News
‘Ballot selfie’ proponent hopes to see case resolved by November
The Libertarian voter challenging North Carolina’s ban on “ballot selfies” hopes a federal court will resolve her appeal by the November election.
News
NCSU, plaintiffs back Shirley as judge to hear Poe Hall lawsuit
North Carolina State University and plaintiffs suing the school over health problems related to Poe Hall all agree a single judge should hear the case.
News
Wilmington man charged with voting despite child porn felony sentence
Federal authorities are charging a 36-year-old Wilmington man with illegally registering to vote and voting in 2024 and 2026 despite serving on supervised release for a felony child pornography charge.
Video
Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes Berger’s election concession
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses Sen. Phil Berger’s concession in his primary election loss to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. Kokai offered these comments during the March 27, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
News
Appeals Court uses armed NC felon’s case to highlight basic judicial rule
The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals used the case of an armed felon Friday to highlight a larger issue involving challenges to trial judges’ decisions.
News
Boliek: Report details financial mismanagement in Elm City
An investigative report released Thursday by State Auditor Dave Boliek identified improper financial practices in Elm City, including payments for unperformed services and questionable reimbursements to town officials.
Opinion
Opinion
The most expensive paint job in CMS
The deeper harm in these cases is not the legal fees and settlements. It is the message sent to students that expressing their beliefs can make them a target of the government.
Opinion
When effort becomes optional: Why NC should end grade floors
Under a grade floor, sometimes called a “no zero” rule, students cannot receive below a pre-determined score (often 50% or 60%), even if they never hand in a single assignment during that period.
Opinion
Standardized tests convey crucial data
As recently as 2019, North Carolina schools ranked seventh in the country in value-added performance. In 2024, we were 32nd.
Opinion
Seed to shelf: Why NC’s nicotine rules should apply to vapes, too
Walk into any given convenience store or smoke shop and buy a vape. No one can tell you where it was made or what is in it, and there’s no guarantee the clerk bothers to ID.
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
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.”
Video
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.
Video
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).
Culture
News
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.
News
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.
News
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.
Opinion
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.
Civil Society
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...
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...