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.

<p>North Carolina&rsquo;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.</p>

The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT focuses on state-wide news, politics, and business stories that impact the lives of the residents of Charlotte and all of North Carolina utilizing the exceptional resources of The Carolina Journal.

<p>The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT focuses on state-wide news, politics, and business stories that impact the lives of the residents of Charlotte and all of North Carolina utilizing the exceptional resources of The Carolina Journal.</p>

The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

Stein Backs Marijuana Legalization; Duke Seeks Rate Hike

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/e4317856-e6e8-472f-97d7-b42f0088ef02/transcript