VOLUME 11 ISSUE 19 | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026
NSJONLINE.COM
MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO
Hor-nots The Charlotte Hornets are moving in a new direction after trading away two of their core players: Miles Bridges, left, and LaMelo Ball. The team received a number of draft picks and several other players in return. Our NBA draft coverage starts on page B1.
Lumbee voters reject casino gaming amendment
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BRIEF this week
Venezuelans search more earthquake ruins as attention turns to humanitarian crisis La Guaira, Venezuela With the window for finding survivors shrinking fast, Venezuelans combed through more ruins of buildings toppled by last week’s devastating back-to-back earthquakes. Attention also turned to the country’s humanitarian crisis that could persist for years. Relief organizations say the first 72 hours after a natural disaster is the most crucial time period for rescues, though survival can be extended if people have access to food and water. Five days after the twin quakes, questions loomed about whether the cash-strapped government would be able to coordinate the effort needed to care for thousands of people who have been left homeless. The death toll stood at more than 1,700 people.
Supreme Court rules states can count latearriving mailed ballots Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court is rejecting a Republican-led attack on state laws that allow the counting of latearriving mail ballots, a target of President Donald Trump. Monday’s 5-4 decision leaves in place laws in more than half the states and the District of Columbia that permit mailed ballots to arrive and be counted days after an election, provided they’re postmarked by Election Day. The outcome spares officials the headache of changing ballot rules just months before the 2026 midterm congressional elections. The legal challenge was part of the Republican president’s broader attack on most mail balloting, which he says is vulnerable to fraud.
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Legislature overrides four more vetoes despite alleged threat from governor’s office Three of the bills deal with eliminating DEI and one with illegal immigration By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The General Assembly overrode four more of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes last Wednesday despite an alleged
threat from Stein’s office. The overrides included three bills eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from state agencies, K-12 public schools and public higher education. The fourth bill, Senate Bill 153, requires state law enforcement agencies to enter into cooperation agreements with See VETOES, page A8
Opponents wanted a better amendment and raised questions about a $6.8M land deal By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The Lumbee Tribe rejected a constitutional amendment that would have permitted and regulated gaming, shooting down plans for a casino along the I-95 corridor. Of the close-to-60,000 member tribe, fewer than 10,000 participated in the June 23 vote. A majority, 5,775 or 62.6%, voted against and 3,490 (37.7%) voted in favor. Against won across all 21 voting precincts. “Tonight, a majority of the Lumbee people have spoken, and they have said no to progress and have decided to stay with the status quo or simply staying with the way things
Mid-Currituck Bridge project spends $61M with no bridge in sight “Taxpayers are more than $60 million in the hole on a 30-year project that certainly remains far from completion.” State Auditor Dave Boliek
The state auditor finds no construction contract, baseline budget or schedule By Jessica Taylor North State Journal RALEIGH — A Rapid Response Special Report from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor found that $61 million has been spent on the Mid-Currituck Bridge project without a construction contract. Without a contract, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) can’t
provide a baseline budget, cost breakdown or project schedule, according to the audit report. “The people of Currituck County following this project have been dragged along for 30 years,” State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a statement released last week. “What the team at the Office of State Auditor found is that despite spending money, no dirt has been moved.” “Taxpayers are more than $60 million in the hole on a 30year project that certainly remains far from completion,” Boliek said. See BRIDGE, page A8
are,” Lumbee Tribe Chairman John Lowery wrote in a Facebook post. “As a federally recognized Indian tribe, we had the opportunity, like so many of our brother and sister tribes, to exercise our sovereign rights to the fullest and generate billions of dollars to assist our tribal members and lift this entire region,” said Lowery. “This decision by the majority of Lumbee voters is historic and ensures we will not move forward with gaming,” Lowery continued. “I will honor the wishes of the majority, and I will not bring this issue forward again over the remaining 18 months of my tenure.” The Lumbee Tribe had purchased around 240 acres near Fairmont and Exit 10 off I-95 in Robeson County for around $6.8 million in anticipation of moving forward with the See LUMBEE, page A2