Good News Friday: Welcome the first NC babies of 2026

The first NC babies of 2026 are here. Plus, rural health upgrades and college football players give back in this week’s “Good News Friday.” 

If you’re reading this, you made it. We have officially entered 2026, and I personally am hoping that the year goes a little better than 2025 did. But I’m not here to speculate; I’m here to spread positivity. 

Try to imagine entering the world for the first time in 2026. What role will artificial intelligence play in your life? Will you ever have to steer a car? The weather … ohhh, the weather. 

I’m here on Good News Friday to shed some optimism, not worry about the weather. That’s something for Zayla, Eleonor, Eban and Leia to worry about. There’s always the chance that any of these new babies might just save the world. I’ll be rooting for them. 

For past editions of Good News Friday, Cardinal & Pine’s weekly roundup of positive NC stories, click here.

The first NC babies of 2026

The labor and delivery teams at Atrium Health and other health care providers welcome thousands of babies each year across North Carolina, but only a few of those babies get bragging rights to the first births of a given year. 

Atrium is honoring the first babies of 2026, beginning with the first one across the finish … err, starting line. 

Weighing in at 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 19.5 inches long, parents Jataya Stith and Jordyn Outen welcomed Hendrixx Alegend Outen into the world at Atrium Health Pineville at 12:02 a.m. on Jan. 1. 

Hendrixx was followed by Zayla (7 pounds, 10 ounces, 20 inches long), born at 12:11 a.m. at Atrium CMC in Charlotte; Eleonor (6 pounds, 10 ounces, 20 inches), born at 12:13 a.m. at Atrium Health Lake Norman; Eban (9 pounds, 12 ounces, 21 inches), born at 2:38 a.m. at

Zayla Williams (7 pounds, 10 ounces, 20 inches long), and her parents. Zayla was one of the first NC babies born in 2026. She was born at 12:11 a.m. at Atrium CMC in Charlotte. (Photo via Atrium Health)

Atrium Health Stanly; and Leia (7 pounds, 8 ounces, 20 inches), born at 6:02 a.m. at Atrium Health Lincoln. 

“We’re deeply honored by the trust families place in us during life’s most special moments,” said Dr. Katie Borders, senior medical director of Atrium Health Women’s Care, North Carolina and Georgia division. “We are so proud to continuously provide safe, high-quality care to families throughout our community, and welcoming the first baby of the year is always a fun and special milestone for our team.”

Eban (9 pounds, 12 ounces, 21 inches), was born at 2:38 a.m. at Atrium Health in Stanly County. (Photo via Atrium Health)

Rural health funding

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday awarded North Carolina $213 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve health care access for rural residents of the state. 

The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), which applied for the money in November, developed the state’s plan by engaging with more than 420 stakeholders including rural hospitals, community health centers, local health departments, Indigenous communities, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations.

The strategies include launching locally governed hubs to connect medical, mental health and social supports; expanding prevention, chronic disease management, maternal health, and nutrition programs; increasing access to mental health services, including substance use disorder treatment; investing in the rural health care workforce; and more. 

“We look forward to continuing the collaborative effort needed to make sure everyone has access to affordable, high-quality, patient-centered health care while reducing the burden on rural health providers,” stated NC DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai in a release. “The North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program is one part of our efforts to support the more than 3 million people in North Carolina who live in rural communities.” 

Duke’s Mayo Bowl players pitch in

In the lead-up to tonight’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, players from the competing teams — the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Mississippi State Bulldogs — gathered at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to do their part in addressing the statewide hunger crisis. 

Players packed 3,000 bags for area children to utilize over the weekends when they’re unable to access free or reduced-price lunch at schools. A spokesperson with the Charlotte Sports Foundation told us the players knocked out three hours worth of work in just 25 minutes. 

We’ll be going for Wake during tonight’s game, but both teams are winners on Good News Friday!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wake Forest Football (@wakefootball)