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The contract detail that raises doubts about Bill Belichick’s North Carolina future

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The contract detail that raises doubts about Bill Belichick’s North Carolina future


Now that Bill Belichick signed his name on the dotted line to become the 35th head coach in North Carolina football history, the Tar Heels have released the details above the line.

One, in particular, has spurred cause for concern. 

Should the second-winningest coach in NFL history decide to leave his post in Chapel Hill right before or after his first season, he would incur a fine of only $1 million.

The provision kicks in on June 1 of next year, approximately two months before the 2025 college football season is set to begin. 

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New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick was all smiles during his introductory press conference. AP

The term sheet also states that, should Belichick, 72, leave before June 1, 2025, the move would be much more expensive, costing $10 million.

The head coach’s five-year deal pays that amount per year, with $10 million guaranteed from 2025-27. The contract is non-guaranteed in its final two years.

Belichick, with the swoosh of his pen, became the highest-paid state employee in North Carolina history.

Jordan Hudson watches her boyfriend, Bill Belichick, become the 35th head coach in Tar Heels program history. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

While the industry continues to dissect the fine print of that contract — and theorize about how many pro seasons the coach would need to capture 15 more victories and break Don Shula’s all-time record — Belichick is maintaining that Chapel Hill is not a pitstop. 

“I didn’t come here to leave,” the six-time Super Bowl champion said during his introductory press conference Thursday. “I’ve always wanted to coach in college football … this is a dream come true.”

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Bill Belichick during his last game with teh Patriots. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Belichick’s “dream” is an unequivocal boon for a Tar Heels football program that hasn’t won an ACC title since 1980. And UNC is ready to ride his wave. 

As part of the contract, the university pledged approximately $13 million for “revenue sharing,” which could be part of the school’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) pool.

The program is set to increase its NIL budget from $4 million to $20 million, per USA Today.

Dante Daniels (87) of the North Carolina State Wolfpack reacts to a touchdown score during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. The Wolfpack won 35-30. Getty Images

For Belichick, that lump sum will go a long, long way towards recruiting the kinds of players who can carry Tar Heel football to national relevance. Perhaps even a national championship. 

And, with one of the greatest minds in the game behind the bench, UNC hopes to become a pipeline to the league in line with the Georgias and Alabamas of the world. 

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But by the time those kids are in the building, could Belichick already be out the door? 

Monitors in Kenan Stadium announce the hiring of North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Lawrence Taylor — who earned All-American honors at UNC and played for Belichick when he was a defensive coach with the Giants — says the all-time coaching wins record, in such close reach, is of no relevance to the newest Tar Heel. 

Time will tell.



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2026 primary turnout report released for eastern NC counties; see your county’s numbers

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2026 primary turnout report released for eastern NC counties; see your county’s numbers


Here are the voter turnout numbers for the 2026 primary election, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Hyde County had the highest voter turnout, while Onslow County had the lowest turnout. Check out what the voter turnout in your county was below:

BERTIE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

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31.85% (3,911 out of 12,280)

CARTERET COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

29.06% (16,543 out of 56,931)

CRAVEN COUNTY

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Ballots Cast:

18.63% (14,119 out of 75,778)

DUPLIN COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

21.93% (6,981 out of 31,832)

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EDGECOMBE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

18.16% (6,428 out of 35,396)

GREENE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

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19.70% (2,147 out of 10,900)

HYDE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

37.27% (1,123 out of 3,013)

JONES COUNTY

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Ballots Cast:

25.91% (1,805 out of 6,966)

LENOIR COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

16.73% (6,251 out of 37,371)

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MARTIN COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

17.61% (2,858 out of 16,228)

ONSLOW COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

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11.44% (14,816 out of 129,537)

PAMLICO COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

24.03% (2,446 out of 10,180)

PITT COUNTY

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Ballots Cast:

15.71% (19,429 out of 123,705)

TYRRELL COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

30.49% (723 out of 2,371)

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WASHINGTON COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

28.66% (2,312 out of 8,067)

WAYNE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

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21.49% (16,408 out of 76,358)



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Statewide tornado drill has NC schools and workplaces practicing safety

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Statewide tornado drill has NC schools and workplaces practicing safety


Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:41PM

NC schools and businesses encouraged to practice tornado safety

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina schools and businesses took part in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The National Weather Service led the drill at 9:30 a.m., broadcasting it on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System. Schools, workplaces and households across the state were encouraged to join in.

The National Weather Service didn’t issue a follow up alert to mark the end of the drill. Instead, each school or business wrapped up once they felt they had practiced the procedures thoroughly.

Wednesday’s drill also replaced the regular weekly NOAA Weather Radio test.

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SEE | New warning for parents amid new ‘fire-breathing’ social media trend

Make sure to download the ABC 11 Mobile App ABC11 North Carolina Apps for Connected TV, Mobile News, Echo

Copyright © 2026 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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North Carolina Rep. Valerie Foushee holds narrow lead over challenger Nida Allam

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North Carolina Rep. Valerie Foushee holds narrow lead over challenger Nida Allam


Nida Allam in 2022; Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) in 2025.

Jonathan Drake/Reuters; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images


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Jonathan Drake/Reuters; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Incumbent Rep. Valerie Foushee holds a narrow lead over challenger Nida Allam in the Democratic primary for North Carolina’s 4th Congressional district as ballots continue to be counted.

In a race seen as an early test of whether Democratic voters desire generational change within the party, Foushee holds a lead of just over 1,000 votes with 99% of results in so far, according to the Associated Press.

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Under state law, provisional votes will be counted in the coming days in a district that includes Durham and Chapel Hill. If the election results end up within a 1% margin, Allam could request a recount.

Successfully ousting an incumbent lawmaker is often extremely difficult and rare. However, there have been recent upsets in races as some voters are calling for new leaders and several sitting members of Congress face primary challengers this cycle.

Allam, a 32-year-old Durham County Commissioner, is running to the left of Foushee, 69, framing her candidacy as part of a broader rejection of longtime Democratic norms.

On the campaign trail, Allam ran on an anti-establishment message, pledging to be a stronger fighter than Foushee in Congress, both in standing up against President Trump’s agenda and when pushing for more ambitious policy.

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“North Carolina is a purple state that often gets labeled red, but we’re not a red state,” she told NPR in an interview last month, emphasizing the need to address affordability concerns. “We are a state of working-class folks who just want their elected officials to champion the issues that are impacting them.”

She drew a contrast with the congresswoman on immigration, voicing support for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Foushee has declined to go that far, advocating instead for ICE to be defunded and for broader reforms to the federal immigration system.

Allam also clashed with Foushee over U.S. policy towards Israel. As a vocal opponent of Israel’s war in Gaza, Allam swore off campaign donations from pro-Israel lobbying groups, such as AIPAC, and repeatedly criticized Foushee for previously accepting such funds.

Though Foushee announced last year that she would not accept AIPAC donations this cycle, she and Allam continued to spar over the broader role of outside spending in the race.

Their matchup comes four years after the candidates first squared off in 2022, when Allam lost to Foushee in what became the most expensive primary in the state’s history, with outside groups spending more than $3.8 million.

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However, this year is poised to break that record. Outside groups have reported spending more than $4.4 million on the primary matchup, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

WUNC’s Colin Campbell contributed to this report.



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