ahead of other Tar Heel metros like Greensboro and Charlotte. (See Map)

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➤ Former NC State wrestler Ty Roach was inducted into the National Surfing/Wrestling “Ironman” Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing dual careers in both sports. The Morehead City native wrestled five years for the Wolfpack before turning pro as a surfer. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers remain noncommittal on a long-term contract extension for quarterback Bryce Young heading into his fourth season. Executive VP Brandt Tilis said Young’s ceiling is still “unknown.” (More)

➤ UNC football’s pregame concert series at Kenan Stadium returns this fall with acts including DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), country artist Chase Rice, capped by rock band 38 Special for the final home game against NC State. (More)

➤ Johnston County Little League out of Clayton is 2-0 in the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville and plays its next game tomorrow on ESPN. (See Bracket)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis | Little League Softball World Series

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➤ Tom Gabbard, who has led Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte’s largest performing arts organization since 2003, plans to retire at the end of 2027. He oversaw the launch of Charlotte SHOUT!, the Charlotte International Arts Festival, and the Charlotte Jazz Festival. (More)

➤ Hemp business owners rallied at the legislature in Raleigh to oppose House Bill 328, which they say would effectively ban most THC products and gut the state’s hemp industry. (More)

➤ Drought has pushed North Carolina’s tobacco crop at least three weeks behind schedule, Wilson County farmers say, leaving them racing to harvest stunted plants before the first frost. (More)

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➤ Traumatic brain injuries have become the leading wound among U.S. troops in the six-month Iran war, with Army soldiers accounting for most cases. Fayetteville’s Disabled American Veterans chapter is urging support for those returning home. (More)

➤ Travel + Leisure named the North Carolina State Fair one of the country’s five best, ranking the Raleigh event fourth behind Minnesota, Iowa, and Florida. This year’s fair runs Oct. 15 to 25. (See List)

➤ Southern Living, meanwhile, has named three Western North Carolina towns—Hendersonville, Asheville and Highlands—among eight ideal spots statewide for a girls’ trip, highlighting farm stays, luxury lodging and mountain activities. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ One of the world’s richest investors swears by a rule critics call dangerously aggressive for retirees. (Hear Details)

➤ Rising costs are forcing a record number of young professionals back into their parents’ homes. (Hear Episode)

➤ The death of a young woman at a New York med spa is exposing a booming and largely unregulated industry. (Listen Now)

Which North Carolina State Fair delicacy would you try first?

1. Deep-fried anything
2. A turkey leg
3. Cotton candy
4. Roasted corn
5. Other (reply to tell us what)

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you have liked having a flag football team at your high school?

1. Yes: 37%
2. No: 34%
3. Not sure: 29%

What’s the name of Blumenthal Arts’ flagship theater?

Show me the answer