News

JLF’s Terry Stoops discusses N.C. support for helping disadvantaged students

Dr. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research, discusses a recent N.C. poll showing support for students with special needs and economic disadvantages. Stoops offered these comments during an interview with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.

Terry Stoops

Birth center advocates caution against overzealous regulations

Impulsive legislative action over four infant deaths at a Cary natural birth center operated by midwives could limit access to a healthy, lower-cost alternative for expectant mothers, says one of North Carolina’s top nurse midwives. We may fall further behind other states in access to midwifery as a result. “This is a super upsetting situation...

Dan Way

JLF’s Terry Stoops discusses new Read to Achieve funding

Dr. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research, discusses new funding tied to North Carolina’s Read to Achieve program. Stoops offered these comments during the April 8, 2018, edition of Spectrum News’ “In Focus with Loretta Boniti.”

Terry Stoops

JLF’s Mitch Kokai discusses prospects for U.S./China trade war

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the possibility of a trade war pitting the United States against China. Kokai offered these comments during the April 6, 2018, edition of UNC-TV’s “Front Row with Marc Rotterman.”

Mitch Kokai

JLF’s Becki Gray assesses N.C. school funding issues

Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, answers host Tom Campbell’s question about N.C. school funding. This exchange took place during the April 6, 2018, edition of “NC SPIN.”

Becki Gray

Real journalism requires freedom

When the role of journalist is limited only to those who parrot approved messaging, it is no longer journalism but something else — propaganda.

David Larson

My county commissioners give themselves ‘performance’ bonuses

Commissioners automatically receive the highest-tier "exceptional" bonus every year. Unlike every other employee, they do not receive it based on a performance evaluation, according to the Orange County Public Information Officer.

Spencer Bluth

Many still need to be held to account for NC COVID response

While Congress attempts to extract answers from Fauci, NC’s General Assembly should do the same with respect to Cooper, Cohen, and the state officials who implemented the same approach.

Don Brown

Federalist 32: Concerning the general power of taxation, cont…

An entire consolidation of the States into one complete national sovereignty would imply an entire subordination of the parts; and whatever powers might remain in them, would be altogether dependent on the general will.

Alexander Hamilton

Fix high power bills by ditching bad policies

We seek repeal of the Carbon Plan law. Why? Because it requires replacing working, baseload power plants with expensive, unreliable new renewable facilities paid for by rate increases.

Jon Sanders

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

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

Locke’s Donald Bryson assesses proposed Duke Energy rate hike

John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson discusses the factors contributing to Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike. Bryson offered these comments during the July 24, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donald Bryson

Carolina Journal’s Donna King analyzes new NC budget

Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses key pieces of North Carolina’s new state budget. King offered these comments during the July 10, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donna King

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 —...

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...

Exclusive video: Brittany Boltinhouse, Miss North Carolina USA, sits down with CJ

Brittany Boltinhouse was crowned Miss North Carolina USA in June of 2026, but two days ago she was stripped of her title. The Miss USA organization says Boltinhouse did not uphold their organization’s standards but she believes her Mormon faith and outspoken conservative views may have played a role in the decision.

Donna King

Ceuta’s border collapse is a warning for NC

State lines and county boundaries provide no protection from a federal government that has lost control of who enters and who remains.

Colton Overcash

Voting by foot works quite well

If you don’t like key characteristics of your community, including how it is governed, you and your family can move somewhere else.

John Hood

Book review: Leftist delusions threaten ‘permanent things’

"Manufacturing Delusion" is a deeply-researched, intellectually rigorous, yet readable volume that should occupy a prominent spot on the shelf of every American concerned about the future of our republic.

Charles Davenport

Shaggin’ season: Carolina beach music dances on after 80 years

As the original generations of shag fans hand in their dance cards to another wave, Carolina beach music’s ability to transcend regional and racial boundaries, to bridge generational gaps, and to evolve along the way have all helped ensure that it will stand the test of time.

Ben Sellers

Civil discourse and the art of disagreement

To restore healthy public discourse, each of us must become better listeners. Civil discourse is not a competition with winners and losers; it is a deliberate and respectful exchange of ideas.

Craig Horn

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