North Carolina’s elections board has approved new rules related to noncitizen voters following a heated public debate and thousands of comments. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein is calling for the legalization of recreational marijuana after a new panel report, signaling a potential policy shift in the state. In energy news, Duke Energy is seeking a rate hike after increased demand tied to the early 2026 cold snap. The state is also confronting long-term challenges as demographic trends shift, with the U.S. birth rate hitting a record low and raising concerns about future workforce and economic growth.