The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

US Secretary of HUD shutting down DEI priorities in hurricane relief, Governor Josh Stein seeking a court order to block Boliek’s election board appointments, and NC Democrats advocating for public access to General Assembly records. Reports included audio from Rep. Jake Johnson on government transparency. Additionally, Jeff Moore and Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal discussed NCInn...

Opportunity Scholarship numbers showing sustained demand and a North Carolina House bill proposing a 22% teacher pay increase. Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussed appellate judges rejecting a full court hearing of the Griffin-Riggs election dispute. Another news update highlighted Republican Council of State members criticizing missing elements in Stein’s State of the State...

A Carolina Journal poll covered topics including the direction of the county and state, as well as approval ratings for Trump and Stein. The poll also gathered opinions on DOGE and Elon Musk, followed by a discussion on Helene's response and constitutional carry. A statewide news update highlighted a new bill calling for transparency in the executive branch's regulatory process and North Carolina'...

Josh Stein's State of the State address covered several key topics, including Hurricane Helene recovery and relief, free community college, housing supply issues, tax cuts, and the NC DOGE initiative. He also discussed teacher pay, a $4 billion school grant, school safety measures, and banning cell phones in classrooms. Additionally, he addressed opioid issues in North Carolina and emphasized the...

Legislators being briefed on new technology to eliminate PFAS in North Carolina water sources. Theresa Opeka from the Carolina Journal provided a preview of Josh Stein's State of the State Address. Another update highlighted a bill aimed at saving North Carolina billions in energy costs by removing the 2030 carbon goals, along with an executive order from Stein creating a task force for childcare...

US Secretary of Agriculture’s visit to Western North Carolina after wildfires, concerns over potential cost increases for the NC State Health Plan, and a new report urging legislation to regulate social media algorithms harmful to children. Other reports discussed North Carolina’s high wildfire risk, a proposal by Elon Musk to privatize Amtrak, advocacy efforts for hostages held by Ham...

A suspect linked to the Tren de Aragua gang was arrested in Raleigh as part of an ICE crackdown. State lawmakers have filed a bill to reclaim $500 million in taxpayer funds from NCInnovation. Public safety bills targeting thieves and intruders passed the House unanimously. The General Assembly's calendar for the week, and a new Western North Carolina Helene recovery dashboard was introduced. See o...

Efforts by North Carolina leaders to ban DEI in all K-12 public schools, the COOPER Accountability Act, and a proposal to designate Moravian cookies as the official state cookie. Additionally, the Senate has approved a border bill allowing citizens to take action against sanctuary cities. Donald Bryson from the John Locke Foundation discusses tariffs, while Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journa...

The statewide news update covered several key topics, including the labor commissioner’s efforts to reduce red tape for small businesses in western North Carolina and the launch of a new WNC Helene recovery website and dashboard. The NC House advanced a bill related to the Pledge of Allegiance. A split Appeals Court rejected a TV reporter’s request for records from the 2023 Charlotte s...

Payton McNabb mentioned by President Trump during joint address to congress and concerns about Forest Service staffing shortages as wildfires burn. North Carolina leaders to ban DEI in all K-12 public schools. Katie Zehnder from the Carolina Journal reported on US Sec of Agriculture to visit NC & SC in aftermath of Wildfires and that North Carolina saw $5 billion in bets during its f...

Hundreds of wildfires burning more than 3,300 acres in North Carolina and final written arguments in an election dispute presented to the NC Appeals Court. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal discussed NC Democrats' push for budget transparency ahead of Sunshine Week, while Katie Zehnder highlighted concerns over NCGA legislation potentially threatening right-to-work protections. See omnystu...

Reopening of I-40 in Western North Carolina, ongoing wildfires across the state, and the swearing-in of North Carolina's Driscoll as the U.S. Secretary of the Army. The Trump DOJ has dropped federal interest in North Carolina's law against gender transition surgeries for minors. Mitch Kokai from the Carolina Journal provides updates on the Griffin/Riggs legal battle, which has drawn attention from...

NC House Oversight Committee's review of the Department of Revenue, a Charlotte police officer's legal battle, and a new bill increasing penalties for assaults on public safety officers and teachers. Jeff Moore from the Carolina Journal discusses regulatory reform efforts affecting NC retail merchants and home builders. The NC House Oversight Committee also examines the Office of State Budget and...

Wayne Goodwin stepping down as NCDMV Commissioner, a bill discouraging student cell phone use in class, urgent audit needs and performance review expansions, legal clashes over NC elections board changes, and proposed disaster relief funding for agriculture. Theresa Opeka from Carolina Journal discussed a bill to complete homes for Hurricane Florence and Matthew survivors and Goodwin's resign...

Ballot challenges in the NC Appeals Court, a proposed bill to allow gambling loss deductions in line with federal tax rules, a sales tax increase in Charlotte for transit funding, and a Senate hearing for Bishop as OMB deputy director. Brianna Kraemer from Carolina Journal interviewed Sen. Berger on legislative priorities and Helene recovery funding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

First Helene interest-free loans are on the way to Western North Carolina local municipalities, providing financial support to communities. A new North Carolina Senate bill could allow residents to sue over sanctuary cities, sparking debate over immigration policies. North Carolina veterans may see increased property tax breaks under new Senate proposals aimed at offering financial relief. Meanwhi...

NC lawmakers are moving to ban DEI programs in state agencies. Brianna Kraemer from Carolina Journal reports that Gen Z is trending more conservative due to a surplus of alternative media sources. A disaster loan reform bill from Senators Tillis and Budd is advancing with bipartisan support, and Trump praised Governor Stein during a White House meeting with governors. Theresa Opeka from Carolina J...

The North Carolina Supreme Court's decision to reject a request regarding the Griffin/Riggs election dispute, Gov. Josh Stein being named co-chair of the National Governors Association leadership council, and the rise of social districts across the state. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal discussed the ongoing debate over DEI policies in Wake County Schools, highlighting tensions between t...

Republican state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin opposes the State Supreme Court bypassing the Appeals Court in an election dispute. State lawmakers have introduced a bill to reclaim $500 million in taxpayer funds from NCInnovation. Senate leader Phil Berger and former Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page have announced their candidacy for the NC-26 state Senate seat. A court has dismissed...

Governor Stein declaring a State of Emergency ahead of a winter storm, Eric Church purchasing property for Helene victims, and a $544 million state revenue surplus amid scheduled tax cuts. Additionally, lawmakers are pushing to ban China from buying land in North Carolina. Syndicated columnist John Hood discusses the decline in post-COVID education scores in the state. See omnystudio.com/listener...

The North Carolina elections board requesting the state’s top court to address the Griffin/Riggs election dispute, the approaching deadline to obtain a REAL ID, and North Carolina’s record influx of new residents in 2023. Additionally, Donna King from the Carolina Journal discusses Carrboro’s lawsuit against Duke Energy over alleged climate deception, while Jeff Moore reports on...

A Republican-led push for FEMA reform, a proposed bill to deny asylum to criminals, and a coalition advocating against green subsidies due to economic concerns. Additionally, North Carolina's potential move toward cryptocurrency adoption was discussed. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal analyzed the North Carolina legislature as a key target for Democrats in upcoming elections. The program...

A legal dispute over the Griffin/Riggs election could extend into March at the NC Appeals Court. The proposed "Farmers Protection" bill aims to curb ESG practices. The NC Senate has approved a bill to reduce healthcare costs by limiting government mandates. A suspect connected to the Tren de Aragua gang was arrested in Raleigh as part of an ICE crackdown. Meanwhile, NC Democrats are pushing a bill...

Attorney General Jackson adding North Carolina to a lawsuit challenging Trump-era NIH cuts, and Dems on NC Board of Ed ask NCGA to put ‘moratorium’ on Opportunity Scholarship funding. Additionally, Farley introduced a new elevator inspection certificate along with his policy priorities. Legislative discussions continue regarding an additional $500 million in proposed Hurricane Helene r...

The launch of the Helene Recovery Dashboard by State Auditor Boliek’s office, an effort to expedite the Appeals Court review of an NC election dispute, and a $3.4 million fine against UnitedHealthcare for unfair billing practices. Donald Bryson from the John Locke Foundation discusses concerns about protectionist trade policies and growing national debt. Jeff Moore from the Carolina Journal...