Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Early voting opened in Forsyth County, North Carolina, with steady lines reported at locations including the Clemmons Library. More than 5,000 people had cast ballots across the county's early voting sites by Thursday afternoon, a pace comparable to the first day of early voting in the 2022 midterms, when 5,067 people voted. County Director of Elections Tim Tsujii said he expects turnout this year to set a new record.

The county has expanded to more than a dozen early voting locations, two more than in previous cycles, and voters can cast ballots at any site rather than a designated precinct. Races on the ballot include the U.S. Senate contest and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board election. Voters must bring photo ID. Early voting continues through Saturday, Oct. 31, with officials noting the first two days and the final day typically see the heaviest turnout.

Mecklenburg County commissioners are weighing whether to form an audit advisory committee to oversee how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) spends money, as the district faces five separate investigations into alleged financial irregularities. The idea draws on a similar committee in Forsyth County, created after a nearly $46 million budget gap was discovered in the Winston-Salem school district due to overspending. That committee has seven expert members who review finances and recommend corrective actions. Mecklenburg County Manager Michael Bryant has contacted his Forsyth County counterpart for guidance.

At-Large Commissioner Arthur Griffin says an audit committee would increase accountability to taxpayers, who contribute more than $4,000 annually per CMS student. No misuse of funds has been confirmed yet, but Bryant said any confirmed irregularities would factor into his recommended budget next spring. Griffin wants deeper budget discussions with CMS beyond brief question-and-answer sessions. He noted the situation has drawn national attention, with inquiries from as far as Los Angeles and Yale University. Budget discussions for next year begin in a few months.

A Winston-Salem, North Carolina woman has been indicted in connection with the May 18, 2026 mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill announced. FBI and local law enforcement officials joined O'Neill to detail the charges, though further specifics on the woman's alleged role have not yet been released.

The shooting killed three men, including a longtime mosque security guard credited with limiting the attack's toll. Two teenage suspects, ages 17 and 18, died by suicide in a vehicle near the scene after fleeing a home where a parent had reported one of them missing and armed. Investigators found evidence of "generalized hate rhetoric" and are treating the case as a hate crime, though no specific threat had been made against the center beforehand. The indictment marks the first known criminal charge tied to the attack beyond the deceased shooters, raising questions about who else may face prosecution as the investigation continues.