The News & Observer’s top stories today span politics, crime, sports and dining across North Carolina.
Read more Man found dead on Durham’s East Weaver Street early Tuesday
From a congressman’s abrupt exit to a viral food reviewer’s Triangle tour, here’s a quick look at what’s making headlines Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Edwards ends reelection bid: U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards announced early Wednesday he will withdraw from his reelection campaign after a House Committee on Ethics report found substantial evidence he sexually harassed two young female employees. He plans to serve out his term through Jan. 3, 2027, but still faces a potential censure vote.
Read more: NC GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards ends reelection campaign after sexual harassment report
Durham teens arrested in abortion case: Syeisha Jadan Johnson, 18, and Elijah Jshaun Speight, 19, were arrested Tuesday after Johnson allegedly took mifepristone and misoprostol while 31 weeks pregnant. The baby was born prematurely, weighed just under 5.5 pounds and required CPR from first responders.
They made their first court appearance Wednesday, where Judge David Hall set bail at $1,000 secured for each. A public defender argued the assault charge shouldn’t apply because state law exempts pregnant women from prosecution for assault on their own unborn child. Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry said she will review the evidence before deciding whether to pursue charges.
Read more: Young NC couple arrested after teen allegedly took abortion pills in 3rd trimester
Read more: New details revealed about NC teens charged with abortion attempt in 3rd trimester
SBI director’s fundraiser appearance raises questions: State Bureau of Investigation Director Chip Hawley attended a political fundraiser Saturday for state Rep. Charlie Miller, and the SBI publicized the event on social media. Ethics experts say the appearance could create the impression of favoritism as the SBI conducts an expanding criminal investigation into a politically connected nonprofit and its ties to lawmakers.
Read more UNC Health says new scheduling system won’t pay nurses less. Why it has critics.
Read more: SBI director appears at NC fundraiser. Why ethics experts say that’s a problem
Viral food reviewer tours Triangle: Walter Johnson, known online as Mr. Tendernism, visited three Triangle soul food restaurants last week and will share reviews with his 500,000 Instagram followers in the coming weeks. He stopped at Soul Forking Good and V’s Kitchen in Durham and Nana Morrison’s Soul Food in Cary.
Read more: Viral food reviewer Mr. Tendernism ate his way through the Triangle. Here’s where
Georgina’s Pizzeria closing after 20 years: Georgina’s Restaurant & Pizzeria in the Morrisville Market shopping center will close its doors Monday, Aug. 31, after two decades in business. Owned by New York natives Roe and Tom DeMattia, the restaurant is known for its pizza, classic Italian dishes and weekly live music.
Read more: Popular pizzeria will close in Wake County after 20 years. Here’s its last day
Malone earning recruiting reputation: UNC men’s basketball head coach Michael Malone has quickly established himself as one of the top recruiters in the country by personally attending EYBL events and staying late in gyms to evaluate prospects. Coaches and agents describe him as “locked in,” and his NBA championship pedigree and experience coaching Nikola Jokić have added credibility with recruits like Maximo Adams.
Read more: ‘Locked in’: Inside UNC basketball coach Michael Malone’s recruiting reputation
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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