News

N.C. ranked 43rd in national survey of patient health care access

Robert Graboyes’ 93-year-old mother had a phone and an iPad, and she knew how to use them. Those skills probably saved her life. During a Facetime conversation a few years ago with her grandson, a medical doctor, she complained about a lingering sore. As Graboyes’ nephew watched her breathing and facial expressions, he knew something...

Dan Way
News

NCGA roundup: Property sellers would not have to disclose ‘wish list’ projects, under proposed bill

RALEIGH — Properties included in certain long-range “wish list” road projects would not have to be disclosed in real estate transactions, under a bill filed in the state House. The bill, House Bill 31, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Hastings, R-Gaston, would consider a property’s inclusion in a comprehensive transportation plan “not a material fact.” Comprehensive transportation...

Barry Smith
News

Kestrel Heights high school decision delayed until March

Students at Kestrel Heights high school are no closer to learning if their school will close, leaving them uncertain about what to do or where to go. The North Carolina State Board of Education was scheduled Wednesday to discuss the fate of the Durham-based charter school, which is shrouded in controversy over failure to provide...

Kari Travis
News

Bill aims to give motorcyclists equal access to roads, lots

State Rep. John Torbett has filed a bill aimed at giving motorcyclists equal access to roads and parking lots or decks that are open to the general public. Torbett, R-Gaston, said the bill (House Bill 28) is primarily aimed at parking lot and deck assess. “If it’s open to the general public, then motorcycles can’t...

Barry Smith
News

Critic of Trump immigration order says market should govern refugee flow

A leading critic of President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order limiting refugee resettlements into the United States says not only is the annual ceiling of 50,000 refugees too low, but also that the government should not set it. If the inflow of refugees were regulated by family members, individuals, organizations, and churches sponsoring refugees — the...

Dan Way

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

Locke’s Donald Bryson discusses SCOTUS case dealing with Trump’s emergency tariffs

Donald Bryson, John Locke Foundation CEO and Carolina Journal publisher, discusses the US Supreme Court case addressing President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs. Locke filed a joint amicus brief challenging the constitutionality of emergency tariffs. Bryson offered these comments during the Oct. 28, 2025, episode of Spectrum News’ “Capital Tonight.”

Donald Bryson
Video

Carolina Journal’s Donna King analyzes NC congressional redistricting plans

Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses the North Carolina General Assembly’s plans to redraw the state’s congressional election map. King offered these comments during the Oct. 17, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donna King
Video

Podcast: Revolutionary Roads

As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, this podcast explores North Carolina’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding — from the War of Regulation to the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and beyond. This 10-episode series, hosted by John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson, features guests with...

Video

The Debrief: Legislator arrested, Iryna’s Law aftermath, Oct. 7 remembered

This week on The Debrief, a Guilford County legislator’s arrest on sex-related charges prompts quick reaction from colleagues. Gov. Josh Stein chose an unusual way to signal his signing of Iryna’s Law. We discuss the governor’s video message and get expert analysis of the law’s potential impact. We also highlight a possible federal response. Lawmakers at the...

Video

Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes congressional hearing in Charlotte after light rail murder

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the congressional hearing conducted in Charlotte in connection with the high-profile Iryna Zarutska murder. Kokai offered these comments during the Oct. 3, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Mitch Kokai

Culture

Civil Society

Opinion

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
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