The Latest

Economy & Workforce

North Carolina adds 65,600 payroll jobs as unemployment falls to 3.5%

RALEIGH — North Carolina added 65,600 nonfarm payroll jobs over the year through August as the state unemployment rate fell to 3.5%.

September 18, 2026

Economy & Workforce

Comfort First plans permanent Sanford layoff affecting 67 workers

SANFORD — Comfort First Heating & Cooling reported a permanent layoff affecting 67 workers at its Sanford operation, effective Nov. 16.

September 18, 2026

Companies & People

Kincell Bio, Cellipont complete merger to form Kincellis

DURHAM — Kincell Bio and Cellipont Bioservices completed a merger combining three U.S. cell-therapy development and manufacturing sites under Kincellis Advanced Therapies.

September 18, 2026

Development & Infrastructure

Wilmington Holiday Inn Express sells for $12.95 million

WILMINGTON — A 109-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites on Medical Center Drive sold for $12.95 million in a completed ownership transfer.

September 18, 2026

Development & Infrastructure

Construction starts on $11.3 million Beaufort youth club

BEAUFORT — Construction has started on an $11.3 million Boys & Girls Club facility, the first capital project under a $35 million seven-county campaign.

September 17, 2026

Economy & Workforce

Regional Acceptance plans eastern NC closures affecting 253 workers

GREENVILLE - Regional Acceptance plans permanent closures affecting 253 employees across its Greenville and Winterville operations, according to new state WARN records.

September 17, 2026

Economy & Workforce

NC sports-economy report cites $17.7 billion outdoor sector

RALEIGH - A new NC Chamber Foundation report maps North Carolina's sports economy and cites $17.7 billion in outdoor recreation value added.

September 17, 2026

Development & Infrastructure

House bill authorizes $332.8 million for southeast NC water projects

SURF CITY - A water resources bill passed by the U.S. House authorizes $292.8 million for a beach project and $40 million for White Lake infrastructure.

September 17, 2026

Government & Business

Analysis estimates $7.42 billion in federal funding disruptions for North Carolina

RALEIGH - An independent analysis estimates that cancellations, freezes and slower federal spending have disrupted $7.42 billion tied to North Carolina.

September 17, 2026

Companies & People

Truist agrees to $5.5 billion loan sale, exits near-prime auto lending

CHARLOTTE - Truist agreed to sell $5.5 billion in auto loans and exit near-prime auto lending as part of a broader strategic review.

September 17, 2026

Development & Infrastructure

Wilmington medical office building sells for $11.24 million

WILMINGTON - A 20,000-square-foot medical office building occupied by Wilmington Surgical Associates sold Sept. 8 for $11.24 million.

September 17, 2026

Economy & Workforce

UNC Lineberger receives $40 million for AI cancer-vaccine research

CHAPEL HILL - UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has received $40 million from the OpenAI Foundation for an initiative using clinical data and artificial intelligence to improve personalized…

September 17, 2026