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Ex-Democrats hand North Carolina GOP key votes

Two Mecklenburg lawmakers helped Republicans advance constitutional amendments and override a veto.

Politics

Two former Democrats gave Republicans in the North Carolina House the three-fifths majority they needed for several votes Wednesday, passing a trio of constitutional amendments that will likely appear on ballots across the state in November.Why it matters: Charlotte state Reps. Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed having joined the Republican majority Wednesday may have long-term effects, given the high threshold for altering the state constitution.

North Carolina sues VinFast to take back control of Chatham County land

The lawsuit is meant to take back control of the Chatham County land VinFast wanted to build on.

Business

N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the Vietnamese car maker VinFast, alleging the electric vehicle company breached its agreement with the state to build a manufacturing facility in Chatham County. Why it matters: Announced with much fanfare in 2022, VinFast&#x27;s promise to build a $4 billion EV plant in Chatham County and employ some 7,500 workers has not materialized, according to the lawsuit. <ul><li>The lawsuit is part of an effort by the state to reacquire the 1,765-acre site from VinFast and begin marketing it to new companies. </li></ul>

Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot's future

Many churches across the country are now using excess land to add affordable housing.

News

One of Raleigh&#x27;s most historic churches, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edenton Street United Methodist Church" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esumc.org/" data-vars-content-id="9115327a-afae-4966-bbd1-0316fa8cf9e6" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esumc.org/" target="_blank">Edenton Street United Methodist Church</a>, is contemplating the future of its downtown parking lot and how it can be best used going forward in a rapidly changing city. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The church&#x27;s 1.2-acre parking lot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esumc.org/dawsonlot" data-vars-content-id="9115327a-afae-4966-bbd1-0316fa8cf9e6" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esumc.org/dawsonlot" target="_blank">The church&#x27;s 1.2-acre parking lot</a> sits in the heart of downtown Raleigh, where the church has been located since the early 1800s.

North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion

The aquarium closes after Memorial Day for a renovation that will add a huge new shark habitat.

<figure><img alt="A shark moves through the screen, its multiple rows of teeth and dead-looking eye nearing the camera lens." height="450" id="10af9e22-a47b-481f-8ca1-65b5730e5a68" src="https://images.axios.com/WCIhcD3MIptV2oxxjZP1B4fDUy0=/2026/05/21/1779378719507.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A sand tiger shark at Fort Fisher Aquarium. Video: Mary Helen Moore/Axios</figcaption></figure>This is the final weekend the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be open for several years. Why it matters: A lengthy renovation and expansion begins after Memorial Day that will give the already popular destination a new look and make it the state&#x27;s largest aquarium.Zoom in: Today, the aquarium is home to around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="200 species" data-vars-click-url="http://inaturalist.org/guides/1499?page=1" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://inaturalist.org/guides/1499?page=1" target="_blank">200 species</a>, many native to North Carolina&#x27;s waters, including sand tiger sharks, an albino alligator and, sometimes, sea turtles. <ul><li>Many of the fish and other animals. including two families of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Asian small-clawed otters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/NCAquariumFF/posts/1332249242280196?ref=embed_post" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/NCAquariumFF/posts/1332249242280196?ref=embed_post" target="_blank">Asian small-clawed otters</a>, will remain on-site throughout construction, aquarium staff said.</li><li>Renovations will add a massive 400,000-gallon shark habitat, new touch tanks and more.</li></ul>Driving the news: Construction breaks ground Tuesday. The state says it will take around 30 months, putting completion in late 2028. <ul><li>North Carolina has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two other state-run aquariums" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaquariums.com/" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaquariums.com/" target="_blank">two other state-run aquariums</a>, but Fort Fisher is the closest one to the Triangle.</li><li>Fort Fisher&#x27;s Civil War-era historic site and beach access both will remain open.</li></ul>By the numbers: The aquarium had about 474,000 visitors in 2025.If you go: Aquarium entry continues <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="9am-5pm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaquariums.com/visit-fort-fisher" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaquariums.com/visit-fort-fisher" target="_blank">9am-5pm</a> through Monday. Adult tickets cost $15.<ul><li>The drive from Wilmington takes about 30 minutes. </li><li>900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach</li></ul><figure><img alt="View of visitors, including many children, as they view various fish in a tank at the Fort Fisher Aquarium, Kure Beach, North Carolina, 1997. " height="3125" id="eb139a25-ff97-4611-841b-fc98a2b44e19" src="https://images.axios.com/dMbGQ11G1AI8i0MxbapijzwHlhA=/2026/05/21/1779385682123.jpeg" width="4800"/><figcaption>The Fort Fisher aquarium in 1997. Photo: Brownie Harris/Corbis via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

Some North Carolina schools still lack AEDs as lawmakers push bill

Advocates say quick access to AEDs can help save students during cardiac emergencies.

Education

North Carolina lawmakers are considering requiring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AEDs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/21/north-carolina-911-drone-defibrillator" data-vars-content-id="1f389ccf-67b0-4f16-b7cb-a5f120894d36" data-vars-headline="Some North Carolina schools still lack AEDs as lawmakers push bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/21/north-carolina-911-drone-defibrillator" target="_self">AEDs</a> on every public school campus.Why it matters: During cardiac arrest, getting a shock from a defibrillator in time can be the difference between life and death.

North Carolina SBI pushes to expand license plate camera network

A pilot program captured millions of license plates across the state and led to many arrests.

Even as a growing number of North Carolina towns end contracts with companies that provide license-plate-reading cameras, the amount of cameras using the technology could expand on state-owned roads.Why it matters: The State Bureau of Investigation has been piloting a program to put automated license plate recognition (APLR) cameras in the rights-of-way of state roads across North Carolina for the past year.

Triangle library cuts draw backlash amid budget crunch

Wake, Durham and Orange leaders say slowing revenue growth is forcing difficult choices.

Proposed cuts to public libraries are starting to draw protests in the Triangle.Why it matters: Libraries are a small slice of county spending, but local leaders hoping to avoid steep tax hikes see a potential for savings.

GOP leaders say a budget deal is close after yearlong stalemate

North Carolina was the only state that was unable to pass a full budget last year.

After a year of negotiations, North Carolina Republicans are close to finalizing a state budget, legislative leaders said Tuesday. Why it matters: North Carolina is the only state that did not pass a full budget last year, and the stalemate has delayed potential raises for state employees and teachers.

ACA enrollment in North Carolina plummets after subsidies expire

The decline comes after enhanced subsidies for the plans expired.

Health

The number of North Carolinians enrolled in health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act has fallen significantly this year. <ul><li>More than 200,000 fewer people are getting insurance via the program this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to data compiled by KFF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/state-indicator/marketplace-plan-selections-by-enrollment-type-2/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;selectedRows=%7B%22states%22:%7B%22north-carolina%22:%7B%7D%7D%7D&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" data-vars-content-id="6e746ba5-e2a7-47be-abd4-253030351780" data-vars-headline="ACA enrollment in North Carolina plummets after subsidies expire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/state-indicator/marketplace-plan-selections-by-enrollment-type-2/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;selectedRows=%7B%22states%22:%7B%22north-carolina%22:%7B%7D%7D%7D&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">according to data compiled by KFF</a>. </li></ul>Why it matters: The drop came after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="enhanced subsidies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/obamacare-marketplace-upheaval-subsidy-extension" data-vars-content-id="6e746ba5-e2a7-47be-abd4-253030351780" data-vars-headline="ACA enrollment in North Carolina plummets after subsidies expire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/obamacare-marketplace-upheaval-subsidy-extension" target="_self">enhanced subsidies</a> for the ACA expired, making plans more expensive for many people.

Ahead of teacher rally, schools face tough budget choices

Thousands rally as districts face cuts, closures and widening gaps in school funding statewide.

Thousands of teachers from across North Carolina are descending on Raleigh for a &quot;Kids Over Corporations&quot; protest Friday.Why it matters: School is canceled across much of the state, and the North Carolina Association of Educators is hoping the mass protest pushes lawmakers to pass raises for teachers and increase school funding.

Orange County's 10 biggest sources of property tax

Chapel Hill apartment investors, Mebane life sciences companies and utility companies are the biggest players.

Local governments across North Carolina will roll out detailed budget plans in the coming weeks.Why it matters: Property taxes fund core local services, including K–12 education and public safety.

Durham County's 10 biggest sources of property tax

Corporate landowners would likely benefit from the property tax caps being discussed by the General Assembly.

The North Carolina legislature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is debating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/15/nc-ballot-measure-property-tax-reform-constitutional-amendment" data-vars-content-id="2e15052e-df8f-439d-8d20-d44d7d531767" data-vars-headline="Durham County&#x27;s 10 biggest sources of property tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/15/nc-ballot-measure-property-tax-reform-constitutional-amendment" target="_self">is debating</a> capping property taxes or putting a moratorium on reappraisals this year, and that could be welcome news for some of Durham&#x27;s major private employers.Why it matters: The General Assembly&#x27;s proposed reforms are being framed as ways to keep housing affordable, but the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest corporate landowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/23/north-carolina-property-tax-cap-wake-county-corporate-landowners-housing-affordability" data-vars-content-id="2e15052e-df8f-439d-8d20-d44d7d531767" data-vars-headline="Durham County&#x27;s 10 biggest sources of property tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/23/north-carolina-property-tax-cap-wake-county-corporate-landowners-housing-affordability" target="_self">largest corporate landowners</a> stand to benefit, too.

Politics 🇺🇸

Some North Carolina schools still lack AEDs as lawmakers push bill

North Carolina sues VinFast to take back control of Chatham County land

Ex-Democrats hand North Carolina GOP key votes

Raleigh plans tax hike, bonds for November 2026 ballot

North Carolina SBI pushes to expand license plate camera network