Something’s gotta give

Stein proposes $3B spending increase, raises, tax cuts, voucher freeze

At a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. Josh Stein laid out his proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, the same day as when the state legislature began its short session.

Democrats call for Leandro funding after court loss

Democratic lawmakers marked the start of North Carolina's legislative short session by renewing their push to fund the Leandro school spending plan. Rep. Julie von Haefen, D-Wake, filed House Bill 1017 — her seventh attempt — just three weeks after the state Supreme Court dismissed the 32-year-old Leandro case.

Judge will not reconsider dismissal of NC foster care lawsuit

A federal judge has denied plaintiffs’ request to reconsider a September order dismissing a lawsuit challenging conditions in North Carolina’s foster care system.

AI isn’t the layoff story. It’s the cover story.

In the case of AI and layoffs, the reality is not that machines have suddenly replaced people, but that organizations are using new tools to accelerate changes that were already underway, which means the real question for policymakers is not how to stop that process, but how to ensure that the benefits of it are broadly shared, and the costs are not quietly shifted onto those least equipped to absorb them.