Wake DA’s office reopening downtown stabbing investigation after reviewing video Here’s why prosecutors are rethinking charges filed against the man accused in the weekend stabbings.

Surveillance footage of a downtown Raleigh stabbing suggests the man charged may have been acting in self-defense. The latest from Faith Wardwell and Nolan Wilkinson.

Cary gives its police chief a take-home vehicle. One home is 180 miles away. Exclusive: Cary officials shed little light on how much time Police Chief Terry Sult spends in homes in Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties. He rents a place in Cary.

More Cary government weirdness from
@dpkane.bsky.social: The town's police chief owns two homes in the Charlotte area. And he uses his town vehicle to travel to and from those homes. State official says he's "unaware of any chiefs having a residence that far from the communities that hired them."

How much will UNC pay basketball coach Michael Malone? Some details Longtime NBA coach Michael Malone will be among the nation’s highest-paid college basketball coaches after taking over the UNC Tar Heels.

A six-year deal worth $50 million total, or a little over $8.3 million annually. Nice work if you can get it. The latest from
@shelbyswanson.bsky.social and @jwatsonfisher.bsky.social.

Beloved bartender from Berkeley Cafe, matron of authentic Raleigh, dies Lisa Lewis was 63, and legions of fans recalled her undying generosity combined with a firm, no-nonsense policy: a perfect combination.

Lovely remembrance by Josh Shaffer of Berkeley Cafe bartender Lisa Lewis -- "a tender heart who would also stomp you thoroughly if you got out of line."

UNC men’s basketball head coaching search closing in on hire. Here’s the target. UNC men’s basketball is set to hire Michael Malone as its next head coach, a source confirmed to the N&O.

After several others remove their names from consideration, UNC seems to be zeroing in on a surprise pick to lead the men's basketball program. The latest from @shelbyswanson.bsky.social.

Wake County mom kept teen in dog kennel, dad raped child, court records say Rachel Galasso and Lacy Hocutt Jr. were arrested Wednesday on multiple charges involving child abuse. Here’s what we know.

Horrific and disturbing story from Lexi Solomon.

UNC student newspaper’s April Fools’ satire sparks outrage on campus The problem, according to some students and campus groups, is that it wasn’t funny. In fact, it was terrifying.

“Political satire is very difficult to do. And it’s even more difficult to do well." Jane Winik Sartwell reports on UNC campus anger after an April Fool's Day edition of the student newspaper.

Rock legend Robert Plant dropped in for dinner at Raleigh hot spot Robert Plant appears to be a fan of the Triangle food scene.

Music legend Robert Plant is in town and once again dining at a downtown Raleigh restaurant. Drew Jackson has details.

Will UNC basketball search break tradition? Inside the Tar Heels coaching legacy After parting ways with Hubert Davis, North Carolina is casting a wider net than ever before — signaling a shift away from its decades-long “family” model.

UNC trustees came under fire for alleged meddling in the hire that brought football coach Bill Belichick to campus. AD Bubba Cunningham says the only involvement of trustees in the search for a new basketball coach will be approving the hire. The latest from @shelbyswanson.bsky.social.

Trump endorsement wasn’t enough to tip the scales for Senate leader Phil Berger Trump’s endorsement is highly coveted in Republican primaries, and usually goes to the winner. But not always.

President Trump endorsed NC's Phil Berger and even offered Berger's challenger, Sam Page, a job in Washington. Page declined the offer, and the president's support didn't help Berger eke out a victory. Story from @lucianaperezu.bsky.social and @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social.

NC’s pollen is going to get worse before it gets better. The yellow timeline There was so much pollen in the atmosphere on Monday that it showed up as a “solid sheet” on the National Weather Service’s radar.

Don't wash the car or put away the Zyrtec just yet. There's more pollen on the way. @annamroman.bsky.social has the discouraging news.

NC Senate leader Phil Berger concedes, will end reign as state’s top Republican Berger conceded to his primary challenger, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.

North Carolina's most powerful Republican politician will be out of a job after this year. Big news from @kyleingram.bsky.social and @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social.

Former NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson admits porn habit, lied to protect Trump Former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson went on a new podcast and said he lied after CNN uncovered his lewd and racist posts.

Mark Robinson, NC's failed GOP candidate for governor in 2024, admits he lied during that campaign and acknowledges addiction to porn and "carnal things." The latest from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.

Duke women’s basketball goes to the dogs. Meet the Blue Devils’ team puppy She’s a very good girl, after completing completing Duke’s “Puppy Kindergarten” the day before March Madness.

An awesome NCAA Tournament story, even for those who don't like basketball. (Or for Duke men's fans who need something sweet to calm them down after that scare.) Thanks, @jwatsonfisher.bsky.social!

After full recount, Berger still trails Page in hotly-contested Republican primary Sam Page’s lead of 23 votes didn’t budge after Guilford and Rockingham recounted the ballots.

Sam Page campaign calls on Phil Berger to concede after recount shows not a single change in vote totals. The latest from @kyleingram.bsky.social.

The N&O’s Top 50 Restaurants of 2026: The Triangle’s best places to eat The Triangle is a talented, ambitious and comfortable place, and our restaurants reflect every bit of what we love about living here.

We're so happy to unveil @newsobserver.com's Top 50 Restaurants of 2026. So much work went into this for months by many people, particularly food writer Drew Jackson. Subscribers will want to spend some time with this one and save it for future reference -- and dining!

How a wrong turn at Fort Bragg NC led to an ICE detention center in Georgia A man trying to get home from a contractor job in Fayetteville ended up being asked for proof of his citizenship at a Fort Bragg gate. He was detained by ICE.

Getting lost, winding up at a military checkpoint and ending up in ICE custody. It's part of a growing trend that has happened in North Carolina, as @nathanpcollins.bsky.social reports.

Robert Willett on a Career of Shooting ACC Basketball - WALTER Magazine As we head into March Madness, the longtime News & Observer sports photographer shares what it’s like to photograph basketball.

The @newsobserver.com's Robert Willett is a national treasure. On top of being a kind and wonderful colleague, he is one hell of a photographer. waltermagazine.com/community/pe...

Young NC senator is a big fundraiser. How a lobbyist and his wife tie into that success. Exclusive: State Sen. Dave Craven outraised nearly every Republican colleague in the 2024 election. His campaign reports show payments to a consultant with an unusual tie to his donors.

The latest Power & Secrecy report from Dan Kane, about an NC state senator who is a big fundraiser for the GOP, his links to a lobbyist and payments to the lobbyist's campaign consultant wife. And then there's the disputed bourbon distillery tour and a shared, pricey wine locker.

Judge weighs next steps after US attorney admits using AI in error-ridden brief “Your honor, I saw it as a tool,” the assistant U.S. attorney told the judge, to “be a better worker for the office.”

A US Attorney used AI to craft a legal brief then submitted it unchecked and with errors. He is now paying the price, as @virginabridges.bsky.social reports.

Sam Page expands lead over Phil Berger in tight race for NC Senate Guilford and Rockingham counties counted additional ballots Friday.

After his 2 vote lead over Phil Berger on Election Night, Sam Page added 21 additional votes Friday. But this race is isn't settled yet, as @kyleingram.bsky.social reports.

UNC won’t release results of its months-long investigation into School of Civic Life The investigation into the nearly two-year-old school cost $1.2 million, according to UNC.

UNC-Chapel Hill spent $1.2 million and seven months on a “detailed and exhaustive” investigation of its School of Civic Life and Leadership, which has been plagued by infighting and massive turnover. So what did it uncover? The public university is declining to release the details to the public.

Republican NC elections board member resigns over prohibited campaign donations The resignation comes as election officials are still working to determine who won in Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page’s primary campaign to oust longtime Republican Senate leader Phil Berger.

A member of North Carolina's State Board of Elections made campaign contributions to two candidates. You can't do that. He has now resigned, as @kyleingram.bsky.social reports. #ncpol

State Appeals Court rules on challenge to NC Confederate soldier monument The Gaston County NAACP, the National Association for Black Veterans, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and three county taxpayers filed the lawsuit in 2020. Here’s what the judges said.

The NAACP sought the removal of the Confederate soldier statue on the grounds of an NC courthouse. The latest from @virginabridges.bsky.social.

Nida Allam concedes NC Democratic congressional primary to Valerie Foushee According to unofficial results, Foushee led Allam by about 1,200 votes — a less than 1% margin of victory.

Nida Allam concedes in the Democratic primary rematch with US Rep. Valerie Foushee. The latest from @kyleingram.bsky.social.

Inside look: What are UNC’s top options for the future of the Smith Center? Three top options have emerged for the future of the Smith Center. The latest on renovations vs. the Carolina North plan.

Breaking down UNC's three options for the Smith Center with @shelbyswanson.bsky.social. Clearly most campus leaders favor Carolina North, but renovating the current site has emotional support (including from senior Seth Trimble last night.) And then there's Odum Village.

NC’s Deborah Ross echoes Tillis calling for Noem’s resignation over Helene relief Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat from Raleigh, got into a sparring match with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over delays to Helene relief funding.

“You should resign or be impeached." One day after GOP Sen. Thom Tillis took on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, it was Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross's turn. Story from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.

Live updates: NC GOP Senate leader Phil Berger in close race with Sam Page See election results in the Republican primary in Rockingham and Guilford counties.

Quite a political earthquake happening in North Carolina politics tonight. The leader of the state Senate is down by 2 VOTES to a challenger in his home district. The latest from @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social.

Thom Tillis accuses Kristi Noem of violating the law, says she ‘failed at FEMA’ The senator from NC again called for the resignation of the Homeland Security Secretary and threatened to block her department’s nomination.

Sen. Thom Tillis didn't hold back in questioning Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday. He lashed out at her on everything from immigration tactics in Minneapolis and NC to Hurricane Helene funding to killing a dog and a goat. The latest from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.

Decline of a Raleigh mall: What went wrong with Triangle Town Center? Two decades after it opened, the mall predicted to be a “new downtown” in North Raleigh limps along, a ghost town with an uncertain future.

When Raleigh's Triangle Town Center mall opened in 2002, it was heralded for its stores, restaurants and lively outdoor commons area. Now, the fake river has run dry. What happened? Good reporting from Josh Shaffer, @chantalallam.bsky.social and @vizjourno.bsky.social.