North Carolina has good reason for early Law Day celebration

April 28 marks the one-year anniversary of three significant decisions from North Carolina's highest court.

Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes court ruling against Cooper’s shutdown of NC bars

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the N.C. Court of Appeals’ decision against Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision to keep private bars closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kokai offered these comments during the April 19, 2024, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Forced COVID vaccination case brings up issues of federalism

A mother and teenage son fighting a forced COVID vaccination in court will have to overcome the impact of a 2005 federal law.

Justice’s questions could pave way for new NC deference standard

A fired Winston-Salem State University professor relied on comments from state Supreme Court Justice Richard Dietz when appealing to the state's highest court.

Speedy trial case demonstrates divide within North Carolina’s highest court

The state Supreme Court's Republican and Democratic justices split over whether a man could seek money damages for a speedy-trial violation after his criminal convictions were thrown out.

Court ruling exposes downside of corporate diversity targets

A standout employee at Novant Health lost his job because of the company's embrace of questionable diversity goals.

The good and not-so-good elements of Riggs’ latest dissent

The state Supreme Court's newest justice appears to have staked out a final position in an active dispute before a case has had full briefing and arguments.

Judges see past Cooper’s rhetoric in appointments battle

A bipartisan three-judge panel upheld five of seven state board appointment structures the governor targeted in a lawsuit.

Justices highlight flaws in common Leandro lawsuit narrative

Two of the state Supreme Court's newest members offer a new approach toward a 30-year-old education funding case.

Locke’s Mitch Kokai assesses 2024 NC governor’s race

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the 2024 North Carolina governor’s race. Kokai offered these comments during the March 1, 2024, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

State Supreme Court recusal debate highlights timeless lesson

Had Democrats succeeded with a 2021 plan to rewrite state Supreme Court recusal rules, Justice Anita Earls might have been disqualified from the recent Leandro hearing.

Rooftop solar’s subsidies flow toward those who need them least

Only those who can afford to install solar panels benefit from government-endorsed benefits.