News

Cawthorn faces tough questions on attendance, driving, and Russia

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, N.C.-11, is facing criticism on several fronts as he begins his re-election campaign in his far-western N.C. home district. Cawthorn previously stated he would move to a district closer to Charlotte to run for re-election. At the time, he stated he “did not want to see a go along to get...

CJ Staff
News

State Supreme Court rules government retirees had contractual health care right

The N.C. Supreme Court has ruled, 4-2, that 220,000 state government retirees had a contractual right to premium-free health care benefits that had been promised to them. Now a trial court will have to determine whether state changes to those benefits a decade ago violated the contract. The decision reverses the state Court of Appeals,...

CJ Staff
News

Democrats’ ‘no’ votes on Free the Smiles veto override follow common pattern

Neither state Senate Democrat who initially voted for the Free the Smiles legislation last month was willing to stick with that “yes” vote this week. Both of their “yes” votes turned into “no” when they had a chance to help override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the school masking measure. The flip from “yes” to...

Mitch Kokai
News

N.C. House passes resolution supporting Ukraine, adjourns marathon session

The N.C. House on Thursday passed a resolution supporting Ukraine before following the Senate’s lead and voting to adjourn its long-running session. “This is the longest long session in the history of the state, and this is a record I hope we don’t try to break,” said N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland. The Ukraine...

Theresa Opeka
News

Berger: No end in sight to ongoing COVID state of emergency

N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, says the governor’s long-running COVID state of emergency is now the “status quo.” “For 730 days,” Berger said in a statement Thursday, March 10, “Gov. Roy Cooper has kept North Carolina in a state of emergency, even as COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines have disappeared.” Emergency declarations are typically reserved...

John Trump

Opinion

Elections

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
News

Federal judge allows challenge of 225,000 NC voter registrations to move forward

A federal judge will allow state and national Republican groups to move forward with their lawsuit challenging 225,000 voter registrations in North Carolina. An order issued Friday denied requests from the State Board of Elections and Democratic National Committee to have the case dismissed.

CJ Staff

Videos

Video

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 —...

Video

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...

Video

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...

Video

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...

Culture

Civil Society