Helene Recovery; Senate Election Bills; Duke Shields Ratepayers

North Carolina has received a $34 million federal grant to support ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, providing another boost to rebuilding projects across western parts of the state. The program also covers the North Carolina Senate’s passage of a wide-ranging elections package that would shorten early voting for certain elections while adding new post-election audit requirements. Duke Energy has signed a pledge aimed at protecting residential customers from bearing the costs of electricity demand driven by large data centers. Finally, State Rep. Erin Paré is raising questions about professional standards and employee dress expectations in North Carolina public schools.