News

Phone carriers slapped with fines for selling location data – a political commodity

Four of the nation’s largest phone carriers must pay a combined total of nearly $200 million for selling customers’ location data to third parties unlawfully, sparking conversations around privacy and technology policy.  The Federal Communications Commission said on Monday that AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon illegally shared access to customers’ location information without consent and...

Brianna Kraemer
News

Judge limits new witnesses, documents in May 6 voter ID trial

A federal magistrate judge has issued an order limiting the number of new witnesses and documents plaintiffs can use during next week's trial challenging North Carolina’s voter identification law. US District Judge Loretta Biggs is scheduled to hold a bench trial starting Monday in Winston-Salem.

CJ Staff
News

NC school choice program for special needs students continues growth

North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program has gotten a lot of headlines recently, and with good reason. The state’s voucher for private schools is poised to more than double its enrollment, dependent on whether lawmakers OK additional funding in the short session that convened just last week. But a lesser known school choice program in the...

David N. Bass
News

Appeals Court rejects qualified immunity for Avery sheriff, deputy in 2016 arrest

A federal Appeals Court has ruled that the Avery County sheriff and a deputy did not have qualified immunity from a lawsuit challenging a 2016 arrest as unconstitutional. The unanimous decision Monday affirmed a trial court ruling against Kevin Frye, Avery’s sheriff at the time, and Lee Buchanan, the deputy in charge of sex offender registrations.

CJ Staff
News

Appeals Court splits, 8-6, in rejecting NC health plan’s transgender coverage rules

The full 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals has tossed out the North Carolina State Health Plan’s ban on coverage of medical treatments sought mainly by transgender people. The decision created an 8-6 split among the appellate jud

CJ Staff

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

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...

Culture

Civil Society