WCNC - Politics

Congress debates an Iran conflict that is already underway

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:50:59 GMT

The U.S. Congress is about to launch a war powers debate over President Donald Trump's authority to bomb Iran under largely unusual circumstances.

Black Political Caucus to file restraining order against NCDOT to stop I-77 expansion

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:59:59 GMT

The project to add toll lanes to I-77 has been highly controversial, drawing parallels to past highway expansions that tore down Black neighborhoods.

CMPD Chief says violent crime continuing to drop in 2026

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:25:15 GMT

Chief Estella Patterson presented to Charlotte City Council Monday at their annual strategy retreat.

What to know before you vote in Mecklenburg County's primary election

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:24:56 GMT

As Mecklenburg County heads to the polls for a primary election with several high-profile races, knowing the do's and don'ts at polling stations becomes crucial.

US stocks erase sharp losses, while oil prices leap on worries about Iran conflict

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:10:22 GMT

Past military conflicts in the Middle East have not caused long-term drops for markets, but rising oil prices could have significant effects for a long time.

NC's 12th Congressional District Race features Rep. Alma Adams, hopeful challengers

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:00:23 GMT

Rep. Alma Adams has held the seat since 2014.

Three Democrats vie for NC House District 106 in Mecklenburg County

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:42:16 GMT

On Tuesday, voters will choose either to re-elect Carla Cunningham or vote in a new representative, either Vermanno Brown or Rodney Sadler.

Berger, Page face off in heated Republican primary for NC Senate District 26

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:02:24 GMT

Republican voters will decide who advances in a closely watched race for a key state Senate seat.

Six Democratic hopefuls look to flip North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:57:56 GMT

The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate (North Carolina) features six candidates, including former Governor Roy Cooper. The primary election is on March 3.

Meet the candidates: The men vying to become Mecklenburg County’s next sheriff

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:46:57 GMT

"704 Unfiltered," hosted by Nick Sturdivant, on WCNC + recently featured the three candidates running against Garry McFadden in the upcoming primary.

NC candidates compete for GOP US Senate primary

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:39:09 GMT

Six candidates, including Michael Whatley and Michele Morrow, are running to secure the Republican nomination for a major national run.

Major historical documents start journey across US as part of nation's 250th anniversary celebration

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:22:08 GMT

Typically housed in highly controlled vaults at the National Archives, some major historical documents will be put on display for free at museums across the country.

Strait of Hormuz: Oil and gas costs could rise if trade route is disrupted by conflict

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:49:24 GMT

The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes. Any disruption could quickly impact oil markets.

Trump awards the Medal of Honor to 3 US Army service members in a White House ceremony

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:34:42 GMT

President Trump recognized three U.S. Army soldiers with the Medal of Honor at the White House.

US agencies prepare for potential threats of domestic terrorism following strikes on Iran

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:29:10 GMT

FBI Director Kash Patel said he placed the agency's counterterrorism and intelligence teams on "high alert" against any potential threats.

Why did the US strike Iran? Pentagon lays out military's 4 goals in the conflict

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:20:18 GMT

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth insisted that the U.S. strikes were not going to be another "endless war" like the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq from 2003 to 2011.

Rev. Jesse Jackson returns home to South Carolina to lie in state for final public farewell

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:34:02 GMT

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is returning to South Carolina for a final public farewell.

Pentagon says additional service member deaths are expected during Iran operations

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:22:26 GMT

Four American service members and at least 550 Iranians were killed following the U.S. and Israel's strikes against Iran on Saturday.

Leaders across the Carolinas react to President Trump's attack on Iran

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:54:38 GMT

Politicians from the Carolinas share mixed reactions to these developments.

NC lawmakers divided over US-Israel 'Operation Epic Fury' strikes on Iran

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:10:49 GMT

NC Republicans backed the Iran strikes while Democratic lawmakers called them unconstitutional and demanded a congressional vote.

Iran’s supreme leader killed in major strike by US and Israel

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 04:05:26 GMT

Iranian state media confirmed his death hours after Israeli officials and Trump did.

SC lawmakers on deadly US-Israel strikes on Iran

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 01:01:34 GMT

South Carolina's majority Republican lawmakers backed Trump's strikes in Iran while SC's lone Democrat and longest serving representative calls it unconstitutional.

'Operation Epic Fury': What to know about the US-Israel attacks on Iran

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:29:25 GMT

The U.S. and Israel have launched major attacks on Iran that President Donald Trump says aim to crush Iran’s military and stop production of a nuclear weapon.

Hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded by flight disruptions after attack on Iran

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:23:31 GMT

The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran are shutting down airspace and throwing global flight schedules into disarray.

White House says 'Gang of Eight' was briefed prior to the US-Israeli strike on Iran

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:05:16 GMT

President Donald Trump called the strike a massive operation to destroy Iran's military capabilities and eliminate the threat of it creating a nuclear weapon.

Unusual alliances form as Supreme Court takes up case on cannabis users and gun ownership

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:55:12 GMT

Should marijuana users be able to own guns? That's what's at issue in a case being argued before the Supreme Court on Monday.

Early voting ends Saturday for North Carolina's pivotal primary elections. What to know

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:08:17 GMT

As North Carolina's primary election nears its end, residents have until 3 p.m. Saturday to vote early and decide key races.

Read Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's full statement on Iran

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:19:27 GMT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a recorded message detailing the “much more powerful” operation the country has launched alongside the U.S.

Russia condemns US-Israeli strikes on Iran and warns of regional catastrophe

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:03:30 GMT

In a Telegram post on Saturday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the strikes pre-planned and unprovoked aggression against a U.N. member state.

Daylight saving time starts soon: Here's which states want to make it permanent

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:49:53 GMT

Is it time to stop changing our clocks twice a year? Here's a state-by-state look at efforts to make daylight saving time permanent.

WATCH: President Trump’s statement on Iran in full

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 09:17:46 GMT

President Donald Trump posted an eight-minute video on his Truth Social that the U.S. has begun “major combat operations in Iran.”

Cuba unveils new details in fatal US boat shooting and says a 2nd boat on mission failed

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 03:48:37 GMT

The government said the detained suspects revealed new details and stressed it immediately contacted the U.S. Coast Guard.

Pentagon and Scouting America reach deal to keep ties after Hegseth's anti-DEI push

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:33:21 GMT

Hegseth said in a video posted on X that Scouting America will require its members to use their “biological sex at birth and not gender identity.”

'Humans are not inventory': Protesters push back against rumored ICE detention center in Concord

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:58:41 GMT

Crescent Communities denied claims that it struck a deal with DHS for an ICE detention center in Concord.

2026 North Carolina primary election | How to watch live coverage on WCNC+

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:34:01 GMT

From critical Congressional races to Mecklenburg County, WCNC Charlotte will be tracking key races that will impact the midterm elections.

Pakistan is in 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes, defense minister says

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:45:57 GMT

Tensions have been high between the neighbors for months, with border clashes in October killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants.

Lawmakers say US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 03:50:05 GMT

The FAA shut down the El Paso airport and the surrounding area about two weeks ago after another use of an anti-drone laser.

Cuba says 4 killed in speedboat shooting were attempting to infiltrate the country

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:19:05 GMT

Cuba’s government said the majority of the 10 people on the boat “have a known history of criminal and violent activity.”

NC Senate primary heats up, as both parties call it a 'must-win' seat

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:15:23 GMT

In the general election, former Gov. Roy Cooper is most likely to face former RNC Chair Michael Whatley.

Hillary Clinton testifies she has no information on Epstein's crimes and doesn't recall meeting him

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:41:14 GMT

The closed-door depositions come after months of tense back-and-forth between the Clintons and House Republicans.