Medicaid & Autism Care: North Carolina’s four private Medicaid plans launched a joint fraud task force focused on provider billing, with autism therapy (ABA) spending topping $505 million in 2025—raising stakes for clinics and families watching for tighter scrutiny. Election Countdown: With Election Day about a month out, North Carolina voters are getting reminders on registration and early voting timelines, while national coverage highlights how campaign money and turnout dynamics could shape the 2026 midterms. Constitutional Amendments Fight: Opinion and analysis continue to swirl around the three constitutional amendments on North Carolina’s ballot, including a proposed income tax cap at 3.5%, as critics warn the legislature is “tying future hands.” Courts & Labor: The N.C. Court of Appeals granted a temporary stay in the Department of Labor’s dispute with a fired employee, pausing an administrative law judge’s final decision. Local Infrastructure: Buncombe County is moving forward on nearly $1.8 million in state grants for sidewalk repairs and extensions in Swannanoa. Public Safety: A motorcycle crash on U.S. 401 near Fuquay-Varina left one dead and another injured, underscoring ongoing concerns about dangerous stretches of the corridor. Higher Ed & Mental Health: UNC-Chapel Hill students are running “Fight Week” to tackle youth suicide through mental health programming and an amateur boxing event.