[“3 things happening in NC” is Cardinal & Pine’s weekly guide to the people, storylines, and events driving the news this week in North Carolina.]
We’ll get to NC’s controversial “Freedom to Carry” gun bill below, but first:
As of today, we are officially 99 days from the 2026 elections. In North Carolina, midterm voters will decide a pivotal US Senate race along with a battle for a seat on the NC Supreme Court and a slew of other state and federal reps vying for power.
Our last NC Supreme Court race, once all the attempts to overturn it were finally quelled, was won by just 734 votes. And with all the efforts to block accessibility to voting by the GOP this year, it will be more important than ever to show up.
But I’m not here to talk about what’s going to happen in the next 99 days; I’m here to discuss what to look for and check out over the next seven. After all, the folks who are already in power will be reconvening in Raleigh today, so let’s see what they may or may not be up to.
NCGA reconvenes this week. Will they override ‘Freedom to Carry’ veto?
When the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned for a three-week recess on July 2, most headlines focused on how lawmakers were finally able to pass a budget, but the short session ain’t over.
The NCGA reconvenes today and, while the “regular work” of the session is over, lawmakers still have a chance to address limited categories of legislation including considering eligible carryover bills and responding to vetoes.
One high-profile veto that Republicans were unable to override with the slate of others they successfully nullified earlier in the session was that of Senate Bill 50, known as Freedom to Carry NC. The controversial bill would allow eligible North Carolinians 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit.
The vetoed bill has been stalled as Republicans have not gained the support of Democrats such as Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County or independents like Carla Cunningham of Mecklenburg County, both of whom helped override vetoes from NC Gov. Josh Stein on bills involving immigration and DEI earlier in the session by not showing up to the vote.
The NCGA is expected to adjourn for the year on or around Aug. 31, so we’ll see this week if there are any signs that Republicans have gained the support they need to push their Freedom to Carry bill through.
Charlotte hosts the MLS All-Star Game
As the country comes down from World Cup fever, the Charlotte soccer scene is just revving up for MLS All-Star Week. Things kicked off over the weekend with a free concert and other festivities outside of Bank of America Stadium, known as The Fortress to Charlotte FC fans.
On Wednesday evening, the MLS All-Stars take on the LIGA MX All-Stars from Mexico at The Fortress in a match that will feature three Charlotte FC players, 13 World Cup players, and 11 players with multiple All-Star showings.
On Tuesday, the MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge will take place at Truist Field, with Goalie Wars and other challenges showcasing the skills these players have honed over their lifetimes. Before that, the soccer showdowns begin tonight with the fifth annual MLS NEXT All-Star Game at the Matthews Sportsplex.
Murfreesboro hosts the 41st annual NC Watermelon Festival
The North Carolina Watermelon Festival got its start in Raleigh, though there are mixed reports as to exactly when it launched. This year’s fest is billed as the 41st annual, though there are newspaper reports of Ed Weeks’ winning 118-pound watermelon at the 14th annual festival in 1970.
What we do know is that at some point the NC Watermelon Festival moved to Murfreesboro, where it has kept the same traditional watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests, plus the crowning of a Watermelon Queen. This year the honor goes to Tyner native and NC State University student Lilah Byrum.
Other festivities over the four-day festival, which kicks off on Wednesday, include live music, a 5K, amusement rides, a vendor market and contests for Little Miss Princess, Little Miss Farmer, and Little Mr. Farmer.
