Healthcare Access: North Carolina doctors are expanding “direct primary care,” a membership-based model that aims to cut patient costs and give physicians more time—while still positioning it as a supplement to insurance. Rural Health & Jobs: Rep. Don Davis praised a $25 million state budget investment tied to restoring emergency services at the former Martin General Hospital, and he’s pushing for additional federal funding to reopen the facility. Agriculture: Extension-style guidance highlights how to scout for corn earworm in North Carolina soybeans and when damage thresholds justify action. Public Safety & Privacy: Wake County Sheriff’s Office is rolling out “Connect Wake,” a voluntary program letting residents opt in to share their home or business security camera footage for nearby investigations. Consumer Protection: North Carolina AG Dave Sunday joined 48 states urging the FCC to tighten rules to stop robocall scammers from buying and cycling legitimate phone numbers. Business Climate: CNBC’s “Top States for Business” ranking puts North Carolina No. 2 overall, with strong economy and job growth but weaker cost of living and quality-of-life scores. Cybersecurity: The new state budget sets aside $60 million for cybersecurity, including recurring and one-time funding for upgrades and data management. Food Safety: A multistate E. coli outbreak linked to frozen blueberries sold at Publix has triggered a recall affecting North Carolina shoppers.