Multiple NC Laws Take Effect Today

New North Carolina laws impacting auto insurance rates, transportation taxes, vacation rentals, and workplace agreements take effect today.

Auto insurance minimums have increased to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage. An inexperienced operator surcharge has expanded to cover a driver-inexperience period of eight years, up from three.

A new 1.5% transportation commerce tax applies to exclusive-ride services, while shared-ride services incur a 1% tax rate.

House Bill 973 requires vacation rentals and lodging establishments to train managers, employees, and contractors to report suspected signs of human trafficking before posting rentals.

Finally, House Bill 269 prohibits noncompete agreements that restrict an employee’s right to work for another employer based on a period of time, geographic area, or work activities, for those earning under $75,000 per year.

NC Foster Care System Overhauled

Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 612 into law Thursday, giving the state more oversight of North Carolina’s foster care system.

Titled the Fostering Care in NC Act, the bipartisan bill allows the state to hold county-run social services departments accountable by authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to review records and enforce rules. It also tightens procedures and deadlines for investigating reports of abuse or neglect.

HB612 is the first major piece of legislation to address child welfare reform since Rylan’s Law in 2017, which established stricter procedures for reuniting foster children with birth parents.

The same day HB612 was signed into law, DHHS launched a new case management system called PATH NC, which went online in 15 counties last week and will be rolled out to the remaining counties by 2026.

Tropical Disturbance Could Develop Off Coast

A frontal boundary is expected to create an area of low pressure that could set up conditions for tropical development either off the southeastern coast, over Florida, or over the eastern Gulf by this weekend.

The Southeast faces a 20% chance of a tropical depression forming in time for Independence Day, likely threatening beach vacationers with rain regardless of whether a depression develops.

Meteorologists say beachgoers shouldn’t be concerned about a sudden tropical storm, but rather a “general uptick” in showers and thunderstorm activity, with weather and surf conditions deteriorating more so on or shortly after July 4 and into early next week.

Keep up with the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center here.

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➤ Statewide: Reactions to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announcing on Sunday that he would not run for re-election ranged from President Trump calling it “great news” to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson describing it as “another blow to Republicans’ chances.” (More)

➤ Charlotte: A 15-year-old repeat offender charged with attempted murder of two police officers and armed robbery was released on house arrest last week. (More)

➤ Durham/Chapel Hill: When combined, both cities earned the No. 2 spot on a list of America’s most educated cities due to their share of adults 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree and the quality of the public school system. (See List)

➤ Duke University cosmologists helped organize a watch party at Wallace Wade Stadium on June 23 to display the first photographs released by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on a mountaintop in Chile. (See Photos)

➤ Cape Hatteras recorded 730,301 visitors during the first five months of 2025, trailing the 775,866 visitors in 2024 and 774,404 in 2023 by this time. (More)

➤ Outer Banks: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer vessel safety checks in Nags Head and Manteo neighborhoods this month to inspect recreational boats, sailboats, kayaks, and paddle crafts. (More)

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➤ Early 2026 NBA mock drafts have multiple Duke players being drafted, with incoming freshman Cameron Boozer being named a potential No. 1 pick. (More)

➤ NC State catcher Drew Lanphere has withdrawn from the transfer portal and recommitted to the Wolfpack. With Alex Sosa transferring to Miami, Lanphere is expected to assume the starting catcher role for NC State in 2026. (More)

➤ ClutchPoints gave the Brooklyn Nets a B+ grade for picking UNC freshman Drake Powell in the 2025 NBA Draft, citing his athleticism and motor as instant impact traits. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ State senators voted 41-1 against the House’s attempt to give North Carolina-chartered credit unions the authority to broaden their lines of business and enroll members from a larger portion of the state’s population. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the House unanimously passed the Parking Modernization Act, which would let developers, instead of local regulators, determine how much parking is needed for a given project. The bill awaits Senate approval. (More)

➤ CBC Real Estate announced that the Holly Springs Town Council approved Overlook on Main, a 237-unit mixed-use multifamily community adjacent to Ting Park, with construction expected to begin in summer 2026. (More)

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➤ Animal services, public works, and a concerned citizen in Cary worked together to rescue nine ducklings trapped in three different pipes, using sound, water, and a camera to push them into sewer basins where they were safely netted. (See Photos)

➤ State wildlife officials are urging the public to avoid close interactions with elk in the Maggie Valley area, where the animals are commonly seen wandering through neighborhoods and towns. (See Photos and Tips)

➤ An African serval named Kenai, who escaped from a private home in Swansboro and was spotted several times in the area, was found Friday and reunited with his family. (Watch Video)

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Have you ever had to sign a noncompete agreement?

1. Yes
2. No
3. What’s a noncompete agreement?

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you plan vacations for the week of July 4th?

1. Never: 48%
2. Only if necessary: 32%
3. Always: 20%

What Hatteras museum is named in honor of the thousands of shipwrecks off North Carolina’s coast?

Show me the answer