NC State Fires Pride Center Director, Teachers Protest, UNC Wins Settlement

0:00It's April 29th. This is Durham News Today, your AI-powered local news. NC State just fired Jay Edwards, the Assistant Director at their Pride Center, after a secret video from activists wind viral, sparking big worries about DEI rules in the UNC system. Staff there say they're stuck walking a tightrope between new restrictions and keeping their job safe. This tops the news and observers' roundup from April 28th, 2026, hitting education, politics, sports, and even fast food. Adding to the shake-up, Wake County Democrat Senator Terrence Everett resigned Tuesday to lead the North Carolina voter protection alliance full-time. He's the second Senate dem to step down since the March primary, leaving a key battleground seat wide open. Teachers are making waves, too, with the North Carolina Association of Educators cheering school closures for their May 1st protest. At least 18 districts, including Charlotte Mecklenberg, shut down or switch schedules,

1:00but a Facebook post celebrating it blew up with over. 1,200 shares, and harsh backlash on mine. On the sports front, UNC Women's Tennis Star Respratmeyer nailed a $2.02 million-dollar class action settlement against the NCAA. She forced them to drop rules blocking prize money before college and Roman, after losing nearly $50,000 from the U.S. open back in. 2,022. Meanwhile, reporters pitted water burgers banana-putting milkshakes against North Carolina, fave, cook-out, and a taste test as the Texas chain expands. Here, these stories show education tensions, political shifts, and winds keeping our state buzzing. Stay tuned for what drops next.