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North Carolina to give Medicaid recipients free OTC birth control

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North Carolina to give Medicaid recipients free OTC birth control


North Carolina Medicaid recipients will now have access to over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pills at no cost, starting on Thursday.

In an effort to expand healthcare accessibility in the state, the oral contraceptive Opill will be available starting Thursday in over 300 local and retail pharmacies across the state without a prescription, at no cost for state Medicaid recipients, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina announced on Wednesday in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

“North Carolina is working to expand access to healthcare and that includes the freedom to make decisions about family planning,” Cooper said in a press release. “Making birth control easier to get is an important goal and I’m glad that NC Medicaid can take this step.”

The coverage initiative stems from a 2021 law allowing pharmacists to prescribe various contraceptives in accordance with state medical regulations.

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According to the Associated Press, North Carolina Medicaid began enlisting pharmacists as providers in early 2024, with the state officially unveiling the Medicaid benefit two weeks ago.

Opill, the first OTC oral contraceptive approved by federal drug regulators, is expected to alleviate cost and access barriers through this initiative, particularly in rural areas where there are fewer healthcare providers, according to state Health and Human Services.

“This new coverage by NC Medicaid demonstrates our commitment to continue to remove barriers to contraception and ensure North Carolinians have access to the services they need to make the best decisions about their health and life,” State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson said.

Newsweek has reached out to Cooper’s office and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services via email for comment.

In addition, under this initiative, Medicaid-enrolled pharmacies will be able to submit reimbursement claims for birth control pills.

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This comes as the state’s Medicaid program serves nearly 3 million residents, with women comprising 56 percent of the enrollees, the AP reported.

“Our goal is to ensure everyone has access to the right contraception and reproductive services at the right time in their community,” NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley said in a press release. “This new coverage is part of our ongoing work to invest in child and family well-being by increasing access to health care and ultimately improving maternal and infant outcomes.”

In addition, earlier this month over 500,000 North Carolinians enrolled in the state’s Medicaid expansion program since the program began seven months ago, according to Copper’s office.

According to Cooper’s office, since December 1, 2023, new Medicaid enrollees have filled more than 1.9 million new prescriptions for conditions like heart health, diabetes, seizures and other illnesses.

Meanwhile, the state’s OTC birth control initiative comes after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 escalated concerns over the security of other reproductive rights, including access to contraception.

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Last month, the Right to Contraception Act, introduced in 2022 and aimed to enshrine into federal law the right to obtain and use contraceptives, was blocked by Senate Republicans in a 51-39 vote, arguing it was unnecessary and overly broad.

The bill needed 60 votes to defeat a filibuster and move forward in the chambers.

If later approved, the Right to Contraception Act would ensure individuals could access various forms of birth control, such as pills, patches, impacts, condoms, IUDs and sterilization procedures.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned last month of Republican efforts in some states to block access to contraception, saying it was “all the more reason to move to protect contraception at the federal level.”

“To those who think that federal action protecting access to birth control is unnecessary, just look at what’s happening in states like Virginia and Nevada and Arizona, where Republicans are openly blocking these very protections. I would hope that protecting access to birth control would be the definition of an easy, uncontroversial decision here in the Senate. But the vote will tell all,” Schumer said.

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Meanwhile, on the Senate floor last month, Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama condemned the Democrats’ legislation efforts as a “summer of scare tactics.”

“This is continuing the campaign of fear-mongering we’ve already seen. Contraception is available in every state across the nation. The goal of my Democratic colleagues right now is to scare the American people, to scare women across our great nation. It’s not that they believe that there’s a problem they’re truly trying to solve. They’re prioritizing their own short-term partisan political interest,” Britt said.

In this photo illustration, a package of Opill is displayed on March 22, 2024, in San Anselmo, California. North Carolina Medicaid recipients will now have access to over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pills at no cost,…


Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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North Carolina Democrats, Republicans share takes on deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis

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North Carolina Democrats, Republicans share takes on deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis


RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina political leaders disagree heavily on what happened during a deadly-ICE involved shooting in Minnesota and what should happen next.

Several videos immediately circulated depicting the moment when Renee Good was shot in her vehicle by an ICE agent. Democrats and Republicans dispute what the video actually shows.

“I’m horrified and I’m disgusted,” Democratic state Sen. Sophia Chitlik said.

Chitlik represents Durham where immigration enforcement agents had a large presence a few weeks ago. She stated the video shows why she and some of her constituents don’t want the agents back.

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“Get out,” she said. “We do not want ICE and CBP in our community. Not only do citizens and constituents not want them here, law enforcement doesn’t want them here. Our sheriff’s office, our police department, is very focused on keeping people safe, which is why crime is down. We manage public safety here.”

Matt Mercer, the communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party, stated the video shows the ICE agent acting in self-defense.

“I think what you see is the video speaks for itself,” Mercer said. “You had a federal agent acting in self-defense after potentially being rammed by someone in a vehicle, which is unfortunate. You just hate to see what happened.”

Chitlik disputes the notion that the ICE agent acted in self-defense, saying, “It’s not true. The video shows that it’s not true. [Good] was trying to back up, not move forward, trying to leave the situation. They aggressively pursued her.”

Republicans continue to back the federal agents in Minnesota and across the country, arguing it’s what millions of Americans voted for.

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“It’s already shown a lot of progress,” Mercer said. “You’ve had over two million illegals deported or self-deported from our country, which is exactly what President [Donald] Trump campaigned on.”

Some Democrats say immigration enforcement agents don’t make communities safer and instead incite violence fear.

“ICE is not here to keep us safe,” Chitlik said. “ICE is here to police us. ICE is here as an agent of fascism in our cities. They are not welcome here.”

Republicans say the immigration agents aren’t the ones raising tensions.

“Anytime you see people using an iPhone app and saying there’s ICE [in the area], it’s intentionally provoking and stoking tensions,” Mercer said. “You’d like to see people using their right to protest in a way that’s not obstructing the mission these hardworking officers are doing every day.”

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CBS 17 has not heard of any plans for the immigration agents to return to North Carolina.



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Current State of North Carolina’s Quarterback Room

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Current State of North Carolina’s Quarterback Room


This offseason has been a complete quarterback carousel for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Following the debacle of last season, it was obvious that North Carolina needed to make significant changes at quarterback.

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In Bill Belichick’s first year as the head coach, the Tar Heels compiled a 4-8 record and failed to qualify for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018. There were several factors that led to the lackluster season, but the production and effectiveness from the quarterback position may take the cake, in terms of who should be blamed the most for North Carolina’s failure of a season.

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In 11 games, Gio Lopez threw for only 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions while attempting 6.7 yards per pass. If you don’t possess a quarterback who can operate at a competent level, it is virtually impossible to compete with that player leading the offense.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) is hit after a pass by Duke Blue Devils defensive back Caleb Weaver (3) during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images
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As mentioned, it was apparent that the front office had to venture out in the transfer portal to potentially find their next quarterback. The Tar Heels did land 2026 four-star quarterback recruit Travis Burgess, but it was not yet known that both Max Johnson and Bryce Baker would enter the transfer portal this offseason.

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Not to mention, after recently announcing that he will return to Chapel Hill in 2026, Lopez became the latest quarterback to leave the program, making his intentions of entering the portal known on Monday. On Wednesday, Lopez officially signed with Wake Forest.

Here is what general manager Michael Lombardi and North Carolina’s front office orchestrated to add depth to the quarterback room, and how those moves affect that position.

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Assessing the Tar Heels’ Quarterback Situation

Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

With three total quarterbacks leaving the program, North Carolina needed to orchestrate multiple moves to improve the depth at the position. While the Tar Heels landed Billy Edwards Jr. and Miles O’Neill, those two additions do not instill a ton of confidence in a room lacking experience and proven production.

In four years, Edwards Jr. has one year of starting, while O’Neill has eight appearances over the last two seasons. The Texas A&M transfer possesses more potential than Edwards Jr., as he still has three years of eligibility remaining. There is more room to grow for O’Neill. We already know what Edwards Jr is: a backup quarterback who could play here and there as a starter.

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Nov 22, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Miles O’Neill (16) hands the ball off Texas A&M Aggies running back AJ DiNota (41) before a game against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Buvid-Imagn Images | Joseph Buvid-Imagn Images

Meanwhile, Au’Tori Newkirk played sparingly during his freshman season in 2025, and Burgess will be a true freshman in 2026. None of these quarterbacks provide both high potential and experience. They possess one or the other, which could become problematic if no one establishes themselves as the clear-cut starter.

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NC health officials urge vaccines amid measles and respiratory illness surge

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NC health officials urge vaccines amid measles and respiratory illness surge


The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is responding to the most recent measles cases and a spike in respiratory illnesses in North Carolina.

In a meeting hosted by NCDHHS, health officials stressed the importance of staying up to date on vaccines.

Those officials were also asked about the vaccination status of the three kids who tested positive for measles in Buncombe County.

“The three cases in Buncombe County, all three of them, had at least one dose of MMR vaccine,” said Dr. Erica Wilson with NCDHHS.

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News 13 reported on Tuesday that the three siblings contracted measles after visiting Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where there’s currently a large measles outbreak.

3 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CHILDREN CONTRACT MEASLES AFTER SOUTH CAROLINA VISIT, NCDHHS REPORTS

The Mission Hospital Emergency Department waiting room in Asheville was listed as a possible measles exposure location on Sunday, Jan. 4, between 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

Mission Health sent News 13 a statement, saying in part, “Our hospitals work with state and federal health officials on proactive preparedness, and we are following guidance provided by the CDC.”

The hospital provided state health officials with a list of 26 people who may have been exposed to measles on Jan. 4, according to Mission Health.

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It’s not just Buncombe County that has reported measles in North Carolina recently.

JAN. 6, 2026 – A flyer in Buncombe County warning of illness symptoms amid three confirmed measles cases in the county. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

“One in Polk County and three in Buncombe County. Additionally, there was a measles exposure alert we released in Gaston County. All are connected to an ongoing measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple with NCDHHS. “About 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed will become infected.”

POLK COUNTY CHILD CONTRACTS MEASLES AFTER SOUTH CAROLINA VISIT, NCDHHS REPORTS

In the meeting, health officials also addressed the increase in respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and influenza.

“Whether it’s the childhood immunizations for things like measles, mumps, and rubella, or even the seasonal immunizations for things like RSV, COVID, and flu, vaccines are a critical and important part of remaining healthy and having healthy communities,” said NCDHHS secretary Dr. Devdutta Sangvai.

Additionally, as News 13 previously reported, there was a chickenpox outbreak in Buncombe County, with four cases confirmed at Fairview Elementary as of Jan. 6.

Health officials are reminding people that it’s not too late to get their seasonal vaccines. There are also additional preventative actions to protect oneself against respiratory viruses.

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FLU CASES SURGE IN NC, STRAINING HOSPITALS AND INCREASING DEATH TOLL

“This includes regularly washing your hands with soap and water,” said Kimple.

Kimple suggests avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. She also said to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces that may be contaminated.

“Cover those coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly. Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home,” said Kimple.

NCDHHS also has helpful resources on its website, like a measles immunity checker, information about vaccines, and a program that helps eligible families get free vaccines.

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