CBD, hemp and other marijuana products may not be available in North Carolina next year. Full details 👉 nclocal.org/2025/12/23/cbd-hemp-and-other-marijuana-products-may-not-be-available-in-nc-next-year-heres-why/

We spent some time last week volunteering with Urban Ministries of Durham. We appreciate the work they do to help families & individuals with shelter, food, clothes & more.🎁We hope your holiday is filled with warmth & joy! From all of us at NC Local, thank you for your support of local journalism!

🥁Our first edition of The Trailhead: A Guide to Western North Carolina landed in subscribers' inboxes this morning! Here's a look at what's inside⬇️

North Carolina ferry system gets boost, but challenges remain. The latest 👇 💵State lawmakers approved an extra $7 million this year for the OBX ferry system 🛟Due to an aging fleet, leaders say millions more will be needed for repairs & improvements ℹ️More here: nclocal.org/2025/12/12/s...

An NC Local investigation finds Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley has been claiming a tax benefit for a home in Georgia. Full story here: nclocal.org/2025/12/11/a...

💸Where does North Carolina tourism tax money go? 📈Recent figures show more than $400 million is collected statewide from tourists paying this tax. Find out who joins these TDA boards that control the money and why there's a related case before the N.C. Supreme Court: nclocal.org/2025/12/09/w...

Why is the cost of health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act increasing in North Carolina? Federal tax credits (set to expire in 2026) & North Carolina's rate hike approval, all explained here: nclocal.org/2025/12/03/a...

What’s happening with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles? If you’ve been to the DMV lately, you may have waited a long time. Also, some leaders want to separate the DMV from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Here's what to know 👇

A new law this year gave North Carolina parents and guardians more control over what books their children can access in public schools. Here's what HB 805 requires of school boards and teachers, and what control parents now have.

From Murphy to Manteo, we’re convening North Carolinians to help them feel more connected — to each other, and to our state. If you'd like to support our work, you can donate here: nclocal.org/donate

Need help paying energy bills this winter? North Carolina’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program helps with gas, electric and fuel bills. 👉What to know & how to find out if you're eligible: nclocal.org/2025/11/24/n...

What's the difference between ICE and Border Patrol? FAQ: nclocal.org/2025/11/14/f...

⚠️ Wildfire danger is high across NC. Here’s what you should know nclocal.org/2025/11/19/w...

How are Border Patrol operations affecting kids and schools in Charlotte? nclocal.org/2025/11/18/i...

🛒Need food in North Carolina? Use this map to find it! 1,000+ locations 🔎 Search by map or city/county 👉 Find free food resources here: nclocal.org/2025/11/12/n...

Do North Carolina police officers work with ICE? Here's what to know about ICE detainers and immigration status checks in local jails, as well as the new HB318 law in North Carolina, a potential vote on Nov. 17 to override Gov. Stein's veto of SB153, and more. nclocal.org/2025/11/06/l...

We're hosting two great (free!) events next week in Western North Carolina as we connect with the community & welcome NC Local's Senior Reporter, Lilly Knoepp. 🍻Launch Event: The Trailhead 📍The Lazy Hiker (Sylva) 🗓️Nov. 13, 5 to 7 🎟️Free (first round on us!) 👉 www.eventbrite.com/e/nc-locals-...?

Big news!🎉Yesterday, nearly 80 community leaders in Alamance County joined us as we announced the launch of The Alamance Fabric — a new newsletter and community engagement initiative! ✨Connecting neighbors ℹ️Sharing trusted information 🤝Strengthening a sense of place

🥾Come hike with NC Local near Asheville on Nov. 14! Event + coffee & donuts are free! Dogs on a leash welcome! More info + free registration here: www.eventbrite.com/e/a-short-hi...

Will North Carolina teachers get raises this year? nclocal.org/2025/11/02/w...

NC lawmakers just redrew congressional districts. The change is expected to flip another seat to Republicans by moving Black voters out of District 1. In this explainer (available for republication), we break down what just happened & what it means for voters: nclocal.org/2025/10/22/t...

Wait, there’s an election? Join @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social & @youcanvotenc.bsky.social this Friday 9/5 at 11 am to get prepped on the 2025 North Carolina election & low-lift ways to help inform your community. Register here: airtable.com/appqfGVZywK3...

We're thrilled to partner with @newsobserver.com, 12+ other news and info orgs & UNC Asheville on this community focused event to mark the 1 year anniversary of Helene. We hope to see you there!

Great thread on the value of public media in state government coverage, particularly in #ncpol #ncga where there are three of us (two backed by a grant from the now-defunded Corporation for Public Broadcasting) keeping tabs on everything at the state capital for audiences from Murphy to Manteo

Join @ncaatogether.bsky.social and @wunc.org tomorrow in Raleigh for an important conversation on navigating today's media environment! Learn tools to spot mis/disinformation and take part in an open discussion on how people and the press work with each other. RSVP: ncaat.org/MomosWithThe...

The Trump administration's targeting of international students has come to NC. The Technician reports that 2 NC State grad students have left the US after their visas were revoked, without reason or warning. www.technicianonline.com/news/two-nc-...

Today is the 6 month anniversary of Helene & WNC is facing a new disaster: wildfires. Follow these news & info orgs for the latest. @blueridgepublic.bsky.social has an excellent live blog here, including evacuations, air quality & notice of local gov updates: www.bpr.org/live-updates...

#HeadsUpNC We @nclocal.bsky.social have been tracking #NC impact of federal cuts and policy change as reported by our state's local journalists, impact from disaster preparedness to local economy and education. Please suggest links so we can help inform NC #NCPol docs.google.com/document/d/e...

Investigations, raids, funding cuts, inclusion programs under attack—there's a lot happening to universities & campuses. Get the support you need to cover the local impact in your communities. Learn more in our Q&A with @opencampus.org's Colleen Murphy: nclocalnewsworkshop.org/skills-and-b...

Thank you to the 300 (!) people who joined us at the 2025 News & Info Summit, co-hosted with @ncopengov.bsky.social, and all the presenters, sponsors, Summit organizers and venue staff. The NC ecosystem is really special & we are so grateful for all of you and your roles in building it!

We’re so excited to see you tomorrow for the 2025 News & Information Summit, cohosted with the @ncopengov.bsky.social. If you haven't yet registered, there are a few spots left! www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-nc-ne... Here's a sample of the 20+ sessions to choose from.

Join the NC Women in Journalism group tomorrow, 3/8 to celebrate International Women's Day with a panel of trailblazing journalists. Featuring @lisasorg.bsky.social, @elizabethwalters.bsky.social & others. Free event! Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-j...

Thank you @centercoopmedia.bsky.social for highlighting our work & the importance of local news ecosystems in serving communities during and after disasters.

We are thrilled to announce this news today! Find details below and in this week's newsletter: mailchi.mp/elon.edu/nc-...

We’re excited about this special service available at the 3/12 NC News & Information Summit which we're co-hosting with @ncopengov.bsky.social. Please note, you need to sign up in advance and slots are limited! Info here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...

We are 16 days away from the 2025 NC News & Information Summit on 3/12! Join us for the Sunshine Awards, a keynote featuring WNC journalists on covering Helene & 20+ sessions, like this one with @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social.

Please take a few minutes and read this story of a life well-lived. Of particular, but not exclusive, interest to folks interested in #wnc #avl #appalachia.

Here's what you need to know from the NC news and information ecosystem this week. First up, "We’ve got targets on our kids’ backs." @nchealthnews.bsky.social speaks with families affected by rollback to transgender rights: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/02/13/t...

"We had a damn good run. We did the best we could and we’re glad we did it." Hear from @triadcitybeat.bsky.social Founder @brianclarey.bsky.social & Managing Editor @bysayakamatsuoka.bsky.social about 10+ years of local muckraking and movement journalism. nclocalnewsworkshop.org/news-leader-...

"We're not pointing fingers at any particular individual or institution or political party or anything. We're just saying this happened. We want to make sure that people understand that this is happening..." John Sherer of UNC Press on the dangers of silencing authors: www.wunc.org/education/20...

How are Trump & Musk's orders and directives affecting North Carolina? Our local news and information providers have been busy examining the impacts. Not an exhaustive list, so please share others in the replies or tag us. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

Deadline extended for several categories of the Sunshine awards, and the Frank Barrows Award for Excellence in Student Journalism!

One of the most innovative local news fundraisers in North Carolina is underway this week. The DTH & Chronicle Rivalry Challenge is both a competition and a collaboration that leverages the passion UNC & Duke fans to raise $ for student journalism. More: nclocalnewsworkshop.org/news-leader-...

While attacks on DEI have prompted a growing number of institutions to end their programs, the NC Local News Workshop is leaning in. Today we're sharing a piece from the ED @shanbow.bsky.social on continuing our commitment to media equity. nclocalnewsworkshop.org/dei/a-time-t...

Last week I posted an analysis of the ~60k voters challenged in NCs Supreme Court race bc of "incomplete registration information" A few days later Griffin filed a brief detailing challenges to 2 additional groups of voters. I analyzed them here #ncpol www.oldnorthstatepolitics.com/2025/01/anal...

#HeadsUpNC, as the state dramatically increases voucher support for private schools, is it funding resegregation? New @propublica.org database lets you check private school demographics projects.propublica.org/private-scho...

Keynote announced for the 3/12 NC News & Info Summit, in partnership with @ncopengov.bsky.social. NYT's Dean Baquet will lead a panel of WNC journalists discussing the essential role of local news following Helene. Details here: www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Looking for the latest in the still-to-be certified election in the NC Supreme Court race? Local news outlets have you covered, including some outstanding work by @bryanranderson.bsky.social: andersonalerts.substack.com/p/nc-supreme...

⏰ Deadline alert! Get your pitches in today for workshops, panels, trainings & other types of sessions at the 2025 NC News & Info Summit, happening 3/12 in Durham. Don't have a fleshed out idea yet? That's ok! Organizers will help you refine your pitch. Details: airtable.com/appP80Znvhp2...

Excited to be hosting @michaelkruse.bsky.social (of Politico) in conversation with Lilly Knoepp (of Blue Ridge Pubic Radio) on Jan. 23. The event is in the UC Theater on the WCU campus and it's free. I hope you'll join us. www.politico.com/interactives... #wnc #ncpol #avl