https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article316553731.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/dad3f15d-2024-4f18-a818-346bc2593c62/4_th.jpg Cary Town Council members defend car stipend Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Town Council member Carissa Johnson defend the mayor and town council members $802 a month car stipend. The two spoke during a news conference about the state auditor’s findings of their investigation into former Cary Town Manager Sean Stegall and Cary's spending practices Thursday, July 16, 2026. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article316553731.html/video-embed 80 2026-07-17T18:52:17Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article316553713.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/9820cd06-e532-4dfb-936c-4c5755d25e9b/2_th.jpg UNC football is confident it's getting a better start this season News & Observer sports writer Kamran Nia reports on the Tar Heel football program heading into the season. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article316553713.html/video-embed 104 2026-07-17T18:45:07Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316553475.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/e91f094c-7368-4a5e-945d-54ba08963d2f/2_th.jpg Wake jury awards $18.2 million after finding doctor negligent in boy’s birth A Wake County jury awarded $18.2 million to a 6-year-old and his mother after finding that a WakeMed doctor’s negligence during the boy’s birth resulted in disfigurement and a lifelong disability. The jury's award will likely be drastically reduced under a North Carolina law. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316553475.html/video-embed 98 2026-07-17T18:35:30Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather-news/article316551398.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/3dc63661-3958-4cdb-9a70-a27c4d1637ea/1_th.jpg Near-record highs expected as heatwave grips Central NC The Triangle will likely see Heat Advisory on Saturday, along with a Level 2 risk for a few isolated strong storms during the evening hours. Here's the forecast. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather-news/article316551398.html/video-embed 132 2026-07-17T16:38:55Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/technology/article316551379.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/89a78e54-ad47-4a3d-a378-bd62eaa83f1c/1_th.jpg Look inside the Raleigh facility breeding the state’s rarest aquatic species Step inside the Yates Mill Aquatic Conservation Facility, where a team of biologists are racing to save some of North Carolina's most threatened aquatic species. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/technology/article316551379.html/video-embed 74 2026-07-17T16:30:57Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316550879.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/fd86544f-2ec7-4e2d-a7ce-5b41b569f0c5/1_th.jpg AG warns North Carolinians about job seeker scams Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Labor Commissioner Luke Farley warned North Carolinians about an increase of employment scams where criminals pose as recruiters, conduct fake interviews, and steal money or personal information from job seekers. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316550879.html/video-embed 70 2026-07-17T15:59:36Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article316549255.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/2ab0ec27-3c69-4843-a711-91d0ed1dbba1/1_th.jpg NC State running back Duke Scott earns jersey with No. 1 NC State coach Dave Doeren awarded Duke Scott the No. 1 jersey for leadership, work ethic and playmaking after a breakout season and strong academic showing. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article316549255.html/video-embed 57 2026-07-17T14:37:03Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article316547859.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/e55c757a-e570-4145-813d-1a639ed1564d/1_th.jpg Motorcyclist killed, several injured in crash on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh One person is dead and several others were injured after a multi-vehicle crash Friday overnight involving two motorcycles, a passenger vehicle and a tow truck overnight on Capital Boulevard and Trawick Road in northeast Raleigh. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article316547859.html/video-embed 61 2026-07-17T13:21:25Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316543931.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f34f3f0d-8191-4d0a-8253-1075d5377083/1_th.jpg Cary mayor on the state auditor's report on the town's spending Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht Jr. talks about the audit released by the State Auditor that revealed what was called "extravagant spending" by the Town of Cary under former Town Manager Sean Stegall and the tax impacts of that spending and the former town manager's underinvestment in essential services. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316543931.html/video-embed 84 2026-07-17T00:58:02Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316538512.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/09c0200d-5604-41bc-9fbd-a1d77b6c950d/1_th.jpg NC auditor cites 'a culture of extravagant spending of tax dollars' in the town of Cary North Carolina Auditor Dave Boliek releases the findings of an investigation into former Cary Town Manager Sean Stegall and Cary's spending practices, during a news conference on Thursday, July 16, 2026. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316538512.html/video-embed 166 2026-07-16T18:29:44Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316541134.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c53a6b32-56b8-4ae9-b9b1-03d8da19d469/1_th.jpg Chef Oscar Diaz describes his new restaurant at RDU Adios! by the Durham-based chef serves Mexican food with Southern influences at the end of Concourse C in Raleigh-Durham International Airport's Terminal 2. https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316541134.html/video-embed 81 2026-07-16T21:08:49Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316539901.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ac0914b6-e5fe-48ed-b2ba-4f5844814dd1/1_th.jpg NC auditor highlights some of the extravagant spending in Cary From $1,600 Ray-Bans to $120 steaks to $120,314 for video to show at a retreat, NC State Auditor Dave Boliek lists some of the "food, travel and other questionable expenses," his department uncovered in an audit of the Town of Cary. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316539901.html/video-embed 67 2026-07-16T20:01:36Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article316521862.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/a8ed49b8-3882-4742-bace-6d3763502320/1_th.jpg What did Whatley and Cooper really ask for as COVID hit prisons? What did U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley and former Gov. Roy Cooper really ask for as COVID-19 tore through prisons? With a new video resurfacing of Whatley's comments then, both candidates are now addressing the subject in their Senate race. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article316521862.html/video-embed 132 2026-07-15T17:18:27Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article245622615.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/199e2ef9-52b7-4d45-9daa-c3db5bc862b0/1_th.jpg Skies glow orange due to wildfire smoke On the morning of September 9, 2020, skies in San Francisco appeared orange and hazy due to the presence of wildfire smoke from multiple fires burning across California. The smoke particles dispersed in the atmosphere, leading to reduced air quality and unusual coloration of the sky, which is a common phenomenon during significant wildfire events. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article245622615.html/video-embed 71 2020-09-10T14:52:25Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article316535417.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d175a1a6-bba8-4dae-b7e5-d8bcd530849a/1_th.jpg Why did the NC State football game in Brazil get canceled? ACC commish explains. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips tells reporters what happened with the planned season opener football game between NC State and Virginia that resulted in a move back to the United States. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article316535417.html/video-embed 140 2026-07-16T15:35:02Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article316525939.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/9588cbc3-a349-40b2-ab41-3470c621de3f/1_th.jpg QB Darian Mensah describes his last-minute move from Duke to Miami Darian Mensah, coming off Duke’s 2025 ACC title, transferred to Miami after a legal dispute and late portal entry. Now he's ready for 2026 season with the Hurricanes and has his sights on a national championship. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article316525939.html/video-embed 63 2026-07-15T20:46:08Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article316526638.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/fd099d2d-35de-4303-8b0e-f3ced1e27ee1/1_th.jpg NC State's CJ Bailey is out to prove he's the best college quarterback in the country N.C. State quarterback talks with reporters about his confidence level this season and his drive to prove he's the best. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article316526638.html/video-embed 46 2026-07-15T21:20:43Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316526317.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/584e49ef-ee60-4de0-b058-0acce1cd9d7f/1_th.jpg NC’s Tillis at Blanche hearing: Democrats should 'look in the mirror' before they criticize Trump Sen. Thom Tillis criticized Democrats on Wednesday for “situational ethics” before asking attorney general nominee Todd Blanche about his views on President Donald Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons and the “1776 fund.” https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316526317.html/video-embed 150 2026-07-15T21:11:35Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article316525547.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/5c63a104-a29b-4dcc-8f8b-86041c9f64bc/1_th.jpg For years NC lawmakers got undisclosed free Charlotte speedway passes. That's about to change After a News & Observer inquiry, the Charlotte Motor Speedway plans to report special access passes given to North Carolina lawmakers and others that were previously unreported. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article316525547.html/video-embed 76 2026-07-15T20:29:39Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316509307.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b9f5a85b-b48c-4f70-997f-65ddfbe5a310/1_th.jpg Can this Raleigh cafe’s matcha convert skeptics? Our interns try it out. Matcha mania has taken over, and we found a good but cheap cup in the Triangle. This Raleigh cafe’s matcha can convert even the pickiest drinkers, so we had to try it. https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316509307.html/video-embed 118 2026-07-15T14:00:00Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316520133.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4f578a13-a87f-4c8d-b42f-b57807216a60/1_th.jpg Protein Coffee Explained: How This Trending Drink Became the Smoothie Replacement You Need Protein coffee is replacing smoothies as a quick, satisfying breakfast. Learn how it works, how much protein you need each day, and easy ways to make it. https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316520133.html/video-embed 387 2026-07-15T15:44:42Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/johnston-county/article316519457.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c4ad460c-4543-49ff-a52d-4426a4341c02/1_th.jpg Johnston County school board members spar over removal of LGBTQ+ wording from school policies Johnston County school board members Kay Carroll and Michelle Antoine argue over a decision to remove language about sexual orientation and gender identity from the anti-bullying policy at the July 14, 2026 board meeting. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/johnston-county/article316519457.html/video-embed 98 2026-07-15T15:07:38Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316508640.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/2d82d3b3-1531-4a54-b9f1-5be1075415df/1_th.jpg Why has Raleigh launched Oak City Sparkle sparkling water? Raleigh created Oak City Sparkle, a canned sparkling tap water made with Trophy Brewing, distributed at events around the city. Here's why the city is canning this exclusive beverage. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316508640.html/video-embed 60 2026-07-15T12:30:00Z no