Stein Signs 4 Bills Into Law

Gov. Josh Stein signed four bills into law Wednesday morning that focus on criminal penalties and processes, pharmacy regulations, and support for military families.

Senate Bill 311 penalizes protesters or striking workers who block roads or businesses with fines or prison time, and steepens penalties for burglary, package theft, shoplifting, reckless driving, street racing, and other offenses. Senate Bill 429 makes it harder for people convicted of crimes to request a motion for appropriate relief, which is a tool for proving they were wrongfully convicted. 

Senate Bill 479 protects pharmacies from unfair business practices that hike prescription drug prices and helps independent pharmacies promote access to health care in rural areas.

Finally, Senate Bill 118 assists military families as they relocate to North Carolina by simplifying processes like getting driver’s licenses and enrolling children in public schools.

Former Hamas Hostage Advocates for Captives

Chapel Hill native Keith Samuel Siegel, released from Hamas captivity on Feb. 1, is urging President Trump to help push Israel and Hamas to agree to a new ceasefire and bring the remaining 50 Hamas hostages home.

“I believe he has a lot of strength, power, and ability to … get all of the hostages back and bring an end to the war,” Siegel told the BBC in a July 7 interview. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, also weighed in on X Monday, stating, “Hamas must release them or face swift consequences.”

The Trump administration plans to meet with Iran within the next week, according to Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Siegel and his wife, Aviva, were among 253 hostages taken captive by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Aviva was released after 51 days in captivity.

Poll Reveals NC Views on Trump Decision-Making

A Catawba College-YouGov poll released Tuesday suggests where North Carolinians’ confidence lies in President Trump’s decision-making.

Of the 1,000 North Carolinians polled, 47% expressed confidence in Trump’s immigration and executive order decisions. Among Republicans, 87% supported his immigration decisions and 84% supported his executive orders, while 72% and 64% of Democrats expressed support for those areas, respectively.

Regarding foreign policy, Trump scored 39% confidence on Israel-Hamas decisions, with support from 77% of Republicans and 13% of Democrats, and 34% on the Russia-Ukraine war, with 66% of Republicans and 12% of Democrats expressing confidence.

In terms of bringing the nation together, Trump received 33% confidence, with 63% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats expressing support. Download all survey results, including how Independents weighed in, here.

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➤ Western NC: State officials have released an updated list of the confirmed 108 people in North Carolina killed by Hurricane Helene. Residents whose bodies were recovered in another state are not included on the list. (See Names)

➤ Central NC: North Carolina Emergency Management is directing those in need of Tropical Storm Chantal cleanup assistance to contact Crisis Cleanup, which is coordinating with local volunteer organizations. (See Post)

➤ Statewide: A new state law allows North Carolina municipalities to install speed cameras in school zones. Offenders are subject to a $250 fine but won’t get points against their license and will be able to appeal the tickets. (More)

➤ Wake County: Alder Marin-Sotelo pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy and illegal firearm possession, with sentencing set for Sept. 26. He and his brother Arturo Marin-Sotelo face separate charges related to the murder of Deputy Ned Byrd. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The fire department and MEDIC finalized an agreement to enhance emergency response by coordinating services, improving response times, and sharing resources so fire trucks can focus on high-priority emergencies. (More)

➤ Wilmington/Raleigh: Wilmington ranked No. 6 and Raleigh ranked No. 9 on RentCafe’s Best Cities for Renters 2025 Report, which analyzed 20 metrics across 150 U.S. cities. (See Rankings)

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➤ USA TODAY ranked the Carolina Panthers’ uniforms as the second-worst in the entire NFL, behind only the Cleveland Browns. (More)

➤ North Carolina A&T basketball was selected to face Hampton University in the NBA’s 2026 HBCU Classic during All-Star Weekend. (More)

➤ Former UNC quarterback Drake Maye donated all of his wedding gifts—including monetary ones—to children’s shelters in the Boston area. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Wimbledon

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➤ Gov. Josh Stein announced that Citigroup will create 510 jobs in Charlotte with a $16.1 million investment in a new office facility, with a projected statewide economic impact of over $2.7 billion. (More)

➤ The Air Transport Research Society recognized Charlotte Douglas International Airport as North America’s most financially efficient airport for the third year in a row, citing its productivity, efficiency, cost competitiveness, and financial results. (More)

➤ The Levine Foundation announced Tuesday it will cease operations in 50 years and honor late founder Leon Levine’s final directive to distribute all assets within that timeframe in support of education, health care, human services, and Jewish values across the Carolinas. (More)

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➤ Zillow ranked Charlotte No. 8 and Raleigh No. 9 on its list of U.S. metros with the most pet-friendly rental listings in an analysis of 11 million listings nationwide. The study also found that 57% of rentals allowed pets last year. (More)

➤ A roundup of North Carolina’s nine most charming town squares highlights Davidson’s rotating art exhibits, Hillsborough’s colonial history, and Brevard’s white squirrel population. (See List)

➤ Asheville’s Municipal Golf Course will debut a new 18-hole disc golf course on Aug. 1, designed in collaboration with professional disc golf player and 2020 U.S. Disc Golf Champion Chris Dickerson. (See Photos)

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Have you ever played disc golf?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Hope to someday
4. What’s disc golf?

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you read comic books as a kid?

1. Yes: 55%
2. No: 29%
3. I still do: 16%

How did Duke Energy supplement its electricity resources following the Great Flood of 1916?

Show me the answer