Just terrifying and gut-wrenching. The teenage shooter in Raleigh's worst mass murder pleads guilty and a detailed account of the shootings is shared in court. Story from Josh Shaffer and photos from @vizjourno.bsky.social.

There's now an even BIGGER price tag to repair the worst road damage from Helene in Western North Carolina. Richard Stradling reports.

A prominent member of UNC's trustees has stepped down. He was the board's leader during a turbulent time. Breaking news from @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social, @shelbyswanson.bsky.social and @lucianaperezu.bsky.social.

The SBI is being asked to launch a criminal investigation into misuse of Cary town funds. The latest from @nathanpcollins.bsky.social and @virginabridges.bsky.social.

Cary spent at least $151,000 on former town manager's "good governance" book. A total of 143 copies were sold between August and December. The town paid for at least 2,800 print copies and for a ghostwriter, records show. The latest from @nathanpcollins.bsky.social and @dpkane.bsky.social.

NC definitely has some ridiculously pronounced towns. (Conetoe, anyone?) Raleigh usually isn't one of them. But @brookecain.bsky.social says Ochocinco's take is "so original, so innovative, we’re not even mad about it. ... It’s almost poetic." Fun story.

“You know what makes me cranky? Stupid. What makes me cranky is people who don’t do their homework.” NC Sen. Thom Tillis doesn't hold back on Stephen Miller's Greenland comments. #ncpol

“Have you seen the news lately? It doesn’t seem to me that this is a time to turn our back to the world." Protesters speak out against UNC plan to eliminate 6 centers that focus on international culture, politics and history. Story from @kyleingram.bsky.social.

Less than a month ago, a judge ruled that Ryan Camacho was “mentally ill.” But at the same time, the judge declined to involuntary commit Camacho. Now, he's charged in the slaying of a beloved Raleigh teacher. Reporting by Josh Shaffer and @solomonlexib.bsky.social.

Rest in peace, C'sar. Sad story from Martha Quillin.

Jim Hunt, a giant in North Carolina politics, has died.

Cary's mayor cites "over-the-top spending," "lack of transparency" and "an unhealthy work environment" in announcing that the town and its manager are parting ways. Great work from @annamroman.bsky.social, @dpkane.bsky.social, @nathanpcollins.bsky.social and @vizjourno.bsky.social.

Amid many questions about spending, Cary's town manager resigns. Sean Stegall will get a six-month salary severance, totaling $194,832. The latest from @annamroman.bsky.social.

President Donald Trump will make a speech this week in the NC congressional district recently redrawn to make it more favorable to Republicans. The latest from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.

Cary will swear in its interim town manager at a special meeting in a few hours. Town officials aren't commenting to @annamroman.bsky.social on the employment status of manager Sean Stegall, who is on administrative leave.

A bill of $3,419.35 for four nights in a luxury hotel? Six staffers staying at a different (and cheaper) hotel? $150 for "premium door-to-door chauffer service" for a 7-mile trip? @annamroman.bsky.social and @dpkane.bsky.social continue to uncover interesting details about the Cary town manager.

Wow. Crazy story from @annamroman.bsky.social. The town of Cary paid more than $37,000 toward a council member's master's degree. There was no council vote on the spending and even the mayor says he didn't know.

Whether as a kid growing up near Winston-Salem, a college student in Chapel Hill or a young adult in Raleigh, I always appreciated the homey food sanctuary that K&W Cafeteria offered. Josh Shaffer gets it, as he offers in this loving tribute now that K&W is gone for good. More's the pity.

Apple gets more time to meet the goals that were part of the hundreds of millions in incentives it got from North Carolina. The latest from @skyoutbriout.bsky.social.

What exactly happened in the emergency department that left a hospital police officer dead and a Garner man charged with murder. The suspect's family thinks the release of security footage could provide answers. The latest from @solomonlexib.bsky.social.

Great reporting by @chantalallam.bsky.social on "disaster investors" who made money after Tropical Storm Chantal. "Experts warn the line between savvy investing and predatory behavior is thin, and often tested after disasters like Chantal."

Think covering a trip by the US first and second ladies sounds glamourous? Eh, not quite. Come for Josh Shaffer's description of what they wore and he wore. Stay for a chicken nugget essay that speaks to all of us. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

Welcome to the traffic and parking jungle, Gn'R fans.

In a letter sent to The N&O, former NC Rep. Cecil Brockman claims he didn't know alleged victim's age. "He told me he was a legally consenting age and he looked the age he claimed. He was 6’1 (and) muscular.” The latest from @kyleingram.bsky.social. #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Could one of Raleigh's most beloved restaurants make a comeback next year? The latest from Drew Jackson.

Our live updates file on what's happening across the Triangle with the US Border Patrol today. This will be updated throughout the day.

Immigration agents are expected in Raleigh on Tuesday, following a weekend of arrests and protests in Charlotte. The latest from @annamroman.bsky.social.

A North Carolina jury agrees with a woman who says a TikTok influencer ruined her marriage. North Carolina is one of the few states with an "alienation of affection" law. Breaking news from @dmtwumasi.bsky.social.

Rough seas claim more homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks. The latest from Martha Quillin.

“The loss we face is unimaginable. The responsibility before us is great.” The latest from Johnston County authorities on the deaths of 4 children and the charges their father faces. Story by @solomonlexib.bsky.social and @dmtwumasi.bsky.social.

A streamer and an entertainment company are fighting over a distribution deal, with their customers caught in the middle and frustrated. ... Stop us if you've heard this before. The latest from @reneeumsted.bsky.social.

How true is that viral social media post suggesting that North Carolina teachers call out sick next month? @keunghui.bsky.social did some digging.

Remains of four children were thought to be in the trunk of a vehicle "for a long period of time." Just a horrific story. The latest from @solomonlexib.bsky.social.

We're getting our first look at the Raleigh Convention Center expansion. Here's the latest from @reneeumsted.bsky.social.

The trolls are here, Raleigh folks! Here's a look from @dmtwumasi.bsky.social and Ethan Hyman.

JD Vance once officiated the wedding of Kyle Walsh. Now, the Duke professor and close friend of the vice president will head NIH's Research Triangle Park division. Was he properly vetted for the job? @skyoutbriout.bsky.social story.

NC lawmakers came to Raleigh to redistrict, again. They are leaving the capital without a state budget, again. The House and Senate -- both led by Republicans -- remain deadlocked with no compromise in sight. The latest from @lucianaperezu.bsky.social and @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social. #ncpol

"That little piece of paper doesn’t protect you.” Powerful journalism from @solomonlexib.bsky.social and Kaitlin McKeown about a domestic violence victim who got annual protective orders to halt her ex-husband's harassment. But they were not enough.

NC Republicans say they are redistricting to give the GOP a likely 11th congressional district as part of a national "political arms race." Democrats call it "egregious" and "the day fascism came to North Carolina." @kyleingram.bsky.social story. #ncpol

A Wake County father has told the school board repeatedly since March that his son was assaulted by a substitute teacher. Now, the school's principal was suspended without pay. @keunghui.bsky.social story.

“I don’t want my kids living with fear all the time." Powerful story from @nathanpcollins.bsky.social on a Raleigh husband and father of two teenage daughters who made the decision to self deport.

Yes, what goes on in these cash-only "sweepstakes" parlors is illegal in North Carolina. And many authorities don't seem to care. In-depth reporting by @skyoutbriout.bsky.social.

NC Republicans unveil a redrawn congressional map aimed at diluting Democratic voters in the state's only district that is now competitive. Story from @kyleingram.bsky.social.

Surplus Sid's -- a Carrboro spot like no other -- is now gone. Story from @tammygrubb.bsky.social.

Do "Wanted" political posters in Durham elections debate lean into racist tropes? Or are they legitimate political criticism? Interesting story from Kristen Johnson.

“So many credit reports wiped clean. This is life changing news for so many families." Story from @lucianaperezu.bsky.social.

NC Republican leaders say they'll heed Trump's call to redistrict again in attempt to get another GOP seat in Congress. Democrats lambaste move. Story from @kyleingram.bsky.social. #ncpol

So this story from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social has a lot going on in it: pumpkin spice cannabis, "the Buc-ee's of pot" and claims and questions about the "science of teleportation," "ego-driven theatrics" and "casino cartels." (Plus, this image makes me hungry for Count Chocula.)

The latest from @shelbyswanson.bsky.social about the daily soap opera "As the UNC Football Program Turns" ...

Why have so many houses on the NC coast collapsed into the sea this year? Why were they so near the water anyway? And who cleans up the mess? Martha Quillin answers your questions.