Wednesday’s top stories: Here’s what you may have missed in the Triangle
From a high-profile firing at NC State to teacher protests shutting down classrooms, here’s a roundup of top stories from The News & Observer on April 29, 2026.
The day’s coverage spans education, politics, college sports and a fast-food taste test.
• NC State Pride Center firing raises DEI concerns: Jae Edwards, former assistant director of NC State’s Pride Center, was fired after activist group Accuracy in Media posted a secretly recorded video. Staff at the university’s identity-based centers say they’re navigating ali ne between compliance with UNC System DEI restrictions and termination.
Read more: What does DEI repeal really mean at NC State? A Pride Center firing raises fears
• Wake County Democrat resigns from NC Senate: Sen. Terence Everitt, who represents one of the most competitive seats in the state legislature, announced his resignation Tuesday to work full-time as executive director of the N.C. Voter Protection Alliance. He is the second Senate Democrat to resign after the March primary, following Orange County Sen. Graig Meyer.
Read more: Wake County Democrat in battleground district resigns from NC Senate
NCAE teacher protest
• GOP leaders dismiss upcoming teacher march: House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger downplayed Friday’s planned NCAE teacher protest in downtown Raleigh, with Hall saying the group is “more worried about other left-wing political interests.” Berger said his concern is for parents who have to make special arrangements due to school closures.
Read more: What NC GOP Speaker Hall, Senate leader Berger say about teacher march, schools
• NCAE post on school closures goes viral: A Facebook post from the North Carolina Association of Educators celebrating school district closures for Friday’s protest drew more than 1,200 shares and significant backlash on X. At least 18 of North Carolina’s 115 school districts, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, have changed schedules to close on May 1.
Read more: NCAE calls school closures for protest a ‘powerful choice’ drawing online backlash
Sports
• UNC tennis player wins NCAA prize money settlement: UNC women’s tennis star Reese Brantmeier secured a $2.02 million class action settlement and forced the NCAA to eliminate restrictions on athletes accepting prize money before college enrollment. Brantmeier had forfeited nearly $50,000 in U.S. Open earnings before enrolling at UNC in 2022.
Read more: UNC tennis player settles lawsuit, forces NCAA to relax prize money rules
A milkshake debate: Cook Out vs. Whataburger
• Whataburger vs. Cook Out milkshake taste test: N&O reporters compared banana pudding milkshakes from Whataburger, the Texas chain expanding across North Carolina, and Cook Out, the state institution. Find out which was best.
Read more: Are Whataburger milkshakes better than Cook Out? We did a taste test.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 6:41 PM.