Governor Josh Stein is urging lawmakers to approve a $1.4 billion “critical needs budget,” arguing the funding is necessary to keep key state services operating while the broader budget stalemate continues. On foreign policy, Senator Ted Budd voiced support for President Trump’s approach toward Iran, backing the administration’s strategy amid rising global tensions. In election law, a federal judge has upheld North Carolina’s ban on ballot selfies, ruling the restriction is intended to prevent vote buying and protect election integrity. Meanwhile, North Carolina has received a record $52.9 million federal grant to support charter schools, the largest such award in the state’s history, aimed at expanding or launching dozens of charter programs over the next five years.