Today’s top stories from The News & Observer on Aug. 11, 2026, include North Carolina political shifts, tragic deaths, an ICE detention controversy and holiday entertainment news.
Read more Cary pastor in ICE custody received little medication before stroke, daughter says
Here’s a quick look at what readers should know.
Stein signs budget adjustment: Democratic Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 268, which transfers some power from his administration to Republican elected officials and restores some vacant jobs and programs cut in the $34 billion July budget. He also signed House Bill 562, redirecting funds from a property owners’ association in Rep. Joseph Pike’s district to Harnett County government.
Read more: NC Gov. Josh Stein signs budget changes, including taking some of his power away
Former NC State swim coach’s death ruled accidental: An autopsy determined that John “Jack” Roney, 39, a former N.C. State swimming and diving coach, died of accidental drowning at Hampton Ridge Swim Club in Raleigh on July 5. His father attributed the death to shallow water blackout, a rare occurrence that affects young, physically fit swimmers holding their breath underwater.
Read more: Autopsy reveals how Jack Roney, a former NC State swimmer and coach, died
Dethroned Miss North Carolina USA’s lawyer speaks out: A lawyer for the woman who was stripped of her 2026 Miss North Carolina USA title on Aug. 5 said his firm has evidence she was targeted for her Christian faith and conservative political views. Miss USA and A Blaize Productions deny the removal was based on politics or religion, saying the reasons were clearly communicated to her.
Read more: Former Miss North Carolina USA’s lawyer says his client ‘will not be canceled’
Cary pastor’s stroke in ICE custody: Gabriel Johnson III, a 55-year-old Cary pastor, suffered a stroke on July 30 while in ICE custody in Texas after his family alleges he was denied food, water and stroke medication for weeks. A video posted by his daughter alleging neglect has drawn 6.3 million views and prompted calls for his release from U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and the ACLU of North Carolina.
Read more: Cary pastor in ICE custody received little medication before stroke, daughter says
Read more Antawn Jamison goes deep on MJ, UNC, and the inside story of hiring Michael Malone
Wake County fire victim identified: Amy Baird Kamm, 51, who died in a house fire in Rolesville on Aug. 5, was a former Duke nurse who became lead singer of the Raleigh Americana band New Reveille. Investigators have classified the cause of the blaze as undetermined and identified its area of origin as a second-floor bedroom.
Read more: Woman killed in Wake County fire was former Duke nurse, lead singer in Americana band
Jamison’s all-time UNC starting five: Former UNC star Antawn Jamison chose Phil Ford, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Rasheed Wallace and James Worthy as his all-time Tar Heel starting five. His picks notably left off Tyler Hansbrough, UNC’s all-time leading scorer, along with anyone who played before 1974 or in the 2000s.
Read more: Antawn Jamison picks his all-time UNC basketball starting five. Do you agree?
Hallmark movie set at Biltmore: “A Grand Biltmore Christmas,” a time-travel romance filmed at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, will premiere at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 on the Hallmark Channel. The movie stars Jonathan Frakes, Andie MacDowell, Niall Matter and Holland Roden. This is the second Hallmark holiday movie filmed at the iconic North Carolina landmark.
Read more: New Hallmark movie is set at NC’s Biltmore Estate. When can you watch?
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 Woman killed in Wake County fire was former Duke nurse, lead singer in Americana band