News

Democrats back Riggs, Republicans drop Murphy in statewide judicial primaries

Voters set the table Tuesday night for this year’s four statewide judicial races. The two primary elections for North Carolina's two highest courts produced the first electoral win for an appointed incumbent and a loss for another incumbent seeking re-election.

Speaker Tim Moore wins CD-14 Republican Primary

With greater than 75% of the vote, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore wins the Republican primary contest for Congressional District 14.

Stein, Robinson declared primary winners for NC governor

Attorney General Josh Stein and Lt. Governor Mark Robinson have officially been declared the winners of the Democratic and Republican primaries for North Carolina governor, just an hour after polls close in the Tar Heel State.

Judge allows advocates for Asheville homeless to pursue lawsuit over park ban

A federal judge will allow advocates for Asheville’s homeless population to continue pursuing their lawsuit against the city. The suit challenges Asheville’s decision in 2021 to ban the 15 plaintiffs from city parks.

Riggs to sit out 2016 election defamation case

State Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs will not take part in an upcoming defamation case stemming from the 2016 governor’s election. Riggs revealed Monday that she had recused herself from the case before defendants filed a motion requesting her recusal last week. The case Bouvier v. Porter is scheduled for oral arguments on April 11.

End NCAE’s taxpayer-subsidized dues check-off privilege

Any organization receiving public payroll deductions should annually certify that it meets the law’s requirements and provide documentation sufficient to verify its membership and eligibility.

Donald Bryson

Boosting civic knowledge among young adults is no simple task

The future of American civic life depends on students' continued willingness to learn real lessons from the nation's past.

Mitch Kokai

Cost curve bends, but not enough

Medical spending in the US as a share of gross domestic product was 15% lower than projected 14 years earlier, and indeed was only “marginally higher” than in 2010.

John Hood

The right balance of tech for NC schools

Despite the good intentions of many school leaders and teachers, we are concerned by growing evidence that suggests those tools are harmful for our children’s learning and development and undermine our own efforts to promote intentional screen use at home.

Joe Waters

Federal crash will hurt North Carolinians

America’s ship of state is huge, ornate, cluttered, and bound for calamity. Will North Carolinians just go along for the (perilous) ride? Or will we demand action before it’s too late?

John Hood

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

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.

Katherine Zehnder

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.

Donna King

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

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.”

Donna King

UNC-Asheville whistleblower complaint explored

Carolina Journal reporter David Bass speaks with former University of North Carolina at Asheville research assistant Aidan Settman about his whistleblower complaint against the university.

David N. Bass

Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes NC’s marquee Senate race

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses North Carolina’s high-profile US Senate race. Kokai offered these comments during an April 21, 2026, interview with WNCN (CBS17).

Mitch Kokai

Locke’s Donald Bryson analyzes NC teacher pay proposals

John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson discusses current ideas for raising teacher pay in North Carolina. Bryson offered these comments during the April 10, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donald Bryson

NC lawmakers debate $10 strip club fee amid 1st Amendment concerns

NC lawmakers consider a $10 fee on strip clubs serving alcohol, sparking debate over sexual assault funding and First Amendment rights.

Andrew Pomeranz

Boosting civic knowledge among young adults is no simple task

The future of American civic life depends on students' continued willingness to learn real lessons from the nation's past.

Mitch Kokai

NC House advances bill prohibiting hemp-derived products under 21

A bill prohibting the possesion and sale of hemp-derived and Kratom products by any under 21 was voted throught to the House Rules Committee.

Katherine Zehnder

NC passed on buying part of the Carolina Hurricanes

As the Carolina Hurricanes continue to make their way through the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, state Treasurer Brad Briner made known that North Carolina was presented with the opportunity to buy part of the franchise last year, but passed.

Theresa Opeka

Social media, AI safety bill advances in NC Senate

Social media bill is quickly advancing through the General Assembly, Democrats say it may not go far enough.

Katherine Zehnder

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.

Michael Cooper

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.

Drew DiMeglio

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.”

John Hood

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.

Ashlynn Warta

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