SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1984, a deadly tornado outbreak struck the Carolinas and Georgia, spawning 24 confirmed tornadoes, including several F4 and F3 storms. In total, 11 occurred in North Carolina, 11 in South Carolina, and two in Georgia. The fast-moving storms caused 42 deaths in North Carolina alone.

The FBI says North Carolinians are among the top victims of cyber investment scams. How can you protect your accounts? Find out in today’s Around North Carolina section.

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Fed Judge Upholds NC Voter Laws

A federal judge upheld North Carolina’s photo voter ID law, rejecting civil rights groups’ claims that the requirement discriminates against minority voters.

The ruling comes after a 2018 NAACP claim that a law requiring photo IDs to vote disproportionately impacted minority voters and infringed upon constitutional rights.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and other supporters said the voter ID law is constitutional, non-discriminatory, and among the nation’s most permissive, and said the recent ruling ends years of legal uncertainty.

NAACP President Deborah Dicks Maxwell found the ruling discouraging, claiming the decision hampers minority voters.

Stein Requests Helene Funding

Gov. Josh Stein urged lawmakers to approve $792 million for Western North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene recovery, highlighting urgent needs during a visit Thursday to a nonprofit rebuilding project in Bakersville.

The budget request, made from a grant-funded home rebuild project, includes $10 million in rental and utility aid, $50 million to establish a revolving loan fund for hard-hit counties, and $100 million for road infrastructure repairs.

“Western North Carolinians are still working every day for their own recovery. Let’s match their grit and meet them with the urgency they deserve,” Stein said. To date, the General Assembly has approved $1.1 billion in state funding for recovery efforts.

Stein believes Helene will ultimately cost the state $60 billion to fully recover.

Bulls and Knights Face Off

Minor League Baseball returns to North Carolina as the Charlotte Knights host the Durham Bulls at Truist Field for the opening weekend, featuring fireworks, a drone show, and family-friendly activities.

Festivities kicked off on Friday with Fan Fest and postgame fireworks, while today features team autograph sessions, on-field catch with fans, and a postgame drone show. Sunday is Family Funday, featuring $2 hot dogs and base running for the fans.

The Knights, who are an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, will feature four of Chicago’s 10 top prospects. The roster also includes former Atlanta Braves players.

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➤ Statewide: "No Kings" protests are expected in more than 70 towns statewide as officials warn of traffic delays, with organizers anticipating larger-than-usual crowds. (More)

➤ Also statewide: North Carolinians reported 178 cyber investment scam complaints, the most nationwide, as FBI officials warn residents never to send money to someone they met online. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Police said a Wells Fargo robbery in Raleigh triggered a high-speed chase on Friday that ended in a crash on Interstate 40, leaving the suspect seriously injured and others with minor injuries. (More)

➤ Western NC: Firefighters continue to battle the Poplar Fire at 60% containment, the Tarkiln Ridge Fire at 40%, and the Nix Creek Road Fire at 20%, where aircraft help crews secure edges. (More)

➤ Also Western NC: Officials issued a Red Flag Warning for 28 counties until 11 p.m. today as warm temperatures, low humidity, and winds up to 40 mph heighten fire risk. (See List)

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➤ No. 1 seed Duke edged No. 5 seed St. John’s, 80-75, after the Red Storm missed a late 3-pointer to tie. Cameron Boozer posted a double-double, and the Blue Devils advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA men’s tournament. (More)

➤ No. 4 seed North Carolina women’s basketball led after the first quarter, but top-seeded UConn limited the Tar Heels to 13 points over the next two quarters en route to a 63-42 Huskies win. (More)

➤ No. 3 seed Duke faced No. 2 seed LSU in a late-night Sweet 16 game in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. (See Score)

➤ NC State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan said he was shocked by Will Wade’s sudden resignation, which came via his agent’s email a day after a meeting gave no indication that he planned to leave. (More)

➤ Newly-signed Panthers left tackle Rasheed Walker said a gun charge stemming from an airport arrest in January will be dismissed after he entered a pretrial diversion program. (More)

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➤ An online exhibit showcases 337 transcribed, searchable documents from Gov. Richard Caswell's first year, offering insight into his leadership and North Carolina's role during the Revolutionary War. (More)

➤ High Point's Extra Special People hosted a family night as the Georgia-based nonprofit celebrated the opening of its first out-of-state facility to serve children and adults with disabilities. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Zoo leads efforts to save the critically endangered red wolf, housing the nation's second-largest breeding program, as only about two dozen remain in the wild. (See Wolves)

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