https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315833298.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/1954ca5b-abd5-4bae-aaf5-cbed70d208f3/1_th.jpg Contractors begin building walls for I-40 along the Pigeon River Engineer Blake Soblesky explains how contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation are using stone from Pisgah National Forest to rebuild the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 that flooding from Hurricane Helene destroyed in 2024. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315833298.html/video-embed 109 2026-05-20T21:25:13Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315833175.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/bf529c75-a112-4c94-ba69-fd85b352c2d4/1_th.jpg What does it take to rebuild I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge? Engineer Blake Soblesky explains how contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation are rebuilding the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 that Hurricane Helene destroyed in the Pigeon River Gorge in 2024. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315833175.html/video-embed 107 2026-05-20T21:22:12Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315834214.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/47142957-7d24-4e2c-9896-ac02d45255dc/1_th.jpg Dog owner charged in attack that left Chatham County woman dead Dennis O’Keith Faulkner, 32, of Apex, was charged with six misdemeanors after his three dogs were found at the scene of an 85-year-old woman’s death on Alston Road on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315834214.html/video-embed 39 2026-05-20T22:31:51Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315832507.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d6c88c68-18a7-46a4-8b0f-bd106c0d881f/1_th.jpg NC House Speaker Destin Hall on idea of capping sales tax and pausing gas tax NC GOP lawmakers have pushed two constitutional amendments about capping income tax rates and property tax levy limits. But what about sales tax caps or a gas tax pause? House Speaker Destin Hall answers N&O questions. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315832507.html/video-embed 47 2026-05-20T20:47:17Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315811294.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/46dbc31e-6de2-478e-aed9-27e02740f99a/1_th.jpg Former employee says NC Insurance Commissioner sent suggestive texts April Taylor says N.C. insurance commissioner Mike Causey sent suggestive texts while she worked as a an employee; Causey says he has no recollection. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315811294.html/video-embed 72 2026-05-20T13:46:43Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315827861.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4617ee2d-ffe1-47a8-8eb8-9f5a86a68d18/1_th.jpg NC House overrides governor’s private school voucher veto The North Carolina House voted May 20, 2026, to override a veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein that allows private school tuition donors to opt in to a federal tax break. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315827861.html/video-embed 139 2026-05-20T16:08:37Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article315831260.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/09e19c9e-c4b9-44ac-8bad-681a8493f10c/1_th.jpg Five words, one bond: UNC coach Jenny Levy and her midfielder daughter Kate Levy Watch the exchange between mother and daughter, coach and player, during an interview with North Carolina lacrosse coach Jenny Levy and her daughter, midfielder Kate Levy, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Dorrance Field in Chapel Hill, N.C. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article315831260.html/video-embed 104 2026-05-20T19:27:20Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article315831256.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/5a6486ec-5689-4d59-8c23-bb14aaf89c00/1_th.jpg Here's what CHCCS parents need to know ahead of hearing on school closings The Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board is considering which of three elementary schools, Ephesus, Glenwood or Seawell, to close as it wrestles with declining enrollment and budget pressures. N&O reporter Tammy Grubb explains. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article315831256.html/video-embed 87 2026-05-20T19:28:12Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315825517.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8e86377d-f677-4691-b6d1-836e7b6052af/1_th.jpg WakeMed CEO defends Atrium merger plan in first community session Tuesday evening provided Triangle residents their first opportunity to ask WakeMed leaders about their desired merger with Charlotte-based Atrium Health. From the outset, WakeMed president and CEO Donald Gintzig disputed claims that the much larger Atrium was buying his health system. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315825517.html/video-embed 136 2026-05-20T13:31:47Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315811490.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f298c54c-71b4-41af-80fc-373cb2bd7ac8/1_th.jpg Former state employee on why she came forward about texts April Taylor says N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey sent inappropriate texts while she worked as an employee. Causey says he has no recollection. She discusses why she came forward now. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315811490.html/video-embed 60 2026-05-20T13:46:26Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315814355.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/a02c3832-dc49-45ea-b462-a17298bdb4ed/4_th.jpg NC Sen. Leader Berger on tax rate constitutional amendment North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger on the constitutional amendment bill that would let voters choose whether to cap the state personal income tax rate at 3.5%. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315814355.html/video-embed 38 2026-05-19T18:48:31Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315811774.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/a986e937-80a9-40f4-a919-e47035c194fd/1_th.jpg Former employee says insurance chief sought to kiss her. He denies. Former employee April Taylor says N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey often hugged her tightly in a way she found uncomfortable, and sought to kiss her “a couple times,” which he denies. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315811774.html/video-embed 51 2026-05-20T13:46:09Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article315809384.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/01f16661-a041-4092-9244-0425eae55419/1_th.jpg Hear how NASA astronaut Christina Koch juggles Flyers, Canes loyalties NASA Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch, an NC State alum, talks about attending a Philadelphia Flyers-Carolina Hurricanes playoff game, juggling family ties, team loyalties and her desire to root for the underdog. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article315809384.html/video-embed 154 2026-05-19T13:41:12Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/article315811981.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b990bc42-a6b8-4328-96a1-988c0c7c0ac9/1_th.jpg Gov. Josh Stein announces executive order to tackle North Carolina’s housing shortage NC Governor John Stein appoints a new Senior Advisor for Housing Policy, calls on the General Assembly to address the housing shortage in an executive order during an announcement at the Executive Mansion on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 in Raleigh, N.C. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/article315811981.html/video-embed 74 2026-05-19T16:40:53Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article315792845.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/9223fbbe-16dd-4a8e-9703-77ab3a5bad21/1_th.jpg Who has the best sweet tea in the Triangle? We tried 20. News & Observer reporters Drew Jackson and Twumasi Duah-Mensah taste sweet teas to find out which fast food restaurant in the Triangle has the best. https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article315792845.html/video-embed 178 2026-05-19T11:00:00Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315813957.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4daf11aa-6ee4-4e96-b29d-33a5288aafa0/2_th.jpg Senate leader Berger's thoughts on a gas tax suspension After the North Carolina Senate voted to approve constitutional amendment bill that would let voters choose whether to cap the state personal income tax rate at 3.5%, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger was asked about relief for high gas prices. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315813957.html/video-embed 35 2026-05-19T18:55:12Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315795776.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/990d1ced-c092-4c32-90f3-aaf92e0b4acc/1_th.jpg Woman killed in Durham shooting was big advocate, mentor against gun violence, family says According to the Durham Police Department, officers found a woman who had been shot after they responded a shooting call just before 2:00 a.m. on Rochelle St. at Rochelle Manor apartments. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315795776.html/video-embed 79 2026-05-18T12:42:39Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article315743627.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/dbcb63a7-e603-4cf4-b31e-1f1941d6bfa6/3_th.jpg Meet Renee Umsted, the N&O's new affordability reporter Renee Umsted is the News & Observer's new affordability reporter. Renee would love to hear from you on how you are stretching your dollars, what are you struggling to afford and tips on saving money. You can reach her at rumsted@newsobserver.com or 919-419-6579. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article315743627.html/video-embed 41 2026-05-13T19:51:27Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315796356.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/862236b2-5b92-40ce-b5c6-bef4d40610b8/1_th.jpg Eric Church's 6-string wisdom to UNC-CH's class of 2026 Country music star, North Carolina native and lifelong Tar Heel fan Eric Church uses the six strings of his guitar to deliver a viral keynote address during UNC's Commencement ceremony at Kenan Stadium on May 9, 2026. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315796356.html/video-embed 1068 2026-05-18T13:42:13Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article279036964.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/0cb0359e-3004-4006-bed8-6afaf65decef/2_th.jpg Woman found dead in Jordan Lake identified as Apex resident The woman found dead in Jordan Lake this week has been identified, the Chatham County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday. Using fingerprint analysis, the woman was identified as Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikmat, 34, of Apex, NC. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article279036964.html/video-embed 55 2023-09-06T21:51:36Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article315792159.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/6d4fb922-b11e-4e7d-8fd1-b9b9f4cf26bb/3_th.jpg Cheated out of thousands of dollars Dolores Miller and Lori Flowers were both victims of intricate scams costing them not only their savings but their sense of security. Hear their stories and learn how they are moving forward. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article315792159.html/video-embed 113 2026-05-18T09:30:00Z no