https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315690785.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/53923f34-e507-40e5-9cb5-25c7af96f831/1_th.jpg News & Observer higher education reporter explains the impacts of DEI cuts at NC State Our newsgathering partners at ABC11 talk with News & Observer higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell about DEI rollbacks and cuts at N.C. State University. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315690785.html/video-embed 201 2026-05-08T21:51:31Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315685333.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/48b90628-ceda-42ae-9796-490126ba05ab/1_th.jpg DA drops cyberstalking charges against TikTok star Brenay Kennard The Durham County District Attorney’s Office dropped a cyberstalking charge against North Carolina TikTok influencer Brenay Kennard Wednesday due to insufficient evidence, court records show. Kennard was charged in September 2025 with permitting an electronic device to be used “for the purposes of causing mental and emotional stress to” Akira Montague, according to the arrest warrant, https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315685333.html/video-embed 52 2026-05-08T15:53:11Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315690185.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/03bbb2d5-d19b-4095-b143-227c72be213f/1_th.jpg NC State students get a big surprise gift at graduation ceremony At NC State’s Wilson College commencement, Anil Kochhar announced he will pay off all senior-year loans for 2025–26 graduates, prompting joyous applause. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315690185.html/video-embed 41 2026-05-08T21:05:31Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315684290.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/72dac273-575e-4b75-ab5c-2bb8851ff172/1_th.jpg How much did recent rains help drought conditions in Central NC? Watch the ABC11 weather forecast for the weekend and an update on drought conditions in Central North Carolina. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315684290.html/video-embed 43 2026-05-08T14:35:49Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315633363.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/e322e1f5-91cb-4e48-828e-71ee475f0f42/1_th.jpg Man arrested at Apex car wash accused Trump threat could face up to 5 years in prison Daniel Swain, who is charged with threatening President Donald Trump, appeared in federal court Monday. The Wake County District Attorney dropped state charges, but Swain still faces superceding federal charges. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315633363.html/video-embed 28 2026-05-04T22:59:46Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315674833.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/08679004-00f9-4953-9fed-65e2b3f5db9d/4_th.jpg NC GOP House Speaker Destin Hall on status of a budget talks with the Senate NC Republican House Speaker Destin Hall told The News & Observer that he still thinks there could be a compromise with Senate Republican leaders on the very late budget, rather than starting with new legislation. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315674833.html/video-embed 102 2026-05-07T19:40:56Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315684599.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/55ea71c0-5c28-4630-b66e-092db5f412c5/1_th.jpg What was the impact of the Canvas data breach for NC schools and students? Students and staff at schools, colleges and universities across North Carolina saw a ShinyHunters ransom pop-up on Canvas. Systems and schools shut down access, and while some access has been restored, the extent of the data breach is unknown. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315684599.html/video-embed 138 2026-05-08T14:57:26Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article315671137.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b64a4267-7558-40ae-8cc7-4abad23d7c59/5_th.jpg Rod Brind’Amour, Seth Jarvis and the decision that led to a victory in Game 2 The News & Observer's Chip Alexander breaks down the line shuffle by Hurricanes' head coach Rod Brind’Amour that helped Carolina defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in OT in Game 2 of their NHL playoff series. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article315671137.html/video-embed 50 2026-05-07T16:09:46Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315664644.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/59a15a99-11ce-499a-bebd-5e2f565f7fda/1_th.jpg Raleigh asks judge to remove city from Hailey Brooks parade-death lawsuit Lawyers presented arguments regarding a motion to remove the City of Raleigh and two city employees from the family of Hailey Brooks wrongful death lawsuit. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315664644.html/video-embed 112 2026-05-07T01:37:30Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315673766.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/00222da4-f50a-4f2a-bd15-6668bad00154/2_th.jpg Rising gas prices are hitting Triangle area nonprofits hard Matt Taliaferro, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Wake and Johnston Counties discusses the impact of rising fuel costs on his organization's limited budget. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315673766.html/video-embed 46 2026-05-07T18:40:12Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315664224.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/79b11bb5-9624-42b7-81ba-8db6e798aee8/1_th.jpg Former Durham Rescue Mission staffer accused of months-long sexual abuse A former resident at the Durham Rescue Mission has sued after alleged sexual assaults by a volunteer coordinator and claims the shelter was negligent. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315664224.html/video-embed 48 2026-05-07T00:51:39Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315673193.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ce476d06-ffe6-477c-932d-6e27ec2980c8/1_th.jpg Chapel Hill town manager discusses inflationary impacts on proposed budget Chapel Hill Town Manager Ted Voorhees talks about rising costs and town staff's efforts to find is looking for savings while maintaining core services and programs without a tax rate increase to support the proposed $169.7 million budget. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315673193.html/video-embed 32 2026-05-07T18:03:34Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315659165.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/1abf64e3-73c3-4984-ad18-8a3a6c28c3b8/2_th.jpg Rep. Cunningham: 'When you're carrying on with each other all the time, that's a distraction' NC Rep. Carla Cunningham, at podium, spoke to reporters during her first press conference, May 6, 2026, since changing her party from Democrat to unaffiliated. Cunningham did not want to answer questions outside of those about proposed legislation. She was joined by both Democrats and Republicans, and said her focus this session will be on “getting things done.” https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315659165.html/video-embed 21 2026-05-07T01:04:37Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315657166.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8447de4e-6c5d-4a10-acfb-cff246259a56/1_th.jpg Can the "Intelligent Speed Assistance" device combat super speeders in NC? N.C. Rep. Mike Schietzelt drives a car equipped with an "Intelligent Speed Assistance" device that prevents a driver from speeding, while Michael Travars of LifeSafer, the company that makes the system, explains from the backseat how it works. Schietzelt, a Wake County Republican, is cosponsor of a bill that would allow courts and law enforcement agencies to use ISA technology with repeat offenders in North Carolina. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315657166.html/video-embed 72 2026-05-06T17:01:11Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315657600.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/3197d91a-11d2-45d4-be89-137a152521d3/1_th.jpg Wake County looks at a 2‑cent tax hike to close revenue gap Wake County proposes a 2-cent tax increase per $100 to fund schools, public safety and jails, using $35M in reserves amid appeals, exemptions and rising costs. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315657600.html/video-embed 177 2026-05-06T17:28:53Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315664276.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/04c190e8-d86e-4991-adba-0b45e7895516/1_th.jpg Amtrak train slams into trailer at Cary crossing injuring passengers Cary police said an Amtrak train slammed into a construction trailer causing several minor injuries to passengers. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315664276.html/video-embed 131 2026-05-07T01:03:19Z no