DEI Grants Canceled at 6 NC Universities

The National Science Foundation (NSF) canceled 20 scientific research grants Friday at six North Carolina universities as part of approximately 700 cuts nationwide amid scrutiny by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to target projects tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

The eliminated grant amounts range from $68,319 to $1,123,487, and impact programs at NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, Duke University, and NC A&T. Many of the canceled projects include language referencing “disadvantaged,” “minorities,” “gender differences,” “underserved,” and similar terms, though other grants—including those focused on deepfake detection and rural STEM education—were also affected.

This action follows a previous NSF announcement on April 24, eliminating roughly 400 other grants flagged by DOGE as “wasteful DEI” spending. NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan abruptly resigned the same day.

You can view, sort, and export a spreadsheet of the cancelled grants and dollar amounts by state here.

Panthers’ Picks Power Up Depth Chart

The Carolina Panthers strengthened their depth chart with eight draft picks and a handful of undrafted free agents during the 2025 NFL Draft.

They used the eighth overall pick to secure Tetairoa McMillan, a wide receiver from Arizona, then enhanced their defensive line by selecting Nic Scourton, an edge from Texas A&M, in Round 2 and Princely Umanmielen, an edge from Ole Miss, in Round 3.

The Panthers also added Trevor Etienne, a running back from Georgia, and Lathan Ransom, a safety from Ohio State, during Round 4.

In Round 5, they picked up Cam Jackson, a defensive tackle from Florida, and Mitchell Evans, a tight end from Notre Dame. Their final pick was Jimmy Horn Jr., a wide receiver from Colorado, in Round 6.

Classical College Graduates First Class

Thales College, a new private three-year college in Wake Forest, graduated its first class of students in an accelerated classical liberal arts program this week.

Thales’ program encompasses an intensive core curriculum focusing on Great Books and liberal arts, alongside specialized tracks in entrepreneurial business, mechanical engineering, and classical education.

The college launched its undergraduate program in fall 2022 with a curriculum that combines education with “real-world experience.”

Like Hillsdale College in Michigan, Thales doesn’t accept government loans or grants. It emphasizes affordability with a tuition of $4,000 per 15-week term and a commitment to graduating students debt-free.

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➤ Statewide: The Trump administration will restore the legal status of international students at Duke and other impacted universities by reactivating their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records, while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement develops a new policy for future terminations. (More)

➤ Western NC: Gov. Josh Stein extended the State of Emergency by 30 days for 34 counties impacted by wildfires, as North Carolina reported 2,348 wildfire incidents involving over 23,000 acres during March and April. (More)

➤ Fayetteville: Officials suspended the Dogwood Festival Saturday evening after nearby gunfire was reported that police later determined had damaged a vehicle, but didn’t cause any injuries. The festival resumed on Sunday. (More)

➤ Eden: Two organizations are raising money for the families of four power crew workers who were killed in a deadly crash Thursday. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Alfred Street Church is paying off the debt for 11 Saint Augustine’s University graduating seniors thanks to a $132,000 donation from two university alumni who are also church members. (More)

➤ Southport is ranked the 13th most inexpensive and charming harbor town in the U.S. thanks to its waterfront views, relaxed lifestyle, and historic district. (More)

➤ Andrei Svechnikov’s hat trick helped the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 yesterday afternoon, giving them a 3-1 lead and a chance to close out their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series at home on Tuesday. (More)

➤ No. 25 NC State baseball swept No. 2 Clemson over the weekend, marking their fourth consecutive ACC series victory. (More)

➤ UNC men’s basketball landed a transfer portal commitment from former Colorado State point guard Kyan Evans, who helped lead the Rams to an NCAA tournament win last season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NASCAR | MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Charlotte auctioned off four of the five electric Proterra buses it launched at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in 2019, which were projected to last 12 years but didn’t even make it five. “Will not start” was written on the windows of two of the buses. (More)

➤ St. Andrews University in Laurinburg announced Friday it will cease operations May 5 due to financial and enrollment challenges. The university also has a campus in Pinehurst. (More)

➤ Nonprofit hospital system Novant Health won’t be able to build a diagnostic center at a former Gold’s Gym site in South Asheville because the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services decided it would duplicate services in the region. (More)

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A shocking 97% of people who go on to develop Alzheimer’s or dementia…

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➤ A new map displays the most popular book genre in each state, with North Carolina one of six choosing Fantasy. (See Map)

➤ NBC’s Today show interviewed the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s Carnivore Conservation Crew about its conservation efforts to save the endangered red wolf. (Watch Interview)

➤ World-renowned sports scientist and physiologist Dr. Genadijus Sokolovas, who worked with USA Swimming and Olympian Michael Phelps, hosted a swimming clinic at the Outer Banks Family YMCA in Nags Head last week. (See Details)

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What’s your favorite book genre?

1. Romance
2. Fantasy
3. Mystery
4. History
5. Biography
6. Other
7. Not a book reader

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you have a garden?

1. No green thumb here: 30%
2. Flower garden: 26%
3. Both: 25%
4. Vegetable garden: 19%

What popular 1989 movie was filmed in the Southport area?

Show me the answer