More than $1 billion was funneled to education from the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) in fiscal year 2023-24, continuing an upward trend over the past few years. Even before hitting the $1 billion threshold for the first time in 2022, the lottery sent hundreds of millions per year to fund education in North Carolina.

Charlotte’s financially struggling Northlake Mall is on the brink of being sold after years of uncertainty. Together, three Georgia limited liability companies all under Hull Property Group were “the highest and best offer for the property,” according to Spinoso Real Estate Group. The mall’s receiver filed a motion to approve the sale in N.C. Business Court.

Wells Fargo & Co. has reported that a series of recent business exits and heightened emphasis on fee revenue boosted fourth-quarter net income by 47.4% to $5.08 billion. However, net income was down 0.7% compared with $5.11 billion in the third quarter. Diluted earnings were $1.43 a share, compared with $1.42 in the third quarter.

As western North Carolina continues its slow recovery from Hurricane Helene, workers can once again expect their housing costs to increase, experts say. Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, director of housing policy for the North Carolina Housing Coalition, told BPR in an interview last week that the destruction wrought by the storm means “dire straits” for many residents.

A Wilmington internal medicine physician and former candidate for the House of Representatives, Kyle Horton, is suing Novant Health, Atlantic Brain and Spine, Physician Assistant Chase Whelan and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Jeffrey Beecher for alleged wrongful death and medical malpractice at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Novant Health, Beecher and Whelan have denied the assertions.

Chapel Hill Transit’s future bus rapid transit project got a funding boost, as U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee announced it earned $24.4 million in grant funding from the federal government. A release from Foushee’s office said the Chapel Hill North-South Bus Rapid Transit System landed the funding from the Federal Transit Administration and its capital investment grants.

President Joe Biden permanently placed off limits significant portions of the country's outer continental shelf from future drilling activity — the largest withdrawal in U.S. history. The presidential ban generated headlines and polished Biden's environmental credentials, although its impact remains uncertain for states like North Carolina, with little existing offshore oil or gas industry or infrastructure.

As Fayetteville-area residents have turned to the legal system to seek compensation for damages caused by the “forever chemical” pollution of Chemours and its predecessor, DuPont, the companies have readily mounted a defense. Chemours’ lawyers have attempted to seal multiple documents exchanged as part of the legal proceedings.