News
Cooper creates state Climate Action Corps volunteer group
Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday the formation of the North Carolina Climate Action Corps, which will focus on climate issues across the state.
News
Universal school choice makes its way into NC budget
North Carolina’s budget for the new biennium would expand school choice across the state to an unprecedented level.
News
Gaston school board appeals ruling upholding SAFE Child Act
Eight days after a split state Court of Appeals panel upheld North Carolina's SAFE Child Act as constitutional, the Gaston County school board is appealing that decision to North Carolina’s highest court. The Gaston school board is a defendant in McKinney v. Goins, a case challenging the 2019 Safe Child Act as unconstitutional.
News
State Supreme Court wrestles with lawyers’ fees in Harkers Island Bridge dispute
As the state Department of Transportation pushes ahead with its $68 million Harkers Island Bridge replacement project, the state Supreme Court focused Wednesday on a battle over roughly $90,000. That’s the amount of lawyers’ fees a Superior Court awarded plaintiffs in 2020 during their bid to block the bridge project from moving forward.
News
Wilson school board appeals pension-spiking ruling to top NC court
The Wilson County school board hopes North Carolina’s top court will take up its case challenging an application of the state pension-spiking law. An August court ruling could force Wilson schools to pay an additional $400,000 to help fund a former assistant superintendent’s retirement.
News
The 2023 North Carolina state budget: Here’s what you need to know
Focusing on tax cuts and development projects in the more than $30 billion budget, Tuesday evening the leaders announced that the Senate will vote on the conference report at 2:00 PM Thursday with final votes at 9:30 AM Friday. The House is planning to hold budget votes on the floor on Wednesday and Thursday. Their agreement does not contain legalization for casinos or video lottery terminals.
Opinion
Opinion
A modest proposal: Teach American exceptionalism again
The General Assembly, through our schools, can put North Carolina front-and-center in the lead in restoring American greatness.
Opinion
Mecklenburg DOT easement dispute could have multibillion-dollar impact
The North Carolina Department of Transportation warns that a trial judge's decision in a utility easement dispute could lead to billions of dollars in future taxpayer liability.
Opinion
Defend worker freedom this Labor Day
In 2026, NC legislators have an opportunity to solidify critical protections for workers. No North Carolinian should be forced to join or pay dues to a union just to earn a living.
Opinion
Carolina job growth beats national trend
Even at 1% year-to-year growth, our job-creation rate exceeds that of most other states and far exceeds the national average of 0.2%.
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 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...
Video
The Debrief: Summer’s bringing the heat now, but NC campaigns will soon heat up
We’re just two weeks away from the absentee ballot deadline in North Carolina’s general election. Early voting is less than two months away. Political columnist, author, and John Locke Foundation board member John Hood joins us to discuss the hot topics in the state’s election season. Does Republican Michael Whatley have a shot against Democrat...
Video
Locke’s Donald Bryson assesses proposed Duke Energy rate hike
John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson discusses the factors contributing to Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike. Bryson offered these comments during the July 24, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
Video
Carolina Journal’s Donna King analyzes new NC budget
Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses key pieces of North Carolina’s new state budget. King offered these comments during the July 10, 2026, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
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 —...
Culture
Opinion
Marriage is more than a social issue
Marriage, far from just being a social issue, by which many mean a matter of religious or moral opinion, is a foundational institution of economic and cultural stability.
News
Mayberry memorialized: Mount Airy embraces Andy Griffith’s legacy
Mount Airy has an Andy Griffith Museum and an annual Mayberry Days, which has now expanded into a 10-day affair, running this year from Sept. 19-28.
Opinion
Meta settlement is a victory, a warning, and an opportunity
Teens need purpose and meaning in their lives, and they need role models who don’t blame them for being susceptible to products that were meant to be addictive.
Opinion
Catawba County shows NC the way forward on protecting girls
Amidst this paralysis among many county school boards around the state, Catawba County shines a light of hope for these girls and their families.
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.
