https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316543931.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f34f3f0d-8191-4d0a-8253-1075d5377083/1_th.jpg Cary mayor describes learning of actions of former town manager Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht Jr.describes learning of issues with former Town Manager Sean Stegall and the closed door session where the Town Council heard from four town employees and decided to suspend Stegall. An audit released by the State Auditor revealed what was called "extravagant spending" by the Town of Cary from January 2024 through December 2025, highlighting high-end meals, travel expenses, hotel cancellation fees and more than 60,000 town Visa card transactions totaling more than $24 million. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316543931.html/video-embed 104 2026-07-17T00:58:02Z 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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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 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/business/real-estate-news/article316269876.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/6b4f3dff-1266-4ffa-8dea-6432d0a86437/1_th.jpg Raleigh Midtown redevelopment quietly erases affordable housing Residents at The Pointe at Midtown in Raleigh, built in the 1960s, face phased nonrenewals as Kane Realty clears Los Navaho for a 28‑acre North Hills expansion, intensifying a local affordability crisis. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article316269876.html/video-embed 91 2026-07-15T09:15:00Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article316510862.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/17f96a6a-74b3-4313-b896-5f1abe53a9d0/1_th.jpg Donors pull scholarship fund over UNC System DEI policy Jane Winik Sartwell, higher education reporter at The News & Observer, explains how a family is pulling a $1 million scholarship fund from UNC Wilmington after the school said it could no longer gear their money toward African American students. The change stems from the UNC System's Equality Policy, which bans diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article316510862.html/video-embed 57 2026-07-14T21:13:24Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article316490736.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/787b5c20-d555-4473-8619-e8c1463d404b/1_th.jpg Jordon Hudson asked UNC for records in June. Here’s what they revealed. UNC-Chapel Hill fulfilled Jordon Hudson’s public records requests, returning mainly contracts and audits; few documents revealed outside communications about boyfriend Coach Bill Belichick. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article316490736.html/video-embed 116 2026-07-14T14:00:00Z no