July 16, 2025

News Summary Families in North Carolina are missing out on tax-free weekends for back-to-school shopping, unlike many neighboring states that offer such financial relief. Since the elimination of this benefit in 2013, residents are looking across state lines to places like South Carolina and Tennessee to save on essential school supplies. Despite ongoing bipartisan efforts to reinstate this holiday, North Carolina families continue to face higher retail costs and are

News Summary Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools have called for the urgent release of over $12 million in frozen federal education funding, which is crucial for the upcoming school year. The funds remain withheld due to a nationwide freeze affecting nearly $6.9 billion in federal education grants. This freeze poses significant challenges for school districts nationwide, potentially leading to cuts in staff and vital programs. CMS has reached out to the Department

News Summary Wake Forest University School of Medicine has opened its first medical school campus in Charlotte, fulfilling the city’s need for medical training. This development arrives amid federal loan restrictions raising concerns about medical education affordability. With new borrowing limits, potential funding gaps threaten access to medical education for low-income students. The Charlotte campus plans to integrate innovative teaching methods and aims to expand its enrollment capacity significantly in

News Summary Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) could lose over $12 million in federal education funding due to a nationwide freeze by the U.S. Department of Education. This freeze puts essential programs at risk and affects numerous school districts across the country. CMS, serving over 141,000 students, is reevaluating its resources amid rising needs while concerned about potential cuts to vital services including support for low-income and English language learner students.

News Summary Charlotte has established its first four-year medical school, the Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Charlotte campus, addressing a long-standing gap in medical education. The inaugural class consists of 49 students, selected from over 12,000 applicants, with plans to expand enrollment. This school is part of The Pearl development, aimed at enhancing healthcare and innovation in the region. The curriculum features a problem-based learning approach and advanced technologies.

News Summary North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is spearheading a coalition of 25 states in a lawsuit to contest the Trump administration’s freeze on nearly $7 billion in federal education grants. The freeze, which halts vital funding for various educational programs, could cost North Carolina about $165 million, impacting thousands of students and teachers. District leaders are scrambling to address potential job losses and budget shortfalls while the lawsuit