https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315330770.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/664a8bd2-0ea9-4007-9712-56ce0def3d89/1_th.jpg Bleak budget deficit could force Raleigh to raise homeowners’ taxes The city is $13 million short of a balanced budget for fiscal year 2027, Sadia Sattar, the city’s budget director, told elected officials on April 6, 2026. That gap does not include any spending increases over the city’s current fiscal year 2026 budget. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315330770.html/video-embed 68 2026-04-07T19:27:28Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315331341.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/30e231b9-dd57-4aba-92f7-96f5171fbab8/1_th.jpg Wake school board approves demolishing Ligon Middle in 'tough vote' In March 2026, the Wake County School Board voted to demolish Ligon Middle School and build a new facility after months of heated conversations with residents and alumni. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315331341.html/video-embed 85 2026-04-07T20:03:03Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315327480.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/84320341-abf4-4970-959e-535798add8eb/1_th.jpg See the top 20 salaries for City of Raleigh employees Raleigh, NC employs about 3,800 people, from police officers to electricians and maintenance workers to engineers. The highest paid employee is the city manager, Marchell Adams-David. Here's a look at the top 20 as of January 2024. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article315327480.html/video-embed 55 2026-04-07T16:20:53Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315331036.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b2dcf364-569b-43bb-b473-2a471e81d305/1_th.jpg NC's largest school district's budget faces scrutiny from educators in Wake County Wake County school leaders are set to present a new budget proposal Tuesday under pressure from educators demanding major changes, including protections for special education and increased support for staff. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315331036.html/video-embed 70 2026-04-07T19:50:24Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article315319778.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/6f2dcf4e-c14b-4dc5-a4d8-81dfd72526dd/2_th.jpg Who is Michael Malone, UNC's next men’s basketball coach? North Carolina is set to hire former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone as its next men’s basketball coach, a source confirmed to the N&O Monday afternoon. Here's a look at 2023 NBA Championship coach. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article315319778.html/video-embed 94 2026-04-06T21:32:54Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/durham-county/article315292174.html https://img.connatix.com/976eb5c8-0c15-43c2-9ebe-653dbc35e156/1_th.jpg Sarah P. Duke Gardens prepares to reopen renovated entrance to public Sarah P. Duke Gardens will open its renovated entrance to the public on April 8, including a visitor lobby, cafe and new outdoor gathering spaces. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/durham-county/article315292174.html/video-embed 72 2026-04-06T11:30:00Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315313341.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f03296b7-a4e6-44d8-a749-3a0156b5cda3/1_th.jpg NC’s Thom Tillis isn't going quietly as he prepares to leave the Senate ABC11's Joel Brown and N&O politics reporter Danielle Battaglia talk about Sen. Thom Tillis, whose post-campaign candor on Trump aides and GOP critics has drawn notice. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article315313341.html/video-embed 127 2026-04-06T21:30:45Z no https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315318136.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/16611e62-ed98-4a59-ae5f-a929d4e8e954/1_th.jpg In 2019 thousands of NC teachers marched in Raleigh Thousands of North Carolina teachers and supporters fill Raleigh's Fayetteville Street as they march to the Legislature, May 1, 2019. The NCAE is urging North Carolina teachers to call out May 1, 2026 and march in Raleigh to demand increased public school funding and hold legislators accountable. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article315318136.html/video-embed 60 2026-04-06T20:08:38Z no