State Budget & Aviation: North Carolina lawmakers approved a year-late budget that includes $4.5 million for the Pitt-Greenville Airport, with Mayor P.J. Connelly saying the money is meant to help secure a second commercial airline via a revenue guarantee. Antitrust & Food Prices: The DOJ and 17 state AGs reached settlements with major egg producers over alleged price-fixing, requiring $3.3 million in payments and 53 million eggs donated, after claims they manipulated pricing tied to an industry index. Local Governance & Preservation: Southport’s Historic Preservation Commission was abolished under a new state law, and the city is barred from creating or expanding historic districts—setting up a major shift for local preservation plans. Public Safety & Heat: A dangerous heat wave is driving workplace risk and emergency cooling measures across the eastern U.S., with officials warning about heat illness and deadly conditions for workers without adequate protection. Crime & Fraud: A Georgia man was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for identity theft targeting an Eastern North Carolina business, using fake IDs to finance over $65,000 in farm equipment purchases. Environment & PFAS: Federal and state agencies announced a multi-state settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals” at facilities tied to pollution claims in North Carolina and other states. Transportation: Charlotte-area plans to expand I-77 were shut down after the CRTPO voted against the project, citing concerns about how the route would affect neighborhoods and property.