🗞️ Are you on the State Health Plan? Heads up: most Atrium Health providers are out of network in 2027

🗞️ Kernersville Gridiron News

🗞️ Kernersville's bravest pulls injured man's best friend from manhole

🗞️ It's Sunday on your Sunday

☀️ Sunny and breezy | High: 58°F | Low: 40°F

After Saturday's rain, Sunday is the payoff: sunshine from start to finish and a high near 58. A northeast wind of 10 to 14 mph, gusting to about 23, will keep it feeling crisp, so a light jacket is a good idea for anything outdoors. Skies stay clear tonight with a low around 40, and Monday warms up a bit under more sunshine with a high near 64.

If you are a teacher, state employee or retiree covered by the North Carolina State Health Plan, this one is worth a few minutes of your Sunday. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, most Atrium Health providers will be treated as out of network for plan members, WXII reports. Here in the Triad, Atrium is the parent system of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, so plenty of Kernersville families could feel this change.

The move grows out of a long-running fight over what Atrium charges the plan. Atrium created what it calls an Affordability Program, which it says is meant to cover medical costs the plan won't. State officials say the program would actually push up the rates the plan pays through 2027, even as members pay less out of pocket. This week, a Superior Court judge denied the plan's request for a temporary restraining order against the program, and the Treasurer's office responded by moving most Atrium providers into an out-of-network tier.

The stakes reach beyond Atrium patients. State officials say the plan was running a deficit of about $500 million in 2026 and faces a shortfall of more than $1 billion in 2027. The Department of State Treasurer says it may raise premiums for every member by as much as $50 a month in 2028, which could double some 2027 premiums. Treasurer Brad Briner, who chairs the plan's board, warned that letting one provider dictate the plan's costs "could be catastrophic" for members and taxpayers. Atrium, for its part, says its focus remains on keeping teachers, public servants, first responders and their families connected to the care they trust.

What to do now: If anyone in your household sees an Atrium doctor, check whether your providers are affected and what your options are. Plan members have until Nov. 6 to make changes to their coverage for 2027.

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Two of Kernersville's three varsity football teams had big nights on the road Friday. East Forsyth rolled past Northwest Guilford 55-12, following up last week's 50-0 win at Parkland, and improved to 5-3. Glenn bounced back from its loss to North Davidson with a 49-0 shutout at North Forsyth to move to 6-2. Bishop McGuinness came up short at Chatham Central, falling 35-7 to drop to 3-6.

All three teams are home next Friday, Oct. 23, with 7 p.m. kickoffs: East Forsyth hosts R.J. Reynolds, Glenn hosts Oak Grove and Bishop hosts TCPLA.

Scores and schedules: East Forsyth | Glenn | Bishop McGuinness

Kernersville Fire Rescue made a rescue of the four-legged kind on Friday. Crews were called to the 5900 block of Crossview Drive after a report that an injured dog was trapped in a manhole, WXII reports.

Before anyone went down after the pup, firefighters checked the air inside the manhole and rigged a rescue system, the same careful approach they use for any confined-space call. Within 30 minutes of arriving, they had the dog out and back with its owner. Hats off to the crew for a happy ending.

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Here are a few things you should consider getting out and doing.

The weather is on your side. After Saturday's rain, Sunday brings nonstop sunshine and a high near 58. A breezy northeast wind will keep it crisp, so grab a light jacket.

Morning. The Holy Cross Columbiettes Fall Bake Sale continues after the 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Masses at 616 S. Cherry St. Union Cross Baptist Church celebrates its 70th homecoming at 11 a.m. at 4350 High Point Rd., with the offering going to Crisis Control Ministries.

Afternoon. Head to the Welden Village Picnic at the Park from 1 to 5 p.m. at 1740 Welden Village Ave. for live music, vendors, carriage rides and pumpkin painting. Bring a blanket and make an afternoon of it.

Good to know. Early voting reopens Monday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Kernersville Recreation and Event Center, Paddison Memorial Branch Library and the Walkertown Branch Library. And if you're heading toward High Point, the furniture market runs through Wednesday, so expect extra traffic.