News

Daylight-saving clock shifting continues in NC despite legislative effort

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information on the U.S. Senate’s vote on Tuesday March 14, 2022 to make Daylight Savings Time permanent. There aren’t many things that bring people from all sides together politically these days. But ending the practice of putting our clocks forward in the spring then backward in...

N.C. Appeals Court rules Greenville red-light camera program unconstitutional

A unanimous three-judge panel of the N.C. Court of Appeals has ruled Greenville’s red-light camera program unconstitutional. The judges agreed the program does not provide enough of its proceeds to local schools. In a separate case, the same panel rejected an argument that Greenville’s Red Light Camera Enforcement Program violated a constitutional ban on local...

CJ Staff

Late COVID unemployment checks tangled in red tape, according to new state audit

Nearly half a billion dollars in first-time unemployment benefits in North Carolina were not paid out in a timely manner during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s according to an audit released from State Auditor Beth Wood’s office on Monday. The Division of Employment Security didn’t issue $438 million of first unemployment benefit payments during...

Theresa Opeka

N.C.’s Right to Work law turns 75, experts weigh in on workers’ rights

North Carolina on Friday, March 18, will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Right to Work law. The purpose and meaning of Right to Work are explained in a new report, “Pro-Worker, Pro-Growth Making Right-to-Work Permanent in North Carolina,” by F. Vincent Vernuccio and available on the website of the John Locke Foundation, which commissioned...

John Trump

Gunshot-detection system targets spiraling gun violence in Durham

In 2021, Durham’s homicide rate jumped by 30%, reaching a record of 50 murders for the year. City leaders have been scrambling for solutions, and by a 4-3 vote, decided to adopt a pilot program for the gunshot-detection system ShotSpotter. ShotSpotter is used by 120 police departments across the country — including New York City,...

Social Security insolvency would be a disaster for NC seniors

In our latest CJ Poll, one of the highest concerns among voters was Social Security and Medicare, the two behemoth entitlement programs that seniors rely on after retirement.

Federalist 22: Other defects of the present confederation, continued…

Laws are a dead letter without courts to expound and define their true meaning and operation.

Alexander Hamilton

NC House bill would ignore SCOTUS at women’s expense

HB 1120 would require pregnancy centers receiving state funding to publicize confidential financial information, staff credentials, and services provided.

Susan Bane

Time to change NC’s outdated ready-to-drink cocktail laws

NC law should not force consumers toward malt-based alternatives simply because those products fit more neatly into older regulatory categories.

Philip Foreman

NC bill blurs AI policy, social media rules

I’m not saying government should stand by and do nothing, but we should certainly be wary of creating broad new authorities for state government without clear evidence that the benefits outweigh the costs.

Should NC reform its primary system? The case to return to 40% threshold

In a Carolina Journal poll conducted shortly after the November elections, 43% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the results of the 2024 primaries, stating that they did not produce the best candidates for the general election. While 46% were satisfied and 10% were unsure, the significant level of dissatisfaction highlights potential issues within North Carolina’s primary system.

Boliek sworn in as state auditor, says he’ll start with audit of DMV

On Wednesday, Dave Boliek was sworn in as the new state auditor of North Carolina and announced his hires for senior staff and says he will start work with an audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Katherine Zehnder

2024 in review: A year of civic engagement in NC

The year 2024 was marked by significant developments across politics, the economy, education, and energy in North Carolina. As one of the nation’s most dynamic and closely watched states, it played a pivotal role in shaping regional and national conversations.

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

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

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

Bridge Safety, Abolishing The US Dept of Ed, and Teen Social Media Rules

This week on The Debrief, we break down the latest on Helene recovery efforts and Lake Lure bridge safety, where rebuilding, public access and long-term infrastructure questions remain front and center. We also bring you an update on North Carolina’s budget process, examine the renewed push to abolish the US Department of Education and what...

The Debrief: Remaining Covid Lawsuits + Sam Hayes Interview

This week on The Debrief, Mitch Kokai and Donna King discuss the remaining covid lawsuits and other court cases in North Carolina. Plus, North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes sat down with Carolina Journal’s Theresa Opeka to talk about his first year in office, including his accomplishments and what’s on the...

Carolina Journal’s Donna King analyzes NC state budget debate

Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses major developments in North Carolina’s ongoing state budget debate. King offered these comments during the May 15, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

UNC-Asheville whistleblower complaint explored

Carolina Journal reporter David Bass speaks with former University of North Carolina at Asheville research assistant Aidan Settman about his whistleblower complaint against the university.

David N. Bass

Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes NC’s marquee Senate race

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses North Carolina’s high-profile US Senate race. Kokai offered these comments during an April 21, 2026, interview with WNCN (CBS17).

Mitch Kokai

Locke’s Donald Bryson analyzes NC teacher pay proposals

John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson discusses current ideas for raising teacher pay in North Carolina. Bryson offered these comments during the April 10, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donald Bryson

Social media, AI safety bill advances in NC Senate

Social media bill is quickly advancing through the General Assembly, Democrats say it may not go far enough.

Katherine Zehnder

NC bill blurs AI policy, social media rules

I’m not saying government should stand by and do nothing, but we should certainly be wary of creating broad new authorities for state government without clear evidence that the benefits outweigh the costs.

NC passed on buying part of the Carolina Hurricanes

As the Carolina Hurricanes continue to make their way through the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, state Treasurer Brad Briner made known that North Carolina was presented with the opportunity to buy part of the franchise last year, but passed.

Theresa Opeka

UNC uses bridge funds for DEI-targeted research

The federal ban, and a new UNC Board of Governors policy emphasizing free speech and nondiscrimination, have not ended research targeted by the Trump administration for promoting left-wing racial and gender ideology.

Ashley Dowdney

Task force examines state gang violence strategy

Several participants suggested modern institutions have become more isolated, more bureaucratic, and less connected to the communities they serve.

Annie Dance

A post-Thanksgiving reflection on gratitude over grievance

Outrage won’t solve our problems. And it won’t prepare us for tomorrow. What is needed now is a sense of redemption and reasons to feel hopeful.

Michael Cooper

The importance of civic engagement 250 years after the founding

What YMCA's Youth and Government program is doing is remarkable. This year’s conference garnered interest from NC state legislators, mayors, policy analysts, and state officials.

Drew DiMeglio

Institute fosters stronger public leadership

Times change. When we introduce IOPL to potential fellows, partners, and donors, some hear the word “political” and think “toxic,” or at least “partisan.”

John Hood

NC leaders champion post-election unity through ‘Civic Saturdays’

Like a faith gathering, it incorporated music, fellowship, shared meals, and thoughtful discourse — but with democracy as its central theme.

Ashlynn Warta

For healthy civil society, politics needs to stay in its lane

Political and cultural causes are important. They motivate us to make the world around us better and hone our sense of justice. Also, the excitement of fighting the good fight can be, for lack of a better word, fun. But everything has its time and place. And even if we think a particular political issue...