VOLUME 11 ISSUE 11 | THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026
NSJONLINE.COM
PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Spring sizzler Funnel cakes get crispy during the Spring Chicken Festival in downtown Siler City on Saturday.
Everitt resigns abruptly from state Senate
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BRIEF this week
Hearing pushed back Zarutska murder case Raleigh Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of murdering Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail system in August 2025, has had his upcoming hearing pushed back. According to court records, Brown’s hearing has been pushed from April 30 to Oct. 27. The hearing change follows a continuance motion filed by Assistant Public Defender Daniel P. Roberts on April 7. The motion requested a 180-day continuance, postponing the hearing originally set for April 30. According to the motion, Brown had been “evaluated at Central Regional Hospital,” and a report issued on Dec. 29, 2025, found he was “incapable to proceed.” Not long after that evaluation report, Brown was indicted in federal court in the Western District of North Carolina and transferred to federal custody where he remains.
U.S. strike on alleged drug boat kills 2 Washington, D.C. The U.S. military said it launched another strike on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea, killing two people Monday. The Trump administration’s campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has persisted since early September and killed at least 188 people. Other strikes have taken place in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The strikes have ramped up again in recent weeks, showing that the administration’s aggressive measures to stop what it calls “narcoterrorism” in the Western Hemisphere are not letting up.
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The Wake County Democrat narrowly won the seat by 128 votes in 2024
Chatham County faces lawsuit over data center moratorium A complaint claims an $11 million investment and “vested rights” were granted prior to the moratorium By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A North Carolina land development company has sued Chatham Coun-
ty, claiming that a recently adopted moratorium on data centers unlawfully blocks a long-planned 750-megawatt project on property zoned for heavy industrial use. Chatham County’s 12-month moratorium blocks new data centers countywide and specifically designates cryptocurrency mining as a separate See LAWSUIT, page A3
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Sen. Terence Everitt (D-Wake) announced he is resigning from the General Assembly effective May 1. He represents District 18, covering all of Granville County and part of Wake County. Everitt, in a Facebook post the night of April 28, was vague as to why he is resigning other than mentioning his work at the North Carolina Voter Protection Alliance, writing he is, “determined to defend our state’s democracy at all costs.” “Over the last 7 years, it has been the honor of my life to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly — first in the State House, and most recently representing Senate District 18 and the people of Wake and Granville Counties,” Everitt said in his statement. “In January, I began work-
FEMA releases $255.8M more in Helene recovery funds The funding spans 85 recovery projects By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the release of another $255.8 million to support 85 recovery projects across North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene, according to an April 23 agency press release. The latest round of Public Assistance Grant funding will reimburse state agencies, local governments and eligible nonprofits for costs tied to debris removal, emergency pro-
tective measures, and permanent repairs to roads, bridges and public buildings damaged by the hurricane. The infusion of cash follows a visit to western North Carolina by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in early April. “I’ve seen firsthand the determination and hard work of those in North Carolina who are still working to rebuild and recover after Helene,” Mullin said. “This additional funding is another step in our commitment to make sure communities have the support they need to clear debris, rebuild critical infrastructure and move See FUNDS, page A2
“(DHS) Secretary (Markwayne) Mullin is delivering on the promises he made to the people of Western North Carolina.” U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.)
ing at the North Carolina Voter Protection Alliance where we are working every day to protect the right to vote in North Carolina and ensure fair elections in our state. Since returning to the legislative session, it has become clear that defending our democracy requires my focus and dedication. The Republican majorities in our legislature are hell-bent on assaulting our democracy, suppressing voting rights, and restricting North Carolinians’ access to the ballot box. This is a fight we must win, and I am determined to defend our state’s democracy at all costs. “For that reason, in consultation with my family and closest advisors, I have made the difficult decision to resign from the North Carolina Senate and will withdraw my name from the 2026 General Election ballot. “I have immense gratitude for everyone who has been on this journey with me since 2016. I want to sincerely thank all my constituents See EVERITT, page A3