Carolina Journal | Carolina Journal Radio

Parents with school-aged kids want and expect their children’s schools to respond to their needs. John Locke Foundation Education Policy Analyst Terry Stoops analyzed the state’s 115 school districts to assess how well they provide children a sound, basic education in a stable and safe school environment that is responsive to the needs of children and the concerns of parents. He'll discuss his findings. Then the subject turns to the state budget. Since the $21 billion budget is the most important item state lawmakers address each year, you might expect that legislators spend hours scouring proposals, making suggestions, and haggling over details. The process is actually quite different. Rep. John Blust, R-Guilford, offers a critique of the budget-writing procedure. John Locke Foundation Fiscal Policy Analyst Joe Coletti responds with his own assessment of the process. Next, it’s no surprise that a group called Americans for Tax Reform fights for lower taxes. In recent years, ATR also has turned its focus toward limits on government spending. That group’s Patrick Gleason addressed the issue during a recent Wake County forum on tax reform. Gleason says ATR is pursuing transparency in government spending issues. That’s followed by a closer look at Blackwater, the firm that has gained national attention for its work in Afghanistan and Iraq. You might be less familiar with the role the military security contractor plays as a major employer in eastern North Carolina. Jean Palmer-Moloney, associate professor of geography at Barton College, describes Blackwater’s impact on its surrounding communities. Then Locke Foundation Vice President for Research Becki Gray discusses the power structure of the N.C. General Assembly. Gray explains the priorities and bills likely to be debated next year under leadership of Democrats or Republicans. She also discusses the role of the rules committees, which can be used to bury bills legislative leaders don’t want to consider.

History

Since 1991, Carolina Journal – the monthly newspaper of the John Locke Foundation – has provided thousands of readers with in-depth reporting, informed analysis, and incisive commentary about the most pressing state and local issues in North Carolina. With a particular emphasis on state government, politics, the General Assembly, education, and local government, Carolina Journal has offered unique insights and ideas to the public policy debate.

Its related newsletter, Carolina Journal Weekly Report, delivers timely news and analysis by fax and email. And its popular web site, Carolina Journal.com, serves as a “one-stop shop” for elected officials, government leaders, journalists, lobbyists, and political insiders who visit every day to read exclusive stories, commentaries, and daily news links to the best reporting and commentary in the North Carolina print and broadcast media.

Now Carolina Journal’s trademark blend of news, analysis, and commentary is available on the airwaves as Carolina Journal Radio.

A weekly, one-hour newsmagazine, Carolina Journal Radio is hosted by Donna Martinez and Mitch Kokai and features a diverse mix of guests and topics. Education reform, tax policy, the state legislature, affirmative action, air pollution, freedom of the press and the courts – these are just a few of the subjects that Carolina Journal Radio has tackled since the program began production in 2003.

Currently broadcast each weekend on 20 commercial radio stations – from the mountains to the coast – Carolina Journal Radio is a one-of-a-kind program that seeks to inform and elevate the discussion of North Carolina most critical issues, and to do so in a fair, entertaining, and thought-provoking way.

Carolina Journal Radio Podcast

New for 2006, Carolina Journal Radio is now available as a podcast, for listening directly on your computer, or synching to a portable MP3 player, such as an iPod. You will need a podcast application, such as iTunes (available for Windows and Mac OS X) to access the podcast. New episodes will be posted the week after they air on the radio.

If you are using iTunes, you can subscribe to the podcast via this direct link to CJ Radio at the iTunes Music Store. To subscribe to the podcast with another application: right-click on the orange feed icon, copy the link, and paste it into the subscription field of your podcasting software (in iTunes, go to the "Advanced" menu and select "Subscribe to Podcast").

For More Information

The program is a co-production of the John Locke Foundation and Carolina Broadcasting Systems Inc., both based in Raleigh. Inquiries about guests and topics should be directed to the Locke Foundation at 919-828-3876. Inquiries about the show’s production, distribution, and advertising opportunities should be directed to Carolina Broadcasting at 919-832-1416.

Listeners who would like to receive a weekly email containing advance notice of upcoming Carolina Journal Radio guests and topics should email Mitch Kokai.

Where to Hear the Program

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of additional stations joining the network.

Interested North Carolinians can also subscribe to a monthly tape or CD containing two full-length episodes of Carolina Journal Radio. It’s a great way to catch up on programs listeners may have missed or for those without a local affiliate to listen to the show. Contact Mitch Kokai for more information.

Carolina Journal Radio

This week's program

History

Carolina Journal Radio Podcast

For More Information

Where to Hear the Program