Carolina Journal

Jackson rejects Duke Energy deal, says 6.8% rate hike too high

A settlement in the Duke Energy Progress rate case that would raise residential electric bills about 6.8% over the next two years as opposed to their original request of 18.1% is still too high according to North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson.

4th Circuit upholds six-year sentence in NC healthcare fraud case

The 4th US Circuit of Appeals has upheld a conviction and six-year prison sentence for a man convicted of taking part in a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud in North Carolina.

CJ Staff

NCDOL recovers record $3.7M in unpaid wages for NC workers

A record-breaking $3.7 million in unpaid wages have been recovered by the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) for workers in 89 of the state’s 100 counties.

Elon pollster: Senate race likely to tighten despite Cooper’s 11-point lead

A new Elon University Poll shows Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley 53% to 42% among likely voters in North Carolina's US Senate race. But the poll's director expects the contest to tighten, noting the race is nearly even among the half of voters who actually know the little-known Republican.

David N. Bass

Stein signs 4 bills, blasts ‘petty’ limits on his power

On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Stein signed four bills into law, despite the fact that one of those further reduces his appointment powers and other changes under his office.

Federal hemp fight puts Budd at center of debate also dividing NC legislature

The federal hemp fight comes as North Carolina lawmakers remain divided over similar restrictions on THC products and how far state regulation should go.

Andrew Pomeranz

State boards clash in court over concealed handgun training rules

North Carolina’s second-highest court will decide in the coming months whether a state agency had authority to mandate rules for training courses linked to local concealed handgun permits.

CJ Staff

$600M STERIS investment promises 335 jobs to Sanford, with state aid

STERIS to invest to bring manufacturing facility to Sanford partially funded by JDIG.

Katherine Zehnder

Featured

Jennifer Balkcom to replace Edwards on NC-11 ballot

Rep. Jennifer Balkcom was selected by NC-11 Republicans to replace Chuck Edwards on the November ballot and will face Democrat Jamie Ager.

Nick Craig

Energy policy should start with the people who pay the bills

Instead of asking whether electricity bills are high, the Energy Poverty Index asks a more meaningful question: high for whom?

Kelly Lester

Stein pulls Smythe DPS nomination, blames NC Senate for inaction

The governor has appointed NC DPS Chief of Staff Casandra Hoekstra to serve as interim secretary while a search is conducted to find the next permanent secretary.

Cartoon

Lemonade stand

The governing method behind Tillis’ latest deal

The governing style frustrating much of the Republican base is the same one Tillis developed in Raleigh, long before he arrived in Washington.

Donna King

Poll

May 2026 — Cooper’s lead over Whatley in Senate race widens

Opinion

Jon Sanders

Fix high power bills by ditching bad policies

Donald Bryson

2 studies could put NC students at center of public education

Jacob Rogers

NC’s population is booming. Our housing market is not.

Watch This

Carolina Journal’s Donna King analyzes new NC budget

Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses key pieces of North Carolina’s new state budget. King offered these comments during the July 10, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donna King

America 250 and The Battle of Moore”s Creek Bridge

In this special episode of The Debrief, Jeff Moore sits down with Bob Rosser to discuss Running the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge and the Revolutionary War history behind one of North Carolina’s most important early battles. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this conversation explores the people, places, and legacy of Moores Creek —...

NC’s Booming Sports Betting Industry + Gov. Stein’s DPS Selection

This week on The Debrief, The Center Square’s Alan Wooten joins the show with the latest on North Carolina’s booming sports betting industry as state revenues approach the $300 million mark ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Plus, the Carolina Journal team examines growing controversy surrounding Gov. Josh Stein’s selection to lead North Carolina’s Department...

Locke’s Donald Bryson assesses proposed Duke Energy rate hike

John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson discusses the factors contributing to Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike. Bryson offered these comments during the July 24, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donald Bryson

Polls

March 2026 — Roy Cooper leads Michael Whatley in Senate Race by nearly 8 points

RALEIGH — With primary season officially over in North Carolina, all eyes are set on North Carolina’s US Senate race. According to the latest Carolina Journal Poll, a survey of 600 likely North Carolina voters, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper (48.9%) leads Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley (41.1%) by 7.8 points. Among registered...

February 2026 — Whatley holds 30-point lead, 50% unsure in GOP Senate primary

More than 38% of likely Republican primary voters say they support Michael Whatley to win next week’s US Senate primary election in North Carolina, according to the latest Carolina Journal Poll. Whatley holds a 30-point lead over second-place candidate Don Brown, at 7.5%. Yet 50% of those surveyed indicated they were unsure about who they would support in...

January 2026 — North Carolinians want to choose their public school

RALEIGH — This week marks the 16th annual National School Choice Week. Every year, in recognition of National School Choice Week, the Carolina Journal Poll surveys likely North Carolina voters on matters of education. In this year’s poll, voters continued to show strong support for school choice programs, such as open enrollment, the Opportunity Scholarship...

May 2026 — Cooper’s lead over Whatley in Senate race widens

RALEIGH — Former Governor Roy Cooper has expanded his lead in the race for North Carolina’s US Senate seat. The latest Carolina Journal Poll found that 49.8% of likely North Carolina voters support Cooper, while 38.7% support former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. These results indicate an 11.1-point lead for Cooper — a noteworthy...

State Government

Fix high power bills by ditching bad policies

We seek repeal of the Carbon Plan law. Why? Because it requires replacing working, baseload power plants with expensive, unreliable new renewable facilities paid for by rate increases.

Jon Sanders

Jackson rejects Duke Energy deal, says 6.8% rate hike too high

NCDOL recovers record $3.7M in unpaid wages for NC workers

A record-breaking $3.7 million in unpaid wages have been recovered by the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) for workers in 89 of the state’s 100 counties.

Report: Crime mostly down in Raleigh, Charlotte as US crime declines

With some exceptions, crime is down in North Carolina's major cities, according to mid year report.

Katherine Zehnder

Federal Government

Report: Crime mostly down in Raleigh, Charlotte as US crime declines

With some exceptions, crime is down in North Carolina's major cities, according to mid year report.

Katherine Zehnder

4th Circuit upholds six-year sentence in NC healthcare fraud case

The 4th US Circuit of Appeals has upheld a conviction and six-year prison sentence for a man convicted of taking part in a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud in North Carolina.

CJ Staff

Federal hemp fight puts Budd at center of debate also dividing NC legislature

The federal hemp fight comes as North Carolina lawmakers remain divided over similar restrictions on THC products and how far state regulation should go.

Andrew Pomeranz

Congress could undermine NC’s biotech boom

Patients in countries with government price-setting systems often wait longer for access to new medicines and have access to less than half as many treatments for complex conditions like cancer, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, and rare diseases.

Laura Gunter