Republican Donald Trump shocked many political observers by winning the presidential race, including North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes. Republican incumbent Richard Burr withstood a hard campaign from Democratic challenger Deborah Ross to win a third term as North Carolina’s senior U.S. senator. Carolina Journal Editor-in-Chief Rick Henderson analyzes the significance of these election results and what they say about the N.C. electorate. You’ll also hear highlights from Burr’s election-night victory speech and Ross’ concession speech. Seven months after arriving in Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina system president Margaret Spellings used her official installation ceremony to make a plea for treating higher education as a new civil right. Spellings explained the importance of higher education in the years ahead. She discussed the UNC system’s role in helping the state’s residents take advantage of that resource. You’ll hear highlights from her remarks. State government can threaten private property rights when it abuses the use of its eminent domain powers. Ruth Sheehan, an attorney with the Francis law firm, has worked on property-rights issues. She discusses recent N.C. cases in which property owners have fought back and won victories against the state. One way to boost economic growth throughout the United States involves reform of the American system of business taxation. Curtis Dubay, research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, recently discussed the need for business tax reform during a visit to Charlotte. He shares themes from that speech and discusses prospects for reform under a Donald Trump presidential administration.