The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

A string of recent murders across North Carolina is reigniting debate over the state’s bail system and mental health policies, with lawmakers and advocates questioning whether current laws adequately protect public safety while addressing treatment needs. In legal news, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Duke Energy’s appeal in a high-profile anti-monopoly case, allowing lower cou...

Senator Thom Tillis is reacting to news that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is under criminal investigation related to the Fed’s headquarters renovation, calling for accountability as questions mount in Washington. At the same time, North Carolina’s congressional delegation is demanding action after illegal commercial truck driver’s licenses were flagged, warning the issue c...

North Carolina could be at risk of losing $48.7 million in federal funding after commercial driver’s licenses were flagged by the federal government, raising concerns about compliance and oversight. Despite that potential setback, a new economic outlook shows North Carolina remains financially strong heading into 2026, with steady growth projections. State Treasurer Brad Briner says the stat...

State Auditor Dave Boliek delivered an update on the DAVE system to a legislative oversight committee, outlining progress, challenges, and next steps in improving government transparency and accountability. On the campaign trail, Justice Anita Earls says she will continue her bid for the North Carolina Supreme Court despite a recent cancer diagnosis. In business news, North Carolina’s Christ...

Questions are emerging over whether progressive activists are strategically entering North Carolina GOP primaries, raising concerns among Republican leaders about voter confusion. State officials are also urging lawmakers to pass a long-delayed budget, warning that growing workloads and staffing pressures are straining agencies across state government. In the courts, a federal judge has blocked th...

A North Carolina state representative has filed a court petition seeking the removal of the Mecklenburg County sheriff, escalating a growing controversy around leadership and accountability in the sheriff’s office. The sheriff has also been asked to appear before a House committee as lawmakers weigh next steps. In broader political news, Republicans have officially overtaken Democrats on Nor...

Federal officials say a New Year’s Eve ISIS-inspired terror attack was thwarted in North Carolina, with U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson and FBI Special Agent James Barnacle crediting coordinated law enforcement efforts for stopping the plot before it could be carried out. As 2026 begins, a slate of new laws take effect across North Carolina. Politically, Republicans have officially overtaken Dem...

North Carolina is marking a historic and somber day with the death of Jim Hunt, the state’s longest-serving governor, who passed away at age 88. Hunt’s legacy in education and state politics is being remembered across party lines. Tragedy also struck in Iredell County, where former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and members of his family were killed in a plane crash in Statesville, promptin...

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is just one signature away from full federal recognition, marking a historic milestone after decades of advocacy. Provisions granting recognition are included in federal legislation that has already cleared Congress, leaving final approval as the last step. Meanwhile, a new audit of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) details widespread f...

President Trump is set to visit Rocky Mount on Friday, bringing renewed national attention to North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District as political activity ramps up ahead of 2026. In Washington, the U.S. House version of the National Defense Authorization Act includes language that would grant full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe, a long-sought goal for tribal leaders in North Ca...

Governor Josh Stein has announced hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding for infrastructure projects across Western North Carolina, targeting roads, bridges, water systems, and long-term recovery needs following recent storms. On the legal front, the North Carolina Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging the state’s ban on Sunday hunting, leaving the current restriction...

North Carolina lawmakers are pressing judicial officials over ongoing problems with the state’s eCourts system, raising concerns about reliability, costs, and courtroom disruptions. Legislation introduced by Rep. Harris would bar discrimination against homeschool graduates in college admissions, drawing praise from school choice advocates. Governor Stein is disputing a new federal cap on gra...

Federal prosecutors have filed charges against the suspect accused of stabbing a passenger on Charlotte’s light rail, escalating the case and drawing renewed attention to public safety on transit systems. A new state audit reports that North Carolina’s overall financial health remains strong. In political news, President Trump has endorsed Senate leader Phil Berger in his 2026 GOP prim...

A contentious legislative hearing on school indoctrination sparked sharp exchanges between lawmakers and school officials, putting renewed focus on curriculum transparency and parental rights. Meanwhile, NCDHHS reversed recent Medicaid cuts as lawsuits continue to mount across the state. In political news, President Trump endorsed Senate Leader Phil Berger in his primary election, adding national...

A deadly fight at North Forsyth High left one student dead and another injured, prompting renewed concerns over school safety. Meanwhile, a Canadian national indicted for illegally voting in North Carolina is set for a Dec. 16 arraignment. Former President Trump announced a $12 billion farmer bailout, aimed at offsetting trade-related losses. The state also confirmed an additional $29 million in H...

A Honduran national accused in the Charlotte light rail stabbing was denied bond, intensifying public scrutiny over crime and immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, House Speaker Destin Hall has formed a new committee to study property taxes amid growing concerns about rising valuations and affordability. As housing recovery applications for Helene victims approach the Dec. 31 deadline, the stat...

A stabbing on Charlotte’s Blue Line left one person seriously injured, and police arrested a twice-deported illegal immigrant, reigniting debate over public safety and immigration enforcement. The State Board of Elections is again pressing the DMV to release full Social Security number data to resolve thousands of incomplete voter records. Separately, a scathing audit of NCORR found severe m...

Duke Energy is seeking a roughly 15% rate increase, prompting immediate objections from both Gov. Josh Stein and AG Jeff Jackson, who argue the proposal would burden families already coping with rising costs. The State Board of Elections pushed back against claims that federal officials have “unfettered” access to North Carolina voter data, stressing that all access is governed by stri...

Gov. Josh Stein says North Carolina is positioned for continued strong economic growth after a record-setting year for jobs, business recruitment, and investment statewide. As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends, the state reflects on a year without a landfalling hurricane—though Tropical Storm Chantal still delivered significant impacts. Duke Energy is also advising customers...

Housing recovery applications for Hurricane Helene victims close on December 31, and state officials are urging storm-impacted homeowners to get paperwork in before the deadline. State Treasurer Briner is also pushing back on activists’ “divestment” claims, arguing the state’s investment strategy remains focused on returns, not politics. Meanwhile, the State Health Plan has...

A series of new North Carolina laws have taken effect, including measures focused on public safety reforms and donor privacy protections for nonprofits. The NCDMV has released a new five-year modernization plan aimed at transforming customer service, reducing wait times, and expanding online options. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department is opposing efforts to reopen a previously settled North Ca...

Federal judges have denied an injunction request and upheld North Carolina’s newly approved congressional map, clearing the way for candidate filing, which opens today for the 2026 election cycle. The state has also released its updated county economic tier designations for 2026, outlining which areas will receive priority for economic-development grants. Meanwhile, Iryna’s Law—a...

AAA projects that nearly 82 million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving this year, marking one of the busiest holiday travel periods in decades. In a tradition with political flair, President Trump pardoned North Carolina–raised turkeys at the White House, blending the ceremony with prayer and remarks on faith and family. New data from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows the cost of...

The White House is partnering with the NRCC to help recruit a Republican candidate in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, signaling heightened national interest in the seat. Charitable giving across North Carolina has rebounded after last year’s decline, with nonprofits reporting stronger donation levels heading into the holiday season. An opinion piece argues that the UNC Sys...

Three people have been charged in connection with the shooting at Concord’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony, an incident that shook families attending the holiday event. Ahead of Thanksgiving, First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance visited Marine families at Camp Lejeune, offering support to those stationed during the holidays. In Western North Carolina, AT&T says the histo...