VOLUME 11 ISSUE 22 | THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026
NSJONLINE.COM
PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL
U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley speaks during a campaign visit in Harrisburg in Cabarrus County on Friday.
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BRIEF this week
Fayetteville native ID’d as U.S. soldier killed in Iraq Raleigh A U.S. soldier killed in Iraq during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone was a 30-year-old father from Fayetteville who had served for nearly a decade, according to a military statement Tuesday and his family. Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, who was stationed at Fort Bragg before his deployment, will receive a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, and will be promoted to staff sergeant. The Army said it was investigating the circumstances of his death Sunday at an air base in Irbil. He leaves behind a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, his mother said. Two U.S. Army soldiers, including one from Fort Bragg, were also killed in Jordan last week while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. They were the first U.S. troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
Vance welcomes baby boy, first child born to sitting VP in 150-plus years Washington, D.C. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance, on Sunday announced the birth of their fourth child, the first born to a sitting vice president in more than 150 years. Born Sunday, Alec Neel Vance joins older siblings Ewan, 9; Vivek, 6; and Mirabel, 4. The Republican vice president’s growing family is in keeping with his passionate advocacy for Americans to have more children.
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Audit: Cary council spent $24.2M on questionable items The Wake County town issued 828 Visa cards, which paid for pricey dinners and travel By Jessica Taylor For North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released an investigative audit on the Town of Cary, discovering that city officials were making questionable purchas-
es with public funds after the issuance of an above-average number of city Visa cards. “The spending exposed in the Town of Cary must be addressed with greater oversight and accountability,” said State Auditor Dave Boliek in the press release. “Public dollars being thrown around carelessly while taxes are being raised only creates distrust in government. See AUDIT, page A3
Whatley wraps 100-county tour, Cooper ahead in fundraising Q2 fundraising totals show the former governor with $14.8 million, nearly three times more than his opponent By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Republican candidate for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat Michael Whatley wrapped up his tour of all 100 counties last week, while second quarter fundraising totals released showed his opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper, significantly ahead. “Career Politicians like Roy Cooper get lazy, or old, and don’t have the interest or the strength to hit all 100 coun-
NC to receive $666K in 23andMe settlement The company will also pay $46.75 million in a class-action settlement to consumers directly affected by a data breach By Jessica Taylor For North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina will receive more than $666,000 in response to an $18 million multistate settlement with 23andMe after a data breach in 2023. The breach compromised the genetic data of over 6.9 million customers worldwide, and some of the stolen information was later offered for sale on the dark web. 23andMe will addition-
ally pay $46.75 million in a class-action settlement for U.S. customers who were affected by the breach and submitted claims in early 2026. “Your genetic data is the most personal data you have. 23andMe failed to protect it for millions of people, and when the breach happened, they pointed the finger at their own customers,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson in the press release. “So we held them accountable to make sure that data is safe even if the company no longer exists.” Following the breach, an investigation was launched, which focused on concerns about the company’s safeguards and protections for See SETTLEMENT, page A3
“23andMe failed to protect… millions of people, and when the breach happened, they pointed the finger at their own customers.” Jeff Jackson, attorney general
ties in North Carolina but every county is important and has needs that can only be appreciated in person in the county,” Whatley said in a statement on his statewide tour. “From Murphy to Manteo, I am proud to have had important conversations with North Carolinians across all 100 counties. As your Senator, I will fight for every family to make more and keep more, keep our communities safe and preserve the American Dream for generations to come.” While Whatley hit every county in the state, Cooper only made stops in about 16 counties. Based on campaign press releases and social media See SENATE, page A6