The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

The North Carolina General Assembly is preparing to introduce new crime legislation following a high-profile murder, with Speaker Hall and Senator Berger emphasizing tougher enforcement. In western North Carolina, another $12 million in federal recovery funding has been approved to aid Hurricane Helene rebuilding. Nationally, the manhunt continues in Utah for the killer of Charlie Kirk, while the...

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, has been killed at age 31 in a Utah campus shooting, sparking national shock and reaction from political leaders. Commentary is pouring in across North Carolina, where lawmakers also paused to reflect on the 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks and addressed the murder of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte. Meanwhile, NCInnovation is facing new le...

Federal charges have been announced in the Charlotte light rail murder, with U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson outlining the case. In response, Congressman Moore has introduced legislation to end cashless bail, tying it to public safety concerns raised by the crime. President Trump also weighed in, criticizing rising crime in U.S. cities. Meanwhile, State Auditor Dave Boliek has launched an investigatio...

Reaction continues to mount following the Charlotte light rail murder, with statements from Mayor Vi Lyles, Governor Stein, President Trump, and Congressman Moore. Meanwhile, North Carolina judges have upheld the state’s constitutional amendments requiring voter ID and capping the income tax rate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Charlotte light rail murder has drawn national attention, sparking debate about safety on public transit. Farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene can now apply for a share of a $221 million federal block grant to aid recovery. North Carolina’s Supreme Court has ruled that bar owners may continue lawsuits against Governor Stein over COVID-era shutdowns. Additionally, a new state program a...

The NC Appeals Court has denied Governor Stein’s request to delay the judicial and utilities appointment case, keeping it on track for review. John Deere is warning of steep losses as tariffs weigh on the agriculture sector. The NCDOT will honor 23 fallen state troopers by naming bridges in their memory. Winston-Salem has been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for crime. In...

New student testing data in North Carolina shows improvement but still falls short of pre-COVID levels. The U.S. Justice Department and the NC State Board of Elections have jointly filed a motion to end a lawsuit over incomplete voter registrations. Meanwhile, North Carolina has dropped in the rankings of states with the highest gas taxes. Congressman Brad Knott highlighted President Trump’s...

A federal court has ruled that former President Trump’s tariffs were illegal, dealing a blow to the administration’s trade policy. Meanwhile, lawmakers and Treasurer Briner are opposing any delay in their ongoing court battle with Governor Stein. In sports and economic news, analysts are weighing the impact of a potential Major League Baseball team in either Raleigh or Charlotte. Court...

A Canadian citizen has been indicted for illegally voting in North Carolina elections. Western NC has been approved for more than $124 million in federal recovery funding for Hurricane Helene, while AmeriCorps has released additional disaster relief money despite ongoing scrutiny over failed audits. A new Martin Center report criticizes DEI-driven curricula in medical schools, and State Treasurer...

Tourism in North Carolina hit a record in 2024, with visitors spending more than $36 billion statewide. A Canadian citizen has been indicted for illegally voting in state elections. Meanwhile, an elections official has resigned after allegedly putting drugs in their grandchildren’s food. The state Appeals Court has once again ruled against Bald Head Island village leaders in an ongoing dispu...

Questions remain about delays at the VinFast plant project, highlighted as a historic church on the site was demolished. The NC elections board has voted to drop Sunday voting in two counties, while AAA is projecting busy Labor Day travel across the state. Meanwhile, Asheville has agreed to eliminate race-based membership criteria for one of its city commissions, marking a significant policy shift...

The NC General Assembly met but took no action on either the stalled state budget or pending vetoes. Duke Energy announced it will no longer pursue offshore wind energy projects in the state. Governor Stein has created a new energy task force aimed at lowering utility rates while promoting renewable energy. Meanwhile, the State Board of Elections reports correcting over 20,000 voter records while...

Genentech has broken ground on a new biotech facility in Holly Springs, strengthening North Carolina’s role in the life sciences sector. TikTok is asking the state’s Supreme Court to take up its case against North Carolina, while the court also ruled against giving deference in the case of a fired DOT employee. Meanwhile, lawmakers have returned to Raleigh as the state budget stalemate...

An "all clear" has been issued at the University of South Carolina following reports of a potential shooting. President Trump has nominated four judges for federal courts in North Carolina. The state’s highest court has ruled that bar owners may proceed with lawsuits against Governor Stein over COVID-era shutdowns. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Instruction has unveiled a 5-year plan fo...

Recovery efforts continue in the Outer Banks after Hurricane Erin, as North Carolina also struggles with lingering damage from Helene and Chantal. Governor Stein has created a new gang prevention and intervention task force to address rising concerns about violent crime. Meanwhile, the state has taken control of Bertie County Child Welfare Services following a child fatality. See omnystudio.com/li...

Governor Stein held a press briefing urging preparation as Hurricane Erin bears down on North Carolina, with impacts already felt along the Outer Banks. The State Board of Elections has corrected more than 20,000 voter records and is seeking additional ID numbers to comply with voter ID laws. Meanwhile, a business court judge declined to dismiss North Carolina’s lawsuit against TikTok, allow...

Hurricane Erin has triggered a state of emergency in North Carolina. In Wilmington, several firefighters were injured following a building explosion. In Apex, authorities have called off a search for a criminal illegal alien who remains at large. Despite steep tariffs, trade with Mexico continues to grow, and the State Board of Elections reports it has corrected over 20,000 voter records while sti...

Hurricane Erin could bring significant impacts across coastal North Carolina. Meanwhile, a new study suggests Raleigh and Charlotte are strong contenders for a future Major League Baseball team. In the courts, both sides have agreed to pause a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on gender transition surgeries for minors. Additionally, more than 1,000 applications have been submitted for rebu...

Hurricane Erin has prompted a state of emergency in the Outer Banks as the storm threatens coastal communities. State Health Plan members are bracing for premium increases in the coming years. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools face a dire $46 million budget shortfall, raising concerns about mismanagement and future cuts. Meanwhile, NCInnovation’s future looks uncertain as its CEO prepares...

Polling in the U.S. Senate race between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley shows the contest is shaping up to be competitive. More than 1,000 applications have been submitted to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Helene. North Carolina has been awarded over $400 million from the EPA to improve drinking water infrastructure statewide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Carolina has received a $4 million grant to expand workforce re-entry training programs. A federal appeals court has rejected a lawsuit against CSX over flooding in Lumberton. Tropical Storm Erin is active in the Atlantic, and July’s sports-betting revenues in North Carolina hit a record low. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley visited the Port of Wilmington, where his department announced...

U.S. inflation slowed to 2.7% in July as President Trump extended the China trade deal for another 90 days. Authorities have ordered an illegal mining operation in Mitchell County to shut down. The state Appeals Court has again ruled against Bald Head Island’s village leadership in an ongoing dispute. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tropical Storm Erin has formed in the Atlantic. Both sides in a lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s ban on gender transition surgeries for minors have agreed to pause proceedings. The full state Appeals Court will not rehear a northeastern NC Certificate of Need case. Senator Tillis is co-sponsoring legislation to help address the housing shortage, while Ellis Boyle has been named U.S. Atto...

Tariffs are hitting the automotive industry as they take effect. The State Health Plan is considering a premium increase while adding a new digital care platform. The NC elections board has resolved a voter ID lawsuit, approved early voting plans, and the upcoming back-to-school shopping season is expected to see higher sales. July’s sports betting numbers are also in. See omnystudio.com/lis...

The NCDOT has opened its new 10-year transportation plan. State Auditor findings show the town of Mount Olive lost more than $210,000 due to negligent data entry. The State Board of Elections is meeting today, and a new poll finds most Americans view Chinese ownership of U.S. land as a major threat. Governor Stein opposes a push for expedited court review in the ongoing utilities appointment dispu...