Housing Crunch: A new analysis argues North Carolina’s building boom is masking a major shortage, projecting a 764,000-unit gap from 2024-2029 and highlighting affordability strain as home prices and rents outpace wages. Affordability Push: Former Gov. Roy Cooper stopped in Graham on his “Make Stuff Cost Less” tour, pointing to higher grocery, gas and utility costs squeezing working families. Power Grid Upgrade: UNC Charlotte was selected to lead an NSF Engines grant effort to modernize the U.S. electric grid, a move that could spur regional research and jobs. Utility Bills Fight: AG Jeff Jackson filed testimony urging regulators to reject Duke Energy Progress’s 15% rate hike, arguing it would overcharge customers by nearly $960 million. Broadband Shakeup: Open Broadband’s fixed-wireless service in Gloucester and Mathews counties ended July 15 after Connect Path acquired the business, offering customers a router option or Starlink. Downtown Growth: Wilmington hired its first Downtown Services & Special Events director to oversee permits, programming, social districts and downtown municipal services. Drug-Price Settlement: Multistate actions secured a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic-drug price inflation and reduced competition. Local Business: Waterstone Properties Group announced it’s buying a Gastonia shopping center, citing growth along the Charlotte-area retail corridor.