North Carolina
DMV head to face questioning from NC lawmakers
Lawmakers are poised to question the head of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Thursday, an interrogation that comes as the division faces mounting delays in issuing driver licenses and identification cards — and as lawmakers seek more control over who runs the division.
DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, who underwent a grilling by Senate lawmakers in February, is scheduled to go before the House Oversight and Reform Committee Thursday. He’s expected to update lawmakers on wait times, unfilled positions, efforts to protect customers from identity fraud and customer service amid lengthy delays for new licenses.
Problems with a contractor that makes physical licenses and ID cards for the state have delayed delivery of new cards to customers, the division says. A typical 15-day turnaround to receive IDs in the mail has jumped to roughly six weeks, the division said last month. At the time, there were about 50,000 per week added to the backlog across the state, according to the state DMV.
“By every other general metric of which I’m aware DMV is better now than it was two years ago,” Goodwin said in remarks prepared ahead of Thursday’s hearing. “Recognizing that there remains much work to be done to meet the previously stated goals — especially in a state that has significantly grown by 3 million citizens since 2000 — it is important to identify the many modernization changes and customer-friendly improvements over the last two years and to determine what our growing State needs to provide DMV services more efficiently to North Carolinians.”
Thursday’s hearing would be the latest showdown in recent months between Republican lawmakers and Goodwin, a Democrat who formerly served in the House. In February, Senate lawmakers pressed Goodwin and his staff about customer service complaints.
The division has come under scrutiny over complaints about difficulty making appointments, getting permits or licenses, long lines and long wait times. Goodwin said at the time that the agency was making swift progress in some areas, especially staffing shortages.
The division has been pushing for changes, including the implementation of digital licenses and ID cards, which would allow customers to renew or update without standing in long lines or taxing in-person staff.
Appointment power
Concerns about long wait times and lack of staffing have caused some lawmakers to push for privatizing some or all of the DMV’s functions. They’re also contemplating ways to siphon more appointment powers from the governor.
A proposal discussed Wednesday would give lawmakers some say in who gets the commissioner job. Under House Bill 309, the governor would nominate a candidate to become DMV commissioner, but the nominee would need approval from the state Senate to be seated in the position.
Sen. Michael Lazzara, R-Onslow, who’s leading the effort, presented the idea to the Senate Transportation Committee meeting on Wednesday.
“Each new administration blames a lack of progress on its predecessor while failing to make measurable improvement during their tenure,” Lazzara said. “We as legislators need tools in our toolbox to provide proper oversight for this division.”
Lazzara faced pushback over the proposal from from Democrats in the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
“This is an erosion of authority,” said state Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe.
State Sen. Mary Wills Bode, D-Wake, asked Lazzara if he is interested in confirming leaders of other state government divisions with budgets similar to that of the DMV. Lazzara said no and accused Bode of overlooking the main issue: The DMV stands out, he said, because people have complained about it for a long time.
State Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, said the senate already has the opportunity to confirm the governor’s nominee to direct the State Bureau of Investigation.
“This isn’t all that different,” he said. “We’re talking about a critical function that could be, policywise and leadershipwise, really detrimental to the public if it’s not well-run.”
State Sen. Mike Woodard, D-Durham, said he feared Lazzara’s bill could set a precedent where legislators change the confirmation rules for government officials that they don’t like.
“I see a very slippery slope here,” Woodard said.
“I just don’t think it’s our job to go into these agencies and start picking these division heads because we have questions of performance about a commissioner or a division head,” Woodard said. “We need to hold the governor and the secretaries accountable to hire and fire their people.”
LPAs and kiosks
Goodwin is expected to also update lawmakers on third-party license plate agencies, or LPAs, which are small businesses that contract with the state to handle license plate purchases and replacements.
Several LPAs were shut down by the DMV in recent years due to contract or legal violations. There are 129 LPAs, but only 121 are currently open. At least seven offices have opened this year. And at least seven more are expected to open this year, according to Goodwin’s prepared remarks.
Goodwin could also provide updates on the performance of self-serve DMV kiosks, which became available to customers in February at three Harris Teeter grocery stores in Raleigh, Fayetteville and Charlotte. The kiosks allow drivers to renew their licenses or conduct other DMV business at the kiosks. Through May 29, about 2,000 people had completed transactions at the kiosks, according to Goodwin.
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.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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