Edgecombe County
Opposition to data centers is 'catching a fire' across North Carolina, spurring political challenges
As local officials in North Carolina consider whether to approve data center projects or halt development with moratoriums, their decisions are having political repercussions.
CHARLOTTE TALKS WITH MIKE COLLINS
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JMTURNER/Wikimedia CommonsThe North Carolina General Assembly’s short session starts Tuesday, and a proposal to cap property tax increases has Mecklenburg leaders on edge. Meanwhile, CMPD just dropped first-quarter crime stats and separate new data shows nearly half those arrested in last year's Charlotte Border Patrol operation had no criminal record. Also, after an overtime win on Tuesday, the Hornets face the Orlando Magic on Friday night, fighting for a final playoff spot. -
Atlantic Monthly Press/Glen Allsop for Hodinkee.Marie Curie is the most famous woman in the history of science. She coined the term “radioactivity” and traveled the world to share its secrets. Her story is told in a new book by acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist Dava Sobel, but, along the way, she tells the stories of other women who trained in Curie’s lab who would pursue their own scientific careers.
In this 6-part series, BPR, the NC Newsroom, WFAE and WUNC explore North Carolina's accelerating data-center boom and its real impact on local communities.
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LOCAL NEWS
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During the wars in Iran and Ukraine, armies have increasingly relied on so-called "one way attack drones" — inexpensive unmanned devices that fly to their target and explode. -
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say overall crime was down in the opening quarter of 2026, even as homicides increased. -
A new report shows an additional 5,000 to 10,000 college graduates are needed annually to meet NC job demands. -
State lawmakers are calling for stronger efforts to investigate fraud and abuse in North Carolina's Medicaid system. A state House committee held a nearly three-hour hearing Thursday on the topic, questioning Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. -
Public schools across North Carolina are seeing enrollment declines, resulting in reductions in state funding. As districts prepare their budgets under these financial constraints, many are making difficult decisions to close schools. -
A group of 29 rescued sea turtles made their way toward the Atlantic Ocean during a public release event on Tuesday at East Beach Access in Oak Island, N.C.
NATION & WORLD
DAILY NEWS ROUNDUP
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The N.C. Board of Elections approves a new process to determine whether voters are citizens. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster calls for an investigation of a charter school. A judge has ruled that video of Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney wandering city hall sans trousers must be released to the public. Charlotte Water asks residents to limit non-essential water usage.
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Get behind-the-scenes insight and analysis about what’s happening in local and statewide politics from political reporter Steve Harrison.
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