NC News

NC Lifestyle Costs Rise Despite Strong Economy

Despite projections of continued economic strength, robust population growth, and increasing business investments across the state in 2026, North Carolinians face rising lifestyle costs that outpace wage growth—pressures economists say are likely to take a heavier toll on younger generations.

In June 2024, the median price for a home in the U.S. was $426,900—the highest ever recorded by the National Association of Realtors. By April 2025, the price had dipped slightly to $414,000.

Tuition and housing costs “have for decades been outstripping inflation,” said Jon Sanders of the Raleigh-based John Locke Foundation. He called this trend “the inevitable consequences of supplanting free markets with government control,” despite ongoing efforts to make these costs more affordable.

Business and policy leaders will gather in Durham today at the NC Chamber and North Carolina Bankers Association’s 24th Annual Economic Forecast Forum to discuss these issues, as well as how the state’s economy will impact its growth and competitiveness.

NCDOT Reports Record Train Ridership in 2025

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported Friday that Amtrak’s state-supported trains achieved a record of nearly 740,000 passengers in 2025—a 15% increase since 2023 and the highest ridership in the service’s 35-year history.

The growth marks the fourth consecutive year of post-pandemic highs and a 59% increase over 2019.

NCDOT attributes Amtrak’s success to more frequent service, affordable fares, targeted promotions, and extra trains for events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Lexington Barbecue Festival, and Carolina Panthers games.

October 2025 set a monthly record with 74,400 passengers, highlighting the appeal of reliable, traffic-free travel between cities like Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte. One passenger, headed to Saturday’s Carolina Panthers Wild Card playoff game, said the train allowed him to “just sit down and chill.”

Davidson Gets $4M to Promote Civil Debate

Davidson College’s Institute for Public Good has been awarded a $4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to foster respectful disagreement and civil debate across about 100 U.S. college campuses.

The four-year award, the largest competitive government grant in the college’s history, aims to strengthen democratic engagement by supporting a new Deliberative Citizenship Network that will train faculty and staff to facilitate conversations on controversial topics and help students host discussions.

The initiative’s director hopes the network will bridge divides on campuses and beyond by equipping students with “deliberative leadership skills” needed for constructive dialogue around the world.

Founded by Concord Presbytery in 1837, Davidson is a highly selective liberal arts college with approximately 2,000 undergraduate students.

➤ Charlotte: North Carolina Republican Reps. Jake Johnson, Brenden Jones, and Harry Warren sent letters to Charlotte and Mecklenburg County officials citing rising violent crime, deadly transit attacks, and concerns that DEI initiatives and limited ICE cooperation may prioritize ideology over public safety. (More)

➤ Guilford County: Former U.S. Tennis Association Coach Douglas Wade Booth, 71, was charged with second-degree rape, child sex offenses, and felony abuse for allegedly assaulting young players in Greensboro during a 1980 tournament. He was arrested in California and faces a $1 million bond. (More)

➤ UNC-Chapel Hill’s Dr. Beth Mayer-Davis called the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to drop “drinking in moderation” from the newly released dietary guidelines—previously defined as two drinks daily for men and one for women—a “serious omission” that fails to warn about cancer risks. (More)

➤ Durham: Olympic track coach George Williams delivered new Nike uniforms to Riverside High School’s track team Friday, saying, “I can’t stop” helping youth because others helped him achieve success. (More)

➤ Wilmington: The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will begin construction on a temporary Discovery Cove at Independence Mall today, featuring marine exhibits, education programs, and a gift shop while the main facility undergoes a renovation and expansion. (More)

➤ Asheville: Biltmore’s “fancy” McDonald’s celebrated its grand reopening on Jan. 8, following repairs to damage from Hurricane Helene, which restored the restaurant’s Biltmore-style design and self-playing piano. The event also included a $1,000 donation to the Asheville GreenWorks nonprofit. (More)