Following back-to-back winter storms and a brief warm spell with temperatures surpassing 70 degrees in Charlotte, North Carolina, several positive developments are emerging across the state.
North Carolina athletes represent the United States and home countries in Winter Olympics
As the Winter Olympics kicked off in Milan, Italy, several athletes with ties to North Carolina are competing. Carolina Hurricanes players Sebastian Aho (Finland), Nikolaj Ehlers and Freddie Andersen (Denmark), and Seth Jarvis (Canada) are representing their home countries. Jacob Slavin is the only Hurricanes player competing for the United States, having won 5-1 against Latvia on Thursday.
Mystique Ro, a former track-and-field athlete at Queens University of Charlotte, is competing in skeleton racing, with races beginning today. Duke University student Eunice Lee is also competing as a member of Team USA’s short-track speed-skating relay team, after being an alternate in 2022.
NC leads the way on life-saving emergency response tech
North Carolina is strengthening its Emergency Services IP Network (ESINet). This week, the NC 911 Board partnered with Washington D.C., AT&T, and Johnston County 911 to deliver emergency calls to a mobile communications command center in the nation’s capital. This demonstration is a first-of-its-kind proof of concept for Next Generation 911 technology. According to Teena Piccione, board chair of NC 911 and secretary of the NC DIT, this exercise demonstrates that “geography is no longer a barrier” in emergency communications.
NC A&T students march to the polls in defiance of voter suppression
Early voting for the 2026 primaries began on Thursday. Students from North Carolina A&T University marched to the polls from the Dudley Lawn of the campus, starting in front of the Greensboro Four Statue and going over a mile to the Old County Courthouse. The march was in response to the removal of the university’s on-campus voting site by Republicans, along with voting locations at Western Carolina University and UNC Greensboro. Organizers stated, “We want to send a message on the first day of the early voting period that we will not let them silence our voices through voter suppression.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ESINet?
ESINet is North Carolina’s Emergency Services IP Network, which has been strengthened over the years to improve emergency communications.
Which NHL players from the Carolina Hurricanes are competing in the Winter Olympics?
Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Freddie Andersen, Seth Jarvis, and Jacob Slavin are Carolina Hurricanes players competing in the Winter Olympics.
Why did students at NC A&T march to the polls?
The students marched to the polls to protest the removal of their on-campus voting site and raise awareness about voter suppression.
As North Carolina continues to demonstrate innovation in technology and resilience in the face of challenges, what role will citizen engagement play in shaping the state’s future?
