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Asheville Citizen-Times Asheville Citizen-Times
NC students show gains in testing, graduation rate reaches record high

NC students show gains in testing, graduation rate reaches record high

North Carolina’s graduation rate reached a record high last school year as overall test proficiency climbed to its highest level in three years.
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North Carolina Families Face Increased Back-to-School Costs Amid Rising Inflation and Public School Underfunding Concerns

North Carolina Families Face Increased Back-to-School Costs Amid Rising Inflation and Public School Underfunding Concerns

North Carolina families and educators are grappling with significantly higher back-to-school costs this year, according to a virtual press conference hosted by the advocacy group Progress NC. An analysis by the Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation indicates that school supply costs have risen by 7.7% compared to last year, surpassing the general inflation rate. Additionally, school lunch costs have seen a 10.7% increase over the past year. Wake County parent Brittany Gregory highlighted that families are not only purchasing supplies for their own children but are also being asked to cover classroom necessities, such as Clorox wipes, due to underfunded schools. Adam Hege, a Watauga County Board of Education member, attributed rising expenses to tariffs and escalating gas prices, impacting everything from school supplies to bus maintenance and cafeteria meals.
1Weather 1Weather
Holly Springs Promotes Preparedness Amid Active Weather Year

Holly Springs Promotes Preparedness Amid Active Weather Year

Holly Springs, NC, is observing National Preparedness Month, urging residents to plan for potential disasters. Emergency Management Specialist Jennifer Mathis highlighted the importance of readiness, citing significant weather activity in the area this year. Wake County has already experienced 6 flash flood warnings, 1 flash flood watch, 42 severe thunderstorm warnings, 2 tornado watches, 2 winter storm warnings, 1 extreme heat warning, and 12 heat advisories. The town is encouraging families to create disaster plans, stock emergency kits, and stay informed through local notifications. Resources like the ReadyWake program provide detailed guidance on preparing for emergencies, including family communication plans and supply checklists.
Asheville Citizen-Times Asheville Citizen-Times
Buncombe County seeks $24 million for Helene recovery work

Buncombe County seeks $24 million for Helene recovery work

Buncombe County seeks $24 million in state funds to repair parks and support a major affordable housing project.
Asheville Citizen-Times Asheville Citizen-Times
NC middle schooler dies during football practice from cardiac arrest

NC middle schooler dies during football practice from cardiac arrest

The North Carolina 13-year-old's sudden death was caused by cardiac arrest. Here's what could have caused it.
AP News AP News
Midterm mail ballots start to go to voters as litigation over Trump's order creates uncertainty

Midterm mail ballots start to go to voters as litigation over Trump's order creates uncertainty

Statewide mail voting for this year’s midterm elections is kicking off amid a churning legal battle over President Donald Trump’s attempts to limit the practice
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Action Behavior Centers Advocates for Autism Therapy Access in North Carolina Amid Medicaid Rate Reductions

Action Behavior Centers Advocates for Autism Therapy Access in North Carolina Amid Medicaid Rate Reductions

Action Behavior Centers (ABC), a prominent provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is actively engaging in advocacy efforts to safeguard and expand access to autism services across the U.S. In August, ABC's Family Advocacy team hosted legislative staff at its Clayton, North Carolina center. This visit included Trey Lewis, MPA, Northeast Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, and Blake Belch, Southeastern Regional Director for U.S. Senator Ted Budd. The purpose of the visit was to demonstrate how early, individualized ABA therapy assists autistic children in achieving developmental milestones in social interaction, communication, and independence. Discussions also focused on policy factors influencing access to autism services in North Carolina, particularly in light of the state's implementation of a 10% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates for ABA services. ABC is advocating for funding and guidance that preserves individual...
Asheville Citizen-Times Asheville Citizen-Times
Why Interstate 40 repairs now cost $2.8B, up from initial estimate

Why Interstate 40 repairs now cost $2.8B, up from initial estimate

Rebuilding Interstate 40 will now take until 2029 and cost more due to complex drilling needs in the Pigeon River Gorge.
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Greenville Police Department Halts Flock Camera Rollout Following Community Privacy Concerns

Greenville Police Department Halts Flock Camera Rollout Following Community Privacy Concerns

The Greenville Police Department (GPD) has decided to abandon its plans to implement Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. This decision came after significant feedback from the community, City Council, and the City Manager’s Office, which raised concerns about privacy and data access. In early July, GPD had announced intentions to purchase and install 10 Flock cameras along major entry and exit routes of the city to assist in crime solving, vehicle recovery, and locating missing persons. However, none of these cameras were installed. The reversal follows a packed City Council meeting on August 24, where numerous residents voiced opposition to the technology. Jeanette Doran, Chief Legal Officer at the John Locke Foundation, supported Greenville's decision, emphasizing that while the cameras can aid law enforcement, the routine recording of thousands of innocent people's movements presents fundamental surveillance and privacy issues.
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North Carolina Political Landscape Shifts Towards Purple State Status, Poll Indicates

North Carolina Political Landscape Shifts Towards Purple State Status, Poll Indicates

A recent poll conducted by retired Democratic consultant Gary Pearce and Change Research suggests a significant shift in North Carolina's political landscape, indicating the state is moving towards becoming a 'purple state.' The poll's findings, shared by Pearce on his Substack blog 'Garypearcenc,' highlight that Democrats have achieved parity with Republicans in terms of favorability. This development marks a notable change from previous years when the Democratic brand was perceived as chronically weak, even in the face of what the source describes as the GOP’s radicalism. The poll's results were particularly striking for Pearce, who noted that the 'horserace findings' were less impactful than the broader implication of this political rebalancing. This shift suggests that the long-term efforts to make North Carolina a more politically competitive state may be yielding results, challenging the state's traditional political leanings.
Asheville Citizen-Times Asheville Citizen-Times
Possible measles exposure in Buncombe, Henderson counties. See locations

Possible measles exposure in Buncombe, Henderson counties. See locations

State health department reports two possible areas for measle exposure in Western North Carolina. Plus numbers on measles cases in NC this year, more.
Wilmington Star-News Wilmington Star-News
All the big fall concerts coming to Wilmington you need to know about

All the big fall concerts coming to Wilmington you need to know about

Wilmington concerts this fall will satisfy most any palate with plenty of country and rock but also reggae, jam, bluegrass, jazz, classical and more.