Here’s a look at the top stories from The News & Observer on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, covering politics, development, weather and local business news across the Triangle and beyond.
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One missed payment. Morrisville resident Cord Silverstein lost Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage for himself, his wife and daughter for the rest of the year after missing a single monthly payment following 12 years as a member. He cannot re-enroll until a new policy takes effect in 2027.
School HVAC repairs. Wake County schools are averaging 25 to 50 critical maintenance work orders per day, and new facilities chief Veronica Hill plans to present a comprehensive long-term HVAC plan in December, with outside expertise brought in to help build the strategy. Superintendent Robert Taylor told families to pick up their children if school conditions become unbearable and said absences will not be held against students.
When will it be done? Downtown Apex’s $4.7 million Salem Street construction project has stretched past its original October end date, with the road now expected to reopen in mid-December and final punch-list work continuing until mid-January. Mission Market co-manager Matthew James said the Apex café’s revenue initially fell about 50% year-over-year and remains roughly 20% lower, while Salem Street Pub’s daily revenue is running 10% to 30% below last year.
Drinking with the Rams. UNC Athletics partnered with Cape Fear Distillery to launch the “Spirit of Carolina” collection — including Chapel Thrill Vodka, Old East Whiskey, Rams Head Silver Rum and Best Blue Coconut Cream. The new spirits will debut this weekend at the Tar Heel football home game at Kenan Stadium.
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A professor runs for Israeli office. Duke business professor Dan Ariely has declared candidacy in Israel’s fringe Pirate Party. The move comes as another of his research papers was retracted by Psychological Science, with Data Colada researchers concluding the data was “severely tampered with or fabricated.” When the U.S. Justice Department released the emails of notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein earlier this year, Ariely’s name appeared more than 700 times,
Read more: Duke prof with Epstein ties and research retractions runs for office in Israel
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.
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