Housing & Cost of Living: Two fresh opinion pieces put numbers behind North Carolina’s housing shortage and affordability squeeze, arguing the state’s gap is being masked by a boom in larger homes. Healthcare AI: Concord Technologies, working with the American Hospital Association, released a report on how AI could speed up interoperability and reduce manual document work for hospitals. Politics & Risk: A North Carolina Senate candidate tied to FEMA Helene recovery recommendations is drawing scrutiny over a plan that could shift flood insurance toward private markets while he holds stock in companies linked to that sector. Cannabis Regulation: The NC Senate voted to crack down on hemp products, moving to ban most intoxicating THC items above 0.4 milligrams and tighten age limits and other substance rules. Legal Aid Funding: A new state budget provision diverts civil legal aid money from IOLTA to indigent criminal defense, with advocates warning it will leave low-income people without help in civil cases. Local Government & Taxes: A property appraisal moratorium in multiple counties is raising concerns about uneven impacts, with critics pointing to potential benefits for higher-end homeowners. Tech & Power: Alamance County commissioners are starting talks about data centers, including possible limits, as officials worry about water, power, and noise. Consumer Protection: NC AG Jeff Jackson is pushing the FCC to curb illegal robocalls by making it harder for scammers to buy real phone numbers.