News
Invisible Threats: PFAS and the push for policy reform in North Carolina
From a manufacturing point of view, the chemicals are extremely useful. But from a consumer point of view, health concerns loom.
News
State asks top NC court to block Second Amendment ruling in UNC case
The North Carolina Supreme Court has granted the state's request to block a recent court ruling protecting a homeless man’s Second Amendment rights. The case stemmed from Joseph John Radomski III’s decision to bring guns with him to the University of North Carolina campus when he sought medical treatment at UNC Hospitals in 2021.
News
Judge rejects FTC plan to block Novant’s purchase of NC hospitals
A federal judge has refused to issue an injunction blocking Novant Health’s $320 million purchase of two hospitals in Iredell County. The Federal Trade Commission had requested the injunction as part of a federal antitrust action.
News
State Supreme Court takes second COVID bar shutdown case
The North Carolina Supreme Court has agreed to take a second case related to Gov. Roy Cooper’s shutdown of bars during the COVID pandemic in 2020. In both cases, the governor challenges lower court rulings favoring bar owners.
News
School suspension appeal process receives bipartisan backing
Just this week, the law firm representing the McGhee family filed a preliminary injunction to clear Christian’s academic record. They also released new information about the case.
News
NC Treasurer’s office issues warning about NCDOT spending
A little over a year ago, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) received accolades for repaying a state loan two years ahead of schedule and becoming more financially stable than in years past. But there are growing fears that stability might be short-lived.
Opinion
Opinion
Worth celebrating: NC’s drug overdose deaths have plummeted
This is all great news showing real progress. But we shouldn't let our guard down or stop trying to reduce the number of overdose deaths in our communities to zero.
Opinion
Other states should copy NC’s model labor policy
A new proposal urges states to enact restrictive “sectoral bargaining” laws. These states should instead look at what pro-choice labor policies can do.
Opinion
Oct. 15 tax extension deadline is here: A reminder we need simpler filings
A disproportionate share of the tax complexity that North Carolinians face is tied to small business and self-employment. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and family business owners must track their own income and expenses.
Opinion
Federalist 41: General view of powers conferred by Constitution
Next to the effectual establishment of the Union, the best possible precaution against danger from standing armies is a limitation of the term for which revenue may be appropriated to their support.
Elections
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.
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.
Videos
Video
The REAL Cost of Tariffs for North Carolina Farmers
How are tariffs affecting North Carolina farmers? The Sharp family explains how lost export markets, rising costs, and supply-chain disruptions are putting pressure on their multigenerational farm. This video is part of a four-part investigative series (see parts one, two, and four).
Video
CaptiveAire president, Robert Luddy: ‘Tariffs are devastating to economic growth’
As part of a four-part investigative series (see parts two, three, and four), CaptiveAire founder and president Bob Luddy discusses how tariffs have affected his commercial HVAC manufacturing company and the broader business community. Luddy says CaptiveAire is spending roughly $15 million annually on tariffs, largely on internationally sourced components such as motors, compressors, electronics,...
Video
Coastal small business owner talks tariffs, retail, comparative advantage
Danny Batten, owner of outdoor retailer Surf, Wind, & Fire, which has locations in both New Bern and Edenton, spoke on a panel for the John Locke Foundation about the impact of tariffs on his small business and comparative advantage. This video is part of a four-part investigative series (see parts one, three, and four).
Video
G20 In Asheville + New Medicaid Work And Renewal Requirements
This week on The Debrief, the world comes to Asheville as G20 finance leaders gather to confront Iran, global trade, debt, and economic growth. We examine new Medicaid work and renewal requirements that could affect hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians and the legal fight pitting North Carolina against the Trump administration’s tariffs. Plus, an...
Video
Locke’s Jeff Moore discusses CON’s impact on NC healthcare costs
Jeff Moore, John Locke Foundation vice president of communications, discusses the negative impact of North Carolina’s certificate-of-need law on state healthcare costs. Moore offered these comments during the Aug. 28, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
Culture
News
BBQ restaurant abandons Durham expansion after backlash over beliefs
Dampf Good BBQ scrapped its Durham expansion plans amid backlash over the owners’ Christian beliefs.
Opinion
What socialists almost get right
Despite the appeal of socialist comradery, people should find community in voluntary associations which pursue non-coercive means of social betterment.
Opinion
The impulse to back the weaker party, no matter what
Many have absorbed a view that the poor, the weak, and the downtrodden are pure of heart and should be presumed to be in the right; and the rich, the strong, and the ones imposing their will should be presumed to be in the wrong.
Opinion
Fertility is a valid policy concern
Human flourishing requires a political culture that nurtures freedom and a civic culture that nurtures family and fertility.
Civil Society
Opinion
Civil discourse and the art of disagreement
To restore healthy public discourse, each of us must become better listeners. Civil discourse is not a competition with winners and losers; it is a deliberate and respectful exchange of ideas.
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.