NC Teachers See Raises, but Gaps Persist

North Carolina teachers are receiving significant pay increases following the state’s new budget, but disparities remain.

In New Hanover County, educators will see raises ranging from 5% to 17.1% by the end of August. The raises depend on experience, with principals getting 3%. The local district closed a nearly $2 million funding gap through operational savings, county funds, and restored state dollars.

Wake County teachers, despite the statewide hikes and a planned local supplement, will still earn less than peers in comparable southeastern metros like Atlanta, Nashville, and Richmond. Starting pay rises to about $55,000 and 30-year pay to roughly $73,000, yet average salaries lag 8% to 21% behind those districts.

Recruitment challenges and classroom vacancies remain across the state, even as leaders call the raises a necessary first step toward better retention and support for educators.

Cooper Maintains Lead over Whatley

An Elon University poll taken July 23-31 shows Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley 53% to 42% among likely voters in North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate race.

The survey of 800 adults was taken before the fall advertising push. Poll director Jason Husser expects the contest to tighten, noting it is nearly even among the roughly half of voters who know Whatley, a former national and state GOP chairman making his first run for office in the state.

Whatley, speaking at the state Fraternal Order of Police convention in Carolina Beach, cast himself as the “law and order” candidate.

Cooper served eight years as North Carolina’s governor and 16 as its attorney general.

Duke Antitrust Suit Moves Forward

A federal judge has ruled that Duke and 31 other elite universities must face a lawsuit accusing them of using binding Early Decision admissions to inflate tuition.

US District Judge Angel Kelley in Massachusetts denied the schools’ motion to dismiss, finding it plausible they agreed not to compete for students who commit through early decision, in possible violation of the Sherman Act.

The students who sued in 2025 say the binding pledge locks applicants in and keeps them from comparing aid offers. Kelley did dismiss related claims against the Common App and two other organizations.

Duke and the other schools deny wrongdoing and state that early decision is voluntary. The case now heads to discovery. Duke paid $24 million in 2024 to settle a separate admissions antitrust suit without admitting fault.

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➤ Statewide: The North Carolina State Board of Elections approved early voting plans Thursday for 80 counties with unanimous local agreements, while 20 others remain unresolved—mainly over Sunday hours and campus sites—and will be decided Aug. 20. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Attorney General Jeff Jackson says he won’t sign a proposed Duke Energy Progress settlement that would raise residential bills about 6.8% over two years, down from the utility’s original 18.1% request, calling it still too high. (More)

➤ Charlotte: A Mexican national with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel was sentenced for trafficking more than 130,000 fentanyl pills into North Carolina, including 80,000 seized in a single package bound for Charlotte. (More)

➤ Durham: Newly released search warrants show investigators seized cash, laptops, ID documents belonging to other people, and suspected narcotics when they arrested Courtney Jordan Foundation founder Courtney Jordan and finance chief Nick Gallardo, both accused of not paying the Durham nonprofit’s workers. (See Details)

➤ Fort Bragg: The wife of missing Fort Bragg Specialist Sayveon Anderson, who disappeared June 29, gave birth Sunday to their healthy daughter, Nadia Liora, as the search for the soldier continues. (More)

➤ NC Coast: Tropical Storm Cristobal is weakening over the open Atlantic and poses no threat to land, but forecasters are watching two more tropical waves for possible development. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers signed veteran tight end Darren Waller to a one-year deal, adding a proven pass-catcher to a position group that combined for just three touchdowns last season. Waller himself scored six touchdowns in nine games with Miami in 2025. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Hornets are moving their local broadcasts to free over-the-air television next season, making nearly every game available without a cable subscription across the Carolinas. (More)

➤ North Wilkesboro Speedway will host its first NASCAR tripleheader weekend May 21-23, 2027, featuring the Truck Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the All-Star Race under the lights. The track turns 80 that same week. (More)

➤ Charlotte 49ers football is rolling out a $2.99 value menu at home games this season with multiple budget food options like hot dogs, pretzels, and tacos. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | Golf | Tennis | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ Gov. Josh Stein announced a $1 billion expansion at Prysmian’s Claremont plant in Catawba County that will add 385 fiber- and glass-manufacturing jobs paying about $61,000 on average, with completion expected by 2030. (More)

➤ UNC Health Rex is adding 24 beds on a new seventh floor at its Holly Springs hospital, bringing the fast-growing Wake County town’s hospital to 74 beds. (More)

➤ An Elon University poll found 53% of North Carolinians would oppose a large data center in their community, up from 44% in March, with opposition spanning independents, Democrats, and Republicans. (More)

➤ Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, lost a Senate bid to keep a federal crackdown on intoxicating hemp products on track for Nov. 12; he argued the products endanger children, while opponents wanted a delay to regulate rather than ban the market. (More)

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➤ Boone-based Samaritan’s Purse is airlifting more than 48 tons of supplies to Colombia after a deadly earthquake impacted the area, sending hygiene kits, solar lights, and shelter materials. (More)

➤ Harris Teeter’s Riverlights store in Wilmington will host free live Hatch chile roasting demonstrations and tastings today and tomorrow during Hatch Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring fresh New Mexico peppers available for a limited time. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes and partners donated custom jersey-style hospital gowns to pediatric patients at Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville, with mascot Stormy visiting kids during a special presentation event. (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:

➤ Hawaii’s Big Island is under a hurricane watch as a strengthening Pacific storm threatens heavy rain and flooding. (Hear Details)

➤ Luigi Mangione is reportedly weighing a courtroom move that could upend his murder trial in New York. (Hear Episode)

➤ Tech executives are cloning themselves with artificial intelligence, and some of the digital doubles are already going rogue. (Listen Now)

Will you watch any NFL preseason games this weekend?

1. Of course
2. I might
3. Not a chance

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever witnessed a solar eclipse?

1. Yes, with proper eyewear: 70%
2. Without proper eyewear: 12%
3. Haven’t yet: 10%
4. Not interested: 8%

Besides Duke Energy, what are the names of North Carolina’s other major energy utility companies?

Show me the answer