North Carolina has entered a new fiscal year without a finalized state budget, as negotiations remain deadlocked. Governor Stein vetoed the REINS Act, which aimed to limit bureaucratic rulemaking power. Meanwhile, he signed the Hurricane Helene recovery bill during a visit to Chimney Rock State Park. With Senator Tillis not seeking re-election, Democrats are setting their sights on the now-open U.S. Senate seat. The U.S. Supreme Court has vacated a lower court ruling against the NC State Health Plan in a transgender coverage case. In other news, the DMV is expanding walk-in availability at more locations statewide.