Transit Safety Flags; Dupre Ruled Ineligible; Audits Spotlight Costs

A federal audit has flagged serious safety risks on Charlotte’s public transit system, raising renewed concerns about security, oversight, and rider safety. The audit findings come as state officials detail how more than $200 million in Hurricane Helene recovery funds are being distributed across affected communities. In election news, the North Carolina Board of Elections ruled that Dupre is ineligible for the GOP U.S. Senate ballot, reshaping the primary field. Separately, a new audit finds thousands of vacant state government positions are costing North Carolina more than $1 billion, spotlighting workforce shortages and operational inefficiencies.