Top Headlines From The Carolinian and Triangle Tribune September 14–20, 2026
This week’s reporting from The Carolinian and Triangle Tribune examines decisions and community initiatives affecting Raleigh, Durham and Black residents throughout North Carolina.
Stories published September 14–20 cover voting rights, environmental justice, teacher recruitment, state contracting, consumer protection, domestic-violence scams and the promising starts of two Triangle HBCU football programs.
Top Stories From The Carolinian
Durham’s Black community finds restoration through the land
In a September 19 report, Carolinian contributor Judaea Ingram explored how Durham’s Soil Sanctuary uses gardening, food and community gatherings to help Black residents reconnect with the land.
The garden collective, stewarded by Black women and nonbinary people, hosted Black Restoration Day on September 13. The event welcomed Black, African, Caribbean and other diasporic communities for garden tours, movement activities, food and fellowship.
Ingram placed the program within a broader discussion of environmental justice, access to healthy food and the displacement pressures accompanying Durham’s growth. The story illustrates how community-owned green spaces can support cultural preservation, education and collective well-being.
Read “For Durham’s Black Community, Restoration Starts With the Land” in The Carolinian.
Appeals court considers North Carolina’s ballot-selfie ban
Carolinian staff writer Jordan Meadows reported September 19 that a federal appeals panel heard a Wake County resident’s challenge to North Carolina laws prohibiting photographs of completed ballots.
Susan Hogarth, a Raleigh native and former state Senate candidate, argues that posting a photograph of her marked ballot is constitutionally protected political expression. State election officials maintain that the restrictions protect ballot secrecy and help prevent coercion and vote-buying.
A federal district judge previously upheld the laws. The appeals court’s eventual ruling could affect what North Carolina voters may photograph and share during the 2026 election.
Read “Appeals Court Hears Challenge to NC Ballot ‘Selfie’ Ban” in The Carolinian.
North Carolina eliminates a teacher-training entrance exam
A WUNC education report published by The Carolinian on September 18 examined the state’s decision to eliminate the Praxis Core requirement for students entering upper-level education courses.
Supporters of the change described the standardized exam as a barrier that forced some otherwise qualified students to leave teacher-preparation programs. Approximately 35 former students returned to UNC Greensboro’s School of Education following the policy change.
Students must still satisfy college GPA requirements and pass relevant subject-matter examinations before becoming fully licensed. Education leaders will monitor whether removing the entrance exam improves teacher recruitment and increases enrollment in preparation programs.
Read “North Carolina Drops ‘Barrier’ Teacher Entrance Exam” in The Carolinian.
Minority-owned businesses seek new state contracting opportunities
The Carolinian published an NC Newsline report September 18 detailing the response to North Carolina’s elimination of the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses.
Black and minority business owners gathered in Greensboro to urge state leaders to preserve access to government contracts. Their proposals included moving previously certified HUB companies into the Small Business Enterprise program and establishing an advisory council on Black affairs.
More than 6,000 companies were reportedly participating in the HUB program when the office closed. State officials announced that a new accelerator program would open October 15 to help affected businesses navigate the transition.
Read “Business Owners Press Leaders for New State Contracting Goals” in The Carolinian.
Top Stories From The Triangle Tribune
Durham and Raleigh businesses respond to the HUB office closure
Triangle Tribune reporter Kylie Marsh provided additional local context about the end of North Carolina’s HUB office in a September 16 report.
Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce President and CEO CJ Broderick joined business owners and other advocates in calling for new avenues through which historically underutilized companies can compete.
The story also highlighted Durham-based CATE Services, which said it was removed from a minority-business partnership associated with the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater project after completing more than a year of work.
The coalition asked Gov. Josh Stein to establish an advisory council on Black affairs, transfer HUB-certified companies into the state’s Small Business Enterprise Program and create a 25% small-business participation goal.
Read “Black Business Owners Organize in Response to HUB Closure” in The Triangle Tribune.
North Carolina reaches settlement over allegedly predatory auto loans
The Triangle Tribune reported September 19 that North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a bipartisan coalition reached a $694 million settlement with Credit Acceptance Corporation.
The lawsuit alleged that the auto-finance company targeted consumers with poor or limited credit using high-interest loans it knew many borrowers could not afford. The company was also accused of concealing the loans’ true cost and employing aggressive collection practices.
The settlement provides approximately $7.5 million in debt relief and nearly $2 million in restitution for North Carolina consumers. Eligible borrowers will be contacted by the company or a claims administrator.
Read “AG Jeff Jackson Reaches Settlement Over Predatory Auto Loans” in The Triangle Tribune.
Attorney general warns domestic-violence survivors about scams
In a September 20 staff report, The Triangle Tribune shared a warning from Attorney General Jeff Jackson about scams targeting North Carolina domestic-violence victims.
According to the report, scammers impersonate law-enforcement officers or court officials and may contact victims soon after an arrest or court hearing. The scheme exploits a moment when survivors may already feel vulnerable or uncertain about the legal process.
The warning underscores the importance of independently verifying unexpected requests for money or sensitive information with the relevant court or law-enforcement agency.
Read The Triangle Tribune’s report on scams targeting domestic-violence victims.
NCCU and Shaw build early-season football momentum
Triangle Tribune sports editor Bonitta Best reported September 16 that North Carolina Central University and Shaw University entered the week on two-game winning streaks.
NCCU running back Plez Lawrence earned conference recognition following a career performance against North Carolina A&T. The Eagles prepared to face Gardner-Webb before traveling to East Carolina.
Shaw’s Bears had produced consecutive comeback victories over Barton and Ferrum. Quarterback Alexander Marsh and kicker Benjamin Turner played pivotal roles in the overtime win against Ferrum, while the defense created turnovers when the Bears needed them most.
In a September 17 column, Best argued that Shaw’s improvement and favorable schedule could give the Raleigh HBCU an opportunity to compete for its first CIAA championship since 2010.
Read “NCCU, Shaw on Two-Game Winning Streaks” in The Triangle Tribune.
Read “Shaw Has Chance to Win CIAA Title” in The Triangle Tribune.
Why This Week’s Black Press Coverage Matters
This week’s stories demonstrate the breadth of North Carolina’s Black press. The coverage connects statewide policy changes to local entrepreneurs, explains election rules, documents community-led restoration and ensures that HBCU athletics remain part of the Triangle’s sports conversation.
Readers can support this work by visiting the original reports, subscribing to Black-owned publications and sharing credible local journalism.
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