The 5 strangest North Carolina news stories of 2024
These are the five North Carolina news stories that had everyone talking last year.
Jan
2025
10
LOCAL NEWS
Jan
2025
7
The NC Supreme Court could be poised to decide if Jefferson Griffin lost or not
The Republican judge's controversial plea to throw out 60,000 votes—and make him the winner—is sent back to state courts by a federal judge. Here's what that means.
Jan
2025
2
The cutthroat Midwest breeding ring behind North Carolina pet stores
A look at the Puppy Mill Belt, a Midwest ring of large, commercial breeding operations that supplies some North Carolina pet stores. The Humane Society says many of those operations are abusing dogs or keeping them in unsafe conditions.
Jan
2025
2
On his last day in office, Gov. Cooper commutes sentences of 15 men on death row to life in prison
Gov. Cooper commutes 15 death row sentences, reducing the state's death row population by more than 10% in a historic farewell decision.
Dec
2024
23
NC launches $20M plan to remove police from mental health transport
North Carolina launches a $20 million initiative to replace police vehicles with civilian transportation services for mental health crisis cases.
Dec
2024
20
OPINION: Roy Cooper will be remembered as one of North Carolina’s most beloved governors
For two terms, Roy Cooper’s North Carolina prospered during pandemics, partisan firestorms, and more. He was the last line of defense against a power-drunk legislature.
Dec
2024
19
Opinion: Jefferson Griffin proves he isn’t fit to be on NC’s Supreme Court
With his plea for the NC Supreme Court to overturn his election defeat, Jefferson Griffin and his allies in the Republican Party have resorted to lawlessness.
Dec
2024
19
Losing NC Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin asks the court to overrule the voters and name him the winner
Jefferson Griffin, the Republican who lost the NC Supreme Court election, is seeking an unprecedented thing from the court he ran for. He wants them to change the outcome of an election.
Dec
2024
13
Good News Friday: You can go to the North Carolina Zoo next week for just 5 bucks
Our weekly “Good News Friday” roundup has some big wins for animal-lovers, and there’s a doozy of a meteor shower tonight.
Dec
2024
6
Good News Friday: These pictures of Carolina Panthers players partying with North Carolina schoolchildren will make your day
Revel in these snapshots of NFL players bringing joy and toys to North Carolina kids who were hit hard by Helene, part of our weekly roundup of positive stories in North Carolina.
Holy ship! Remains from 4 potential shipwrecks were found in NC
| August 12, 2025
COLLEGE STUDENTS | Community | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | Greenville | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | NEWSMAKERS | North Carolina | NORTH CAROLINA NEWS | OUTDOORS | WATER
East Carolina University’s Program in Maritime Studies discovered the remains of 4 potential shipwrecks. Here’s what you need to know about ECU's discovery.
NC lawmakers override veto of bill hobbling regulations for polluters
| August 11, 2025
Community | CULTURE | environment | HEALTH | JOSH STEIN | LIFESTYLE | local politics | NC GENERAL ASSEMBLY | NC POLITICS | North Carolina | NORTH CAROLINA LEADERS | NORTH CAROLINA NEWS | PFAS | WATER
Regulations will become harder to approve under a new law that North Carolina legislators passed, by overriding Gov. Josh Stein's veto. House Bill 402, known as the REINS Act, requires the General Assembly's approval for rules or regulations costing more than $20 million over five years.
Good News Friday: A new home for endangered penguins
| August 8, 2025
This week, some Durham students kicked off the school year and their future careers. Also this week, a young Davidson, North Carolina resident is looking to help fund a new home for endangered penguins and Grandfather Mountain prepares to promote conservation by hosting their annual Junior Naturalist day.
Stein opposes NC auditor’s proposed DMV restructure
| August 6, 2025
Department of Motor Vehicles | DMV | JOSH STEIN | local politics | NC GENERAL ASSEMBLY | NC HOUSE | NC LAW | NC POLITICS | NC SENATE | North Carolina | NORTH CAROLINA LEADERS | NORTH CAROLINA NEWS | ROADS TRAINS BRIDGES | ROY COOPER | TRANSPORTATION
A day after the release of State Auditor Dave Boliek’s report recommending to split off the DMV from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein opposes a reorganization of the Department of Motor Vehicles that would make it a standalone agency, his office indicated Tuesday.
Good News Friday: The North Carolina Film Festival returns
| August 1, 2025
It’s time to roll out the red carpet for the North Carolina Film Festival in New Bern and look to the skies for one accomplished UNC alumnus. Also this week, one NBA champion returns to the court that started it all to help inspire the next generation of basketball stars.
Michael Whatley launches bid for US Senate in North Carolina
| July 28, 2025
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley will enter the race for US Sen. Thom Tillis’ seat. Here's what to know about him.