Duke Energy Customers Demand Audit

More than 7,000 people across North and South Carolina have signed an online petition demanding an independent audit of Duke Energy’s billing system. The petition cites “unexpected and unexplainable increases” and calls for potential refunds if discrepancies are uncovered.

A February report found electric bills in North Carolina have increased by about 22% since 2020. The complaints also follow Duke Energy’s November request to the North Carolina Utilities Commission for a 15% rate increase over two years.

A public hearing with the commission is set for March 30 in Raleigh, where customers can voice concerns directly.

Duke Energy attributes the increases largely to higher seasonal usage during cold snaps in January and February and maintains that bills reflect actual consumption and that regulators already oversee operations. 

The issue also comes as Duke Energy announced March 10 that it reached settlement agreements with several parties as part of the regulatory review of its proposed merger of Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, which the company says will create cost-saving efficiencies.

NC Receives $52.9M Grant for Charter Schools

The North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools received a $52.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program. Originally awarded in September 2025, implementation of the grant was delayed due to the government shutdown.

The funds will support the NC GROW Charter Schools initiative from 2025 to 2030, which plans to open 28 new charter schools while expanding existing ones. The initiative aims to prioritize innovative programs in career and technical education, STEM, and artificial intelligence.

The grant comes as state leaders, including Gov. Josh Stein, form a bipartisan 28-member Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education to study teacher training, student advancement, leadership, and accountability amid enrollment shifts toward charter schools and other alternatives.

Team USA Skaters to Perform in Greensboro

A stop on the Stars on Ice tour will bring top U.S. figure skaters to Greensboro’s First Horizon Coliseum on April 23 at 7 p.m.

Olympic and world champions, including Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin, will skate in the touring ice show featuring technical highlights and ensemble numbers.

The tour highlights American skating talent following Team USA’s strong showing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and showcases a lineup that blends athleticism and artistry, from quadruple jumps to intricate choreography.

Tickets and passes, including preshow Stargazer passes, are available through the official Stars on Ice site.

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➤ Raleigh: The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Nico Aaron Lowers’ child pornography conviction and eight-year prison sentence. The court also ruled that warrantless police access to his private Google Drive files violated his Fourth Amendment rights but allowed the evidence to stand. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, and the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation asked the N.C. Court of Appeals for permission to file a brief backing NCDOT in an easement dispute with Indian Trail Plaza. They warned that a ruling favoring the property owner could cost taxpayers billions. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The city council unanimously approved $37.9 million to advance the Red Line commuter rail’s design to 30% completion by 2027, bringing the long-planned 25-mile Uptown-to-northern communities line closer to reality. (More)

➤ Asheboro: The North Carolina Zoo announced the death of its last ocelot, Inca, who lived to be 21, surpassing the 15-20 year life expectancy for ocelots under human care. (See Photo)

➤ Fort Bragg: A Freedom 250 truck will be on base from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the last day of its stop at Fort Bragg. One of six Freedom Trucks, the mobile museum features interactive exhibits that provide a hands-on journey through American history. (Watch Report)

➤ Wilmington: Rafael Martinez, 22, was charged with assault using a deadly weapon with intent to kill after a downtown Wilmington parking deck shooting. He’s being held on a $300,000 bond, and an ICE detainer was filed. (More)

➤ Outer Banks: The North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation is expanding its red drum satellite tracking platform to provide enhanced insights into the migration and movements of the species for improved fisheries research. (More)

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➤ The Norwegian national soccer team selected UNC Greensboro as its FIFA World Cup training base, citing the city’s location, hospitality, and facilities as key factors in the decision. (More)

➤ Construction has begun on a $150 million cricket complex in Fayetteville, which is expected to become the sport’s largest venue in the country. The 75-acre complex will house two international cricket stadiums with seating for about 15,000 people per stadium. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers are increasing season ticket prices for the 2026 season, with packages rising from $510 in 2025 to $590 in 2026. (More)

➤ Davidson, North Carolina Central, Charlotte, Duke, and UNC all play today in their respective conference tournaments. (See Schedule)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | World Baseball Classic

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➤ Asheville City Councilmember Bo Hess said a meeting between Costco, sellers of the proposed development site, and NCDOT is aimed at reigniting efforts to bring the wholesale store to Western North Carolina. (More)

➤ Saks Fifth Avenue announced Friday it will close its only North Carolina store, in Raleigh. The closure will eliminate 43 jobs between May 6 and May 31. (More)

➤ A federal judge dismissed Perdue Farms’ lawsuits seeking to block U.S. Labor Department whistleblower proceedings, siding with two Robeson County farmers who claimed the company retaliated against them for publicizing concerns about its poultry-raising rules. (More)

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➤ Three Asian small-clawed otter pups named Nyx, Baloo, and Bodhi were scheduled to enter the public habitat pool at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher yesterday after reaching key developmental milestones. (See Photo)

➤ The John Locke Foundation premiered a docudrama titled The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, highlighting the 1776 Patriot victory over Loyalists that helped end British authority in North Carolina and boosted America’s push for independence. (More)

➤ Charlotte will host the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Aug. 15, bringing top gospel artists and national TV exposure on BET and Bounce TV to the city. (More)

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