News

Friday Interview: Rebutting Minimum Wage Myths

RALEIGH — “We must raise the minimum wage.” That is one mantra emanating from progressives across the country and here in North Carolina. Progressive support for a mandated minimum wage is nothing new, nor are the likely negative impacts on the low-skilled workers the higher wage is supposed to be help. Dr. Roy Cordato, John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research and Resident Scholar, discussed the economics of the minimum wage with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.

CJ Staff
Video

JLF’s Terry Stoops discusses N.C. opportunity scholarships in 2015

Dr. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation director of research and education studies, discusses the outlook for North Carolina’s opportunity scholarships in 2015. Stoops offered these comments during an interview with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio (Program No. 610).

Terry Stoops
News

Incentive Battle To Be Renewed In Legislature

RALEIGH — Gov. Pat McCrory is championing more incentives money for the tapped-out Job Development Investment Grant program to lure corporate interests to the state, and for lawmakers to enact legislation achieving that goal in the early weeks of the new session. Without more money to wave at potential corporate prospects, North Carolina will not be competitive with other states, McCrory has said.

Dan Way
News

UNC Seeks To Enhance Its ‘Global Brand’

RALEIGH — One proposal being reviewed by the Board of Governors seeks to boost UNC’s international reach and enhance its “global brand.” It calls for $400,000 of new annual state funding to help link students, faculty, and staff with regions “critical to the state’s economic and strategic future,” namely China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Africa. Building those relationships, a report states, would “prepare students to succeed in the global economy.”

Jesse Saffron
Video

James Piereson responds to Thomas Piketty’s economic arguments

James Piereson, president of the William E. Simon Foundation and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, responds to highly publicized arguments about income inequality from French economist Thomas Piketty. Piereson offered these comments during an interview for Carolina Journal Radio (Program No. 609).

News

Eminent Domain Amendment Gets Another Chance

RALEIGH — Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, has filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit condemnation of private property for any reason other than a public use. It also would require just compensation when condemnation procedures are used, and would allow sides in condemnation lawsuits to demand a jury trial.

Barry Smith
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Elections

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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
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Videos

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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...

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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
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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
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