News

Unanimous Appeals Court rules for Farm Bureau, against DEQ, in animal waste permit dispute

A unanimous panel of the state Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, and against the state Department of Environmental Quality, in a dispute over animal waste permits. Appellate judges agreed Tuesday with the Farm Bureau that three conditions tied to general animal-waste permits adopted in 2019 were state rules. None of the three conditions proceeded through the state’s official rule-making process in the Administrative Procedure Act. All of those conditions are invalid.

CJ Staff
News

Symphony, state department seek dismissal of lawsuit linked to COVID-related firings

Both the North Carolina Symphony and the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources are asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit from three former symphony members. The musicians contend they were fired for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

CJ Staff
News

Legislators, DHHS split on defense of state law banning gender transition surgeries for minors

State legislative leaders and the Department of Health and Human Services take different stances on a request to block a new state law banning gender transition surgeries for minors. Top lawmakers filed paperwork in US District Court Friday opposing a preliminary injunction in the case Voe v. Mansfield. The suit targets House Bill 808. Meanwhile, state lawyers representing DHHS argued in a separate court filing that the new state law runs afoul of federal law.

CJ Staff
News

NC Supreme Court hears lawsuit over removal of Asheville monument

The North Carolina Supreme Court heard arguments recently in a lawsuit brought by The Society for the Historical Preservation of the 26th North Carolina Troops against the City of Asheville over the removal of a monument honoring former North Carolina governor and confederate colonel Zebulon Baird Vance.

Zach Rounceville
News

Felon voting advocates argue new election law has no impact on federal case

Critics of North Carolina’s felon voting restrictions believe the state’s newest election law has no impact on their federal lawsuit. They argued in a court filing Friday that a federal judge should grant their request to strike down the 50-year-old felon re-enfranchisement law. A hearing in the case is scheduled Nov. 14 in Durham.

CJ Staff

Opinion

Elections

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
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.

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