School Funding Overhaul; NC Ports Growth Plan; Nuclear Milestone

North Carolina House K-12 Education Committee Chairman David Willis says the state’s school funding model is “broken,” as education leaders examine whether the current position-based system should be overhauled. Meanwhile, NC Ports is targeting refrigerated and cold-chain cargo as a major opportuni…

Tillis Warns GOP; Mail Ballot Fight; NC-11 Ads Hit Airwaves

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is warning that Republican “purity tests” and an emphasis on loyalty to President Donald Trump could create challenges for the party as it seeks to maintain control of the U.S. Senate. Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation joins the program with the latest mail voting and …

Voter Citizenship Checks; Flock Data Scrutiny; Duke Gets $50M

North Carolina election officials are welcoming a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the state to continue using the federal SAVE database to verify the citizenship status of registered voters, while officials say voters will not be automatically removed based on database results. Meanwhile, a ne…

Two Years Since Helene and WNC Recovery Plan

North Carolina is marking two years since Hurricane Helene devastated western communities, killing 107 people and causing nearly $60 billion in damage, while recovery and rebuilding efforts continue across the region. Governor Josh Stein has unveiled a long-term economic recovery plan developed wit…

What’s on NC’s Ballot; Lake Lure Flooding; NRSC Disputes Report

Renewed flooding around Lake Lure is raising questions about downstream safety, dam operations, and emergency monitoring nearly two years after Hurricane Helene destroyed the town’s upstream flood gauges. Heavy rainfall this week prompted additional releases from the Lake Lure Dam and downstream wa…

Mail-In Ballot Lawsuit; Candidate Comment Backlash; Helene Loans Approved

North Carolina’s mail-in ballot rules are facing a new federal lawsuit from voting-rights groups represented in part by the Elias Law Group. The plaintiffs are challenging guidance approved by the State Board of Elections covering ballot envelopes and signature verification, arguing the rules could…

Absentee Voting Update; CMS Fires Hill; WakeMed-Atrium Deal Advances

North Carolina’s election season continues to ramp up, with Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation providing his weekly look at absentee voting and voter registration trends across the state. Meanwhile, former Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown has been sentenced to 10 months in federal…

Vance Stumps for Whatley; Chatham Data Center Advances

Vice President JD Vance campaigned in Greensboro for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, using the rally to contrast Whatley with Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper and to promote the Trump administration’s agenda. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss a…

Edwards Files Ethics Complaint; Property Tax Reform; Prediction Markets

Congressman Chuck Edwards has filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct against the bipartisan leaders of the House Ethics Committee, alleging they failed to follow committee procedures before recommending his censure. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Senate has created a new select c…

September CJ Poll: Cooper Leads Whatley; Amendments Draw Support

The September Carolina Journal Poll provides a new snapshot of likely North Carolina voters heading into the final weeks before the November election, including views on the direction of the country and job approval for President Donald Trump and Gov. Josh Stein. David Larson of Carolina Journal br…