The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

Decline in school crime and dropouts, legal challenges to NC Supreme Court ballot access, and the deployment of Fort Bragg troops to the southern border. A new bill proposes reducing early voting days in North Carolina, and economic discussions focused on the agricultural outlook for 2025. Additionally, USDOT Secretary Duffy assessed recovery efforts along I-40 in western North Carolina. See omnys...

Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussed a trial judge’s rejection of ballot challenges against Griffin for the NC Supreme Court. Statewide news updates covered the first Super Bowl with legal betting in North Carolina, a potential State Health Plan premium increase, Trump halting offshore wind expansion over concerns about whale deaths and energy costs, and a proposed bill to li...

2025 tax reform, including proposals by North Carolina Republicans to reduce taxes on service workers and discussions on gambling. Andy Jackson from the John Locke Foundation discusses the need for greater transparency in the General Assembly. Another update highlights a bill that would repeal payroll dues deductions for state employee associations. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal examin...

North Carolina lawmakers are debating $500 million in aid for Helene, while a new bill could allow homeschool and private school students to participate in public school sports. The first Council of State meeting saw Boliek and Farley advocating for greater government transparency and efficiency. State lawmakers are also advancing a health care bill as North Carolina ranks among the most expensive...

Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discusses the decision by appellate judges not to force the NC Supreme Court election dispute back to federal court. A statewide news update covers the Rate Bureau's request for a more than 20% increase in NC auto insurance rates and a Hurricane Helene aid bill in the General Assembly. Duke and UNC Health's plans for a $2 billion children's hospital in th...

Gov. Josh Stein's request for over $1 billion from the General Assembly for urgent rebuilding needs in Western North Carolina. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal reported on 2025 tax reform efforts, highlighting North Carolina Republicans' push to cut taxes for service workers, seniors, and gamblers. Detailed opposition from Riggs and the elections board to Griffin’s motion to dismiss...

The release of Keith Samuel Siegel by Hamas, Mark Robinson dropping his defamation lawsuit against CNN and announcing his exit from politics, and Governor Josh Stein launching a $30 million small business grant program for businesses affected by Helene. Additionally, Griffin officially requested the 4th Circuit to dismiss an appeal from the elections board and Riggs, and the ACLU criticized the UN...

DC plane crash that included flight crew and a woman from Charlotte. Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal discussed NCORR disaster recovery, it's being called a "taxpayer sham" seven years later. Trump signed the Laken Riley Act. Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are considering changes to concealed-carry rules and taxes on tips and overtime in new bills. NC students are performing...

A passenger jet carrying 64 people collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Reagan Airport. North Carolina lawmakers began 2025 with a focus on Helene recovery. Griffin’s latest court filings increased the number of suspected ‘never resident’ voters to over 500. Hall announced North Carolina House committee appointments for 2025-26. A new bill may provide federal funding...

Trump naming four North Carolinians to a new FEMA oversight council, applications opening for the expanded NC Opportunity Scholarship in early February, and a North Carolina congressman introducing a bill to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. Bob Luebke from the John Locke Foundation discusses the Carolina Journal Education Poll, covering topics such as the Department of Education, school c...

Federal appeals court debating the proper venue for a North Carolina election dispute, NC Treasurer Briner's plans to address pension and health plan deficits while boosting retiree COLAs, and the dismissal of a case against former treasurer Folwell after he reimbursed the state. Other highlights include Senator Budd's reintroduction of a bill to deport illegal immigrants who assault police and th...

A vote by Senator Tillis leading to a late-night tie-breaker to confirm Hegseth, Congressman Mark Harris being appointed to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and state lawmakers visiting schools of choice for National School Choice Week. Brianna Kraemer of Carolina Journal discussed Trump's criticism of FEMA during a North Carolina visit and his plans to reform or eliminate the agency. Additio...

The Lumbee Tribe's progress toward full federal recognition, Western Carolina University's findings that McNabb was not responsible for a Title IX violation, and the NC Supreme Court sending Griffin’s election complaint back to trial court. Commentary featured Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussing the court case and Brianna Kraemer from the Carolina Journal reporting on effor...

Progress by NCDOT on Western North Carolina roadways damaged by Hurricane Helene, the passing of NC Representative Joe John after a battle with cancer, and a lawsuit alleging that hurricane relief funds were distributed based on racial equity. Commentary included Katie Zehnder from the Carolina Journal on the lawsuit, Donna King discussing the executive order on birthright citizenship, and Donald...

Jeff Jackson joining other Democratic attorneys general in suing over Trump's birthright citizenship order, the Governor's winter storm advisory, and Tillis introducing the Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Katie Zehnder reported on Harrigan filing his first bill as a freshman congressman, while Brianna Kraemer discussed lingering questions after a top political aide to Mark Robinson was shot. Ad...

Trump criticizing FEMA’s response in North Carolina, Duke Energy preparing for a cold snap, and NC Representative Joe John resigning from the legislature after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Donna King discusses the NC Society Ball celebrating the inauguration, Trump’s 59% approval rating as he takes office, and provides a recap of the inauguration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Theresa Opeka of Carolina Journal reported on the withdrawal of a proposed federal whale rule that could have harmed North Carolina businesses. Another update highlighted a 15% rise in NC homeowners’ insurance rates over the next two years. Brianna Kraemer of Carolina Journal discussed how Gen Z is trending more conservative, influenced by alternative media sources. Additionally, updates cov...

Reintroduction of the Lumbee Fairness Act by Harris and Rouzer with support from Trump, a FEMA voucher extension granted at the last minute reported by Theresa Opeka of Carolina Journal, McNabb's upcoming Title IX hearing at WCU, an executive order on abortion access and birth control issued by Stein along with a letter to FEMA, and Democrats supporting a bill to deport undocumented sex offenders....

EPA's ban on toxic chemicals found in Camp Lejeune water, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal with hostage releases, and developments in the North Carolina Supreme Court race. Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation discussed Griffin's emphasis on overseas voters without photo ID in a North Carolina Supreme Court filing. Additionally, Joseph Harris from the John Locke Foundation addressed disaster...

Virginia Foxx has been named Rules Chair for the U.S. House, and FEMA granted a last-minute extension for vouchers through January 25. Brianna Kraemer from Carolina Journal reported that North Carolina added 32,000 apartment units in 2024, nearly matching California. Jeff Moore from Carolina Journal shared that the NCInnovation board selected an investment manager for its $500 million taxpayer-fun...

TikTok's effort to dismiss the North Carolina attorney general’s lawsuit, warnings about high wildfire risks across the state, and the retirement of Duke Energy's CEO after over a decade of leadership. David Larson from Carolina Journal discussed the achievements and remaining challenges 14 years after the GOP took control of the North Carolina General Assembly. Additionally, Budd's support...

Speaker Hall announcing the formation of the Helene recovery committee and a Federal Appeals Court scheduling oral arguments on January 27 in the NC Supreme Court election dispute. Mitch Koaki of the John Locke Foundation also commented on the court case. CNN rebuts Robinson's arguments while seeking dismissal of a defamation lawsuit, and Stein emphasizes unity and collaboration to strengthen Nort...

North Carolina lawmakers in DC passed the Laken Riley Act, and Governor Josh Stein declared a statewide emergency ahead of a winter storm. Officials began snow preparations, while Jeff Jackson filed a lawsuit against landlords for using a software algorithm to set rental rates. A state retiree requested the North Carolina Supreme Court to hear a case on cost-of-living benefit hikes, and Senator Te...

Updates on the newly sworn-in North Carolina General Assembly and the State Supreme Court race, along with an upcoming snow forecast. Discussions feature Mitch Kokai and Donald Bryson of the John Locke Foundation on ending the state’s franchise tax to promote growth. Additionally, House Speaker Destin Hall outlines General Assembly priorities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation reported on the North Carolina Supreme Court granting a stay that blocks the certification of the election between Griffin and Riggs. Senator Tillis announced $1.65 billion in grants to support Western North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. The swearing-in ceremony for the General Assembly takes place in Raleigh today, and Buncombe Cou...