AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
A daily look at some of The News & Observer’s headlines on Sept. 19 in past years.
Read more Brad Garrett Supports Friend Carrot Top Amid Alleged Suicide Attempt
A century ago, North Carolina politicians were involved in disputes over the cost of utilities. Sound familiar? Well, in 1926, it was about the cost of sending a telegram.
The front page of The News & Observer had this headline: “To decide scope of investigation: Corporation Commission will hear both sides in telegraph rate case.”
Western Union and Postal Telegraph companies wanted to raise the rates, prompting the governor to authorize an investigation so the Corporation Commission could hear from rate-increase opponents like the chamber of commerce.
Western Union’s rate for a telegram between points in North Carolina was a flat rate of 30 cents, and Postal Telegraph’s flat rate was 25 cents. Both companies wanted to have “zone rates” that could range up to 48 cents. They also opposed a tax the General Assembly passed in 1925 of $7.50 per pole mile, which the governor defended.
Read more J Balvin Publicly Celebrates Ex Valentina Ferrer Days After Split
On this day in 1975, the Raleigh police union decided to wait on an outside study before taking collective action that included a potential strike, work slowdowns and fake illnesses as they tried to get the police chief ousted.
The Raleigh Police Officers Association criticized the chief as lacking leadership and said the department had informal arrest quotas, and that troubled areas of the cities didn’t have enough patrolmen.
After two closed-door meetings, the union agreed to wait on the outcome of a department study.
Read more NC State fumbles game away at Vanderbilt. Observations from Pack’s crushing loss
This story was originally published September 19, 2026 at 5:30 AM.