WUNC News

Follow NPR's live coverage of the first 2020 presidential election debate, including fact-checking and analysis.

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are in Cleveland for the event, moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News.

The debate is expected to begin at 9 p.m.

Loading...

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Sept. 21.

2:20 p.m. - It will likely be another month before an extra $50 a week will be distributed to North Carolinians receiving unemployment benefits. When the legislature passed the latest COVID-19 relief bill in early September, it included the $50 a week supplement to federal unemployment benefits. But a spokeswoman for the state's employment agency says the division had to reprogram and test its IT system before sending out the money. She says the distribution has been made more complicated by the fact that the cap on extended federal benefits will drop from about 9 weeks to 6 six weeks next month. The additional funds will be sent by the end of October, and will be retroactive to September 6. The state has received more than 2.4 million unemployment claims since the pandemic hit North Carolina in March. - Will Michaels, WUNC

President Trump is announcing his nominee to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on Sept. 18.

Watch the announcement live starting at 5 p.m.

Gov. Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force are scheduled to hold a media briefing on COVID-19. 

Watch live here starting at 2 p.m.

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Sept. 14.

3:40 p.m. - The state is adding data on antigen testing to its COVID-19 dashboard. The new information will include cases and deaths diagnosed with an antigen test, and the number of antigen tests completed daily. Formerly the health department only reported tests confirmed with a molecular test that detects the virus's genetic material. Antigen tests, which account for roughly 2% of COVID-19 tests in North Carolina, look for specific proteins on the surface of the virus. The department says it can add the antigen testing data due to improved reporting processes, and is joining 31 other states in doing so. - Cole del Charco, WUNC

Governor Roy Cooper and members of the state Coronavirus Task Force will deliver a public coronavirus briefing at 3 p.m., followed by questions from the media.

Watch live, beginning at 3 p.m.:

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen and Director of North Carolina Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry will be available for a briefing regarding COVID-19.

Watch live here, starting at 2 p.m.

Follow live updates of the first televised debate between North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham.

Watch live here starting at 7 p.m.

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Sept. 7.

4:20 p.m. - North Carolina's unemployment rate declined in August. The seasonally adjusted rate was 6.5%, which was down two percentage points from July's revised rate. North Carolina's unemployment rate in August was 2.7% higher than the same month last year. Unemployment in North Carolina has remained lower than the national average since the pandemic struck in March. - Liz Schlemmer, WUNC

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Aug. 31.

5:20 p.m. - The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill is anticipating even more financial losses due to COVID-19. Already, the university has lost an estimated $54 million in revenue from on-campus activities. Nate Knuffman, the university's interim finance chief, said during a meeting with faculty and staff today there could be more losses from hospital operations and athletics.

"When including these impacts, structural issues, and potential spring 2021 losses, we could see a financial impact of $300 million dollars this fiscal year," said Knuffman, adding it's important to note that this estimate doesn't include potential impacts in the event of a state budget shortfall as economic activity has fallen off during the ongoing pandemic. - Cole del Charco, WUNC

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is holding briefings Thursday regarding COVID-19. At 3 p.m., Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi will announce updates and the new campaign in Spanish, and answer questions from the media in Spanish.

Watch here, live:

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Aug. 24.

7:20 p.m. - North Carolina’s Democratic governor says he will sign a Republican-authored plan to spend more than a billion dollars of remaining federal pandemic relief funds. The package includes direct cash payments to nearly 2 million families, a $50 increase in weekly unemployment benefits and more funds for COVID-19 testing, tracing and personal protective equipment. It also invests in broadband and ensures school districts won't be penalized financially if enrollments drop. But the measure left out many of Governor Roy Cooper's other spending proposals. It comfortably passed both chambers of the GOP-controlled General Assembly, clearing its final legislative hurdle yesterday. - Associated Press

President Trump is accepting the Republican nomination for president on Thursday. NPR reporters are providing analysis of his remarks live.

Loading...

Follow live updates and analysis of Day 4 of the Republican National Convention. President Trump caps off the week with his address.

Loading...

Follow live updates and analysis of Day 3 of the Republican National Convention. Vice President Pence headlines the night.

Loading...

Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to share an update on COVID-19 and share his budget proposal.

Watch live, here, starting at 3 p.m.:

Follow live updates and analysis of Day 2 of the Republican National Convention. First lady Melania Trump headlines the night.

Loading...

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen will be available today for a briefing regarding COVID-19.

Watch, live, here starting at 2 p.m.:

Follow live updates and analysis of Day 1 of the Republican National Convention, where the party is set to formally nominate President Trump as its presidential nominee.

Loading...

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Aug. 17.

2:20 p.m. - The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association has announced it will allow private schools to begin fall sports, including football, in September. All sporting events will be held without fans. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, by comparison, has delayed all sports practices for public schools until at least November. Higher contact sports have been delayed until winter or spring. - Liz Schlemmer, WUNC

Joe Biden is formally accepting the Democratic Party's nomination for president on Thursday. NPR reporters are providing live analysis of his remarks.

Loading...

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is speaking Thursday night.

Loading...

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Wednesday's speakers include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama.

Loading...

Gov. Roy Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force are scheduled to hold a media briefing on COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Watch here, live, beginning at 2 p.m.

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Tuesday's speakers include New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former President Bill Clinton.

Loading...

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Monday's speakers include Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Loading...

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Aug. 10.

4:12 p.m. - UNC Wilmington's chancellor sent a letter to the campus community today reminding students they can be prosecuted for violating Governor Roy Cooper's mandates. Those mandates prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. The message comes one day after NC State University announced it would join UNC Chapel Hill in moving all undergraduate classes online due to COVID-19 outbreaks, many of which were linked to off campus gatherings. - Liz Schlemmer, WUNC

Gov. Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force are scheduled to hold a media briefing on COVID-19 on Thursday.

Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that California Sen. Kamala Harris would be his vice presidential running mate. They are giving remarks together on Wednesday. Watch live starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.

This post will be updated periodically with the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting North Carolina. Scroll down for older updates. For a recap of last week's news, check out Coronavirus Live Updates: Week of Aug. 3.

6:20 p.m. - Monday is the first day of school for North Carolina's K-12 public school students. A majority of school districts have chosen to at least start the school year virtually. Some of those districts, including Orange County, Guilford County and Durham Public Schools are still waiting to get enough devices or wifi hotspots to distribute to their students. Some districts needed time to figure out funding. A Durham Public Schools spokesman says some of their device shipments were held up at U.S. Customs. Snags like these have some districts calling the first week an orientation, with the expectation that meat-and-potatoes instruction may have to wait until students are more prepared. About 40% of school districts, mostly in rural areas, will start the year in person with social distancing and mask wearing. - Liz Schlemmer, WUNC