North Carolina
As NC earns praise for economic performance, some workers feel there are areas for improvement
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — In the past few years, groundbreakings and high-profile job announcements have become routine occurrences in North Carolina, as some of the world’s biggest companies open or expand operations in the state.
“The tech sector in particular likes our higher educational programs because they can rely on a steady stream of people coming into the workforce,” said economist Dr. Michael Walden of NC State University.
Walden added that the state’s efforts to establish partnerships between community colleges and businesses have also paid dividends.
“Businesses that come here, for example, if they need skilled workers, maybe in a factory, our community colleges will set up individualized training programs for them,” said Walden.
North Carolina has earned national praise for its economic performance, being named the top state for business by CNBC in 2022 and 2023, and second-best in 2024. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the statewide unemployment rate of 3.7% is markedly lower than the national rate of 4.3%.
“There’s a little bit of a chicken and egg. There are good jobs to be had here, a high quality of life. And so, I think companies see that talent want to move here and then I think that the state has made investments,” said Dr. Gerald Cohen, Chief Economist of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise.
The state’s comparatively lower cost of living has also been attractive in both enticing workers and keeping talent in state. According to the US Census Bureau, North Carolina saw the third-largest population increase between July 2022 and July 2023, adding nearly 140,000 residents.
“I think we have a very, very well-developed business recruiting model. It’s a combination of a positive public-private sector group that recruits,” said Walden, who said he believes the state will make an effort to attract renewable energy companies moving forward.
Room For Improvement?
Still, there are areas where some feel the state could improve.
“Investing in our K-12 education system so that we’re building out that pipeline, so it’s not that we need people to come from outside the state. It’s having people come from within the state,” said Cohen.
Though the overall business environment has attracted start-ups and entrepreneurs, local funding doesn’t quite stack up compared to other major cities.
“They’ll end up going to the Bay Area to get (Venture Capital) VC financing. So that’s kind of something (where) we have less of an infrastructure at this point,” Cohen explained.
Workers have also expressed concerns. According to a report from StartFleet.io, North Carolina has the second-lowest union participation rate.
“We have that voice and we do use it,” said Grant Welch, NC Legislative Political Director for Communications Workers of America.
Welch has worked in the telecom industry for 25 years. Members of the union are on strike against AT&T, holding a rally in Raleigh last week. The union alleges the company has failed “to bargain in good faith.” In a statement, AT&T wrote in part:
“Our goal is to reach fair and competitive agreements that recognize the hard work our employees do to serve our customers, with market-based pay and benefits tied to cost of living and projected inflation data. This is true for all employees, management and non-management alike.”
In North Carolina, collective bargaining for public sector employees is prohibited. Welch said he believes those efforts limit workers’ rights, as he calls on the state to step up in ensuring safety.
“Our state does not require breaks. It does not require lunch periods. We fall short in that,” said Welch.
In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that North Carolina was one of just six states with more than 200 fatal work injuries.
“When you look at everything and you look at some of the tragedies we’ve had over the course of the past few years, especially in the building trades, you know, we’ve had multiple deaths,” said Welch.
Willie Brown, a public works maintenance specialist with the City of Durham, serves as President of the NC Public Service Workers Union, UE Local 150.
“We have a lot of workplace safety concerns (ranging from) heat to COVID (exposure),” Brown said.
Brown said he believes improved working conditions are needed to attract workers and keep up with population growth.
“If you bring in 20,000 more people but don’t hire more people to pick up 20,000 more people’s trash, then what? Because that’s what’s happening,” Brown said. “The city is outgrowing the workforce and that’s what’s happening wherever you go. The work is growing, the pay is not, and the city is growing.”
North Carolina follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finding that 1.1% of all hourly workers 16 and older made minimum wage or lower, a drop from 1.3% in 2023. While acknowledging the overwhelming majority of companies pay above that level, Welch would like to see the rate raised, as well as have the state implement more enhanced unemployment benefits.
“We’re not against wealth. We want these companies to succeed. Their success, again, is our success, right? We’re working. We want to be at work,” said Welch.
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Less than two weeks after losing its head coach to Duke University, a North Carolina high school football program has been promoted from within.
Kevin Reddick will become the new head coach at Rolesville High School, replacing Ranier Rackley, who became the Director of Player Development at Duke University.
News of the decision was first reported by High School OT.
Reddick was the defensive coordinator for the Rams for the past three seasons, helping the team win 25 games during that run. Last year, Rolesville allowed just under 15 points per game with Reddick in charge of the defense.
North Carolina High School Promotes Defensive Coordinator To Head Coach
Rolesville finished 9-4 last season under Rackley and Reddick.
Reddick is a graduate of New Bern High School, helping the Bears capture the 2007 Class 4AA North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship. He was tabbed the most valuable player of that title game as a sophomore fullback after scoring two touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over Independence.
At New Bern, Reddick earned conference defensive player of the year honors and was all-state at lineback as a senior after recording 189 tackles, eight quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles and four blocked punts. He also ran for over 160 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Kevin Reddick Was College Standout, Had NFL Career Before Becoming Coach
Following his high school career, Reddick signed with North Carolina as a four-star prospect, earning first team all-ACC honors as a senior. He also had offers from North Carolina State, Virginia and Clemson.
With the Tar Heels, Reddick played in 50 games, recording 275 tackles, including 36 for loss, with 8.5 quarterback sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Reddick signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent, and also had stints with the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills.
Rolesville reached the North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship game with Reddick on the coaching staff and the third round this past season.
Rolesville Returns Top Rusher, Several Other Key Players
The Rams will be replacing starting quarterback Kaleb Williams, who had almost 2,500 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, as freshman Chase Williams was 8-for-8 for 98 yards with a touchdown in three games.
They will have top running back Amir Brown back, as he ran for 1,374 yards with 22 touchdowns and six games of 100 yards rushing as a junior. He also had 13 receptions for 106 yards and another TD.
Anthony Roberts is another key player back, as he caught 35 passes for 656 yards and nine TDs. Top tacklers Jayden Broadie, Javon Campbell, Genesis Allen and Keonte Sutton are all set to return, as well.
Follow
At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.
Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.
Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.
Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.
“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.
According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.
Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.
This is a developing story
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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