North Carolina
N.C. Judge Upholds the State’s Limits on 1,4-Dioxane Pollution in Utilities’ Wastewater
The chemical, used in solvents, degreasers and some consumer products, is a likely carcinogen that can harm the liver and kidneys
Queens University
Federal Funding Cuts Hit Queens University Programs, Forcing Hard Choices as Merger Looms
Sawyer Davis (Queens University News Service) December 20, 2025 Queens University of Charlotte is entering a year of major transition as federal funding cuts, enrollment struggles and the looming merger with Elon University converge to reshape the future of the century-old institution. While the university maintains that its core
NC A&T
N.C. A&T students take lead on early voting
State election officials project confidence after FBI search of Georgia elections office
Mental Health
Feds restore mental health funds
Rural communities stand with vulnerable neighbors in Minnesota; Mothers, daughters, Girl Scouts traveled to Richmond to watch the first woman become governor of Virginia; Measles cases climb in NC; Duke Energy Plans to Build a Massive Natural Gas Power Plant in Davidson County, NC
North Carolina
DEQ Division of Water Resources awards more than $1.5M for stream restoration, water management, recreation projects
Down Ballot Staff Reports RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to support stream restoration, water-based recreation and water management projects across North Carolina. The grants were awarded to nine local governments through the
North Carolina
Brunswick County Commissioners approve purchase of 380 acres for future raw water reservoir
Land is in the Leland area near the Northwest Water Treatment Plant
Minnesota
Unrest continues in Minnesota; Former inmate buys N.C. prison; UNC Charlotte faces racial discrimination claim
Helena Moreno sworn in as the Crescent City's second woman mayor
ICE Minneapolis shooting
Feds bar Minnesota from investigating Minneapolis ICE shooting
Many L.A. fire survivors face insurance delays and can’t return home a year later
Public Health
Measles reported in Buncombe as public health officials worry about spread in the face of declining vaccination rates
The 3 cases are part of a surge in illnesses – chickenpox, whooping cough and flu – that can be prevented or contained by immunizations
Gun violence
Gun violence dropped to its lowest level in decades
Virginia conservation group sues EPA over PFAS, Mamdani builds team in NYC, Faculty at NC colleges report anxiety over threats to academic freedom
Proposed FEMA Downsizing
Report proposes halving FEMA
2 NC municipalities in Carteret and Hertford counties must redo elections; DHS adding funding in hopes of getting more local law enforcement agencies to work with ICE
Virginia
Virginia town focused on its undefeated football team, not fugitive coach
Mass. AG's suit against Meta at the state's highest court; Jay Lee's family sees justice in Mississippi