The @newsobserver.com's Robert Willett is a national treasure. On top of being a kind and wonderful colleague, he is one hell of a photographer. waltermagazine.com/community/pe...

The latest Power & Secrecy report from Dan Kane, about an NC state senator who is a big fundraiser for the GOP, his links to a lobbyist and payments to the lobbyist's campaign consultant wife. And then there's the disputed bourbon distillery tour and a shared, pricey wine locker.

A US Attorney used AI to craft a legal brief then submitted it unchecked and with errors. He is now paying the price, as @virginabridges.bsky.social reports.

After his 2 vote lead over Phil Berger on Election Night, Sam Page added 21 additional votes Friday. But this race is isn't settled yet, as @kyleingram.bsky.social reports.

UNC-Chapel Hill spent $1.2 million and seven months on a “detailed and exhaustive” investigation of its School of Civic Life and Leadership, which has been plagued by infighting and massive turnover. So what did it uncover? The public university is declining to release the details to the public.

A member of North Carolina's State Board of Elections made campaign contributions to two candidates. You can't do that. He has now resigned, as @kyleingram.bsky.social reports. #ncpol

The NAACP sought the removal of the Confederate soldier statue on the grounds of an NC courthouse. The latest from @virginabridges.bsky.social.

Nida Allam concedes in the Democratic primary rematch with US Rep. Valerie Foushee. The latest from @kyleingram.bsky.social.

Breaking down UNC's three options for the Smith Center with @shelbyswanson.bsky.social. Clearly most campus leaders favor Carolina North, but renovating the current site has emotional support (including from senior Seth Trimble last night.) And then there's Odum Village.

“You should resign or be impeached." One day after GOP Sen. Thom Tillis took on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, it was Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross's turn. Story from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.

Quite a political earthquake happening in North Carolina politics tonight. The leader of the state Senate is down by 2 VOTES to a challenger in his home district. The latest from @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social.

Sen. Thom Tillis didn't hold back in questioning Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday. He lashed out at her on everything from immigration tactics in Minneapolis and NC to Hurricane Helene funding to killing a dog and a goat. The latest from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.

When Raleigh's Triangle Town Center mall opened in 2002, it was heralded for its stores, restaurants and lively outdoor commons area. Now, the fake river has run dry. What happened? Good reporting from Josh Shaffer, @chantalallam.bsky.social and @vizjourno.bsky.social.

The latest on Capital Boulevard from Richard Stradling: There won't be tolls, but construction will take longer and cost more.

I'll admit I wasn't familiar with this bit of Zebulon history, but I'm totally in for the Devil Dogz name and logo! Story from Josh Shaffer.

At least 166 customers complained to North Carolina's attorney general about a wedding photographer who is accused of getting bookings, then disappearing and not honoring contracts. The latest from @solomonlexib.bsky.social.

Interesting story from Kristen Johnson about Durham schools, politics and race.

Good journalism from @dpkane.bsky.social and @nathanpcollins.bsky.social: Cary police spotted the vehicle of former town manager Sean Stegall at a hotel where drug use was suspected in 2016. They watched a man meet with an alleged drug "supplier," then followed the vehicle back to Stegall's home.

"He was more than a light in the darkness. He was a lava lamp." A beautiful remembrance from Josh Shaffer of our former @newsobserver.com colleague Grey Blackwell, gone too soon. From his animated illustrations to his popular Halloween farm, Grey spread joy. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

Who will be going to school Monday? Many systems and universities haven't announced yet (though I suspect we can guess.) Bookmark this link that @keunghui.bsky.social will be updating all day.

From Murphy to Manteo, every county in North Carolina awoke to snow on the ground this morning. The latest from Josh Shaffer.

Eastern North Carolina and the coast was particularly hard hit by winter weather, with more houses vulnerable to the ocean. The latest from Martha Quillin.

Live updates from @newsobserver.com staff on Triangle and NC snowfall, extreme cold and what's next.

Just horrible news about Catherine O'Hara. Home Alone, Beetlejuice, SCTV, all the Christopher Guest movies, The Studio and, of course, the great Moira Rose. Truly a great and underrated comic actor.

After lashing out at Homeland Security Security Kristi Noem earlier this week for her performance in Minneapolis, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis criticized her work on a whole different topic Thursday. Story by @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.

One guilty verdict, one mistrial in high-profile Orange County murder case. The latest from @tammygrubb.bsky.social.

The NC Court of Appeals overturns a former county commissioner's conviction for indecent liberties with a 12-year-old. He had been reelected after the sex-crime charge but resigned after a jury found him guilty. Story by @virginabridges.bsky.social.

"They were not happy.” @ncstate.bsky.social basketball Coach Will Wade and the university have an internal debate over those throwback STATE uniforms. Story from @jwatsonfisher.bsky.social.

A new logo aims to have all of UNC "speak with a single voice and visual identity.” So what did that cost? Our new higher education reporter, @janesartwell.bsky.social, breaks it down.

One big thing saved us from the crippling ice storm (and power outages) we could have seen over the weekend. Josh Shaffer talked to ABC11's Big Weather about it.

The Triangle is recovering today from its wintry weekend. (Thanks, Sun!) But could a new system of frozen precipitation be brewing? The latest from @reneeumsted.bsky.social.

North Carolina's coming winter storm “has the potential to be a massive disruption to people’s lives," Gov. Josh Stein says. The latest from @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social.

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.