North Carolina
Federal cuts spark debate over clean energy future in North Carolina
As
North Carolina positions itself as a leader in clean energy, federal spending
cuts are raising concerns about the future of renewable energy investments and
jobs in the state. At a press event Thursday, climate and economic policy
experts warned that reductions in federal funding threaten progress made under
the Inflation Reduction Act, while some conservatives argue that market forces
will sustain clean energy growth regardless.
Concerns over federal cuts
Since
the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law in 2022, North Carolina has
seen more than $20.44 billion in clean energy investments—the fifth-highest in
the nation—and more than 17,000 new jobs, particularly in rural areas,
according to Climate Power. But panelists at the event, including State House
Democratic Leader Robert Reives, warned that recent federal spending cuts could
jeopardize that progress.
“This
does nothing but set us back,” Reives said. “It takes away jobs, it takes away
people’s ability to have choices on energy, and ultimately, it takes away North
Carolina’s ability—and the United States’ ability—to stay competitive in what
is clearly a growing market.”
Panelists
emphasized that incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act have driven clean
energy investments, with consumer tax credits and rebates helping more than
85,000 North Carolina families afford home energy upgrades in 2023 alone.
“Federal
cuts will make it harder for the people of our state to make ends meet and for
us to meet our climate goals,” said Alex Campbell of the NC Budget and Tax
Center. “Without these programs, families in North Carolina are going to face
higher costs—not just from reduced public services, but from ripple effects
throughout our economy.”
Business impact
Much
of the debate centers around North Carolina’s booming electric vehicle and
battery manufacturing industry, which has attracted billions in private
investment.
“In
the past two years, North Carolina has become a leading hub for electric
vehicle and battery production,” said Stan Cross of the Southern Alliance for
Clean Energy. “As of June 2024, our state ranked third in the country for EV
and battery manufacturing investments, at $20.2 billion, creating over 16,000
jobs—many of them in rural communities.”
Cross
argued that federal incentives have played a critical role in attracting these
companies. “If these tax credits are eliminated, we risk losing our competitive
edge,” Cross said.
But
not everyone sees it that way.
Mark
Fleming, president and CEO of Conservatives for Clean Energy, said he isn’t
concerned that federal cuts will slow the state’s progress.
“North
Carolina has been a leader for years in the clean energy economy, a leader in
the Southeast and in the country,” Fleming said. “And we believe that the clean
energy economy will continue to grow in North Carolina due to private
investment.”
Fleming
said technological advancements have made clean energy increasingly
cost-competitive and expects the industry to keep expanding without federal
mandates.
“We
believe in free markets,” Fleming said. “Technology is leading to rapid
decreases in the cost of solar and wind, and we believe that will continue.
Clean energy technologies can compete on their own.”
State
vs. federal policy
Fleming
pointed to support across the aisle for clean energy at the state level as a key
reason why North Carolina will remain a leader in the sector.
“There
has been bipartisan leadership in North Carolina on clean energy going back a
decade plus,” Fleming said. “Clean energy has provided jobs, and it has
provided revenue for our state’s counties that, quite frankly, are struggling
and need that revenue.”
While
Fleming believes North Carolina’s clean energy future is secure without federal
intervention, Reives warned that even the perception of reduced federal support
could discourage further investment.
“If
businesses are getting the signal that the U.S. is deciding to pull out of the
clean energy space, they’re not going to be as anxious to locate here,” Reives
said. “We spent years recruiting companies like Toyota to build in North
Carolina. If we stop supporting clean energy, we could lose that momentum.”
What’s next?
The
North Carolina General Assembly is expected to debate energy-related
legislation in the coming months, and stakeholders on both sides will be
watching to see whether state lawmakers move to reinforce or roll back clean
energy initiatives. Meanwhile, businesses and workers in the clean energy
sector wait to see how federal policy shifts will impact their industries, which make take years to play out.
Gov.
Josh Stein, a Democrat, has expressed strong support for clean energy and is
expected to continue advancing the North Carolina Clean Energy Plan, which aims
to cut greenhouse gas emissions, modernize the grid and expand renewable
energy across the state.
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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