New from EdNC

North Carolina students place second at SkillsUSA National Championships

by Molly Steur | June 29, 2026

North Carolina students, ranging from middle school to community college, earned the second highest number of medals at the 61st annual SkillsUSA National Championships, according to a recent press release. The competition is the “premier showcase of America’s most highly...

Thank you for the bus rides

by Caroline Parker | June 29, 2026

I grew up a 32-minute drive from my school. And that’s if I had door-to-door service. Riding the school bus more than doubled the time, but it turned into a meditative journey along backroads, among fields of peanuts, and ravines...

Brevard’s Through the Trees gives a second life to old devices, and a fresh start for neighbors who need them 

by Deanna Ballard | June 29, 2026

Walk into the Through the Trees storefront at 120 West Main Street in Brevard and the first thing you’ll notice is the gaming setup glowing in the window, and the circuitry painted across the glass. People slow down, peer in,...

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The Editor’s Notes

The latest on the state budget is that a budget document is expected to be posted this morning, with votes starting as early as later today. Stay tuned.

In other news, today is Caroline Parker and Liz Bell’s last day at EdNC. Caroline’s reflection on her nine years of work at EdNC, out today, is worth reading. ICYMI, Liz also recently wrote a “goodbye” reflection in Early Bird; so did Katie Dukes.

If you’ve worked with Caroline, Liz, or Katie at all, then you know what lovely humans, leaders, and journalists/storytellers they are. Thank you to each of you for your impact on North Carolina, EdNC, and me (Hannah)!

Need to know

• A year late, NC lawmakers finishing budget bill with votes this week

  News & Observer | June 29, 2026

• 'Trust written into policy': DPS passes new rules on budget transparency

  WUNC | June 29, 2026

• Rising Healthcare Costs Force School District Budget Tradeoffs

  EducationWeek | June 26, 2026

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