Carolina Journal News Hour | June 12, 2026

Updates on Decarlos Brown, Helene relief and funding, rising utility rates and more on the Carolina Journal News Hour

Property Tax Bill Heads to Stein; Election Rules Debated; Never Residents

North Carolina lawmakers have sent a bill delaying certain property tax reappraisals to Governor Stein's desk, continuing a broader debate over property tax relief and local government revenue. Meanwhile, sports wagering continues to generate significant revenue for the state, with collections appr…

Decarlos Brown Incompetent; Stevens Resigns; Cities Face Financial Strain

State Rep. Sarah Stevens is stepping down from the North Carolina House to focus on her campaign for the state Supreme Court, creating another opening in the General Assembly. Meanwhile, new data shows that roughly two-thirds of Opportunity Scholarship funding is going to lower-income families, fue…

DSS Faces Criminal Review; State Health Plan Changes

North Carolina lawmakers are asking the Mecklenburg County District Attorney to review whether criminal charges may be warranted against DSS officials following revelations uncovered during the Dominique Moody investigation. Theresa Opeka from Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss changes t…

Autism Therapy Under Scrutiny; Open Enrollment Returns

Questions are growing about autism therapy providers in North Carolina following a New York Times report that raised concerns about practices at some clinics across the state. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Senate is reviving a study of open enrollment policies that could expand school choice option…

Dominique Moody Hearing

Testimony from a lengthy NC House Oversight Committee hearing examining the death of six-year-old Dominique Moody. Lawmakers questioned state and county officials for hours about decisions made by child welfare agencies and whether warning signs were missed before the child's death. The hearing foc…

Public Safety Bills Advance; AI Rules Debated

North Carolina lawmakers are advancing several public safety measures as the House approves legislation aimed at reforming the state’s involuntary commitment process. Katie Zehnder from Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss a Senate bill focused on social media regulation and artificial int…

Budget Uncertainty Continues; WNC Wildfire Concerns; Canes Drop Game 1

Officials in western North Carolina are warning that debris left behind by Hurricane Helene could increase wildfire risks as temperatures rise and cleanup efforts continue. Theresa Opeka from Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss ongoing uncertainty surrounding state budget negotiations as …

BorgWarner Deal; Budget Priorities; Canes in the Cup Final

Governor Stein has announced a $100 million investment package tied to BorgWarner, but the deal is also generating renewed scrutiny of North Carolina’s Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) incentive program and how taxpayer dollars are used to attract businesses. Meanwhile, the NC House Oversigh…

Hurricane Season Begins; Prison Staffing Push; Busy June Ahead in Raleigh

June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, and forecasters are predicting a below-average year for storm activity. Meanwhile, North Carolina officials are launching a pilot program aimed at addressing ongoing staffing shortages within the state prison system. Theresa Opeka from Ca…