Medicaid Pressure on Rural Care: A new report warns federal changes could kick as many as 250,000 North Carolinians off Medicaid, with rural hospitals and clinics bracing for layoffs and closures as coverage shrinks. State Budget Fight Over Taxes: Gov. Josh Stein calls a proposed constitutional income-tax cap cut “a con,” arguing it won’t lower taxes for regular people and instead locks in benefits for the wealthy. Healthcare Costs in the Spotlight: Coverage highlights how Medicaid work requirements are straining budgets nationwide, pushing cuts to health care and education even among GOP supporters. Maternal Health in NC: A Durham fundraiser for doula support spotlights persistent gaps in pregnancy-related deaths for Black mothers, with many cases deemed preventable. Local Business & Land Conservation: Mast General Store’s Land Trust Day drive will donate 20% of Saturday sales to Conserving Carolina, supporting Western NC land and water protection. Asheville Greenways Leadership: Asheville’s long-time greenway planner Lucy Crown is retiring after more than 20 years shaping walkability and trail projects. Public Safety Tragedy: A deadly I-95 bus crash in Virginia—linked to a North Carolina-based operator—has led to involuntary manslaughter charges as investigators cite speed and failure to slow for a work zone.