Senators Push for Zero-Based Budgeting

Republican state senators in North Carolina have revived efforts to implement zero-based budgeting for state agencies.

Senate Bill 800, filed by Sens. Jim Burgin, R-Harnett, and Tom McInnis, R-Richmond, would require executive branch agencies to justify all spending from a zero base on a rotating schedule starting in 2026.

Under the proposal, agencies must submit detailed plans ranking activities by priority, outlining minimum service levels, and measuring program outcomes. This is a shift from traditional incremental budgeting, which largely carries forward prior-year funding plus adjustments.

Supporters, citing Texas’ 2003 success in closing a $10 billion shortfall without tax hikes, argue zero-based budgeting would boost transparency, eliminate waste, and improve accountability. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Base Budget.

Teacher Survey Flags Student Behavior

A new North Carolina teacher working conditions survey has highlighted student behavior as a major concern, with many educators reporting issues such as disrespect, disorder, cheating, and drug use, particularly in middle and high schools.

The biennial survey, conducted by the Department of Public Instruction, also flagged uncomfortable school facilities and long working hours.

Over 103,000 teachers responded, revealing that many work 50-plus hours weekly, with only two-thirds saying they have enough instructional time. While most expressed loyalty to their schools and principals, they reported concerns about infrastructure, class sizes, and resources.

The findings, which will be presented to the State Board of Education, come amid budget pressures, as Wake County schools recently approved $10 million in cuts affecting positions such as literacy coaches, assistant principal positions, and support staff.

NC Hospitals Score High on Safety

North Carolina hospitals earned strong marks in the Spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades report, placing the state among the top in the nation for its percentage of “A”-rated facilities.

Hospitals receiving “A” grades include UNC Hospitals, WakeMed Raleigh, Duke Regional Hospital, Cape Fear Valley Health Hoke Hospital, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospitals in Pinehurst and Raeford, and Johnston Health in Smithfield and Clayton. Multiple hospitals earned “B” grades, while a few received “C” or “D” grades.

The independent nonprofit’s assessment evaluates protection against medical errors, infections, accidents, and injuries.

The hospitals’ high performance comes amid competition for growth in the rapidly expanding Triangle market, with the North Carolina Court of Appeals upholding a Certificate of Need ruling favoring WakeMed over Duke and UNC Rex for 44 new acute-care beds in Wake County.

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➤ Statewide: A new poll shows former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, with a 50%-41% lead over Republican Michael Whatley in the 2026 U.S. Senate race. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: Democrats could sweep all 13 county seats in the North Carolina House, with only two toss-up districts: 98, represented by Democrat Beth Helfrich, and 105, represented by Republican Tricia Cotham. (More)

➤ Goldsboro: NCDOT awarded a $19.8 million contract to Branch Civil Inc. to widen part of Wayne Memorial Drive in Goldsboro to four lanes, aiming to improve safety and reduce congestion. (More)

➤ Kings Mountain: Miami-based developer HB2K sued Kings Mountain, accusing the city of trespassing by placing public utilities on an 80-acre site approved for a massive AI data center campus. (More)

➤ Asheville: Organizers announced the first performers for 2026 AVL Sounds Fest, including headliners Dr. Dog and Preservation Hall Jazz Band, ahead of the Aug. 6-9 citywide music festival. (See Lineup)

➤ Pender County: Historical Society will host a rare public tour and 300th anniversary celebration of the historic Sloop Point House in Hampstead on Saturday, featuring programs, living history demonstrations, and insights into its colonial and Civil War past. (See Details)

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➤ Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin cleared concussion protocol and could return for tonight’s Game 3 against the Flyers in Philadelphia. Carolina leads the series 2-0. (More)

➤ UNC women’s lacrosse star Chloe Humphrey brushed off suggestions she could become the sport’s greatest player, calling the attention “a privilege” to help elevate the game. (More)

➤ Charlotte will become the first U.S. city to host the Military World Games next summer, welcoming at least 10,000 athletes, coaches, and international visitors from more than 140 countries. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Hornets’ new practice facility is on track to open in 2027, according to an update from the team and city officials earlier this week. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Nvidia and Corning announced a major partnership to build three new advanced optical manufacturing factories in North Carolina and Texas, creating at least 3,000 jobs to support AI infrastructure with high-speed fiber optics. (More)

➤ A $1.56 million class-action settlement against HCA Healthcare will provide back wages to about 16,100 current and former Mission Health employees in Asheville over alleged pay and meal-break violations. (More)

➤ Randy Humphrey Racing, a defunct NASCAR team, faces a lawsuit in Iredell County after allegedly taking $50,000 for tractor-trailers and equipment that were never delivered to the buyer. (More)

➤ BOMA North Carolina sued Kernersville, accusing town officials of trespassing and demanding unnecessary road work to delay the long-approved 1,000-acre Caleb’s Creek mixed-use development. (More)

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➤ The Museum of Life and Science in Durham welcomed Montana, a rescued 1-year-old, 115-pound black bear cub, to its Explore the Wild habitat alongside adult bears Little and Murray. (See Photo)

➤ A Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger preserves Appalachian farm history by managing a free-ranging flock of up to 40 chickens led by a dominant golden rooster at Mountain Farm Museum. (See Golden Rooster)

➤ The Walnut Mountain Shelter, an Appalachian Trail shelter built in 1938, was relocated from Tennessee and reassembled in downtown Hot Springs as a welcome center exhibit. (See Photos)

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Have you hiked any sections of the Appalachian Trail?

1. A few sections
2. Nearly all of it
3. Thru-hiked the entire trail
4. None of it
5. Hope to someday

Yesterday’s Results:

If you could buy a vacation home, would it be in the mountains, by a lake, or on the coast?

1. Coast: 30%
2. Mountains: 28%
3. Lake: 20%
4. Already bought one: 13%
5. None of the above: 9%

Which city was home to the state’s first general civilian hospital?

Show me the answer