NC House Approves New Congressional Map

The North Carolina House passed Senate Bill 249 on Wednesday along party lines, approving a new congressional map for 2026 that aims to flip District 1, giving the GOP 11 of the state’s 14 U.S. House seats.

The new boundaries could thwart the reelection of Democratic Rep. Don Davis, who currently represents more than 20 northeastern counties, since the redrawn map swaps counties in Districts 1 and 3.

Davis called the map “beyond the pale,” noting his district’s narrow 2024 win. Republicans defend the map, claiming it reflects President Trump’s three North Carolina victories and the voters’ will.

Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, who drew the new map, said Senators were careful not to use race in redrawing the proposed districts to protect the state from potential lawsuits alleging illegal racial gerrymandering.

GOP Condemns Charlotte’s Safety Policies

Mecklenburg County Republicans held a press conference on Wednesday, the 60th day since Iryna Zarutska’s death on a Charlotte light rail, urging action on crime and calling for accountability from city officials amid what they describe as a growing public safety crisis.

The agenda included boosting support for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, revising prosecutorial policies, and reassessing criminal justice reforms to address rising violence.

The 12th District and Mecklenburg County Republican parties organized the event outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center that also honored Jayce Edwards and other young victims of gun violence.

Two mothers who lost teens to gun violence spoke as well, demanding legal system changes.

GE Aerospace Funds NC Vet Program

The GE Aerospace Foundation has pledged $500,000 to the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America initiative to fund a new aircraft maintenance technician certificate program near Fort Bragg that will start in 2026.

The program will train 90 people annually, including 40 in North Carolina, targeting service members, veterans, and National Guard members for civilian aviation careers. It addresses a 5,000-technician shortage, equipping participants with advanced manufacturing skills.

Gov. Josh Stein praised the effort for creating well-paying jobs and reinforcing North Carolina’s aviation leadership.

The initiative builds on GE Aerospace’s $30 million commitment to train 10,000 workers over five years, including 2024 funding for 20 students at Wayne Community College’s Aviation Systems Technology Program, strengthening the state’s role in aviation manufacturing.

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➤ Statewide: The General Assembly approved a second mini-budget on Tuesday that directs funds toward essential state operations, including disaster recovery, education, infrastructure, and government operations. (More)

➤ High Point: GOP lawmakers announced plans on Tuesday to form a bipartisan committee to determine whether Democratic High Point Rep. Cecil Brockman, who remains jailed on charges of sexual offenses with a child, should lose his seat. (More)

➤ Chapel Hill: Two UNC Health System physicians were elected to the National Academy of Medicine: Dr. Robert Ferris, chief of oncology clinical services, and Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, executive dean of the UNC School of Medicine. (More)

➤ Pembroke: The North Carolina State Board of Elections asked the state Appeals Court to uphold a ruling against Pembroke Mayor Gregory Cummings, who remains in office despite losing the 2023 election by 19 votes. (More)

➤ Raleigh: City officials passed a noise ordinance, effective Jan. 1, requiring commercial establishments outside the Glenwood South entertainment district to obtain permits specifying allowable decibel levels based on location, time, and day. (More)

➤ Wilmington: Tickets to Airlie Gardens’ annual Enchanted Airlie event, scheduled for Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 1-21, are now on sale and must be purchased in advance due to dates and times selling out quickly. (See Details)

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➤ Five-star basketball recruit Bryson Howard, son of former Wake Forest star Josh Howard, committed to Duke this week over offers from North Carolina and Kentucky. (More)

➤ Three more UNC football players have left the program: offensive tackle William Boone, tight end Yasir Smith, and edge rusher Pryce Yates, following reports that players brought in by coach Belichick received preferential treatment. (More)

➤ Major League Soccer fined Charlotte FC forward Wilfried Zaha for putting his hands on an opposing player’s neck and face during a 90th-minute scuffle on Saturday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAF | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ A Duke Fuqua School of Business survey found 70.5% of U.S. CFOs feel optimistic about their firms, up from 68.1%, and 62.9% are optimistic about the economy, up from 60.9%. (More and See Survey)

➤ Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce has partnered with Jana Partners, consumer executive Glenn Murphy, and technology executive Dave Habiger to collectively own a 9% stake in Six Flags, which owns Carowinds in Charlotte. (More)

➤ Mission Hospital CEO Greg Lowe described a state survey that preceded the hospital’s placement under Immediate Jeopardy as “unusual,” with the hospital facing a Nov. 9 compliance deadline from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (More)

➤ Food Lion is reportedly behind Project Titan, an $860 million distribution center in Greensboro that could create 505 jobs by 2033. Burlington and Guilford County are offering $39.4 million in incentives for the project. (More)

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➤ Whisky River at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, created in partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr., ranks No. 10 on USA Today’s 10Best Airport Bars in the US for First Class Drinks. (See List)

➤ North Carolina father Austin Wade went viral after rapping Llama Llama Red Pajama for his 3-month-old son, Carter, in a video that drew nearly 2 million views in three days. (Watch Llama Rap)

➤ LendingTree’s 2024 ranking of U.S. metros where adults under age 30 can afford homes ranks Raleigh No. 12, with 4.6% of homeowners under 30, and Charlotte No. 28, with 3.1% of homeowners under 30. (See List)

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When did you buy your first home?

1. Under age 30
2. Over age 30
3. I don’t own a home

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever renewed your driver’s license online?

1. Yes: 32%
2. No: 25%
3. I will be soon: 22%
4. I don’t drive: 21%

In which films can you spot the sprawling Airlie Oak at Airlie Gardens?

Show me the answer