News

Friday Interview: Profiling Conservative American Heroes

RALEIGH — Ask a conservative to list his political heroes, and you are likely to hear names such as Ronald Reagan, Barry Goldwater, and William F. Buckley. Those looking further back in time might list Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Fewer people are likely to mention Nathaniel Macon or Josiah Bailey, unless they have read the latest book from Raleigh author Garland Tucker. Tucker, chairman and chief executive officer of Triangle Capital Corporation, profiles important figures from American history in the book Conservative Heroes: Fourteen Leaders Who Shaped America, From Jefferson to Reagan. Tucker discussed the book with Mitch Kokai for Carolina Journal Radio.

CJ Staff
News

Success of Local Bonds May Not Translate Statewide

RALEIGH — Voters in five municipalities passed all 16 bond referendums on Tuesday’s ballot, mostly by wide margins, but some political observers caution against reading too much into those results as a way of predicting the passage of a pending $2 billion state bond package, noting that local voters often translate the promises of direct benefits to their communities as reason to support a borrowing measure.

Dan Way
Video

JLF’s Jon Sanders assesses N.C. regulatory burden, touts REINS Act

Jon Sanders, John Locke Foundation director of regulatory studies, explains how a REINS Act could help limit future growth in regulatory costs that already reach at least $3.1 billion and as much as $25 billion in North Carolina. Sanders’ comments are linked to the report Reining In Regulation.

Jon Sanders
News

Expert: Salisbury’s Investment In 10 Gig Broadband ‘Silly’

SALISBURY — The city of Salisbury’s website boasts that it is “America’s first 10 gig city,” noting that anyone who connects to the municipal Fibrant broadband network has access to Internet connection speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second. But a technology analyst questions the wisdom of city leaders gambling with taxpayer funding over such a risky endeavor.

Barry Smith
More latest

Opinion

More 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
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
More Elections

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...

More Videos

Culture

News

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
News

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
More 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
More Civil Society