North Carolina
Southeast Region Trailblazers Shine on Business North Carolina's 2023 Power List –
A staff report
ELIZABETHTOWN, NC – North Carolina’s Southeast is basking in the limelight as several esteemed leaders, board members, and local developers receive well-deserved recognition on Business North Carolina’s 2023 Power List for their unwavering commitment to fostering economic development in the region.
Among those highlighted in the prestigious accolade is Steve Yost, the president of North Carolina’s Southeast (NCSE). With a tenure dating back to 2009, Yost’s leadership has been instrumental in championing the cause of economic progress across the sprawling 20-county region, stretching from the majestic Uwharrie Mountains to the serene Atlantic Coast.
In a statement by NCSE, the regional public-private partnership explained Yost’s pivotal role in steering the organization toward its mission. “Yost has led NCSE since 2009, working to promote our 20-country region stretching from the Uwharrie Mountains to the Atlantic Coast,” the press release proclaimed. Prior to his tenure at NCSE, Yost served in various capacities, including as a senior developer and regional manager for the esteemed N.C. Department of Commerce‘s southeast region.
Reflecting on his journey and offering sage advice to aspiring professionals, Yost emphasized the importance of strategic thinking and meticulous attention to detail. “Think and act strategically and pay attention to detail,” Yost advised, encapsulating the essence of his decades-long experience in economic development.
A seasoned veteran in the economic development industry, Yost’s illustrious career spans over two decades, during which he has spearheaded transformative initiatives at the local, state, and regional levels. From his tenure as the Executive Director of the Columbus County Economic Development Commission to his role as the Marketing Manager for North Carolina’s Southeast, Yost’s imprint on the economic landscape of the region is indelible.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Appalachian State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina, Yost brings a wealth of academic prowess to his endeavors. His credentials include certification as an Economic and Community Developer, further solidifying his standing as a distinguished leader in the field.
In addition to his professional achievements, Yost’s commitment to community service is exemplified by his tenure as President of the North Carolina Economic Development Association in 2017 and his lifelong dedication to the Boy Scouts of America, where he attained the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.
In response to his inclusion on the esteemed Power List, Yost humbly acknowledged the collective effort of the region’s dynamic professionals. “This list is only a fraction of the inspiring people that make southeastern North Carolina an incredible place to live and work,” Yost remarked, paying homage to the collaborative spirit that defines the region’s success.
As North Carolina’s Southeast continues its trajectory of growth and prosperity, leaders like Steve Yost serve as the region’s trailblazers. They are poised to write the next chapter in the story of economic development and progress in the Southeast.
Reference links:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.ncse.org/uploads/_regional-news-list_93_2887927568.pdf
https://www.ncse.org/
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North Carolina
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:
31.85% (3,911 out of 12,280)
CARTERET COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
29.06% (16,543 out of 56,931)
CRAVEN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
18.63% (14,119 out of 75,778)
DUPLIN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
21.93% (6,981 out of 31,832)
EDGECOMBE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
18.16% (6,428 out of 35,396)
GREENE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
19.70% (2,147 out of 10,900)
HYDE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
37.27% (1,123 out of 3,013)
JONES COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
25.91% (1,805 out of 6,966)
LENOIR COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
16.73% (6,251 out of 37,371)
MARTIN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
17.61% (2,858 out of 16,228)
ONSLOW COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
11.44% (14,816 out of 129,537)
PAMLICO COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
24.03% (2,446 out of 10,180)
PITT COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
15.71% (19,429 out of 123,705)
TYRRELL COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
30.49% (723 out of 2,371)
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
28.66% (2,312 out of 8,067)
WAYNE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
21.49% (16,408 out of 76,358)
North Carolina
Statewide tornado drill has NC schools and workplaces practicing safety
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:41PM
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.
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.
North Carolina
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.
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.
“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.
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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