North Carolina News Summary

A Wake County judge has temporarily halted cuts to North Carolina's Medicaid reimbursement for autism treatment following a lawsuit that has raised concerns for many families dependent on these essential services.

The cuts would have imposed a significant 10% reduction specifically on ABA therapy, impacting vulnerable populations at a time when the state legislature has stalled on budget discussions. Families like Marissa Scheetz's, who rely on these therapies for their children, are understandably anxious about the stability of their support as they navigate the complexities of Medicaid.

Meanwhile, Mecklenburg County has made headlines with the narrow approval of a one-cent sales tax increase aimed at enhancing local transit systems. This measure, approved by a 52-48% margin with about 177,000 votes cast, is expected to generate $25 billion over the next 30 years for public transportation improvements.

The allocation will see 40% of the funds directed towards roads, 40% for rail projects, and 20% for buses and other transport options. This initiative has garnered support from both business leaders and local politicians, although it faced opposition from some community groups concerned about equitable access to transportation upgrades.

In the realm of education, North Carolina students are achieving record participation in Advanced Placement exams. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, over 90,000 students took 171,000 AP exams during the 2024-25 school year, showing a 7.3% increase in test takers and a 9.8% increase in total exams from the previous year.

Notably, 72.1% of those exams scored a 3 or higher, indicating that students are well on their way to earning college credits. The state aims to further expand access to AP courses to foster this growth in academic rigor.

Additionally, Brunswick County is set to break ground in June 2026 on a new $100 million health and emergency hub designed to improve local healthcare infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.

This facility will replace aging structures and is part of the county's Government Complex Master Plan, which emphasizes disaster resilience. Lastly, the recent municipal elections in Greensboro have resulted in a significant generational change within the city council, with only two incumbents retaining their seats.

Voter turnout in these elections reflects a desire for new leadership and policies, with fresh faces poised to make an impact in local governance.