News
Greensboro man aims to meet all 551 of NC’s mayors
A Greensboro man has set out on a unique mission. A mission to meet every mayor in North Carolina.
Video
Carolina Journal’s Donna King asks Wood about key state audit findings
Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, asked State Auditor Beth Wood about findings from an audit of COVID-19 relief funds. This exchange took place during the Dec. 23, 2022, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “Front Row with Marc Rotterman.”
News
Planned Parenthood and its allies abandon court battle over NC abortion laws
On Friday, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and other allied abortion advocates dropped their challenges to five different North Carolina laws pertaining to abortions. N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Eden, had filed motions to dismiss the challenge to these laws on Jan. 6, 2021. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic dropped their...
News
Raleigh falls off top 10 list for ‘naughtiest’ holiday drivers
A new survey from GasBuddy has some good news for drivers in North Carolina’s capital city — Raleigh is no longer on the top 10 list for Scroogiest drivers during the holiday season. GasBudy reviewed data from millions of drives during the Thanksgiving 2022 holiday weekend to reach its results. Raleigh dropped to 19th on the...
News
U.S. Appeals Court upholds ruling against N.C. Confederate license plate
A unanimous U.S. Appeals Court panel has ruled against a specialty license plate in North Carolina featuring the Confederate battle flag. The N.C. Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans had gone to court to revive the discontinued plate. In an opinion of little more than one page, Judges Paul Niemeyer, Marvin Quattlebaum, and Henry Floyd rejected the Confederate group’s case.
News
Tillis votes ‘no’ on $1.7 trillion spending bill
While the U.S. Senate passed a massive omnibus spending measure, N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis voted against the bill, saying it was bloated with “left-wing priorities.” Sen. Richard Burr was recorded as “not voting.” The bill increases spending on government programs and the military through late 2023, and its passage heads off a government shutdown, scheduled...
Opinion
Opinion
Real journalism requires freedom
When the role of journalist is limited only to those who parrot approved messaging, it is no longer journalism but something else — propaganda.
Opinion
My county commissioners give themselves ‘performance’ bonuses
Commissioners automatically receive the highest-tier "exceptional" bonus every year. Unlike every other employee, they do not receive it based on a performance evaluation, according to the Orange County Public Information Officer.
Opinion
Federalist 32: Concerning the general power of taxation, cont…
An entire consolidation of the States into one complete national sovereignty would imply an entire subordination of the parts; and whatever powers might remain in them, would be altogether dependent on the general will.
Opinion
Fix high power bills by ditching bad policies
We seek repeal of the Carbon Plan law. Why? Because it requires replacing working, baseload power plants with expensive, unreliable new renewable facilities paid for by rate increases.
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
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 —...
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
News
Exclusive video: Brittany Boltinhouse, Miss North Carolina USA, sits down with CJ
Brittany Boltinhouse was crowned Miss North Carolina USA in June of 2026, but two days ago she was stripped of her title. The Miss USA organization says Boltinhouse did not uphold their organization’s standards but she believes her Mormon faith and outspoken conservative views may have played a role in the decision.
Opinion
Ceuta’s border collapse is a warning for NC
State lines and county boundaries provide no protection from a federal government that has lost control of who enters and who remains.
Opinion
Book review: Leftist delusions threaten ‘permanent things’
"Manufacturing Delusion" is a deeply-researched, intellectually rigorous, yet readable volume that should occupy a prominent spot on the shelf of every American concerned about the future of our republic.
News
Shaggin’ season: Carolina beach music dances on after 80 years
As the original generations of shag fans hand in their dance cards to another wave, Carolina beach music’s ability to transcend regional and racial boundaries, to bridge generational gaps, and to evolve along the way have all helped ensure that it will stand the test of time.
Civil Society
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.
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...
