News
FEMA political discrimination bill sees action in NC Senate
The Senate pushed forward a bill on disaster relief that also addresses concerns about political discrimination in the distribution of aid.
Carolina Journal
News
Charlotte City Council member indicted on federal charges
Charlotte Democrat Tiawana Brown and her daughters were indicted for allegedly fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds.
News
Hegseth delivers message of support and pay raises at Fort Bragg’s All-American Week
“We've had this day circled on our calendar in the Pentagon for quite some time,” he told the soldiers. “It is great to be here at Fort Bragg, it is Fort Bragg again. You know there's nothing wrong with liberty, give me liberty or give me death. I love it, but give me Fort Bragg every day of the week.”
News
Tariffs create uncertainty in NC steel industry
The recent tariffs and trade war have caused rampant uncertainty in the international market, significantly impacting US steel manufacturers.
News
House claws back $500M from NC Innovation to fund disaster recovery
"NCInnovation shall transfer back to the State, after consultation with, and in conformity with direction received from, the State Controller, the sum of five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000)," the legislation reads.
News
State auditor probes Charlotte’s secret settlement with CMPD chief
The North Carolina State Auditor’s Office has announced plans to formally investigate the City of Charlotte concerning a reported financial settlement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings.
News
Comparing reserve funds in House budget proposal to those in Senate budget
Appropriations in the House budget proposal would replenish the savings reserve to pre-Helene levels.
News
Durham-based Wolfspeed to file for bankruptcy within weeks
Wolfspeed, the semiconductor supplier headquartered in Durham, faces uncertainty as it prepares to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming weeks.
News
Fayetteville Map Act plaintiff makes pitch to top NC court
A plaintiff in one of two current Map Act cases at the North Carolina Supreme Court offered arguments this week that the state owes him for multiple infringements of his property rights. William Sanders' case is one of two current Map Act disputes at North Carolina's highest court.
Featured
Video
The Debrief: Court Blocks Josh Stein Win + ICE, DEI & Medicaid Battles in NC
In this episode of The Debrief, Carolina Journal breaks down major developments in North Carolina politics, including a court ruling that halts a win for Attorney General Josh Stein in an elections dispute and the latest updates in the Griffin v. Riggs case. We also cover key legislation moving through the General Assembly, including bills...
Opinion
Agriculture faces severe labor shortage
North Carolina farmers are among the nation’s most-frequent users of H-2A visas, accounting for about 7% of our total agricultural workforce.
News
BBQ Politics? How North Carolina’s sauce divide mirrors its voting behavior
In both barbecue sauce and politics, North Carolina’s “split personality” is rooted in centuries-old settlement patterns and evolving demographics. Barbecue here is a source of pride, and, like taste preferences nationally, voters in the Tar Heel State — or, shall we say, the Sauce State — are divided.
Video
Locke’s Mitch Kokai assesses NC Senate’s approach to NCInnovation funding
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the North Carolina Senate budget’s approach toward NCInnovation. Kokai offered these comments during the April 18, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
News
Tourism sets a new record in NC with over $36 billion spent in 2024
More than $36.7 billion was spent on tourism in NC in 2024, a record, and up from $35.6 billion in 2023, according to a press release issued by Gov. Josh Stein this week, which is also being recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week.
Poll
Opinion
Donna King
2 tales in 1 budget: Right-sizing government, wrong-turn on taxes
Jim Stirling
Independent thinkers: An endangered political species
John Hood
Cooper’s blunder still holds us back
Federal Government
News
Tariffs create uncertainty in NC steel industry
The recent tariffs and trade war have caused rampant uncertainty in the international market, significantly impacting US steel manufacturers.
News
Pence, NC leaders address economic uncertainty amid tariffs
North Carolina leaders and former Vice President Mike Pence discuss the climate of uncertainty caused by the current tariffs.
News
Federal Appeals Court splits on new plea deal for NC drug convict
A federal Appeals Court split 2-1 Tuesday on offering a new plea deal to a North Carolina man sentenced to more than 17 years in prison on drug charges. Edwin Leo Brown argued that his lawyers gave him bad advice that prompted him to reject an earlier deal in 2017.
News
Discrimination lawsuit against NC Symphony dismissed
Three former employees have dropped their lawsuit against the North Carolina Symphony. They had accused the Symphony of firing them in 2022 because of their refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19.