The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT

Justice Allison Riggs has been officially sworn in for a new term on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Meanwhile, state judges ruled in favor of GOP legislative leaders over Governor Stein in a dispute regarding the Highway Patrol commander. A Democratic lawmaker has apologized after sharing a protest image that appeared to depict a beheaded President Trump. Also, North Carolina fishermen are pushing back against a Senate proposal ...

Aid is being directed to homeowners and businesses in western North Carolina following recent hardships. A new study ranks Charlotte’s DMV as the worst in the nation, drawing sharp criticism. Meanwhile, a Democratic state representative is under fire over a controversial social media post. A federal trial this week will focus on North Carolina’s election maps, potentially impacting future redistricting.

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A Wake County Democrat is under fire for sharing an image depicting a beheaded President Trump. JetZero has announced plans for a $4.7 billion manufacturing facility in Greensboro, expected to bring major economic benefits. A new state law has established an investment oversight board to manage North Carolina’s public retirement funds. U.S. Senator Ted Budd has introduced the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 to improve wi...

Lawmakers are proposing a 1% sales tax to fund Charlotte transportation projects, and a new bill would require schools to evaluate the long-term costs of educational technology. Wolfspeed has announced layoffs at its materials factory in Siler City. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Senate has passed new immigration enforcement bills, signaling GOP priorities ahead of the 2026 elections. The week wrapped with a flurry of legislative ac...

The North Carolina legislature has passed a constitutional carry bill, now awaiting the governor’s decision. President Trump announced that FEMA will cease operations after the 2025 hurricane season, citing plans to shift disaster response strategies. The NC House voted to repeal the state’s 2030 carbon reduction mandate, with supporters claiming the move could save $15 billion. Additionally, a new bill would mandate ex...

President Trump visited Fort Bragg to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday, highlighting military pride and national defense. Meanwhile, Governor Stein’s cannabis advisory council is expected to support setting 21 as the legal age for THC products and backing broader adult-use reform. On the economic front, new tariffs are raising concerns for North Carolina’s agriculture sector, particularly impacting John Deere a...

President Trump is scheduled to visit Fort Bragg in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday. North Carolina auto insurance rates are expected to rise by an average of 5%, according to reports. Opportunity Scholarships saved the state $10 million last school year, and North Carolina remains one of the few states without a law requiring tobacco sales to begin at age 21. The 2025 NCGOP Convention was recapped by party chairman Jason ...

Governor Stein raised concerns about FEMA’s future during a recent hurricane season press briefing. He also signed onto a letter criticizing the National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, lawmakers are debating the return of a sales tax holiday in North Carolina, with questions over who would truly benefit. The DMV is warning residents about fraudulent text scams, and the State Board of Elections is investig...

North Carolina lawmakers have approved a health care bill aimed at lowering costs and rolling back parts of the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) regulations. Republicans are preparing to target vulnerable Democrats over recent immigration-related votes. President Trump has announced new U.S.-China trade talks following a 90-minute call with President Xi. Meanwhile, a proposed energy bill would repeal the state’s 70% ca...

A $27 million storm relief center in Swannanoa is under scrutiny following a critical state audit. A North Carolina student who was suspended for using the term "illegal alien" will receive a public apology as part of a settlement agreement. Amazon has announced plans to build a $10 billion AI data center in Richmond County. Meanwhile, new steel tariffs are causing concern in North Carolina’s auto sector, and the U.S. Supreme...

The "Freedom to Carry" bill is advancing in the North Carolina legislature, though the governor has signaled an impending veto. Homeowners across the state are seeing increased insurance rates as of this past weekend. President Trump’s 50% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum have taken effect, creating uncertainty for North Carolina’s steel industry. Meanwhile, a tourism campaign in Western North Carolina highlights ...

The North Carolina House is set to hear a proposal to repeal the state’s concealed carry permit requirement. Lawmakers are also debating whether to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21 in response to the youth vaping crisis. Joseph Harris of the John Locke Foundation provided updates on income tax discussions in the General Assembly, as well as developments related to NCInnovation and the state’s reserve funds. Meanwh...

Undercover footage appears to show a UNC official disregarding the state’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) ban. North Carolina is seeing the effects of a federal crackdown on crime by illegal immigrants. The U.S. Department of Justice has sued North Carolina over the state registering voters with incomplete information. The Information Technology Reserve Fund is under new scrutiny, and state analysts have lowered the r...

A federal trade court has struck down former President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. Dr. Andy Jackson from the John Locke Foundation provided analysis on the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Court of Appeals is set to hear a case examining UNC’s potential involvement in the origins of COVID-19.

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Federal officials have filed a lawsuit over alleged inaccuracies in North Carolina’s voter list. House Speaker Tim Moore has introduced a bill aimed at closing radar coverage gaps in high-risk areas. Former President Trump is delaying tariffs on the European Union, while Apple’s iPhone exports from India to the U.S. have surged 76% as part of efforts to reduce reliance on China. The North Carolina Supreme Court has rule...

NOAA is predicting an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. FEMA has once again denied North Carolina's request for extended relief funding related to Hurricane Helene, and a new audit highlighting the state's disaster-response failures is set to be released on July 1. The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that State Auditor Jessica Holmes Boliek can maintain her appointments to the state elections board. Meanwhile, tar...

A Charlotte City Council member has been indicted on federal charges. At Fort Bragg’s All-American Week, Pete Hegseth delivered a message of support along with promises of pay raises for service members. A bill requiring schools to teach the risks of social media use is advancing in the legislature, while Speaker Hall remains optimistic as the House budget moves forward. The NC Senate is considering a bill targeting political...

The state auditor is investigating a secret settlement between the City of Charlotte and its police chief. Former Vice President Mike Pence and North Carolina leaders addressed growing economic uncertainty driven by tariffs. Durham-based semiconductor manufacturer Wolfspeed is expected to file for bankruptcy within weeks. The NC House has proposed an additional $450 million in Helene relief and is drawing comparisons between its bu...