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Inside North Carolina's iconic hot sauce: Texas Pete

Nearly a century after its debut, Texas Pete has become one of North Carolina's most enduring brands.

Business

The Texas Pete factory in Winston-Salem is an assault on the senses.<ul><li>Workers and robots move in sync as conveyor belts churn out bottles of hot sauce and salsa. The air is thick with the sinus-clearing aroma of freshly cut peppers, shipped by train from New Mexico.</li></ul>Why it matters: For nearly a century, TW Garner Foods has made one of America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most popular" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsweek.com/map-usa-states-hot-sauce-preference-food-spicy-franks-redhot-2022585" data-vars-content-id="d28d3cf0-fcf1-4085-98cd-9ab2301e7d4b" data-vars-headline="Inside North Carolina&#x27;s iconic hot sauce: Texas Pete" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsweek.com/map-usa-states-hot-sauce-preference-food-spicy-franks-redhot-2022585" target="_blank">most popular</a> hot sauces in Winston-Salem. Now it&#x27;s trying to ensure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Pete" data-vars-click-url="https://texaspete.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor49HMp9ee0O7m7YJTtZXm1WtGo6UKoizRLEnKhFDXQdJMiG1bb" data-vars-content-id="d28d3cf0-fcf1-4085-98cd-9ab2301e7d4b" data-vars-headline="Inside North Carolina&#x27;s iconic hot sauce: Texas Pete" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://texaspete.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor49HMp9ee0O7m7YJTtZXm1WtGo6UKoizRLEnKhFDXQdJMiG1bb" target="_blank">Texas Pete</a> thrives for another century.

Yellow-legged hornets have NC beekeepers on alert

The invasive predators haven't reached North Carolina yet, but experts say it's only a matter of time.

Yellow-legged hornets are spreading across the South, leaving North Carolina beekeepers bracing for their arrival.Why it matters: North Carolina&#x27;s agriculture industry depends on pollinators, and yellow-legged hornets can collapse honeybee colonies essential to food production while preying on native insects.

State Auditor finds questionable spending and intimidating work conditions in Cary

The report comes in the wake of Cary's former town manager resigning.

Politics

A much-anticipated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.auditor.nc.gov/documents/reports/investigative/inv-2026-cary" data-vars-content-id="7aa35940-764d-4f17-a52d-395f04293d6d" data-vars-headline="State Auditor finds questionable spending and intimidating work conditions in Cary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.auditor.nc.gov/documents/reports/investigative/inv-2026-cary" target="_blank">report</a> on the town of Cary&#x27;s management and finances found a litany of questionable spending decisions and a hostile work environment. Why it matters: The report comes after the resignation of former Town Manager Sean Stegall, who came under investigation after public records requests <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unearthed several questionable financial decisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article313663372.html" data-vars-content-id="7aa35940-764d-4f17-a52d-395f04293d6d" data-vars-headline="State Auditor finds questionable spending and intimidating work conditions in Cary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article313663372.html" target="_blank">unearthed several questionable financial decisions</a>. <ul><li>Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman says a criminal investigation into the financial management of North Carolina&#x27;s 7th largest municipality is ongoing.</li></ul>

Raleigh's economy keeps on ticking

A wide range of industries are posting growth in the Raleigh area.

Raleigh&#x27;s economy continues to show strength heading into the second half of 2026, even as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hiring growth slows nationally" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/02/jobs-june-trump-federal-reserve" data-vars-content-id="8b078753-86bf-4ac4-a7ed-82bf22d8fc78" data-vars-headline="Raleigh&#x27;s economy keeps on ticking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/02/jobs-june-trump-federal-reserve" target="_self">hiring growth slows nationally</a>, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pnc.com/content/dam/pnc-com/pdf/aboutpnc/EconomicReports/Regional%20Economic%20Reports/2026/PNC_Regional_Economics_Analysis_Raleigh_July_2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="8b078753-86bf-4ac4-a7ed-82bf22d8fc78" data-vars-headline="Raleigh&#x27;s economy keeps on ticking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pnc.com/content/dam/pnc-com/pdf/aboutpnc/EconomicReports/Regional%20Economic%20Reports/2026/PNC_Regional_Economics_Analysis_Raleigh_July_2026.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> by PNC Bank&#x27;s regional researchers. Why it matters: Hiring in the Raleigh-Cary metro area grew at the 6th-highest rate among all metro areas to start the year, according to PNC, despite it being only the 50th-largest metro area in the country.

Outdoor sleeping ban vetoed, but override likely

An override would require local governments to enforce new camping restrictions and could upend budgets.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a bill that would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ban outdoor camping on most public property" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/01/north-carolina-legislature-diaper-tax-homeless-camping" data-vars-content-id="7f7b5584-4ff5-47d7-a2d3-7b1168e394fe" data-vars-headline="Outdoor sleeping ban vetoed, but override likely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/01/north-carolina-legislature-diaper-tax-homeless-camping" target="_self">ban outdoor camping on most public property</a> statewide, but Republicans appear to have enough votes to override him.Why it matters: If the veto is overturned, local governments that have already adopted 2026 budgets could have to quickly change how they respond to people experiencing homelessness.

Why North Carolina's governor signed the state budget

Gov. Josh Stein signed the "compromise" legislation on Tuesday, despite misgivings.

Gov. Josh Stein signed North Carolina’s state budget into law Tuesday, one week after lawmakers unveiled the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-awaited spending plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/30/north-carolina-lawmakers-release-full-state-budget-proposal" data-vars-content-id="27f9e270-f7b1-4d58-9bcc-1715cedf24b6" data-vars-headline="Why North Carolina&#x27;s governor signed the state budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/30/north-carolina-lawmakers-release-full-state-budget-proposal" target="_self">long-awaited spending plan</a>.Why it matters: The Republican-written budget will significantly raise teacher pay, but also includes tough pills to swallow for the Democratic governor — including cuts to hundreds of state jobs and raises that, in many cases, don’t keep pace with inflation.

Proposed state budget would legitimize prediction markets in North Carolina

Some critics of prediction markets are calling it a "sweetheart deal."

A provision in North Carolina&#x27;s proposed state budget that would authorize prediction markets is fueling some criticism, with one group calling it a &quot;sweetheart deal&quot; for prediction market companies. Why it matters: Prediction markets are currently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regulated at the federal level" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/10/cftc-prediction-markets-sports-event-contract-rules" data-vars-content-id="005cb3fd-849a-4f72-a44b-631512620ca7" data-vars-headline="Proposed state budget would legitimize prediction markets in North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/10/cftc-prediction-markets-sports-event-contract-rules" target="_self">regulated at the federal level</a>, which treats them as futures contractors rather than gambling sites. <ul><li>But critics say futures contracts are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="no different than gambling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/cftc-prediction-markets-mike-selig" data-vars-content-id="005cb3fd-849a-4f72-a44b-631512620ca7" data-vars-headline="Proposed state budget would legitimize prediction markets in North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/cftc-prediction-markets-mike-selig" target="_self">no different than gambling</a> and should be regulated state-by-state, Axios previously reported. </li></ul>

North Carolina lawmakers rush to rewrite hemp legislation

A closed-door deal could determine whether many THC hemp products remain on shelves this fall.

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are negotiating whether intoxicating hemp products — including gummies, vapes, seltzers and flower — should <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remain legal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/03/north-carolina-thc-business-keep-operating-and-hope-for-a-stop-to-federal-changes" data-vars-content-id="1fb9ed7a-9427-4ed3-9c2d-5fad198e2b4c" data-vars-headline="North Carolina lawmakers rush to rewrite hemp legislation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/03/north-carolina-thc-business-keep-operating-and-hope-for-a-stop-to-federal-changes" target="_self">remain legal</a> after new federal restrictions take effect in November.Why it matters: Without a state carveout, many hemp-derived THC products could disappear from North Carolina shelves this fall, threatening businesses across the state.

Pair of bills advancing in North Carolina budget's shadow

While budget talks dominate, lawmakers quickly moved bills on public camping and diaper taxes.

While the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/30/north-carolina-lawmakers-release-full-state-budget-proposal" data-vars-content-id="0af69d69-2ce8-4641-b38b-1b9171e4e670" data-vars-headline="Pair of bills advancing in North Carolina budget&#x27;s shadow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/30/north-carolina-lawmakers-release-full-state-budget-proposal" target="_self">state budget</a> is sucking up most of the air in the General Assembly this week, some other consequential pieces of legislation are advancing quickly.Why it matters: A newly fast-tracked bill rewrites North Carolina&#x27;s homeless policy to align with Trump administration priorities, and a House proposal would eliminate sales taxes on period products, baby wipes and diapers.

North Carolina lawmakers release full state budget proposal

North Carolina has gone more than a year without passing a comprehensive state budget.

North Carolina Republican lawmakers, who lead both chambers of the state&#x27;s General Assembly, have released a long-awaited <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state spending bill" data-vars-click-url="https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewNewsFile/117/S257-CCSNExr-2%20v78" data-vars-content-id="b7d779ee-4024-4e4e-b915-bf522486943a" data-vars-headline="North Carolina lawmakers release full state budget proposal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewNewsFile/117/S257-CCSNExr-2%20v78" target="_blank">state spending bill</a> with hopes of voting on it this week. Why it matters: The state has gone <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than a year without a budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/05/12/republican-leaders-general-assembly-budget-legislature-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="b7d779ee-4024-4e4e-b915-bf522486943a" data-vars-headline="North Carolina lawmakers release full state budget proposal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/05/12/republican-leaders-general-assembly-budget-legislature-north-carolina" target="_self">more than a year without a budget</a>, as the N.C. House and N.C. Senate remained at odds over priorities, leaving things like raises for teachers and state employees in limbo.

Key absences help Republicans override Stein vetoes

Votes had been stalled for months before lawmakers advanced immigration and DEI measures.

North Carolina House Republicans overrode Gov. Josh Stein&#x27;s vetoes on several controversial pieces of legislation on Wednesday.Why it matters: The overrides advance Republican priorities on immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion. Votes were stalled for months because no unaffiliated or Democratic members would support them.

North Carolina moves to ban third-party investments in lawsuits

Supporters say the bill protects businesses, while critics warn it could limit legal financing.

North Carolina lawmakers have sent Gov. Josh Stein a bill that would ban third-party investments in lawsuits.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 315" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H315" data-vars-content-id="94027852-c7a0-4ee3-ad0f-587c5e6bb93c" data-vars-headline="North Carolina moves to ban third-party investments in lawsuits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H315" target="_blank">House Bill 315</a> has been pushed by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina Chamber" data-vars-click-url="https://ncchamber.com/" data-vars-content-id="94027852-c7a0-4ee3-ad0f-587c5e6bb93c" data-vars-headline="North Carolina moves to ban third-party investments in lawsuits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ncchamber.com/" target="_blank">North Carolina Chamber</a>, the state&#x27;s largest business advocacy group, which says it would make North Carolina the first state in the country to ban outside investors from funding lawsuits in exchange for an equity stake in the outcome.<ul><li>It&#x27;s unclear if Stein will sign or veto the bill. His office has not yet responded to a request for comment. </li></ul>

Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship's spending rise

The Opportunity Scholarship program has grown significantly in North Carolina.

Education

North Carolina&#x27;s funding of Opportunity Scholarships has reached $589 million this year, with taxpayer money now going to more than 100,000 students at private schools, according to data from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncseaa.edu/opportunity-scholarship-summary-of-data/" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncseaa.edu/opportunity-scholarship-summary-of-data/" target="_blank">North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority</a>.Why it matters: The amount of money flowing into the voucher program has grown significantly since 2024, when the state legislature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanded the eligibility requirements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/12/numbers-fully-funded-school-voucher-program-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/12/numbers-fully-funded-school-voucher-program-north-carolina" target="_self">expanded the eligibility requirements</a> for families able to use the program. <ul><li>The program has been a priority of state Republicans, who view it as a way to give families more educational choices. Spending is expected to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continue growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/06/north-carolina-republicans-move-to-add-250-million-to-private-school-vouchers" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/06/north-carolina-republicans-move-to-add-250-million-to-private-school-vouchers" target="_self">continue growing</a>. </li><li>Democrats and teacher associations have opposed the program for sapping money away from public education. </li></ul>Driving the news: The state auditor&#x27;s office, led by Republican Dave Boliek, said in May that it is conducting an audit of the program, which it expects to release later this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The News &amp; Observer reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315940381.html" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315940381.html" target="_blank">The News &amp; Observer reported</a>. Zoom in: The school that receives the most money from the program is located in Raleigh, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Triangle Business Journal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/06/03/north-carolina-private-school-vouchers-scholarship.html" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/06/03/north-carolina-private-school-vouchers-scholarship.html" target="_blank">per the Triangle Business Journal</a>. <ul><li>North Raleigh Christian Academy received nearly $6.3 million in Opportunity Scholarship vouchers for the 2025-2026 school year. </li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

State Auditor finds questionable spending and intimidating work conditions in Cary

Outdoor sleeping ban vetoed, but override likely

Why North Carolina's governor signed the state budget

Proposed state budget would legitimize prediction markets in North Carolina

North Carolina lawmakers rush to rewrite hemp legislation