https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316602585.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7c5ef7ae-67ff-4bae-b734-0dc5dba99b3e/1_th.jpg Zebulon latest community under scrutiny from state auditor Zebulon — which has had four different town managers during the past two years — is facing scrutiny over its financial oversight in a new state auditor’s report released Monday, July 20, 2026. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316602585.html/video-embed 73 2026-07-21T22:15:26Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article316592513.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/968daf3c-278a-4ea5-8d02-5476e5685f4b/1_th.jpg Wake, Durham schools pull salads from menus amid rise in cyclospora cases All raw produce has been removed from the school lunch menus in Wake, Durham counties before the school year starts as officials take Cyclospora precautions. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article316592513.html/video-embed 123 2026-07-21T13:03:35Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article316597828.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f0d62b13-9a26-45f8-9ee5-8db8d7e3aed6/1_th.jpg Fayetteville native identified as Fort Bragg soldier killed during drone demolition in Iraq Army Sgt. Michael E. Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, was killed during a detonation of a drone at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, Defense Department said. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article316597828.html/video-embed 93 2026-07-21T17:56:11Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather-news/article316582552.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/90b0d73b-1851-462a-a632-6f90f67acd4a/2_th.jpg Forecast: Storm threat continues through Thursday across central North Carolina There is a risk of severe thunderstorms daily through Thursday. Damaging wind gusts will be the main threat with any strong to severe storms. Locally heavy rain may lead to street flooding. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather-news/article316582552.html/video-embed 130 2026-07-20T18:36:29Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article316582814.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/58400f43-c8f1-4069-bb1b-30bf895eadc8/2_th.jpg What is tampering and why are ACC football coaches concerned? UNC football wide receiver Jordan Shipp says he ignored coaches calls, offers midseason, prioritizing family in Chapel Hill and development over money. Was it ’tampering,’ or just ‘checking on some folks’? Either way, Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp wasn’t interested. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article316582814.html/video-embed 116 2026-07-21T09:58:00Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316554573.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/860bca5a-05b8-45ca-96ab-be3ddc659bcf/1_th.jpg Okra fries? Yes, and Botiwalla's are great! News & Observer food writer Drew Jackson samples the menu at Indian street food restaurant Botiwalla at Raleigh Iron Works for On A Budget. https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article316554573.html/video-embed 69 2026-07-20T09:01:00Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316537031.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c4ce704c-48e1-445c-b77f-a60c05554f8f/1_th.jpg Community initiative aims to build benches for Durham bus stops Bull City Woodshop, in partnership with Bike Durham and Play NC, is working to build wooden benches for Durham bus stops without seating. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316537031.html/video-embed 41 2026-07-20T11:30:00Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316578788.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/52877b7a-0174-4d0c-b0f7-8512db3bf6d5/1_th.jpg Bourbon, lobbyists and a liquor warehouse: Inside the Greater Carolina probe Four Raleigh lobbyists indicted. Two Kentucky bourbon tours for lawmakers. And a half-billion-dollar liquor warehouse plan. Here's how they are connected, as North Carolina investigators continue to dig. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316578788.html/video-embed 74 2026-07-20T14:56:26Z no