NC Teachers No. 2 in Out-of-Pocket Spending

A new report reveals that North Carolina teachers spend an average of $1,632 out of pocket annually on classroom supplies—the second highest in the U.S. behind Pennsylvania’s $1,637. Arizona ranks third at $1,581, Texas fourth at $1,550, and Missouri fifth at $1,527.

The lowest spending states are Nebraska at $473, West Virginia at $502, Oklahoma at $545, Louisiana at $565, and South Dakota at $569. The national average is $1,021.

North Carolina Association of Educators President Tamika Walker Kelly says many teachers are taking second jobs to make ends meet, which “should not be the North Carolina story.”

National trends support Kelly’s claim. In 2025, 30% of teachers reported working a second job or side hustle to cover classroom expenses, up from 26% in 2024.

Racer Robbie Brewer Dies After Track Crash

Longtime racer Robbie Brewer, 53, has died after suffering an on-track medical emergency at Bowman Gray Stadium during the Sportsman division race in Winston-Salem Saturday night.

Track officials said the incident occurred during a race restart on lap 16 as Brewer was going into turn 4. His car sped up with the other cars but never made the turn, crashing head-on into the wall and rolling down the front stretch.

Brewer was taken to the hospital but died shortly afterward.

His daughter posted her memories of him as a beloved father, mentor, friend, and humor-filled figure cherished by the local racing community, stating, “He had a smile that was contagious, and I’ve never been more glad to look just like my dad than I am right now.”

How to See the Perseid Meteor Showers in NC

The Perseid meteor showers, created by debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet, peak tonight and tomorrow night across North Carolina.

They usually begin around 10 p.m. and peak around 2 a.m. The best time to see the Perseids is early morning before dawn, though some may be visible as early as 10 p.m.

Experts advise seeking out dark, open spots, like these, away from city lights for optimal visibility. The American Meteor Society says that due to the nearly full moon, only 10-20 meteors per hour, or 25% of the expected peak rate, may be visible.

The Perseids, known for fireballs that last longer than an average meteor, leave long wakes of color and light as they move through the atmosphere. They started on July 17 and are expected to last until at least Aug. 23.

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➤ Jackson County: Health officials are investigating a confirmed case of tuberculosis in a person who spent time in the area while infected and are working to contact people who may have been exposed. (More)

➤ Raleigh: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that North State Journal publisher Neal Robbins has been appointed deputy under secretary for Rural Development, a senior leadership role overseeing housing, utility, broadband, and community development programs serving rural America. (More)

➤ Rockingham County opened North Carolina’s first Career and Technical Education Innovation High School on Rockingham Community College’s campus on Monday in partnership with the county’s public school system. (More)

➤ Orange and Chatham counties will receive over $427,000 from the Great Trails State Program to extend the Seven Mile Creek Natural Area trail system, improve the Haw River State Trail Pegg Tract, and study the feasibility of establishing a state trail along the Deep River. (More)

➤ Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Hot Food Team earned second place at the American Culinary Federation’s national finals, which qualified as a gold medal win based on the competition’s scoring system. (See Photos)

➤ Charlotte: Memphis comedian Mario “Grove Hero” Bradley was shot in the spine on Freedom Drive during the “For My People Tour” on Saturday night. Despite life-threatening injuries, he left the hospital to continue the event. (More)

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➤ Duke football was the only North Carolina school to receive votes on the first AP Top 25 poll of the year, though the team was still left off the overall rankings. (See Rankings)

➤ Duke defensive backs Terry Moore and Chandler Rivers were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list on Monday, an annual honor given to the nation’s top defensive player. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers’ fifth-round pick Cam Jackson held a meet-and-greet with fans at a local GameStop on Sunday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Asheville’s River Arts District held a RAD Sip and Stroll event Saturday, featuring the work of 100 artists displaced after Hurricane Helene. The district’s next event, RAD Resilience, takes place Sept. 13 ahead of Helene’s first anniversary. (More)

➤ Lenovo celebrated 31 Triangle-area high school interns at its Morrisville headquarters for the ninth year of its summer internship program with the National Academy Foundation. (See Photo)

➤ Demolition of an abandoned Applebee’s on Raleigh’s Six Forks Road has begun to make way for the construction of one of eight Whataburger restaurants planned for North Carolina by 2026. (More)

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➤ North Carolina State Fair advance tickets are now on sale now through Oct. 16, costing $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children ages 6-12, with prices rising to $13 and $7 on the day of attendance. This year’s fair is Oct. 16-26. (More)

➤ A list of North Carolina’s seven best attractions includes Biltmore Estate, North Carolina Arboretum, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Battleship North Carolina, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. (See Details)

➤ Speaking of lighthouses, Wilmington StarNews published facts about 10 North Carolina lighthouses still standing, including one on private property—Price’s Creek Lighthouse—which can be seen from the Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry. (See List)

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What was your favorite school supply purchase as a kid?

1. Binder
2. Notepads
3. Pencils
4. Colored pens
5. Highlighters
6. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you feel about fusion classical music?

1. What in the world is it? 48%
2. Not sure: 22%
3. Love it: 16%
4. Hate it: 14%

Which North Carolina lighthouse appeared in the 2023 movie Breakwater?

Show me the answer