News
NC's childcare crisis disproportionately affects disabled kids. A lawmaker says it's time for change
4+ hour, 52+ min ago (1059+ words) by Claire Michal, NC Newsline July 10, 2026 Zack Hawkins is the father of two children with autism. Like many parents of kids with special needs in North Carolina, he has struggled to find childcare options that accommodate his children. His sons…...
Raising a child now costs over $300, 000 in the U. S. , study finds. See how your state compares.
3+ mon, 2+ day ago (448+ words) (CBS NEWS) " Raising a child comes with a long list of expenses, from child care to additional groceries. But how much does that add up to over 18 years? A'new estimate'from Lending Tree puts the price tag at $303, 418 for 2026, or an…...
Southport church offers to host before-and after-school programs after city suspends service
3+ mon, 4+ week ago (223+ words) SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) " Dozens of families in Southport have been left scrambling to find alternative before and after school programs, following the news that the city had suspended its own programs back on Wednesday. However, Trinity United Methodist Church is…...
NC families need six-figure income to afford child care for two children, study finds
5+ mon, 4+ day ago (290+ words) (WWAY) " A new Lending Tree study highlights the growing financial strain child care costs are placing on families across North Carolina and the nation. Researchers found that families in North Carolina would need to earn about $325, 014 a year to comfortably…...
Most U. S. families don't earn nearly enough to afford child care, study finds
5+ mon, 2+ week ago (322+ words) (CBS) " The typical American family earns far too little to comfortably afford child care, according to a new analysis. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) considers child care affordable when households spend no more than 7% of their total…...
YMCA Youth Services expands into Hampstead
6+ mon, 2+ day ago (117+ words) The YMCA Southeastern North Carolina invites the community to an open house of its new YMCA Youth Services site." HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) " The YMCA Southeastern North Carolina invites the community to an open house of its new YMCA Youth Services…...
Study: What it really costs for a parent to stay home in North Carolina
7+ mon, 1+ day ago (253+ words) (WWAY) " In North Carolina, a life on a single paycheck is increasingly rare, but for families who want one parent to stay home with a young child, the numbers tell a clear story. According to a recent analysis by Smart…...