News

Budget failsafe means negotiations unlikely as lawmakers return to Raleigh

For the first time in state history, the governor is introducing a budget proposal in August. The fiscal year is already under way, but North Carolina’s budget is almost two years old. Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, wants to spend $25 billion on a slew of ambitious priorities — from expanding Medicaid to increasing unemployment...

Julie Havlak

JLF’s Mitch Kokai discusses new study of economic lockdowns’ impact

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses work by a Harvard economist and epidemiologist to seek alternatives to economic lockdowns during a pandemic. Kokai offered these comments during the Aug. 28, 2020, edition of UNC-TV’s “Front Row with Marc Rotterman.”

JLF experts analyze Republican National Convention

John Locke Foundation Chairman John Hood and Senior Vice President Becki Gray assess the 2020 Republican National Convention. Hood and Gray offered these comments during the Aug. 28, 2020, edition of “NC SPIN.”

John Hood, Becki Gray

Top senator labels latest Cooper lawsuit ‘another power grab’

The N.C. Senate’s leader on election law issues is blasting the latest lawsuit from Gov. Roy Cooper. The suit challenges the makeup of a state body that oversees government rules. “It’s another power grab, plain and simple,” said Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, in a news release. Hise co-chairs the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Elections Oversight...

CJ Staff

Carolina Journal’s Rick Henderson analyzes the Republican National Convention

Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses key messages from the 2020 Republican National Convention. Henderson offered these comments during an interview with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.

Rick Henderson

Standardized tests convey crucial data

As recently as 2019, North Carolina schools ranked seventh in the country in value-added performance. In 2024, we were 32nd.

John Hood

Seed to shelf: Why NC’s nicotine rules should apply to vapes, too

Walk into any given convenience store or smoke shop and buy a vape. No one can tell you where it was made or what is in it, and there’s no guarantee the clerk bothers to ID.

Isaac Carter

When effort becomes optional: Why NC should end grade floors

Under a grade floor, sometimes called a “no zero” rule, students cannot receive below a pre-determined score (often 50% or 60%), even if they never hand in a single assignment during that period.

Bryce Fiedler

NC business owner offers lesson in comparative advantage

Danny Batten doesn't need to spout economic theory to put a key free-market principle to work for his New Bern and Edenton stores.

Jaleeyah’s Law is only the 1st step in tackling NC gang violence

While Jaleeyah’s Law is a step in the right direction, it’s not the only place to which lawmakers need to turn their attention.

Spencer Bluth

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.

Donna King

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.

Donna King

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

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...

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.”

Donna King

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).

NC Senate OKs teen social media ban, Batch pushes to go further

The NC Senate unanimously passed a ban on social media accounts for children under 14, rejecting four Democratic amendments — including a sweeping push from Minority Leader Sydney Batch to extend parental consent to older teens and rein in AI chatbots.

David N. Bass

NC House advances bill prohibiting hemp-derived products under 21

A bill prohibting the possesion and sale of hemp-derived and Kratom products by any under 21 was voted throught to the House Rules Committee.

Katherine Zehnder

NC ranks No. 36 in bipartisan state report card

A bipartisan Tulane report ranks North Carolina No. 36 of 51 states across 31 quality-of-life measures, with slipping eighth-grade reading scores among the weak spots even as math improves.

David N. Bass

NC lawmakers debate $10 strip club fee amid 1st Amendment concerns

NC lawmakers consider a $10 fee on strip clubs serving alcohol, sparking debate over sexual assault funding and First Amendment rights.

Andrew Pomeranz

Boosting civic knowledge among young adults is no simple task

The future of American civic life depends on students' continued willingness to learn real lessons from the nation's past.

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...

David Larson