VOLUME 11 ISSUE 16 | THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
NSJONLINE.COM
JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO
Battle continues Hurricanes right wing Seth Jarvis, left, passes the puck as Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin defends during Saturday’s Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Las Vegas. The teams played Game 4 Tuesday and will then return to Raleigh for Thursday’s Game 5 at Lenovo Center. See more coverage in Sports and photos from the first two games in Raleigh on A13.
the
Tiered benefits, premium increase coming to State Health Plan
BRIEF this week
Murder trial in Charlotte train stabbing delayed for mental health reasons Charlotte A man charged in the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte commuter train cannot currently stand trial because of his mental illness and will undergo medical treatment to try to restore his competency, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. Decarlos Brown Jr., 35, faces a federal charge of causing death on a mass transportation system in the stabbing death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a charge that is punishable by death. A separate state case against Brown in which he is charged with first-degree murder is on pause pending the outcome of the federal case. At the request of Brown’s attorneys, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell found that their client is not currently competent to stand trial and ordered him to spend up to four months in a prison medical facility to try to restore his competency.
Price hikes will be announced July 10
Cabarrus schools face Title IX probe An investigation was opened after reports the district was “allowing males in girls-only intimate facilities.” By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has opened a Title IX investigation into Cabarrus County Public Schools “based on reports that the District violates Title IX by allow-
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina State Health Plan Board of Trustees met last Friday, approving the 2026-2032 Strategic Plan and discussing major 2027 benefit changes and Medicare Advantage updates amid ongoing financial pressures. According to a report presented at the meeting, the State Health Plan’s (SHP) year-end cash balance projection is still below the $421 million target stabilization reserve figure by about $58 million. The lack of premium and benefit increases for the seven years prior to 2025’s increase added to the plan’s financial strain. The SHP board of trustees (SHP BOT) and Treasurer Brad Briner indi-
ing males in girls-only intimate facilities,” according to a June 1 department press release. The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) made the announcement as it highlights the Trump administration’s efforts to protect women under Title IX. “Today’s investigation demonstrates that the Trump Administration will not stop pursuing Districts that reportedly subject our women and girls to egregious violations of their privacy and safety,” Kimberly See PROBE, page A3
Trump: U.S. ‘must’ respond after Iran downs helicopter Dubai, United Arab Emirates President Donald Trump said Iran was responsible for shooting down an American military helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and that the U.S. “must” respond to the attack. Trump made the comment Tuesday in a social media post after a drone boat rescued the crew of the Apache attack helicopter that crashed near the strategic waterway, which Iran has effectively closed during its war with the U.S. and Israel. It was the first known drone rescue at sea by the U.S. military.
$2.00
Whatley touts impact of ‘no tax on tips’ The campaign stop contrasted the Republican Senate candidate’s policies against opponent Roy Cooper By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley made a campaign stop last week in Zebulon, discussing the positive impact of “no tax on tips” with more than a half-dozen food service industry workers. The event was held at Smash Masters Tavern and Grill, an eatery owned by Rob-
ert and Jess Thompson. The couple also participated in the panel and described how servers being able to keep more of their tips helped alleviate their overhead costs while helping their employees get ahead financially. Whatley used the event to draw a contrast on tax relief and the economy between himself and his opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper. Whatley told panel participants that he and Cooper “have a very different stance” when it comes to what needs to happen with taxes for them to keep more of the money they earn. “We’ve got 264,000 people See WHATLEY, page A2
“Roy Cooper voted to raise your taxes when he was in the legislature. He vetoed six different tax cuts when he was the governor.” Michael Whatley
cated that lack of increases led to a cash deficit issue of about $507 million. The SHP BOT approved a four-tier network plan to help steer SHP members to cost-saving options. The tiers are the same as a proposal introduced earlier this year of Preferred, Access, Non-Preferred and Out-of-Network. The Preferred tier has lower-cost providers and the lowest out-of-pocket costs for members. For example, an $80 specialist copay would drop to $40 in the Standard PPO plan. The Access tier appears to mirror current year costs, while nonpreferred in-network and out-of-network providers will see significantly higher costs — 30% coinsurance after a $5,000 deductible for nonpreferred specialists and 50% after $15,000 for out-of-network. See BENEFITS, page A4