News sports and weather for Raleigh, NC | The News & Observer & NewsObserver.com

Featured

Tax advisor John Gilroy, right, answers Delon Stubbs' tax questions about the Afordable Care Act Monday, January 8, 2015 at H&R Block's Capital Boulevard location in Raleigh. H&R Block opened the doors to its 10,000 retail locations nationwide for 12 hours Thursday so customers could speak to an H&R Block ACA Tax Specialists to understand how the changes resulting from the Affordable Care Act may impact them this year.

State taxes done? Want to talk about it? Let us know

The News & Observer is reporting on how the overhaul of the state income tax system that went into effect in 2014 is affecting individual taxpayers. It is most apparent after you file your state income taxes this year. We’re interested in talking to taxpayers who have completed their state income tax forms and are willing to discuss it.

Sports

North Carolina’s J.P. Tokoto (13) drives to the basket against Georgia Tech’s Demarco Cox (4) and Josh Heath (11) during the first half in Atlanta.

UNC dominates Georgia Tech in 81-49 victory

The second game in 11 days between North Carolina and Georgia Tech was a lot like the first game. The location was different but the outcome was not on Tuesday night: a one-sided 81-49 Tar Heels' victory that was, for the most part, decided at halftime... 14 minutes ago

Local/State News

A player fills out a form to play the N.C. Education Lottery at C Mini Mart on Poole Road in Raleigh on Monday.

Bill would bring secrecy to NC lottery

Lottery players in North Carolina who win big money on the games – from a Powerball jackpot to a $600 scratch-off ticket win – can’t keep it a secret, at least officially; but a House bill set for a hearing Wednesday would change... 1 hour ago

Business

People walk past the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York's Times Square on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Nasdaq fell below 5,000 a day after passing that milestone for the first time since the dot-com era 15 years ago.

US stocks fall broadly a day after Nasdaq passes 5,000 mark

U.S. stocks fell from record highs on Tuesday and the Nasdaq dropped below 5,000 a day after passing that milestone for the first time since the dot-com era 15 years ago.

Politics

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory delivers his 2015 State of the State address.

House panels back NC jobs incentives plan

Gov. Pat McCrory’s NC Competes plan for jobs incentives passed its first hurdle Tuesday in the state House finance committee, despite opposition from several top Republicans and Democrats who opposed the bill. 2 hours ago

David Petraeus signs plea deal over giving classified info to Charlotte’s Paula Broadwell 2 hours ago
House bill would drop gas tax to 36 cents 2 hours ago
Christensen: Lynch nomination a display of politics as usual 2 hours ago
Poll shows McCrory holding steady

Nation/World News

U.S. oil producers are lobbying to have the ban on crude oil exports dropped. But some sectors of the U.S. economy, notably airlines and oil refiners, want the ban to stay in place.

U.S. oil giants want Congress to lift export ban on crude

As the number of U.S. drilling rigs plummets by a third and thousands in the industry face layoffs, oil companies are focusing on an effort to convince Congress to lift the longstanding ban on crude oil exports.