News

Gov Ops requests records about UNC-Chapel Hill coronavirus researcher Baric

As North Carolina House chairman of the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, has requested records from UNC-Chapel Hill regarding Dr. Ralph Baric and his work related to COVID-19.

Theresa Opeka
News

Budd Introduces National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

"By enabling the Forest Service to better conduct controlled burns of unchecked vegetation and scattered debris, we can protect our forests from catastrophic wildfires that may occur in the hottest months of the year."- Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC.

Katherine Zehnder

Opinion

Elections

News

Trump nominates Bishop to be deputy director for budget at OMB

"Dan has been a tireless fighter for our MAGA Movement in the House of Representatives on the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees," Trump said in a press release issued Tuesday night. "Dan will implement my cost-cutting and deregulatory agenda across all Agencies, and root out the Weaponized Deep State."

Theresa Opeka
News

Democrats want federal court to address GOP challenge of 60,000 NC ballots

The North Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit Friday to ensure challenges of 60,000 ballots in the state's latest election are addressed in federal court. Republicans filed the challenges with the State Board of Elections. The challenges could affect the outcome of the state Supreme Court race between Democrat Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin, along with a handful of state legislative contests.

CJ Staff
News

Griffin asks Appeals Court to order decision on election protests by Tuesday

Republican North Carolina Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin is turning to North Carolina’s second-highest court for an order that would force state election officials to make a final decision about Griffin’s election protests Tuesday. The State Board of Elections had planned to hear oral arguments about the protests the following day, according to a document Griffin filed Friday with the state Court of Appeals.

CJ Staff

Videos

Video

The Debrief: NC’s “Freedom to Carry” bill moves forward amid veto threat + $27M storm relief center audit

This week on The Debrief: We break down the advancement of the REINS Act in the North Carolina Senate and what it could mean for executive agency power. We also examine mounting scrutiny over a $27 million storm relief center in Swannanoa following a state audit. Plus, we discuss the latest developments on the “Freedom...

Video

The Debrief: Why the DOJ is suing NC, EU tariffs & DOGE updates

This week, Carolina Journal’s The Debrief dives into the DOJ’s lawsuit against North Carolina over alleged inaccuracies in its voter rolls. Then we look at the legal battle brewing over UNC’s possible ties to the origins of COVID-19 and what’s next after a state court agreed to hear the case. Plus, we break down new...

Video

The Debrief: Discussing the NC House and Senate budget plans

This week on The Debrief we examine the North Carolina House’s state budget plan. How do House budget writers’ proposals affect key government programs, state workers, and your tax burden? What lies ahead as the House and Senate begin negotiating a final budget deal?

Video

The Debrief: CJ’s new poll reveals NC voter opinions on tariffs, gender, and the economy

This week on The Debrief we break down brand new polling that reveals where North Carolina voters stand on hot-button issues. Carolina Journal analysts explore sharp divides on defining gender in state law, economic pessimism, and up-to-the-minute views on tariffs, manufacturing, and sports betting—offering clear insight into the state’s shifting political landscape.

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...

Culture

Civil Society

Opinion

Flashback: North Carolina’s Easter Monday tradition forged on the baseball diamond

On Good Friday state offices will be closed in North Carolina for Holy Week, along with 10 other states. However, that has not always been the case in North Carolina. The Monday after Easter — rather than Good Friday — was a legal holiday in North Carolina for 52 years, and for many years before...

Dallas Woodhouse
Video

Locke’s Mitch Kokai discusses New York Times’ warning about free speech

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the New York Times’ column warning about America’s “free-speech problem.” Kokai offered these comments during the March 25, 2022, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “Front Row with Marc Rotterman.”

Mitch Kokai