The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

A federal appeals court granting a stay to Riggs and Democrats in an election dispute, a judge allowing a COVID protester’s lawsuit to proceed while dropping some defendants, and House leaders pushing a predatory-debt bill in hopes of Senate approval. Additional coverage features Gov. Josh Stein seeking an injunction to block changes to the Utilities Commission and a discussion on the impact...

Statewide developments included the Griffin-Riggs dispute reaching a federal trial judge, a House-approved bill to study property tax relief, the trade war’s impact on North Carolina sweet potatoes and other commodities, and legislation aimed at easing educational barriers for veterans and military families. Theresa Opeka from Carolina Journal reported on audits of the North Carolina Departm...

Breaking news that Pope Francis has died at age 88, a North Carolina poll showing a partisan divide on the perceived health of democracy, and a legal case involving whether a DOT contractor must help pay for a deputy’s injuries. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal recapped recent bills in the General Assembly, while Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussed a COVID shutdown...

Senator The REINS Act clears the North Carolina House, requiring legislative oversight for costly rules; the Senate passing its version of the state budget while the House prepares its own; and a bill introduced by Rep. Moore to improve transparency in disaster relief. Mitch Kokai discussed concerns that the elections board may defy a court order in a disputed contest. Brianna Kraemer reported on...

Senator Tillis introduced a bill to extend the tax deadline for natural-disaster victims. The Senate budget redirects $400 million from NCInnovation to a children's hospital project. Senate Republicans proposed a new budget plan, while the House passed an act to expedite the retrieval of cell phone location data in emergencies and voted to ban China and Russia from buying farmland near military ba...

Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation discussed the elections board's preparation to review 1,675 ballots in the Griffin-Riggs dispute. Coverage continued on the elections board review of the disputed ballots. Theresa Opeka of Carolina Journal reported on the North Carolina congressional delegation's call for the approval of a $1.4 billion disaster recovery funding plan. Additional coverage inc...

North Carolina Senate Republicans released their proposed $66 billion biennial budget Monday evening, outlining major funding priorities for the 2025–27 fiscal cycle. Key provisions in the 439-page proposal include pay raises for public employees, hurricane recovery investments, tax cuts, and other policy changes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussed the NC Supreme Court's decision to uphold 60,000 challenged votes while leaving others uncertain, and also covered top legislators’ opposition to Governor Stein’s effort to block changes to the state election board. Statewide news updates included a federal judge ordering North Carolina’s Supreme Court election plan to move for...

Griffin was ordered to respond to filings in the North Carolina Supreme Court election dispute. North Carolina is taking steps to implement Medicaid work requirements. The deadline for bill filings in the North Carolina House was highlighted. Charlotte was announced as the host for the 2027 Military World Summer Games. Additionally, some international college students in North Carolina are experie...

North Carolina Republicans have voted to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public universities, while a vote on a broader ban has been postponed. The state is also considering GOP-backed bills that would give the state auditor expanded authority over government spending. Meanwhile, an audit found the NC Department of Health and Human Services has recurring issues managing fede...

A Senate committee approved a bill prohibiting foreign ownership of state land. An audit revealed that the NC Department of Commerce mismanaged millions in federal funds, as reported by Theresa Opeka of the Carolina Journal. A House committee advanced a workforce development bill aimed at boosting job skills, followed by commentary from Jeff Moore of the Carolina Journal on the ease of opposition....

The North Carolina delegation urging the IRS to extend the tax deadline for victims of Hurricane Helene, a NCDOT employee being accused of selling counterfeit airbags, and a slight decrease in the state's teacher turnover rate, though it remains above historical norms. Mitch Kokai discussed the State Supreme Court’s decision to pause the Griffin-Riggs election dispute. Katie Zehnder reported...

Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussed an Appeals Court decision requiring new vote calculations in a North Carolina Supreme Court election dispute. The state treasurer advised calm in response to tariff and stock market uncertainty. Lawmakers introduced a proposal to reform North Carolina’s foster care system. The Appeals Court ruled in favor of Griffin, and State Superintende...

A measure to ban DEI in higher education, a bill requiring civic education in NC higher ed, Senator Tillis urging the secretary of agriculture to expedite disaster relief for farmers, and allegations against the Battleship NC director involving illegal recording, fraud, and retaliation. Brian Balfour from the John Locke Foundation discusses tariffs, and Katie Zehnder from the Carolina Journal prov...

A statewide news update covered North Carolina's move to block political discrimination in disaster aid following FEMA bias. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal discussed a state-level ‘DOGE’ effort advancing in the NC Senate. Another update highlighted concerns that solar growth could stall under a new NC bill and a proposal that could give political parties a role in filling Co...

Wildfires have increased by over 100%, prompting Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler to request state funding for Forest Service vacancies and equipment. Senator Michael Lee has been elected as the new Majority Leader following Senator Paul Newton’s retirement. Applications are now open for a crop loss disaster program, and lawmakers are supporting a bill to make ivermectin available over...

Statewide news update covers topics such as a proposed social media ban for some teens, North Carolina’s happiest cities, and wildfire updates in Western North Carolina. The NCDOT provides an update on WNC roadways six months after Helene. A private law enforcement group urges the top NC court to reject a TV reporter’s appeal, and the General Assembly calendar is discussed. Theresa Ope...

NCDHHS cutting 80 jobs and losing $100 million in federal grant funding, mandatory evacuations being lifted in Polk County, financial reporting errors at NC Central University totaling over $45 million, and a settlement between UNC and Duke leading to a 102-bed hospital in southern Durham County. Governor Stein submitted a proposal for $1.4 billion in federal Helene aid. Discussions included the i...

A statewide news update covered a proposal by NC Democrats to allow illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition. Jeff Moore from the Carolina Journal discussed the Parents’ Medical Bill of Rights legislation filed by state lawmakers. Another update reported on a wildfire in western North Carolina and the state treasurer's announcement of an OpenAI pilot program in state government. Th...

North Carolina faces competitive pressure as South Carolina unveils aggressive tax cuts. Brianna Kraemer from Carolina Journal discusses concerns over new GOP gender legislation, which some are calling a "Bathroom Bill 2.0." Senator Dan Bishop has been confirmed as OMB deputy director and will oversee federal budgets. A legal battle over North Carolina elections board appointments is set for a hea...

A top Senate leader is departing the North Carolina General Assembly today, and 90% of North Carolina counties are at high fire danger. The split NC Supreme Court is allowing a lawsuit over a teen’s forced COVID vaccination against Guilford schools to proceed. A new bill in the NCGA bans Delta-8 and Delta-9 products on public school grounds, and the NC House has passed a ban on cellphones in...

Statewide news updates cover several topics, including a union protest against USPS cost-cutting measures, which has sparked debate on postal reform, and wildfire updates. Additionally, the Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency was introduced in the NC Senate. Companion bills aimed at repealing CON laws were filed in both the House and Senate. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal...

Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussed an Appeals Court panel's deliberation on an NC Supreme Court election dispute. Donna King from Carolina Journal covered a Trump executive order aimed at shrinking the U.S. Department of Education. A statewide news update included the election dispute and wildfires burning in Polk County. Donna King also reported on a ruling allowing UNC and NCSU...

Gov Stein approving $524 million in Helene relief for western North Carolina, an ICE operation arresting 24 illegal criminal offenders in Charlotte, and Stein’s budget proposal freezing tax cuts while increasing spending. Jon Sanders from the John Locke Foundation discussed NC legislators' efforts to limit government overreach through the REINS Act. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

One year of sports betting in North Carolina, Duke Energy's motion to dismiss Carrboro’s climate suit, and a new version of the Helene relief bill that includes over $500 million in disaster aid for western North Carolina, along with a proposal for free community college in high-demand sectors. Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discusses the constitutional battle between Stein and l...