Former Republican North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory wants to have three debates with U.S. Rep. Tedd Budd and former Rep. Mark Walker. The three Republican candidates are competing for the party's nomination for an open 2022 U.S. Senate seat. McCrory raised the most money in the latest reporting period but Budd has seen an uptick in momentum after getting the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. McCrory announced on Thursday that he would like one of the primary debates in the late fall and the other two in early 2022. Walker agreed to the debates.

Commercial fishermen sold nearly 20% less fish and shellfish to North Carolina seafood dealers in 2020, a decline from the previous year that's being blamed on the state's stay-at-home order brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries says in a news release that commercial fishermen sold 42.9 million pounds of fish and shellfish last year, a decrease of 19% from 2019 and about a 23% decrease from the previous five-year average.

Major hospital systems across North Carolina will soon require workers to get a COVID-19 shot if they want to keep working at the facilities. The decision comes as state health officials warn of a rise in cases fueled by the delta variant. Communities with large unvaccinated populations have been particularly hard hit. The state Healthcare Association said on Thursday that Duke Health, Atrium Health and many UNC Health hospitals will soon compel workers to get vaccinated. Dr.

Colleagues of the late North Carolina Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin are remembering her as a trailblazer for women in public service who accomplished much during a life cut short by cancer. The House and Senate approved a resolution on Wednesday remembering Goodwin, who died last September at age 50. Goodwin served in the state House from 2005 through 2010. She also made state history by becoming the first lawmaker to give birth while holding office in 2008. Goodwin later served on the North Carolina Industrial Commission.