Charter Communications, owner of Spectrum, announced plans to buy Cox Communications for $34.5 billion. The acquisition includes Cox’s commercial fiber, IT, cloud, and residential cable businesses, signaling a major consolidation move as both companies adapt to shifting consumer demand for streaming and mobile entertainment.

A new N.C. State study finds American Airlines’ Charlotte hub generates $30.8 billion in annual economic activity, supporting 147,500 jobs and $12.5 billion in wages statewide. The airline accounts for 90% of CLT traffic and 70% of all seats across North Carolina, positioning the hub as a key asset in business recruitment.

As SAS nears its 50th anniversary, CEO Jim Goodnight’s long-held resistance to taking the Cary-based company public has preserved a unique corporate culture — with 35-hour workweeks, on-site childcare and deep community ties. While SAS again signals IPO intentions, its founder’s wariness of Wall Street remains central to the company’s identity.

The Local Government Commission approved $540 million in bonds for Duke University Health System and $330 million for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, supporting major expansions in Cary and Charlotte. Additional funding was approved for utilities, housing, schools and infrastructure projects statewide.

With a projected $1.1 billion cost and an $800 million shortfall, NCDOT says tolling is the only current option to fund a new Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. A Division 3 engineer told Leland’s town council the state has exhausted grant options, and a key federal award remains in limbo under the Trump administration’s spending review.

A contested 2023 mayoral election in Pembroke remains uncertified as the case heads to the N.C. Court of Appeals. Incumbent Gregory Cummings, who lost by 19 votes, is challenging the eligibility of 16 voters tied to his opponent Allen Dial. The legal delay has allowed Cummings to stay in office nearly 18 months after Election Day.

Local officials and business owners are urging the National Park Service to delay a planned closure of a 17-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Blowing Rock and Linville. The July–November shutdown overlaps with key tourism events, including the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and could carry major economic consequences.

Dick’s Sporting Goods will acquire Foot Locker for $2.4 billion to expand globally and dominate the Nike wholesale market. Foot Locker will operate as a stand-alone unit. The deal faces investor skepticism but is backed by Nike.

Walmart reported $165.6B in Q1 revenue and better-than-expected earnings, but said Trump-era tariffs will force price hikes. The retailer cited pressure on margins despite hedging strategies, with groceries helping offset higher import costs.

GE Aerospace says its record widebody engine order from Qatar Airways will benefit its Wilmington facility, which produces key parts for the 787 and 777X engines. The deal supports nearly 2,000 GE jobs statewide.