Cooper Enters US Senate Race

Former Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper officially entered the U.S. Senate race Monday with hopes of flipping the seat held by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who will not seek reelection in 2026.

Insiders believe the Senate race could be the country’s most expensive, with estimates reaching $750 million. Cooper will likely face Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who was endorsed by President Trump after his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, opted not to run.

In his launch video, Cooper emphasized his record as governor, focusing on the middle class, education, health care, and economic development. He described himself as someone who “never really wanted to go to Washington” but entered the race to help North Carolinians.

Cooper becomes the favorite to win the Democratic nomination, with former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) expected to suspend his campaign and endorse the two-term governor.

BOE Rolls Out Voter Registration Repair Site

The North Carolina State Board of Elections has launched a Voter Registration Repair website to address missing driver’s license or Social Security data in more than 103,000 voter records, ensuring compliance with a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit and state court rulings. 

The initiative, approved unanimously by the board, aims to maintain accurate voter rolls without removing eligible voters. The estimated number of affected registrations last month was nearly 200,000.

The website instructs voters to check and update their registration online through a Department of Motor Vehicles portal, in person at county election offices, or via a mailed form. Provisional ballots will be required for in-person voters with incomplete data, and poll workers will be instructed to assist those voters.

North Carolina voters can use a Registration Repair Search Tool to find out if their registration is among those affected.

Duke Alum Helps Create New TSA Technology

Duke University alumnus Joel Greenberg, the founder and CEO of Quadridox, has developed a new CT X-ray machine that can more efficiently detect explosive devices during the Transportation Security Administration’s scanning process at airports.

Set for testing in East Coast airports in 2026, the new technology features enhanced sensitivity and uses real-time data to scan bags, resulting in more accuracy and fewer delays.

“We’re measuring the X-rays that actually scatter or bounce off of the objects in the bag, and that gives us a lot more material information,” Greenberg said.

The X-ray system can also be used in medical settings by helping pathologists and surgeons more quickly and accurately distinguish cancerous tissue from healthy tissue.

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➤ Statewide: Record-high temperatures persist across North Carolina until Friday, when they’ll dip below average into the mid-80s through the weekend and into Monday. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization’s 2028-2037 improvement plan includes widening I-77 through Iredell and Mecklenburg counties, and widening Morgan Mill Road from U.S. 74 to the Monroe Expressway. (More)

➤ Triangle: Cleanup efforts following damage from Tropical Depression Chantal have reopened parts of the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and Jordan Lake’s beaches. Eno River State Park and the Robeson Creek boat ramp remain closed. (More)

➤ Wake County: An online gamer who says he was shocked by lightning through his metal earbuds during a July 19 Twitch livestream now avoids using plugged-in devices during storms. (More)

➤ Greenville: Per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirements, environmental experts surveyed the Tar River for the endangered Tar River spinymussel and Neuse River waterdog before beginning a $20 million bulkhead replacement project in August. (More)

➤ Kill Devil Hills: Wright Brothers National Memorial will waive entrance fees on Aug. 4 in honor of the Great American Outdoors Act, and again on Aug. 19 in honor of National Aviation Day and Orville Wright’s Birthday. (More)

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➤ North Carolina Central’s football coach, Trei Oliver, has accused Virginia Tech of tampering, alleging that the Hokies sent a coach to convince running back J’Mari Taylor to enter the transfer portal. (More)

➤ Charlotte FC beat Toronto 2-0 over the weekend, extending the team’s winning streak to a franchise-high four games. (More)

➤ Newly signed Charlotte Hornets player Antonio Reeves hosted a youth basketball camp in his hometown of Chicago over the weekend. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ The UNC System approved a $59 million soccer stadium as part of a broader $204.1 million development project, including housing and retail, on UNC Asheville’s campus. The stadium is expected to serve as a potential home for the Asheville City Soccer Club and the university’s teams. (More)

➤ Flytrex announced on July 16 that it would cease drone deliveries in Holly Springs due to Federal Aviation Administration airspace restrictions, but has the support of the North Carolina Department of Transportation for future drone integration. (More)

➤ Sentara Albemarle Medical Center will open the new Sentara Albemarle Regional Medical Campus in Elizabeth City on Aug. 8, a $278 million investment in North Carolina’s rural and underserved communities. (More)

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➤ North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation deployed four of its most experienced K-9 teams to assist in ongoing flood recovery efforts in Kerr County, Texas. (See Photos)

➤ Wilmington tourists are beating the heat by taking Wilmington Water Tours’ Film History Tour, which explores the city’s film industry by boat, highlighting movie locations from Firestarter, Iron Man 3, and The Conjuring. (More)

➤ Among the most scenic drives in the U.S., according to World Atlas, is a 90-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville and Blowing Rock that encompasses Craggy Gardens, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, and Linville Gorge. (See List)

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Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite kind of chocolate?

1. Dark: 32%
2. Milk: 26%
3. All three: 19%
4. White: 12%
5. None: 11%

What present-day North Carolina town is the House in the Horseshoe located near?

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