Foreclosure activity reaches record

N.C. regulators are looking for new ways to help more homeowners as the foreclosure crisis spreads, hitting another unwelcome record last month.

Statewide, foreclosure filings rose 43 percent in August, compared with a year ago, according to Observer analysis of court data compiled by the state. Filings, which mark the start of foreclosures, rose above 6,500 for the first time last month.