News
North Carolinians gave more than $58 million to charities last year
North Carolinians were more generous in their giving to charities in the state this past year.
News
Woman with North Carolina ties is among hostages released by Hamas terrorists
Adrienne "Aviva" Siegel, an American citizen with ties to North Carolina is among seventeen more hostages released by the militant group Hamas on Sunday. The announcement came from Senator Ted Budd, R-NC, who played a role in negotiating her release. Siegel's husband, Chapel Hill native Keith Seigel, 64, remains a hostage in Gaza.
Video
Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes lawsuit challenging NC state Senate election map
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses a lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s state Senate election map. Kokai offered these comments during the Nov. 24, 2023, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
News
NC provides White House Christmas tree for record 15th time
The North Carolina 19-foot Fraser Fir selected last month to grace the Blue Room in The White House this Christmas was delivered Tuesday.
News
NC’s Biltmore House featured in Hallmark Channel’s “A Biltmore Christmas”
One of North Carolina’s most famous and historic landmarks will be on full display this weekend as the Hallmark Channel debuts “A Biltmore Christmas” this Sunday.
Video
Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes top NC political issues
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses top political issues in North Carolina as families gather for Thanksgiving. Kokai offered these comments during a Nov. 23, 2023, appearance on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal.”
Opinion
Opinion
Founders were far from unanimous
Any political coalition broad enough to obtain and wield power will necessarily include multiple factions. Our Founders found ways to work together despite their many differences. We can, too — and should.
Opinion
Pharmacy regulations will make NC’s healthcare problem worse
Arkansas and Tennessee recently passed laws that force pharmacies to divest from owning affiliated companies. North Carolina lawmakers would be wise not to follow their lead.
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
NC’s economy looks more resilient than the nation’s
NC will not be immune from a downturn. But the relatively stronger economy leaves the state well positioned to weather the storm if a broader national downturn develops.
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
CaptiveAire president, Robert Luddy: ‘Tariffs are devastating to economic growth’
In this Carolina Journal interview, 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, and filtration products that he says are not...
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.
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.”
Video
The Debrief: Tackling tariffs’ costs + NC lawmakers look past November
President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have returned to the headlines because of a recent spat with Canada. Carolina Journal published this week the first in a series of articles about tariffs’ real-world impacts in North Carolina. We chat with the series author about her findings. State legislators are gone from Raleigh for the summer but...
Culture
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.
Opinion
For the joy of a book…
I want to see children reading — that is my great and lasting desire. I want to see them fuel their imaginations and feed their hunger for knowledge. And I sincerely believe that books can do this for them in ways other things never will.
Opinion
Reflecting on America 250 as a North Carolinian in Turkmenistan
Today, political division in our country runs high — with mass media channels across the country harnessing words like "dictator" and "fascist" to describe our political leaders. This vocabulary of tyranny has become diluted in its meaning, and in cheapening it we insult the millions who live under the genuine article in countries like Turkmenistan.
Opinion
Real diversity means diversity of thought, not just demographics
The choice is no longer between diversity and merit. The real choice is between superficial diversity that checks boxes and meaningful diversity that delivers results.
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.