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Articles by Casey Toth
Billy Graham and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — Today in Triangle History
A daily look at some of The News & Observer headlines on this date in past years. On this day in 2019, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told a crowded auditorium in Raleigh that she hoped the Supreme Court where she served 27 years would end its era of sharp and constant division. The justice, then 86, reminded the packed house at Meymandi Hall that the Senate confirmed her in 1993 by a near-unanimous vote with only three Republicans rejecting her candidacy, including Sen. Jesse Helms.
Man arrested after $900,000 air conditioning system stolen from Durham elementary school
A man has been arrested on multiple charges after allegedly stealing a $900,000 air conditioning system from a Durham elementary school for scrap metal. William Leroy Jenkins, 38, of Durham was arrested Tuesday on five charges, including felony larceny, in the Aug. 29 incident, court records show. Jenkins is accused of conspiring with another man to steal Glenn Elementary School’s cold-water air-conditioning system, according to a search warrant in the case.
NC elections board to decide on Sunday voting, campus polling sites for 20 counties
The North Carolina State Board of Elections is set to issue final decisions on early voting plans for 20 counties on Thursday following a string of disagreements and controversies over Sunday voting, on-campus polling sites and more. The board, which has a 3-2 Republican majority, will meet at 9 a.m. to consider each of the counties that failed to reach a unanimous agreement on a voting schedule for the November midterms.
NC voters confident in election process, but many have concerns over fraud, poll says Original
North Carolina voters broadly express confidence in the fairness of the election process, but sizable minorities still believe voter fraud and foreign influence could be major problems, according to a new poll released on Wednesday by Elon University. Elon’s poll, which surveyed 800 registered voters last month, found that 63% of respondents were either “very” or “somewhat” confident that the upcoming election would be fair.
6 restaurants close in Raleigh, Durham and Cary. Here’s how some will live on Original
Six restaurants recently closed in the Triangle, shaking up the food scene in Raleigh, Durham and Cary. From a chef’s health-related shutdown to favorite spots switching locations, we’ve created a recap of the latest restaurant changes we’ve covered. • La Grassa Pastificio, a 15-table Italian restaurant in Cary, closed this month after five years in business. Chef and owner Bobby Reynaud is stepping away to focus on his health while he faces the need for kidney and heart transplants.
Durham school workers are finally getting raises. Why DAE is disappointed.
Durham Public Schools employees are getting a raise, and they won’t have to wait another pay cycle to see the money. The Durham Public Schools Board of Education voted 4-3 to approve the 2026-27 classified salary schedules, boosting the district’s minimum wage to $18.22 an hour, a 6.2% increase from $17.15. The raises are retroactive to July 1 and will be reflected in employees’ July paychecks this week.
A favorite Indian restaurant has closed in Cary. Here’s what’s next
A fan-favorite Indian restaurant has closed, but it’s not gone for good. Nazara Indian Bistro — which served naan, curries and other dishes to Cary customers — is moving to a new location in the Triangle. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible love, support, and loyalty over the years,” the restaurant wrote Sunday, July 26 in a Facebook post.
Triangle teacher charged with Hinge date assault: Did schools know his past?
Editor’s note: This story contains reporting about a sexual assault, a topic that will be disturbing to some readers. A Cary man accused of sexually assaulting his Hinge date last fall is a Durham teacher with a history of domestic violence convictions, The News & Observer has learned. Martin Michael Charlesworth, 54, was arrested Nov.
National chain is closing 2 NC stores, including one in Triangle. What we know
A national chain is closing dozens of stores, including a location in the Triangle. West Marine, which sells boating gear, said it’s offering discounts as it prepares to shut down its Raleigh store. “We recently made the difficult decision to close select store locations,” the company wrote on its website.
Music festival returns to the Triangle with a different look. Here’s the lineup
A music festival is returning to North Carolina, but it will look different this year. The Good Moon festival is set to bring concerts to the Triangle for the second year. Instead of having artists hit the stage at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the 2026 performances will be held at four other locations in downtown Durham. The news comes from Durham-based electronic-pop band Sylvan Esso and their recording company, called Psychic Hotline.
Triangle college graduations are happening this weekend. See when and where Original
Across the Triangle this weekend, college students will take to the stage to accept their diplomas, a raft of events that will bring celebrating families from across the country into the area. This weekend is historically one of the busiest at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and traffic is expected to be heavy. Whether you’re attending a graduation or intending to avoid the traffic, read on to find out all the details on when and where the ceremonies will take place.
This Cary store has permanently closed after 3 years. Here’s why
A cat boutique in Cary has closed its brick-and-mortar after three years. Meow City, located in the Village Square shopping center off of Cary Towne Boulevard, shut its doors in March after about three years. The store announced on social media that its lease was up, and it decided not to renew. “Unfortunately, with the cost of operating a business and not enough customers, we can’t justify staying open this way,” the store wrote.
As NC pursues noncitizen voting, citizens may lose their right to vote | Opinion
The State Board of Elections under its new Republican leadership is acting on President Donald Trump’s delusion that he twice lost the popular vote because of heavy voting by noncitizens. The board’s three Republicans dismissed objections by its two Democrats by voting on April 16 to feed information on the state’s 7.7 million voters into a federal database to look for noncitizens who are illegally registered to vote. It is illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal or state elections.
National retailer abruptly closing all stores, including 2 in the Triangle Original
A national retailer that offers brick-and-mortar space for vendors is closing all of its stores, affecting two Triangle locations. Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly closed all stores Tuesday, April 14. This includes the Cary and Raleigh locations, the stores confirmed to The News & Observer via email.
2 NC cities rank among most family friendly. Why they’re great for raising kids Original
North Carolina has plenty of destinations to love — but where is the best place to raise kids? Durham ranks No. 2 and Winston-Salem is No. 4 on a list of the nation’s best cities for families with children. “Some cities are proving better equipped to support growing households, offering the infrastructure, affordability and everyday amenities families need to thrive,” StorageCafe, a storage-focused website from the real estate software company Yardi, wrote in a Monday, March 16 report.
Durham school workers push for higher pay before board’s budget decision Original
Durham school employees are set to rally Thursday afternoon, calling for higher pay and improved working conditions ahead of a key school board vote on next year’s budget. The Durham Association of Educators (DAE) plans to gather outside the school board building around 4:45 p.m. Thursday, just before the board’s final discussion and vote on its proposed 2026-27 budget request to the county.
A new, casual steakhouse is open in the Triangle. Here’s where to find it Original
One of the country’s most popular steakhouse chains has expanded in the Triangle. LongHorn Steakhouse, a concept owned by Darden Restaurants, is now open in Selma. The casual steakhouse has moved into Eastfield, a mixed-use development off Interstate 95 between exits 97 and 98. LongHorn Steakhouse has existing Triangle locations in Garner, Apex and Raleigh.
Waiting on election results? Here’s why it takes a while in Wake County Original
How long will it take for elections results to be posted in North Carolina’s largest county? If history repeats itself, it will likely be a late night for Wake County folks waiting on Tuesday, March 3, primary results. “We are doing everything we can on our end to expedite it, but not sacrificing custody or security in the process,” said Olivia McCall, Wake County’s Board of Elections Director. What happens when polls close? Wake County has 216 precincts, the most of any county in the state.
A Lafayette Village store is closing soon. Last day to visit in Raleigh Original
A business at Lafayette Village is closing after several years at the shopping center. Koket Boutique opened at the North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village in 2019, though founder and owner Alexandra Del Rio started the business in 2016, according to the company’s website. Selling women’s clothing, jewelry, bags, body care and gifts, Koket Boutique is holding a store-closing, “everything must go” sale. Shoppers can browse inventory online or in person, but all sales are final.
The SAVE Act would set barriers to vote in NC — even for citizens | Opinion Original
Most North Carolinians dread a trip to the DMV. But if President Donald and Republicans in Congress have their way, that same bureaucratic headache — with its red tape and inflexible “produce-your-papers” requirements — is exactly what you can expect when you register and vote in the future.
Merck to end HPV vaccine production in Durham, laying off 154 workers Original
The pharmaceutical giant Merck will stop producing the HPV, or human papillomavirus, vaccine Gardasil at its north Durham facility, a decision it attributes to lower global demand for its second-best selling drug. In a Feb. 24 WARN letter to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Durham County, Merck said this move will result in 154 layoffs. Separations are expected to begin May 1.
In Durham, outcry over a racial slight vs. tolerance of more urgent concerns | Opinion Original
In recent days, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and several Black elected officials have called on the president of the Durham Association of Educators (DAE) to apologize for referring to Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis by his first name during a meet-and-confer session. The moment occurred after Lewis abruptly ended the meeting once it had run past the agreed -upon time limit, cutting it off while DAE President Mika Twietmeyer was still providing remarks.
Durham suddenly halts zoning code updates after property owner legal threats Original
Durham leaders have canceled next week’s public hearing to update the city and county’s joint development codes, attributing their short-notice decision to a 2024 state law and potential property owner lawsuits. The Durham Planning Commission was scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider rewriting its local unified development ordinance, which details building rules in the city and county.
Where do NC candidates stand on the issues? Find out in our voter guide Original
To help voters learn which candidates are on their ballot and where they stand on important policy issues, The News & Observer is publishing candidate questionnaires in all state and federal races in North Carolina on the March 3, 2026, ballot. We asked questions about the economy, health care, immigration and biographical details of over 200 candidates running for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, N.C. Court of Appeals and the state legislature.
Why Raleigh voters have a primary this year for some City Council races Original
For the first time, Raleigh voters will need to narrow the candidate pool for some Raleigh City Council races during a primary. There are two races Raleigh voters may see on the March 3 primary ballot, depending on where they live. Every voters in the city of Raleigh will have the option to pick two candidates for two at-large seats on the council. Voters who live in District C, which covers southeast Raleigh, will also vote for one candidate for the District C spot.
Durham mom alleges DPS ignored safety concerns before educators’ indictments
The Durham Public Schools central office building on Cleveland St., photographed on Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021, in Durham, N.C. ctoth@newsobserver.com DURHAM Katherine Long knew her non-verbal son was vulnerable; she says she didn’t expect that vulnerability to be met with force by those entrusted to protect him. Long, the mother of three children in Durham Public Schools, is demanding transparency and policy enforcement after safety incidents involving her sons went unaddressed.
NC elections are now run by Republicans. How are they changing early voting for 2026? Original
When North Carolinians go to cast their ballots in the March primary election, hundreds of thousands of voters will have fewer opportunities to vote on Sunday — even as the total number of polling sites increases across the state. The changes come amid a massive restructuring of the state’s election apparatus, with Republican lawmakers having stripped Democratic Gov. Josh Stein of consequential appointments to election boards and transferred them instead to State Auditor Dave Boliek, a Republican.
In last-minute vote, UNC-Chapel Hill trustees advance millions more in cuts Original
Members of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees backed a surprise resolution to cut $17 million in administrative costs on Wednesday, a proposal that relies at least in part on layoffs and further cuts to academic centers and institutes. The last-minute resolution, presented in a committee meeting by board member Marty Kotis, would bring the trustees closer to their overarching goal of cutting $70 million from the budget.
NC Board of Elections chair imposes his faith on voters | Opinion Original
The NC Board of Elections voted to deny Sunday voting in several counties. The chair of the state board, Francis De Luca, said that he is against Sunday voting. “I don’t think we should be voting on Sunday,” he said. “I know a lot of people who do nothing on Sunday because that’s the Lord’s day.” Mr. De Luca seems to be imposing his religious beliefs on the rest of us. Given that he is a Republican, one might speculate that his aim is to decrease voting by Democrats.
NC Democrats can’t ignore their plummeting voter registration numbers | Opinion Original
President Lyndon B. Johnson said that “the first rule of politics is to learn to count,” and North Carolina Republicans have in recent years eagerly studied one particular tally — the voter registration gap between the state’s two major parties. Last weekend, voter registration rolls showed Republicans eclipsed Democrats for the first time in state history.
This Asian restaurant in Raleigh is closing soon. Here’s its last day Original
An Asian restaurant in Raleigh is closing soon after more than a decade at its current location. Spring Rolls, which also has a location in Durham, was not given the option to renew its lease after 12 years at its current location, restaurant manager Ryan Wright told The News & Observer in a phone call. Its last day at 5433 Wade Park Blvd. in Raleigh will be Saturday, Dec. 27, Wright said. The restaurant will be open regular hours daily until then, including Thursday, Dec. 25.
Voting plans in dispute for a few NC counties. Sunday hours are a sticking point. Original
On Monday afternoon, the North Carolina State Board of Elections is expected to approve early voting plans for the 2026 midterms for the vast majority of counties. These 88 counties, each of which are led by an elections board composed of three Republicans and two Democrats, were able to reach a unanimous vote on a plan over the last few months.
Who has filed to run in Triangle primary elections? Find the candidates here. Original
While statewide races will attract most voters’ attention next year, including the U.S. Senate campaign that includes Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley, there are also more than 100 candidates who have filed for local offices in Durham, Wake and Orange counties. In less than three months, North Carolina voters will head to the polls for the March 3 primary elections to narrow the field of candidates for next year’s general election on Nov 3. .
Here are the 2026 candidates for Wake County commissioner, Sheriff, DA and more Original
Wake County’s elected leaders are set to gain two new faces this coming election season. The Wake County Board of Commissioners will grow from seven to nine members in 2026, adding two at-large seats in addition to the seven districts. Candidates have been required to live within the district they represented, even though they have been voted on county-wide. State Rep.
Democrats swept Wake County’s local races despite the nonpartisan election Original
Democrats won big in nonpartisan, local races across Wake County on Tuesday, mirroring national trends. Most cities and towns in North Carolina and all in Wake County have nonpartisan elections, with municipal leaders more likely to be divided on issues like growth, public safety and transit than on party lines. But for years, both major local political parties have endorsed municipal candidates and worked with them during their campaigns.
Can Durham’s next city council find consensus on affordability and progress? Original
As Durham heads to the polls for Tuesday’s general election, candidates for the City Council’s three ward seats are making their final cases to win voters’ trust. In races defined by the contentious issues of growth, affordability, and the leadership of a sometimes divided council on matters of development, the six candidates — three incumbents and three challengers — are fighting over the future direction of the city. In the primary election, two challengers lead the races for Ward 1 and 2.
A new beginning? Apartments planned for vacant Fayette Place site in Durham Original
Twenty abandoned acres in Durham’s Hayti community will be redeveloped for a new, affordable housing complex. The former Fayette Place at 1103 Merrick St., which was part of the Fayetteville Street public housing complex owned by the Durham Housing Authority, will become the Villages at Hayti, according to the organization. The property has sat vacant with crumbling foundations and weeds behind a chain-link fence since 2009.
Audit finds $83M in delayed food aid, flags 7 NC counties for late payments
Roughly $83 million in federally funded food benefits for low-income children and families in North Carolina were delivered late, according to an audit released Wednesday. The Office of the State Auditor, led by Dave Boliek, found that more than 290,000 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments were not issued within the federally required timeframe.
Durham Primary Election 2025: early voting totals suggest two close ward races Original
Polling locations have closed for Durham voters, and the first batch of election results is in. Absentee and early-voting totals show incumbents leading in the races for mayor and the City Council’s Ward 1 and Ward 3 seats, and a challenger with an early lead in Ward 2.. There are 18 candidates running for the four open seats. The primary will send the top two finishers in each race on to the general election in November. There are 59 city of Durham precincts across Durham, Wake and Orange counties.
Today is Primary Day in Durham. Voters to narrow the field for November. Original
Durham voters will take the first step to elect a new City Council today, Oct. 7, with the municipal primary election. Eighteen people have filed to run for the four open seats this year: for mayor and council’s three ward seats. Incumbents Mayor Leo Williams and council members Chelsea Cook, DeDreana Freeman and Mark-Anthony Middleton — are on the ballot; all face challengers. As of Monday, 211,328 residents were eligible to vote in the municipal elections.
The Chicken Hut, Durham’s oldest Black-owed eatery, granted landmark status Original
After six decades of serving the hungry in Durham, the Chicken Hut has been officially preserved as a piece of the city’s living history. In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Durham City Council granted the Chicken Hut local landmark status, recognizing both the building and the land it sits on. The restaurant is known as Durham’s oldest, continuously run Black-owned business.
Durham’s CenterFest is celebrating 50 years this weekend. What to know if you go Original
Downtown Durham will become a vibrant arts hub this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CenterFest, the city’s signature fine arts festival. An estimated 40,000 people are expected to attend the festival Saturday and Sunday, which will feature art vendors, a parade, kids’ activities, dozens of musicians and other performers, and food trucks.
As hurricane season enters its peak, here’s how storms could impact SC gas prices Original
The pumps at the Shell gas station during Hurricane Florence on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, in Raleigh, NC. Casey Toth ctoth@newsobserver.com With fall right around the corner, the transition to cheaper gasoline blends and lower demand typically brings down gas prices, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. But the ongoing hurricane season could keep prices elevated.
New NC law requires teachers to publicly list all the books in their classrooms
North Carolina school districts are scrambling to comply with a new state law requiring them to publicly list the titles of all the books that teachers have in their classrooms. The new law requires school districts to have a publicly accessible online catalog of every school’s library books, as well as allow parents to identify which books their children can’t borrow.
New NC law requires teachers to publicly list all the books in their classrooms
A cabinet is decorated with Bria Wright’s books, notes, and photos in her second grade classroom at Hortons Creek Elementary School in Cary. North Carolina school districts must now post online the titles of all the books in classroom libraries. 2021 file photo. ctoth@newsobserver.com Key Takeaways AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. New NC law mandates public catalogs of both school and classroom library books.
Trump targets cashless bail. Are Triangle courthouses vulnerable to new order?
With President Donald Trump vowing to strip federal funds from jurisdictions with cashless bail policies, local prosecutors say they don’t expect this state to be on the list of places under threat “In North Carolina, we have a cash bail system,” said Orange County District Attorney Jeff Nieman. That said, local experts, including Triangle district attorneys, say that it’s not yet clear which policies the president’s administration could target.
Homeland Security asks NC to feed voter list into citizenship verification system
Chairs for members of the N.C. State Board of Election remain empty during a teleconference meeting announcing the appointment of the new executive director Karen Brinson Bell, replacing Kim Strach who oversaw the 9th district election fraud investigation, on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Raleigh, NC. File photo RALEIGH The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has asked North Carolina election officials to run potentially millions of voters through a national citizenship verification system.
Changes at FEMA raise local worries as hurricane season begins in North Carolina | Opinion
In this 2018 file photo, flood water surrounds buildings in Trenton, N.C. three days after Hurricane Florence made landfall in Wilmington in Sept. 2018. News & Observer file photo The start of hurricane season can send a shiver through eastern North Carolina, a region pounded in the last decade by two supposedly once-in-a-century storms — Matthew and Florence.
Climate center in NC shuts down after lapse in funding from Trump administration
Three days after Hurricane Florence made landfall in Wilmington, NC, flood water still surrounds buildings in Trenton, NC, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. ctoth@newsobserver.com A regional climate center that provides data to meteorologists, scientists and farmers in North Carolina has ceased operations, after a halt in funding from the Trump administration.
NC court hears Gov. Stein’s challenge to GOP law stripping his election powers
Should Democratic North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein retain his control of election boards? Or should the power be given to the newly elected Republican state auditor, Dave Boliek? That was the question driving court arguments Monday in a case whose outcome could flip the partisan majority of the State Board of Elections and its 100 constituent county boards of elections. “For 150 years, the auditor ain’t ever had nothing to do with elections,” Jim Phillips, an attorney for Stein, said.
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