Thad Ogburn
@thadogburn.bsky.social
Managing Editor, The News & Observer in Raleigh
Two NC teens are charged after police say pills were used to end a 31-week pregnancy. The latest from @solomonlexib.bsky.social and @virginabridges.bsky.social.
New details revealed about NC teens charged with abortion attempt in 3rd trimester
The two Durham teenagers appeared in court for the first time Wednesday. Read what the district attorney and defense attorney had to say.
newsobserver.com
Love this story and video from Drew Jackson and @allipardont.bsky.social about viral food star "Mr Tendernism" visiting the Triangle. And I've really got to visit So Forking Good!
Viral food reviewer Mr. Tendernism ate his way through the Triangle. Here’s where
Last week Johnson did a tour of Triangle soul food restaurants, stopping in at three different spots.
newsobserver.com
Most speakers at Wake school board meeting voice support for transgender teacher. The issue attracted attention last week when an NC legislator floated the idea of "gender-appropriate professional attire" for teachers. The latest from @keunghui.bsky.social.
Wake school board, community members defend transgender school teacher
Most of the public comment at Tuesday’s school board meeting supported a transgender teacher whose hiring has been questioned. But some parents expressed concerns.
newsobserver.com
UNC Health has a new nurse scheduling system that uses elements of dynamic pricing. Some are not happy with it. @janesartwell.bsky.social takes a look.
UNC Health says new scheduling system won’t pay nurses less. Why it has critics.
The health system says it is not a “bidding model” and calls those claims “misinformation,” but that hasn’t stopped online outrage.
newsobserver.com
In the middle of the night, embattled NC Republican Chuck Edwards drops his reelection bid. The latest from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.
NC GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards ends reelection campaign after sexual harassment report
Edwards is at the center of an ethics report that found he created a hostile work environment and sexually harassed young staffers.
newsobserver.com
One-fifth of North Carolina's counties can't agree on an early voting plan amid partisan squabbling. @kyleingram.bsky.social explains what happens now.
These 20 NC counties failed to agree on an early voting plan. What drove the splits
The lack of agreements follows scrutiny over Dallas Woodhouse’s attempts to influence early voting plans while at the auditor’s office.
newsobserver.com
From seashells on Emerald Isle to Secret Service surveillance on I-95 to an interview with an organized crime family boss, the Comey "86 47" case is even crazier than you thought. @virginabridges.bsky.social has details.
Behind the scenes of the Comey ‘86 47’ case: How the feds built investigation in NC
The James Comey case unfolded quickly in North Carolina, starting with an Instagram post of seashells on the beach. How the investigation drew in a coastal police chief and a Gambino crime boss.
newsobserver.com
Gifts of shoes, guns, a mixer and 30 kinds of ice cream (at once). Trips to New York and Las Vegas. Middle-of-the-night messages. Ethics report on NC Rep. Chuck Edwards says his behavior was "beyond inappropriate." His campaign claims he was "exonerated."
House Committee recommends censure for Rep. Edwards of NC for sexual harassment
The House Committee on Ethics recommended a censure against the NC representative for sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
newsobserver.com
The House Committee on Ethics recommends censure for NC GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards, accused of sexually harassing female staff members. The latest from @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social.
Rep. Edwards recommended for sanctions by Ethics committee for sexual harassment
The House Committee on Ethics recommended a censure against the NC representative for sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
newsobserver.com
Trump believes he doesn’t need Tillis, Cornyn for Blanche to be AG. Does he? #ncpol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Trump believes he doesn’t need Tillis, Cornyn for Blanche to be AG. Does he?
President Trump announced that he may pull Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general until Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn retire.
newsobserver.com
The latest from @dpkane.bsky.social and Esther Frances on North Carolina's ever-expanding investigation that all started with allegations of lawmaker misbehavior on a liquor tour.
Wake DA: Greater Carolina probe expanding to include a look at Florida developer
M Group CEO says “absolutely no affiliation or correlation” with Mooresville nonprofit under investigation.
newsobserver.com
President Trump says he may withdraw Todd Blanche's AG nomination until NC's Thom Tillis and Texas' John Cornyn are out of the Senate. Though as @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social notes, the president would be banking on GOP Senate wins in those states this fall.
How NC Sen. Tillis helped stall Blanche confirmation vote because of ‘1776 fund’
As Tillis and Cornyn delay Blanche committee vote, President Trump threatens to withdraw the nomination until 2027, when both senators will be out of office.
newsobserver.com
"The facts of this case may be simple, but the issue of who’s responsible may be somewhat complicated." A tragic accident at a neighborhood pool leaves many legal questions. Interesting story by @solomonlexib.bsky.social.
Triangle teen paralyzed after diving off uncovered pool platform. Who’s to blame?
Raleigh teen Julia Bledsoe is suing those in charge of the neighborhood pool where she was seriously injured in 2024.
newsobserver.com
In which UNC's chancellor doesn't particularly want to talk about the one campus story that everyone wants to talk about this week. The latest from @kamrannia.bsky.social and @janesartwell.bsky.social.
UNC chancellor Roberts calls Michael Lombardi football investigation ‘distressing’
UNC football is on the administration’s radar for the wrong reasons as practice begins for Bill Belichick’s second season with the Tar Heels.
newsobserver.com
UNC has big plans for its Carolina North campus. But those have to be reconciled with a former philosophy professor's will that is more than 85 years old. Wild story from @janesartwell.bsky.social.
Carolina North offers UNC ‘opportunity’ – if it complies with philosophy prof’s will
There are some old and unusual strings attached to Carolina North, the massive property that UNC-Chapel Hill seeks to develop.
newsobserver.com
At least all of our recent rain was good for something. Story by Simone Jasper and @annamroman.bsky.social.
Raleigh to lift restrictions as water supply levels improve. Here’s what to know
Heavy rains have helped replenish some of Falls Lake after prolonged drought conditions. But residents should still be mindful of water use.
newsobserver.com
The latest from @faithwardwell.bsky.social on the Cary woman who has been missing in the Caribbean for nearly a week.
Grenada authorities deliver update on search for missing Cary woman
Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell was last seen on security footage swimming at Grand Anse Beach around noon Wednesday, July 22.
newsobserver.com
NC Republican Rep. Erin Pare says she's considering legislation limiting what school employees can wear to "protect children from being exposed to more complex and mature gender-identity questions and concepts." Story from @keunghui.bsky.social.
NC GOP lawmaker says she’ll propose law to restrict attire for trans teachers
Wake has hired a trans music teacher. Rep. Erin Paré objects to the teacher’s attire.
newsobserver.com
I love @williamshatner.bsky.social's jokingly acerbic persona with GalaxyCon fans. I love even more that an adorable 3-year-old like Arabella was able to crack it. Sweet story from @keunghui.bsky.social.
William Shatner tells 3-year-old to ‘sit down.’ Why her Raleigh family loved it
William Shatner’s playful exchange with a 3-year-old girl at GalaxyCon Raleigh drew laughs from the crowd and the child’s parents.
newsobserver.com
"The role of the press, whether you like it or not, is to be the eyes and ears of the people.” @daniellebattaglia.bsky.social writes about efforts to control the messenger in North Carolina's Senate race.
Press access blocked at some NC Senate race events. How does it impact the public?
Michael Whatley blocked three reporters in 10 days from attending his campaign events. How does that impact the public? And what about Roy Cooper’s events?
newsobserver.com
Angry Cary residents address the Town Council at the first regular meeting since a scathing audit about extravagant town spending. @dmtwumasi.bsky.social has details.
Cary residents’ anger over excessive spending boils over at Town Council meeting
In Cary’s first regular Town Council meeting since the state audit into “excessive” spending, residents laid into council members.
newsobserver.com
Cary's "culture" of spending included 18 town employees spending almost $80,000 over two years at places like Panera Bread and Burrito Shak. The latest from Nolan Wilkinson.
$7.4K at Panera Bread, tens of thousands on fine-dining: Cary’s pattern of food spending
Find out where and how much Cary employees spent of taxpayers’ money when dining on town procurement cards.
newsobserver.com
NC man woke up to find his Tinder date recording herself sexually assaulting him. She pleaded guilty and now must register as a sex offender. Researchers say dating app sexual assaults happen more often on first-time meetings. @solomonlexib.bsky.social reports.
Tinder date says he woke to sex act. Now woman must register as a sex offender.
“Reina” Jose Jimy Chavez-Fuentes, 21, pleaded guilty last month to sexually assaulting her Tinder date as he slept. Here’s what we know.
newsobserver.com
Going to the Guns N' Roses show Thursday or the Noah Kahan show Saturday? Or just traveling anywhere around Carter-Finley Stadium on those days? Simone Jasper explains why you need to plan ahead.
Expect heavy traffic on these Raleigh roads for Noah Kahan, Guns N’ Roses shows
Traffic around Carter-Finley Stadium is known to increase on concert days. Here’s a guide to traffic, parking and concert tickets.
newsobserver.com
A woman was discharged from WakeMed Raleigh less than 2 days before she was killed in a hit-and-crash while walking on Interstate 40. Now, her mother wants answers. Tragic story from Kristen Johnson.
Mother of woman killed in Raleigh hit-and-run questions hospital discharge before crash
Jena Shively was killed in a hit-and-run on Interstate 40 near South Saunders Street early Sunday morning.
newsobserver.com
“We are going to get (expletive) removing Sundays in so many places." Texts show former elections liaison Dallas Woodhouse anticipated public backlash to efforts that limit Sunday voting in NC. Story by @kyleingram.bsky.social.
New texts show Dallas Woodhouse anticipated backlash to Sunday voting cuts in NC
“We are going to get (expletive) removing Sundays in so many places,” Woodhouse wrote in a text to a Republican election official.
newsobserver.com
The Durham energy firm accused of operating “a brazen fraud scheme" has filed for bankruptcy. Good reporting by @skyoutbriout.bsky.social.
Facing a $1.1 billion fraud penalty, Durham energy firm files for bankruptcy
American Efficient valued its current assets at between $1 million and $10 million, a fraction of what regulators demand from the company.
newsobserver.com
An investigation that launched after a report of drunken NC lawmakers on a bourbon tour has now expanded to include payments to the Carolina Panthers, a beach vacation and companies that own strip clubs. The latest from @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social.
SBI warrant reveals Greater Carolina group spent money on Panthers, vacations
Greater Carolina, a group tied to NC lawmakers, is under investigation by the North Carolina SBI. A new search warrant reveals spending.
newsobserver.com
Newly released search warrants shed light on tensions that preceded the fatal shooting of a sheriff's deputy by a state trooper. A woman who had dated both men is the sister of the head of the State Highway Patrol. @virginabridges.bsky.social reports.
Warrants outline relationships, tensions before state trooper shot NC sheriff’s deputy
“The preliminary investigation revealed a domestic disturbance occurred between two off-duty law enforcement officers.”
newsobserver.com
