The News & Observer’s top stories on Monday, July 13, 2026, span education policy, public health and cultural coverage across North Carolina.
Read more Below Deck Med’s Nathan Threatens to Report, Fire Luke After Soiled Sheets
Here’s a rundown of what readers need to know.
Teacher licensure overhaul: North Carolina’s newly signed state budget eliminates the Praxis Core test and minimum SAT/ACT requirements for entry into educator preparation programs, and drops the rule requiring beginning teachers to pass exams in their first year.
Three Wake schools unsafe: The Wake County school board authorized emergency 24/7 construction contracts at Creech Road, Davis Drive and Durant Road elementary schools after structural engineers found significant wall cracking and settling tied to a shared 1990s prototype design. Board chair Tyler Swanson expressed skepticism the repairs can be finished before Durant Road’s year-round classes begin July 30.
Parasite outbreak spreads: North Carolina has recorded 240 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 10, with the CDC confirming 843 domestic cases across 31 states. Health experts suspect a contaminated commercial food product distributed nationwide, though no source has been identified.
At least 154 cases of the cyclospora parasite have been identified in Wake County alone, making it a significant share of North Carolina’s caseload. The FDA has launched outbreak investigations as officials work to trace the contaminated produce.
Read more Two dozen players from NC schools selected in MLB Draft. Who made the cut
CBS segment missed Triangle viewers: A CBS News “Sunday Morning” feature on the 1898 Wilmington massacre did not air in the Triangle after WNCN reported technical difficulties that knocked out the first 45 minutes of the broadcast. Some viewers raised censorship concerns, citing past actions by CBS17’s parent company Nexstar.
NC college towns get travel nod: Chapel Hill ranked No. 4 and Boone ranked No. 6 on Kayak’s list of the nation’s most underrated college towns to visit, with average nightly hotel prices of $204 and $167 respectively. Kayak research found 84% of travelers want to explore smaller, lesser-known destinations.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Read more Daveigh Chase Left Behind $400K Estate Despite Living on the Streets