North Carolina

North Carolina's attorney general is calling on Congress to establish safeguards around artificial intelligence following a series of bot attacks. The state's top legal officer argues federal action is needed to address misuse of AI-driven automated accounts. Details about the nature of the attacks, who was targeted, and what specific regulations are being proposed remain limited.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein will not oppose the proposed merger between WakeMed, the Raleigh-based health system, and Atrium Health, the state's largest healthcare provider. The decision removes a significant political obstacle to combining two of the state's major hospital networks, a deal likely to draw scrutiny over costs and healthcare access in the Triangle region and beyond.

Joby Aviation says a Cessna aircraft it modified has flown fully autonomously across the United States, taking off in California and landing in North Carolina. The company describes it as the first fully autonomous flight of its kind in the country, a milestone for self-flying aircraft technology and its plans for commercial air taxi services.

North Carolina Highway 12 on the Outer Banks has been closed indefinitely after a storm washed out roughly 500 feet of roadway near Pea Island. The route, the main link across Hatteras Island, is prone to overwash and breaches during coastal storms. Officials have not said when repairs will allow it to reopen, leaving residents and visitors to plan around the closure.

Fire crews in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, are responding to an active structure fire on Ocean Drive, according to local officials. Details about injuries, the extent of the damage, or the cause have not yet been released as firefighters work at the scene. Residents are being kept updated through local news coverage as the situation develops.

An environmental group is challenging air quality permits tied to a large Amazon data center project in North Carolina, with Duke Energy supplying power to the facility. The challenge targets regulators' approval of emissions permits for the mega site, raising concerns about pollution and energy demand from rapidly expanding data center infrastructure. The dispute puts a spotlight on how states weigh tech industry growth against environmental standards.

The murder trial over the 2012 killing of University of North Carolina student Faith Hedgepeth has begun, opening with DNA evidence and leaving key questions unresolved. The case, one of the most closely followed unresolved crimes in North Carolina, drew renewed attention as proceedings got underway. Observers are watching closely to see how the DNA evidence is weighed and what answers the trial may finally provide.

North Carolina Highway 12 near the Marc Basnight Bridge and the village of Rodanthe has been closed after ocean water washed over the road. NC 12 is the main route along the Outer Banks and is repeatedly overrun during storms and high surf, cutting off Hatteras Island communities. Closures typically last until water recedes and crews clear sand and debris from the roadway.

A man has been charged with murder following a fatal stabbing in Charlotte, North Carolina. Local outlet WCNC reported the charge, but further details about the victim, the suspect, or the circumstances of the attack have not yet been made public. The case is likely to develop as police release more information and the suspect appears in court.

Two homes in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, have been declared a total loss after a fire, according to local officials. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported in the blaze. Details on the cause of the fire and the extent of damage to surrounding properties have not yet been released as officials continue their assessment.