WFAE staff and wire reports

A wetter-than-normal July and significant rainfall from the past week have improved drought conditions in central and northeastern North Carolina, but many reservoirs remain below their normal levels for this time of year, and the public is still encouraged to conserve water.

The Carolina Panthers will hold Fan Fest on Friday at Bank of America Stadium as the team continues training camp and prepares for next week's Hall of Fame Game in Ohio.

A Swiss biopharmaceutical company is moving forward with plans for its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Rock Hill.

The city of Monroe has lifted its mandatory water restrictions after recent rainfall helped replenish local reservoirs.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is joining a coalition of two dozen Democratic-led states in a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency over plans that could withhold counterterrorism funding from states.

For a part-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, Corey Heim is having a remarkable season.Heim won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday for Huntersville-based 23XI Racing in just his 15th Cup Series start. The victory was his second of the season after winning the road race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego last month.

The Fort Mill School District is calling for “immediate and decisive” action following York County’s decision against the controversial Silfab Solar plant located near two district schools.

York County Council made a last-minute effort Monday to salvage the proposed $1.5 billion Octapharma project and the 1,500 jobs tied to it in Rock Hill.

South Carolina Republican U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman says he is running for the U.S. Senate.Norman announced his candidacy over the weekend. A special Republican primary election to replace the late Lindsey Graham on the GOP ballot is scheduled for Aug. 11.Norman finished third in the Republican primary for governor earlier this year.

New rules approved Thursday by the North Carolina State Board of Elections could make it easier for elections officials to reject ballots during the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.