News

Lawmakers seek to throw out portions of two federal redistricting lawsuits

North Carolina legislative leaders are asking a three-judge federal panel to throw out portions of two lawsuits challenging the state’s congressional and legislative election maps. Lawyers for top Republican lawmakers filed a motion Friday for partial summary judgment in the two suits, Williams v. Hall and North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP v. Berger. Both cases are scheduled for trial next summer.

CJ Staff
News

Folwell hopeful for North Carolina’s financial future as he leaves office

On his 95th and last “Ask Me Anything” call with reporters Tuesday, North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell reflected on his time as the 28th keeper of the public purse and what he thinks lies ahead for him and the state.

Theresa Opeka
Video

The Debrief: The NCGOP challenges 60,000 ballots across four different races

In this week’s Debrief, the North Carolina General Assembly ends 2024 with big moves to shift power for 2025, the NCGOP supports election protests of four different November races, and a new audit report is out on the $500 million taxpayer-paid project, NCInnovation.

News

House establishes new committee on Hurricane Helene Recovery efforts

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, has announced the creation of the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery, in which legislators will work to continue helping the people of Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene. The committee will be co-chaired by Reps. Dudley Greene, R-McDowell, and Majority Leader John Bell, R-Wayne, and will...

Brianna Kraemer
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Opinion

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Elections

Opinion

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
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
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Videos

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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Culture

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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
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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
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
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