News

NC Revenue Department disputes Philip Morris’ arguments in $8.7M tax dispute

The N.C. Revenue Department argues in a state Supreme Court filing that tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris is misreading state law while trying to avoid an $8.7 million tax bill. The Richmond, Virginia-based company argues that it’s entitled to take $7.2 million in tax credits. The department disagrees.

CJ Staff
News

ACLU, Institute for Justice join debate over NC Supreme Court’s Ace Speedway case

The N.C. Supreme Court issued orders Monday allowing attorneys from both the ACLU and Institute for Justice to file briefs supporting Ace Speedway in its legal fight against the state’s top health official. State Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley is urging the high court to reverse the state Court of Appeals. A unanimous appellate panel ruled in August 2022 that speedway owners could pursue a lawsuit against Kinsley over a forced shutdown in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CJ Staff
News

Beer in North Carolina is booming again, but craft breweries are slowly recovering

Last week, Beer Serves America reported that the beer industry contributes 75,082 jobs and brings in about $1.8 billion in taxes to the state of North Carolina. Yet according to a local craft brewery owner, not every aspect of the beer business has recovered from the COVID-19 induced economic downturn. 

Kevin Garcia-Galindo

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

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,...

CJ Staff
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).

CJ Staff
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.”

Jeff Moore

Culture

Civil Society