Top Story Spotlight NC’s Michael Whatley pauses TV ads as campaign rethinks strategy Danielle Battaglia The News & Observer (Raleigh) Oct 8, 2026 Oct 8, 2026 Updated Oct 12, 2026 0 Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley campaigns at the Guilford County GOP Headquarters in Greensboro, N.C., on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. WOODY MARSHALL, STAFF Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Danielle Battaglia The News & Observer (Raleigh) North Carolinians who have been inundated with TV campaign commercials may start noticing a gap in ads for Senate candidate Michael Whatley.kAm%96 (92E=6J 42>A2:8? 92D E6>A@C2C:=J AF==65 25D @? E6=6G:D:@?[ 2 42>A2:8? 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This local leader says yes Old Fort's November First Friday brings live music, art and town's first drum circle God's Pit Crew helps displaced couple move into fully furnished home in Nebo Where does Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young rank statistically after NFL Week 8 Dia de los Muertos returns Saturday to downtown Marion International champion to face hometown wrestler in Marion professional wrestling event Update: Republicans win all local races in McDowell County; Greene, Johnson, Daniel reelected Hunter's Liver Mush needs help with repairs, rising costs to keep Marion business operating Marion man charged with stealing $58,000 tractor in March, arrested in October Glen Alpine Sports Hall of Fame inducts five new members kAm(92E=6J[ dg[ 2 #6AF3=:42? 7C@> v2DE@?:2[ :D 724:?8 @77 282:?DE 7@C>6C v@G] #@J r@@A6C[ eh[ 2 s6>@4C2E 7C@> #2=6:89]k^AmkAmr@@A6C DA6?E ?62C=J c_ J62CD :? }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 A@=:E:4D[ D6CG:?8 :? 3@E9 E96 DE2E6 w@FD6 2?5 $6?2E6[ 7@FC E6C>D 2D 2EE@C?6J 86?6C2= 2?5 EH@ E6C>D 2D 8@G6C?@C[ 367@C6 36:?8 E6C>\=:>:E65]k^Am kAm(92E=6J 92D D6CG65 :? 3@E9 369:?5\E96\D46?6D A@D:E:@?D 2D 2? 6?6C8J :?5FDECJ =@33J:DE 2?5 2D 49:67 @7 DE277 7@C 7@C>6C $6?] t=:K236E9 s@=6[ 2?5 2D E96 7246 @7 E96 #6AF3=:42? !2CEJ 2D 492:C>2? @? 3@E9 E96 DE2E6 2?5 ?2E:@?2= =6G6=D]k^Am kAmqFE D:?46 E96 EH@ >6? 6?E6C65 E96 C246 :? yF=J a_ad[ r@@A6C 92D =65 6G6CJ A@==[ @7E6? 3J 5@F3=6 5:8:ED]k^Am kAmp?5 E96 A@==D 4@?D:DE6?E=J D9@H E92E (92E=6J =24<D ?2>6 C64@8?:E:@?]k^AmkAmu@C H66<D[ CF>@CD DH:C=65 E92E #6AF3=:42? 8C@FAD[ =:<6 E96 $6?2E6 {6256CD9:A uF?5[ H@F=5 H:E95C2H DA6?5:?8 :? 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Democrat Roy Cooper flips North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat Democrat Roy Cooper has defeated Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, flipping a seat Republicans have held since 2015.
JD Vance joked protester was here illegally. 19-year-old says he was born and raised in NC “I wouldn’t call it anger, but it’s this passion, almost, that you just need to do something.”
Fact check: Where NC’s Senate candidates stand on the Iran war and gas prices Here’s where each of North Carolina’s U.S. Senate candidates stand on the Iran war and gas prices.
In hesitant interview, Balkcom ‘not sure’ if Edwards should resign after censure After Rep. Chuck Edwards, who represents Western North Carolina in Congress, dropped his reelection bid amid a House ethics investigation into…