News
Follow the money: Out-of-state political fundraising reaches record high
Data shows political party fundraising coming from in-state versus out-of-state donors starkly differs between the two parties.
News
Cooper asks state’s high court to take up COVID bar shutdown case
Gov. Roy Cooper is asking the state Supreme Court to take up a case stemming from his shutdown of bars during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state Appeals Court ruled in April that Cooper had violated bar owners’ rights to the fruits of their labor and equal protection of the laws.
News
Bill would begin overhaul of NC’s public school performance grades system
A proposed bill in the North Carolina General Assembly would begin the process of revamping the state’s system of evaluating and grading public schools. The move would be in line with recommendations from Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt, who proposed the new approach earlier this year. Under the current system, schools are graded on...
News
NC a top relocation destination for Gen Z, Millennials
Republican-led states, including North Carolina, are among the most popular destinations for relocation for Generation Z and Millennials, according to a recent analysis of U.S. Census data. What does that mean for North Carolina?
News
RNC, NCGOP request declaratory ruling from NCSBE on absentee ballot rule, voter ID guidance
The RNC, NCGOP, and NRCC filed a 'request for Declaratory Ruling' Tuesday with the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) related to absentee ballot guidance and voter ID rules adopted by the NCSBE that Republicans believe are in conflict with state law.
News
Charlotte private school rebuts Turpins’ arguments at top NC court
A Charlotte private school is defending its decision to remove two students in 2021 after a dispute with the students’ parents. The defense appeared in a brief filed Monday with North Carolina’s highest court.
Opinion
Opinion
NC’s healthcare crisis: Too much spending, too little care
The two problems that remain are clear: there are too many middlemen, and too little money is reaching the people who actually deliver care to NC residents.
Opinion
University research needs better publishing guidelines
A UNC System spokesperson told CJ that they currently do not have any guidelines or best-practices on which journals professors should publish their research in and that those matters “are generally handled at the institutional, departmental or faculty level.”
Opinion
US Supreme Court removes last excuse for bathroom chaos at NC schools
There is no longer any credible legal basis to hide behind Title IX fears or outdated Fourth Circuit precedent.
Opinion
Federalist 27: Idea of restraining legislative authority in regard to common defense considered, cont…
The hope of impunity is a strong incitement to sedition; the dread of punishment, a proportionably strong discouragement to it.
Elections
News
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.
News
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.
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."
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.
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.
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...
Video
Carolina Journal’s Donna King analyzes NC state budget debate
Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses major developments in North Carolina’s ongoing state budget debate. King offered these comments during the May 15, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
Culture
Opinion
The World Cup showed the limits of managed soccer
America does not need more managed soccer. It needs a more competitive game, built less like a protected hierarchy and more like an open market.
Opinion
The true heart of America
The true heart of America resides in the people who audaciously demand that freedom and liberty, as given to us by God, are fundamental rights to human existence.
News
Charlotte soldier, taekwondo champion to compete in 2027 Military World Games
Charlotte will become the first US city to host the Military World Games, which will take place in 2027 from June 24 to July 4.
Opinion
Civics education extends beyond schools
Let’s double down on the semiquincentennial. Let’s have more concerts and parades, yes, as well as more publications, readings, public lectures, and private conversations.
Civil Society
Opinion
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.
Opinion
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.
Opinion
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.”
Opinion
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.
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...