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UNC and Duke's health systems are partnering on North Carolina's first standalone children's hospital. Republican leaders said it will be exempt from Certificate of Need.

N.C. Senate leaders are proposing a $32.6 billion budget that includes small raises and bonuses for teachers and state employees, while cutting programs and vacant positions across state government — all as they expand controversial scheduled income tax cuts.

If the Senate budget is approved as written, the state's total funding allocated to Helene would top $2 billion.

State Senate Republicans plan to release their budget bill on Monday. Leaders in the House and Senate have already agreed on how much to spend, and it's expected to be a tight budget year.

Sen. Michael Lee is serving his fifth term in the North Carolina Senate.

The state Senate is voting this week to require more transparency around the cost of health care services, part of legislative attempts to make health care in North Carolina more affordable.

A state Senate committee voted Tuesday to eliminate a permit requirement for people who want to carry a concealed gun.

The state Senate unanimously approved the latest round of Helene recovery funding Wednesday. It's the first major relief bill to pass the legislature since October.

The bill aligns with the Trump administration's objective to remove DEI from all facets of education.

The state Senate is moving forward this week with a half-billion-dollar Helene recovery bill, making minor revisions to the House's funding proposal.