North Carolina

Strong democracies depend on informed, engaged citizens — and that requires investing in the kind of education that prepares young people not just for careers, but for civic life. A newly announced partnership between two of North Carolina’s premier public universities is doing exactly that, expanding what students can learn and signaling a broader commitment to developing the next generation of community leaders, storytellers, and democratic participants.

Asheville’s Mayor Manheimer seeks a fourth term, focusing on continuity and recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene.

Climate change affects fall colors in the Blue Ridge Mountains, altering peak leaf season timing and impacting tourism.

Local elections are often decided by the smallest margins — and how candidates reach voters, and whether voters trust their local government enough to participate, can shape those outcomes as much as any policy platform. In Asheville, North Carolina, a mayoral rematch is raising fundamental questions about government transparency, voter access to information, and what democratic accountability looks like at the city level.

Early voting starts in NC. Voters at Miller Park share concerns on health care, education, and war, urging participation.

Guilford County delays vote on data center moratorium after residents request extending it to 32 months for legal review.

About 60 federal detainees will move to Mecklenburg County’s detention centers despite ongoing overcrowding issues.