Bogus Vote Mailers/Duke Trims Proposed Rate Hike/Hemp Crackdown

State Warns of Bogus Voter Mailers The North Carolina State Board of Elections warned residents Wednesday about problems with voter registration mailers sent by an outside group, Ready to Register Inc. The mailers use an outdated registration form listing four political parties no longer recognized in North Carolina, and some were addressed to voters' deceased relatives. The group also listed the wrong return address for the New Hanover County elections board. The state board said QR codes on the mailers may cause another person's information to pre-populate on the form, raising privacy concerns. "Bulk voter registration mailings, when done carelessly, can do more harm than good," the board's director said. Ready to Register is anonymously registered in Delaware, and North State Journal found no public information identifying who runs it. The group did not respond to questions about the mailings. The regular registration deadline for the Nov. 3 general election is Oct. 9.
Duke Trims Proposed Rate Hike Duke Energy Carolinas has lowered its proposed two-year residential rate increase from 18% to 11.6% after objections from state officials and customers. Under the revised filing, residential customers would see increases of 7.5% in 2027 and 4.2% in 2028. Duke's overall revenue request across all customer classes dropped from $564 million to $264 million. The company said it can absorb the cut by lowering its return on equity and returning Helene recovery funds faster. A Duke spokesperson said it had "listened carefully to feedback from customers and stakeholders." Attorney General Jeff Jackson, who pushed for the reduction, said the new figure still isn't low enough: "It's a step in the right direction, but it's still too high." The Utilities Commission holds an expert witness hearing July 7 before ruling on the request. New rates would begin Jan. 1, 2027, if approved as filed.
NC Senate Passes Hemp Crackdown The North Carolina Senate passed a bill Thursday that could unravel a hemp industry generating $3.2 billion a year in the state. House Bill 328 would ban hemp and kratom sales to anyone under 21 and align legal hemp with a stricter federal THC limit starting in November. Violations would carry fines up to $50,000. Raleigh dispensary owner Eric Stahl said the bill goes far beyond age limits: "It's getting rid of every single retailer, farmer or manufacturer in North Carolina." House leaders delayed a vote on the bill even after negotiators from both chambers agreed on final language. Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, said his chamber needed more time to review it. The House could take up the bill when it returns July 27.