The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

North Carolina is set to receive $25 million in USDA disaster relief, and a three-judge panel has ruled in favor of Governor Stein in a legal battle over elections board appointments. Republican Rocky Mount Mayor Roberson has announced a second run for NC-01. A new law may soon make it a crime to make a “rude or riotous noise” at polling places. Additionally, North Carolina’s economic outlook is ranked among the b...

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 of the trade war on North Carolina...

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 Departments of Commerce, Public Safety, an...

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 protester taking their case to a No...

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 senators seeking to repeal certific...

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 bases. The Senate budget also devotes...

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 included a bill that would curb social...

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 forward, FEMA denying Governor Stein&r...

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 experiencing unexpected visa revocations.

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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 federal funds, and another report revea...

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. Rep. Zenger introduced a bill to a...

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 on House Speaker Tim Moore’s...

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 Superintendent Mo Green responded to a federal ...

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 provides further insight on disaster re...

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 Council of State vacancies. Theresa O...

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 the counter. A new bill aims to bo...

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 Opeka from Carolina Journal and Mitch ...

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 importance of healthy main streets a...