Federal Judge Rules for Senate Redistricting

A federal judge ruled in favor of North Carolina legislators Tuesday, dismissing a lawsuit by two black voters who challenged Senate Districts 1 and 2 for racial gerrymandering under the Voting Rights Act.

U.S. District Judge James Dever found that the plaintiffs failed to prove their Section 2 claim, which alleged the districts violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting black voters’ influence.

Dever cited the success of black candidates in non-majority-black districts, emphasizing crossover voting and societal progress. He also criticized House Democratic leader Rep. Robert Reives for questioning whether Rep. Dante Pittman’s biracial identity qualified as black.

Republican state Senate leader Phil Berger called the ruling a “BIG WIN!” for his party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

UNC Puts Professor on Leave

UNC-Chapel Hill placed Dr. Dwayne Dixon, a professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, on administrative leave effective Monday to investigate allegations that he advocated politically motivated violence, potentially violating university tenure policies.

At issue is Dixon’s alleged affiliation with Redneck Revolt, which describes itself as an anti-racist, anti-fascist organization. Dixon denies current involvement with the group and called for “solidarity and love … to preserve our liberties.”

Vice Chancellor for Communications Dean Stoyer said that Dixon’s conduct “could be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including potential termination of employment” depending on the nature and circumstances of the activity.

Students and community members planned to rally in support of Dixon yesterday at the South Building, which houses top administrative offices such as the Office of the Chancellor.

6 OBX Homes Collapse in 1 Day

Five beachfront homes on Hatteras Island in Buxton collapsed into the ocean between 2 and 2:45 p.m. Tuesday due to flooding and high surf triggered by Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto.

Then, around 11 p.m., a sixth home in the same area collapsed. It was unoccupied at the time and had been flagged as unstable due to severe beach erosion.

These collapses follow another that occurred in Buxton within the past two weeks, bringing the local total to seven. A total of 18 Hatteras Island homes have fallen since 2020, including earlier collapses in Rodanthe.

The National Park Service has closed a section of beach north of Sea Haven Drive, urging visitors to avoid the area due to hazardous debris and ongoing cleanup efforts.

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➤ Statewide: Republican groups and the North Carolina State Board of Elections settled a 2024 lawsuit over mail-in ballot envelope rules and asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. The North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans opposes the deal. (More)

➤ Statewide: New state laws took effect Oct. 1 that expand public safety reforms, ease license renewals for military families, support veterans, strengthen foster care, improve pharmacy access and elder care services, and require sheriffs to cooperate with immigration officers. (More)

➤ NC Schools: The Trump administration is awarding $53 million over five years to the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools to expand charter school seats statewide. (More)

➤ NC Airports: Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) will offer up to five daily transatlantic flights to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Reykjavík, and Dublin by April. Meanwhile, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) will resume nonstop service to Athens, Greece, in May. (RDU and CLT)

➤ Charlotte: A state audit questions Charlotte Area Transit System’s security, citing a 40% drop in armed guards despite tripled contract costs. The report raises concerns about prioritizing inclusion over safety and reducing the number of armed personnel. (More)

➤ Raleigh: A new historical marker at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church has replaced a 2004 version to recognize the church as the site of the 1865 and 1866 Freedmen’s Conventions, during which freed black men sought equal rights. (More)

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➤ Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney told the media he was excited to play against coaching legend Bill Belichick this weekend: “I never in my lifetime thought I would get an opportunity to coach against coach Belichick. I mean, how cool is that?” (More)

➤ Former Duke basketball player Seth Curry signed a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, where he’ll be playing alongside his brother, Steph. Seth played with the Hornets last season. (More)

➤ UNC safety Will Hardy was named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award watch list, which honors leadership on and off the field in college football. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Japanese company Renesas Electronics may acquire a 39% stake in Durham-based Wolfspeed via a $118.4 million stock warrant issued to its U.S. subsidiary, pending regulatory approval. (More)

➤ Walmart is investing $300 million to open a 1.2 million-square-foot fulfillment center in Gaston County that will create over 300 jobs and handle large e-commerce items like TVs, furniture, and appliances. (More)

➤ Texas-based Whataburger will open one of six new Triad locations planned for this fall on Harvey Street in Winston-Salem on Oct. 6. (More)

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➤ North Carolina ranks seventh in U.S. teen vaping rates, with 23.8% of high school students using e-cigarettes—well above the national average of 17-18%, according to the American Lung Association. (View Data)

➤ Western North Carolina artists are channeling their grief from Hurricane Helene into puppet shows, music, textile art, film, and dance—creative expressions of trauma, resilience, and remembrance. (More)

➤ Feast your eyes on the North Carolina State Fair’s list of 88 new food options debuting when the fair opens Oct. 16. Options include a chocolate-covered potato chip caramel apple, freeze-dried marshmallows, and a barbecue doughnut. (See List)

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Which of these new state fair treats would you try?

1. BBQ doughnut
2. Crème brulee cone
3. Orange dreamsicle crush
4. S’Mores delight frozen banana
5. Other
6. None

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever invested in gold?

1. No: 44%
2. Yes: 31%
3. Thinking about it: 25%

What did the 1866 Freedmen’s Convention resolutions focus on?

Show me the answer