NC News

AP Scorecard
January 5, 2026
Connie Ruth Greer Lewis
January 6, 2026
AP Scorecard
January 5, 2026
Connie Ruth Greer Lewis
January 6, 2026
NC News

NC News

January 5, 2026

Fort Bragg Unit Led Venezuela Raid

The elite operators from the U.S. Army’s Delta Force who captured Venezuela’s disputed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on Saturday are based at Fort Bragg.

The operation, dubbed Absolute Resolve, involved helicopter insertions supported by air cover, with troops rehearsing on a mock-up of Maduro’s fortified compound and preparing with blowtorches in case safe rooms had to be breached.

President Trump confirmed the mission’s success, praising Delta Force for extracting the couple without U.S. fatalities amid explosions and power outages in the capital. Maduro, indicted on U.S. narco-terrorism charges, was flown to a warship and then to New York to stand trial on charges of alleged drug trafficking.

North Carolina’s Venezuelan community celebrated the operation’s success, with Triangle residents expressing hope for democracy and Charlotte restaurant owner Michel Meza viewing it as a necessary step toward freedom. U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, praised Trump’s decisive action to bring the “illegitimate dictator” to justice, though some Democrats and Venezuelan Americans raised concerns about U.S. overreach and constitutional authority.

Article Icon 1Republicans Overtake Dems on Voter Rolls

For the first time in modern North Carolina history, Republicans have surpassed Democrats in voter registrations. As of Jan. 3, state data show 2,315,067 registered Republicans compared to 2,312,990 Democrats—a narrow lead of 2,077 voters.

Total registered voters stand at 7,655,591, with unaffiliated voters remaining the largest group at 2,976,558. Minor parties include 46,608 Libertarians and 4,368 Greens. View the official data here.

Experts describe the shift as a gradual realignment driven by declining Democratic numbers, steady Republican growth, population influx, and the rapid rise of unaffiliated voters, who overtook Republicans in 2017 and Democrats in 2022.

The change reflects evolving battleground dynamics ahead of the 2026 elections.

Article Icon 1Measles Exposure Found in Gaston County

North Carolina health officials issued a measles exposure warning after an infectious traveler visited Gaston County on Dec. 26.

Potential exposure occurred at Constantine’s Restaurant in Gastonia after 8:30 p.m. There was also potential exposure at Christmas Town USA in McAdenville from 5:30 to 8 p.m., although the risk was lower there due to the event being outdoors.

Anyone at the restaurant during that time should monitor for symptoms—which include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash—through Jan. 16. Officials urge contacting a health care provider immediately if symptoms appear and avoiding public contact.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for all unvaccinated residents age 1 and older. So far, 2,065 measles cases have been confirmed in 44 states this year.