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The Debrief: Trump tariffs head to the high court

Voters in many North Carolina cities made their choices this week in municipal elections. We recap the top results and look at some of the major voting decisions across the nation. Then we turn attention to a national story with major North Carolina implications: the future of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The nation’s highest court...

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Locke’s Mitch Kokai responds to AG Jackson’s lawsuit over SNAP benefits

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joining Democratic counterparts in other states in a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration. It focuses on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Kokai offered these comments during the Oct. 31, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Mitch Kokai
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Locke’s Donald Bryson discusses SCOTUS case dealing with Trump’s emergency tariffs

Donald Bryson, John Locke Foundation CEO and Carolina Journal publisher, discusses the US Supreme Court case addressing President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs. Locke filed a joint amicus brief challenging the constitutionality of emergency tariffs. Bryson offered these comments during the Oct. 28, 2025, episode of Spectrum News’ “Capital Tonight.”

Donald Bryson
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Carolina Journal’s Donna King analyzes NC congressional redistricting plans

Donna King, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, discusses the North Carolina General Assembly’s plans to redraw the state’s congressional election map. King offered these comments during the Oct. 17, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Donna King

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Podcast: Revolutionary Roads

As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, this podcast explores North Carolina’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding — from the War of Regulation to the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and beyond. This 10-episode series, hosted by John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson, features guests with...

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The Debrief: Legislator arrested, Iryna’s Law aftermath, Oct. 7 remembered

This week on The Debrief, a Guilford County legislator’s arrest on sex-related charges prompts quick reaction from colleagues. Gov. Josh Stein chose an unusual way to signal his signing of Iryna’s Law. We discuss the governor’s video message and get expert analysis of the law’s potential impact. We also highlight a possible federal response. Lawmakers at the...

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Locke’s Mitch Kokai analyzes congressional hearing in Charlotte after light rail murder

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the congressional hearing conducted in Charlotte in connection with the high-profile Iryna Zarutska murder. Kokai offered these comments during the Oct. 3, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Mitch Kokai
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The Debrief: Gov. Stein’s Medicaid threat, shutdown waste, Duke’s new plan

This week on The Debrief, If NC can avoid shutdowns with a simple law, why can’t Washington? We talk federal shutdown, plus Stein faces criticism for threatening Medicaid reimbursement cuts, and a federal judge just ruled in favor of NC legislators in a Senate redistricting case, rejecting claims of racial gerrymandering. Duke Energy’s new plan...

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The Debrief: Three Major Moves At The NCGA

In this episode of The Debrief, we break down three major moves at the NC General Assembly: the House’s passage of the Political Terrorism Prevention Act stiffening penalties for politically motivated violence, the advance of “Iryna’s Law” aimed at strengthening criminal justice and pretrial oversight after a tragic killing, and a new mini-budget that directs...

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CJ’s September poll breakdown: prices, political violence, and NC’s Senate race

North Carolinians are speaking loud and clear in the latest poll — rising prices remain their top concern, with jobs, the economy, and health care all tied to the cost of living. Even as more voters say the country is on the wrong track, political figures see small but notable shifts in support. The poll...