THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square State News / Affects local – Protection of families, small businesses and taxpayers from utility rate increases attached to data center development and energy policy mandates are within changes to North Carolina’s Ratepayer Protection Act. “North Carolinians are already feeling the pinch of higher electricity bills, and we cannot allow massive data centers and unrealistic green energy mandates to make it worse,” said Franklin County Republic

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square State law permits unaffiliated voters to choose either a Democrat or Republican primary ballot, though not both. (The Center Square) – Switching parties by a deadline was the easy part. Fooling voters with a letter attached to a name on the ballot rather than actions? A half-dozen former Democrats will need more than luck after failing one of the first tests for any stripe of politician: trust. Six people now registered Republicans running

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor Shelby Independent file graphic As 2025 draws to a close, North Carolina appears on track to finish the year with an unemployment rate that is better than the national average. (Continued below local sponsors) Statistics released by the state on Thursday showed North Carolina with an unemployment of 3.7% for September. That's unchanged from the month before and once again lower than the national average of 4.4%. North Carolina’

By David Beasley | The Center Square The North Carolina state flag is shown flying against a blue sky. Photo: Mark Stebnicki (The Center Square) – With 2025 drawing to a close, the North Carolina Legislature still hasn’t approved a state budget, making it only the state in the nation without a full budget for fiscal 2026, according to the National Association of State Budget officers. This year may seem unusual, but in recent years, operating without an approved budget has b

By David Beasley | The Center Square Courtesy photo Auditor.NC.gov | The Center Square (The Center Square) – In an effort to reduce...