Thank you, North Carolina! I am honored to serve as your next governor. Tonight, we came together to resoundingly embrace a vision that is optimistic, forward-looking, and welcoming. I couldn't have done this without each of you.

Can’t vote in person during early voting and planning to vote by mail? Today is the last day to request an absentee ballot for North Carolina’s November general election. Your request must be received by 5 p.m. today. Once you’ve completed your ballot, send it in ASAP because of a new law that requires all ballots to be received by 7 pm on election day or it will be thrown out. Make sure your vote actually counts.

NC12 is now CLOSED from Marc Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe, due to impacts from the offshore nor'easter. Significant dune erosion & overwash at the Pea Island Visitor Center have made travel unsafe. Never drive through floodwaters. Check DriveNC.gov for travel updates.

As utility bills continue to rise, data centers and other large energy users must pay their fair share for the power they use and the new costs they put on our energy grid. I’ve pushed for a large load tariff to protect North Carolinians from the costs of data centers’ massive energy use, and Duke Energy has now agreed to a proposal for North Carolina’s first-ever large load tariff. The proposal would establish rules for data centers and other large energy users, including protections that: ⚡ Make data center contracts public 🔋 Ensure large energy users pay upfront for grid equipment built for them ⚡ Require large energy users to pay for a minimum of 75% of the power they’ve signed up to use 🔋 Guarantee long-term contracts ⚡ Require new large energy users to reduce power when Duke Energy requests it during times when the energy grid is strained While this proposal creates a new floor for what is possible, the Utilities Commission has more work to do to ensure families aren’t left footing the bill. My bipartisan Energy Policy Task Force, AG Jackson, and I will continue to push for cleaner, more affordable energy and protections for North Carolina consumers.

Rebuilding western North Carolina means restoring the roads and bridges that connect our communities and help families and businesses move forward after Hurricane Helene. I’m grateful to the @USDOT for announcing $873 million in emergency relief funding to help repair the damage and support our state’s continued recovery.

The energy at the Haywood County Clash was electric! I had a great time kicking off the rivalry with the Mill Whistle and cheering on Pisgah and Tuscola alongside students and about 15,000 other fans.

Chuck Amato was NC State to his core. A two sport athlete who came home to get the Pack back on the football map. He was a good coach and, by all accounts, a better man. May his memory be a blessing.

Protecting North Carolinians and their personal information is essential as online threats and scams become more sophisticated. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of staying vigilant and safe online. North Carolina has secured $85 million for cybersecurity investments from the General Assembly, has developed a five-year strategy to protect state systems and residents’ data, and has worked to strengthen our cybersecurity workforce.

Every vote matters, and it’s important to know your options. I encourage you to vote in person during early vote, but if you plan to vote by mail in North Carolina’s November general election, tomorrow is the deadline to request your absentee ballot. Your request must be received by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20. Request a ballot online at votebymail.ncsbe.gov. Once you’ve completed your ballot, send it in ASAP because of a new law that requires all ballots to be received by 7 pm on Election Day to count. Make sure your voice is heard.

❗️Sunday 10/18/26 Nor’Easter Update 🌀 Not much change in the forecast to report since yesterday. A Nor’easter off the NC Coast will continue to strengthen Sunday through early to mid-week. 💨🌊 This slow-moving system will bring strong winds, high waves, coastal flooding, and extremely dangerous marine conditions well into next week. 🚨 Conditions will continue to deteriorate though the weekend, and the greatest coastal impacts are expected on the ocean side of the Outer Banks. ⚠️ The mandatory evacuation order for Hatteras Island visitors remains in effect. Ferry service is suspended with only Southport/Fort Fisher running. 📌 Full Sunday Hazardous Weather Update: ReadyNC.gov/weather #ReadyNC #ncwx

People power our democracy, and it’s inspiring to see these young people so engaged.

A mandatory evacuation for all visitors on Hatteras Island takes effect at 8 p.m. tonight (October 16). A state of emergency has been issued for Hatteras Island. Latest updates: DareNC.gov/Storm.

⚠ Friday Evening Hazardous Weather Update (10/16/26)- Special Attention Coastal North Carolina ⚠ The @NWS has begun issuing wind and coastal flood watches for this weekend's coastal low. This system will likely develop into a Nor'easter, though uncertainty remains high in how long the system will linger off the NC Coast, but this has the potential to be a long-duration event. 💨 A High Wind Watch will be in place from Saturday evening through late Sunday night across Eastern Carteret County, the Northern Outer Banks, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. During this time, sustained winds between 25-35 mph are expected with gusts up to 50+ mph. A Wind Advisory will also be in place Saturday afternoon through Monday evening across mainland Dare, Hyde, and West Carteret Counties where sustained winds between 15-25 mph are expected with gusts up to 45 mph. An additional Wind Advisory will go into effect across East Currituck County Saturday afternoon where north to northeast winds between 25-35 mph are expected with gusts up to 50 mph. 🌊 A Coastal Flood Watch will be in place from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning across Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands where inundation of 2-4ft above ground level is expected. Coastal Flood Advisories will also go into effect Saturday evening through Monday night across the Northern Outer Banks, Carteret County, Southern Craven County, and Coastal Onslow Counties. Inundation of up to 1-3ft above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and waterways within the advisory area. 🌧 While heavy rainfall and flash flooding is not the primary threat with this system, isolated flash flooding will be possible along the immediate coast through the weekend and into early next week. 👍 Our State Emergency Response Team partners at the @NCDOT report that crews are ready to respond to any impacts to NC-12 along the OBX. You can find updates specific to NC-12 by following @NCDOT_NC12 #ReadyNC #ncwx

Traveling on the #OBX this weekend? Please be prepared. Another storm system is forecast to set up off the NC coast starting Saturday. NC 12 & other coastal roads could see heavy wind, rain & overwash. NCDOT crews are prepared. You should be too. bit.ly/4jmbgGp #ncwx

There’s some rare air in the room! Thanks to @AppStateWBB for letting me crash your practice.

As Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month comes to a close, I want to recognize the many ways Latino North Carolinians contribute to our state and acknowledge the challenges many in this community have faced. No one should have to live in fear of being targeted because of the color of their skin or the language they speak. Every person matters, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We must continue working toward a North Carolina where all people feel welcome and can thrive – this month and every month.

Find early voting locations and schedules in your county: vt.ncsbe.gov/EVSite/

Early voting is underway in North Carolina! Need to register? Same-day voter registration is available during early voting if you need to update your registration or register for the first time.  Make a plan to vote and have your voice heard.

.@FLONC and I cast our ballots today in Raleigh on the first day of early voting in North Carolina. The right to vote is the fundamental right that underpins all of our other rights, and our government works best when everyone does their part. Make your plan to vote now.

Everyone must feel safe every day wherever they are, including inside their homes. Domestic violence is a horrific crime that inflicts physical and psychological harm on victims. We need to support survivors so everyone lives their life free from fear and abuse. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in North Carolina. By working together, we can build a culture where intimate partner violence is not tolerated.

North Carolina, today is the first day to vote early! You can vote at any early voting location in your county through Saturday, Oct. 31. And if you’re not yet registered, you can register and vote on the same day. I encourage all eligible North Carolinians to make their voices heard at the ballot box this fall. Please make your plan to vote!