The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

Governor Stein is urging North Carolina’s congressional delegation to oppose a federal reconciliation bill, citing concerns over its impact on the state. He also vetoed three pieces of legislation, including a money-saving energy bill. A new poll shows mixed public opinion in North Carolina on both President Trump and outgoing Senator Thom Tillis. Meanwhile, a court has ruled that parents ma...

Governor Stein has signed six new bills into law, including legislation granting Mecklenburg County the authority to impose a transit tax. One of the newly signed measures also elevates the Highway Patrol to a cabinet-level agency, following a 2024 veto override. Meanwhile, the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" could reverse Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, sparking significant debate. A recent...

North Carolina has entered a new fiscal year without a finalized state budget, as negotiations remain deadlocked. Governor Stein vetoed the REINS Act, which aimed to limit bureaucratic rulemaking power. Meanwhile, he signed the Hurricane Helene recovery bill during a visit to Chimney Rock State Park. With Senator Tillis not seeking re-election, Democrats are setting their sights on the now-open U....

Senator Thom Tillis has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026, sparking immediate speculation about potential Republican successors. Mitch Kokai and Donna King discussed the implications of his departure and the latest Carolina Journal poll showing favorability ratings for both Tillis and Governor Cooper. Audio from Tillis’ remarks on the Senate floor Sunday night. See omnystudio.co...

Budget negotiations remain at a standstill in the North Carolina General Assembly, with lawmakers still divided over key spending priorities. Possible changes could be on the horizon for North Carolina’s Medicaid program if the federal government moves forward with a work requirement. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department and the State Board of Elections are opposing outside efforts to inte...

The North Carolina Senate has approved a $5 billion stopgap funding measure to keep state operations running amid a stalled budget deal. Shrimpers rallied in Raleigh to protest proposed restrictions on inland trawling, a ban the House now says it will not advance. U.S. Senator Thom Tillis has reintroduced legislation to make blocking traffic during protests a federal crime. Meanwhile, a recent par...

The North Carolina House has rejected the Senate’s proposed Hurricane Helene relief bill, highlighting continued disagreement over recovery funding. Governor Stein was briefed on security concerns following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The State Board of Elections has unanimously approved a plan to collect missing voter ID numbers. Meanwhile, a court ruling sided with Governor Stei...

The North Carolina Senate has approved a $700 million relief package for Hurricane Helene recovery. A veto override vote on HB 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, is expected today. Lawmakers have also approved payments for shrimpers impacted by the state’s controversial trawling ban. Wolfspeed has announced a bankruptcy plan that gives control to its creditors. Meanwhile, a leg...

Governor Stein has vetoed two immigration-related bills and a constitutional carry bill, drawing strong political reactions. U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, along with Congressman Tim Moore, responded to a U.S. military strike on Iran. Meanwhile, the North Carolina legislature is advancing a bill to legally recognize only two sexes. Dangerous heat is forecast to spread across the Caro...

The North Carolina legislature has repealed the state's 2030 carbon reduction goal, advancing major energy reforms to the governor. The Senate has passed the latest version of the NC Farm Act. A new proposal would compensate shrimp trawlers who lose access to inland waters, and a foster care reform bill has passed unanimously. Meanwhile, Wolfspeed appears headed for bankruptcy, and under a new law...

State Treasurer Brad Briner says a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling could impact North Carolina’s legal battle over the State Health Plan. Budget talks between the state House and Senate have stalled, delaying broader fiscal action. However, relief funding tied to Hurricane Helene is expected to move forward despite the budget impasse. Meanwhile, the NCInnovation audit committee has flagged...

Justice Allison Riggs has been officially sworn in for a new term on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Meanwhile, state judges ruled in favor of GOP legislative leaders over Governor Stein in a dispute regarding the Highway Patrol commander. A Democratic lawmaker has apologized after sharing a protest image that appeared to depict a beheaded President Trump. Also, North Carolina fishermen are push...

Aid is being directed to homeowners and businesses in western North Carolina following recent hardships. A new study ranks Charlotte’s DMV as the worst in the nation, drawing sharp criticism. Meanwhile, a Democratic state representative is under fire over a controversial social media post. A federal trial this week will focus on North Carolina’s election maps, potentially impacting fut...

A Wake County Democrat is under fire for sharing an image depicting a beheaded President Trump. JetZero has announced plans for a $4.7 billion manufacturing facility in Greensboro, expected to bring major economic benefits. A new state law has established an investment oversight board to manage North Carolina’s public retirement funds. U.S. Senator Ted Budd has introduced the National Prescr...

Lawmakers are proposing a 1% sales tax to fund Charlotte transportation projects, and a new bill would require schools to evaluate the long-term costs of educational technology. Wolfspeed has announced layoffs at its materials factory in Siler City. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Senate has passed new immigration enforcement bills, signaling GOP priorities ahead of the 2026 elections. The week wrap...

The North Carolina legislature has passed a constitutional carry bill, now awaiting the governor’s decision. President Trump announced that FEMA will cease operations after the 2025 hurricane season, citing plans to shift disaster response strategies. The NC House voted to repeal the state’s 2030 carbon reduction mandate, with supporters claiming the move could save $15 billion. Additi...

President Trump visited Fort Bragg to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday, highlighting military pride and national defense. Meanwhile, Governor Stein’s cannabis advisory council is expected to support setting 21 as the legal age for THC products and backing broader adult-use reform. On the economic front, new tariffs are raising concerns for North Carolina’s agriculture sector,...

President Trump is scheduled to visit Fort Bragg in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday. North Carolina auto insurance rates are expected to rise by an average of 5%, according to reports. Opportunity Scholarships saved the state $10 million last school year, and North Carolina remains one of the few states without a law requiring tobacco sales to begin at age 21. The 2025 NCGOP Convention wa...

Governor Stein raised concerns about FEMA’s future during a recent hurricane season press briefing. He also signed onto a letter criticizing the National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, lawmakers are debating the return of a sales tax holiday in North Carolina, with questions over who would truly benefit. The DMV is warning residents about fraudulent text scams, and the S...

North Carolina lawmakers have approved a health care bill aimed at lowering costs and rolling back parts of the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) regulations. Republicans are preparing to target vulnerable Democrats over recent immigration-related votes. President Trump has announced new U.S.-China trade talks following a 90-minute call with President Xi. Meanwhile, a proposed energy bill wo...

A $27 million storm relief center in Swannanoa is under scrutiny following a critical state audit. A North Carolina student who was suspended for using the term "illegal alien" will receive a public apology as part of a settlement agreement. Amazon has announced plans to build a $10 billion AI data center in Richmond County. Meanwhile, new steel tariffs are causing concern in North Carolina’...

The "Freedom to Carry" bill is advancing in the North Carolina legislature, though the governor has signaled an impending veto. Homeowners across the state are seeing increased insurance rates as of this past weekend. President Trump’s 50% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum have taken effect, creating uncertainty for North Carolina’s steel industry. Meanwhile, a tourism campaign in...

The North Carolina House is set to hear a proposal to repeal the state’s concealed carry permit requirement. Lawmakers are also debating whether to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21 in response to the youth vaping crisis. Joseph Harris of the John Locke Foundation provided updates on income tax discussions in the General Assembly, as well as developments related to NCInnovation and the...

An above-average Atlantic hurricane season is forecasted. At a house party in Catawba County near Hickory, one person was killed and eleven others were injured. More firearms are being seized at North Carolina airports. Meanwhile, state officials are promising reforms to the DMV as long lines and an impending audit draw growing scrutiny. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Undercover footage appears to show a UNC official disregarding the state’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) ban. North Carolina is seeing the effects of a federal crackdown on crime by illegal immigrants. The U.S. Department of Justice has sued North Carolina over the state registering voters with incomplete information. The Information Technology Reserve Fund is under new scrutiny, an...