NC budget deal, Rep. Foxx sparks outrage and ACC basketball: Triangle’s top stories
The News & Observer’s top stories on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, span state politics, a must-have hockey accessory and key moves in college basketball.
Here’s a quick digest of what readers are following today.
Budget deal reached: House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger announced a framework agreement on North Carolina’s overdue state budget, ending a stalemate that began in summer 2025. The deal includes an 8% average teacher raise; a 3% average state employee raise; dropping the individual income tax rate to 3.49% in 2027; and a proposed constitutional amendment capping the rate at 3.5%.
Read more: NC Republicans have a deal on the overdue state budget, with raises and tax cuts
Foxx letter sparks outrage: A Greensboro mother called U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx’s response to her 10-year-old son “horrific” and “reprehensible” after the congresswoman accused his teachers of “indoctrination.” Christian Mango had written to Foxx proposing a $5,000 electric vehicle tax rebate to address pollution.
Read more: NC mother calls Rep. Virginia Foxx’s letter to 10-year-old ‘reprehensible’
State settlement: North Carolina will pay $320,000 to settle litigation over 2022 statements former Treasurer Dale Folwell made about Spring Lake town manager candidate Justine Jones. The settlement covers alleged lost wages, non-economic injury and attorneys’ fees after Jones’ job offer was rescinded.
Read more: NC will pay $320,000 over ex-treasurer’s statement about town manager candidate
No beer skate restock: Carolina Hurricanes fans hoping for another shot at the viral beer skate cups will be disappointed. The team confirmed the mugs, which sold out before the third period on May 2 with 4,687 fans buying one, will not be restocked for the next playoff series due to shipping constraints.
Read more: Hurricanes fans snapped up viral beer skate cups. Will they be restocked?
ACC basketball
Gainey’s first ACC meetings: New N.C. State men’s basketball coach Justin Gainey emphasized substance over splash and relationships over rhetoric at his first ACC Spring Meetings. He said retaining sharpshooter Paul McNeil was a top priority and credited mentors like Rick Barnes and Herb Sendek for shaping his defensive-minded approach.
Read more: NC State basketball coach Justin Gainey on Raleigh, Rick Barnes — and his roster
Tar Heel returns to staff: Former UNC forward Deon Thompson is joining head coach Michael Malone’s staff as a graduate assistant while attending UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Thompson played four seasons in Chapel Hill from 2006 to 2010 and was a key contributor to the 2009 national championship team.
Read more: Michael Malone adds another former Tar Heel to his coaching staff. The latest
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 7:20 PM with the headline "NC budget deal, Rep. Foxx sparks outrage and ACC basketball: Triangle’s top stories."