North Carolina's 11th congressional district is set to choose a new Republican candidate after Congressman Chuck Edwards dropped out of the race due to a House Ethics Committee report. The district's executive committee will meet Monday to select a replacement nominee. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction marked the first anniversary of Superintendent Mo Green's five-year strategic plan, launching a public dashboard and pointing to four record results as evidence of progress. The plan aims to make North Carolina's public education system the best in the nation by 2030. In other news, the North Carolina General Assembly has taken action on two pieces of legislation, House Bill 958 and House Bill 834, dealing with elections across the state. The bills have undergone significant changes, with some provisions being moved from one bill to the other. Dr. Andy Jackson from the John Locke Foundation joins the Carolina Journal News Hour to discuss the latest developments. Additionally, new data from the 2025 North Carolina High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that North Carolina has returned to and exceeded pre-pandemic levels across nearly all reported measures, with encouraging percentage drops in student safety, risk behaviors, and mental health. [... more]

Todd Starns discusses various topics including the rise of Islam and socialism, public schools, education, the election in Tennessee, and the controversy surrounding the WNBA and transgender players. He also talks about Vice President J.D. Vance's chicken coop and the concerns surrounding it. Additionally, he discusses the importance of protecting women and girls in sports and the need for common sense to intersect with reality. [... more]

Western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, with federal grants aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening the workforce. Meanwhile, Duke Energy has joined the Trump administration's ratepayer protection pledge, promising to support measures preventing households and small businesses from paying for power plants and grid infrastructure changes. The North Carolina General Assembly is also debating election laws, with a pair of rewritten bills passed by the Senate that would shorten early voting for primary elections and add performance audits for election systems. Additionally, a state representative is raising concerns about professional standards in public schools, specifically regarding a transgender music teacher at an elementary school. [... more]

A discussion about Dr. Fauci's alleged involvement in a deep friendship with CNN's Jake Tapper and his obsession with celebrity status, as well as the ongoing conflict with Iran and the potential risks of AI control. The conversation also touches on the controversy surrounding the Mayor of New York City, Zoran Mamdami, and his alleged ties to socialism and communism. Additionally, the topic of Caitlin Collins and Dylan Mulvaney's controversy with President Trump is discussed. [... more]

A state audit flags financial control failures in the town of Zebulon, North Carolina, with issues including excessive travel expenses and unsupported payments to consultants. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Ted Budd testifies in favor of additional disaster relief funding for Western North Carolina, citing delays and inefficiencies in the federal recovery process. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction issues guidance on managing screen time on school-issued devices, recommending a focus on purpose and structure rather than strict time limits. [... more]

The Tate brothers face 59 charges from seven accusers of crimes that are alleged to have happened from 2010 to 2017 in the United Kingdom, including for rape, sex trafficking, and child and extreme pornography. The Democratic Socialist Party's ideology is compared to communism, with some arguing it's a good idea while others see it as a path to disaster. Identity theft is a growing concern, with LifeLock offering protection. The presidential election in 2026 and 2028 is discussed, with some arguing the Democratic Party is becoming more anti-Israel. Darlene Graham, the sister of Lindsey Graham, is running for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina. Caitlin Clark breaks a record in the WNBA, but seems unimpressed by the achievement. [... more]

A new analysis from Carolina Journal shows that elite private schools across North Carolina take little opportunity scholarship dollars, while predominantly lower-cost religious schools receive the largest share of funds. The state budget also expands sports betting and prediction markets, with a 5% increase on gross wagering revenue taxes and a 6% tax on net trading in prediction markets. A federal lawsuit is filed against the Gaston County School Board over a teacher's social media post after Charlie Kirk's assassination, raising questions about First Amendment rights and public vs. private conduct. [... more]

Evangelist Rick Gage shares updates on his summer camps, where thousands of young people have made spiritual decisions for Christ, and discusses the impact of these camps on their lives and communities. [... more]

A discussion on the intersection of faith and culture, exploring topics such as the 4th of July celebrations, religious freedom in education, and the importance of community and meaning in addressing social issues like suicide and mental health. The conversation also touches on the role of palliative care and death doulas in end-of-life care, and the implications of AI on human nature. [... more]

Crystal Payne shares practical advice on back-to-school budgeting, including involving kids in the process and taking advantage of tax-free weekends. Rob West also answers listener questions on retirement savings, generosity, and estate planning, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing needs, building an emergency fund, and seeking professional guidance. [... more]

David Jeremiah explains that in times of trouble, we should trust in God and put our faith in Him, just as David did when he wrote Psalm 37. He shares five key principles from the psalm: trust in the Lord, delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. [... more]

The Todd Sterns Radio Show discusses various topics including election integrity, birthright citizenship, and the Supreme Court's decisions on these issues. The show also touches on the Save America Act, federal judges, and Bible reading in schools. Additionally, the hosts discuss the importance of Christian heritage and patriotism, and how these values are being challenged in modern society. [... more]

North Carolina's decision not to participate in the Great American State Fair has sparked controversy, with Governor Josh Stein citing costs as the reason. Meanwhile, the state legislature is considering a property tax reappraisal moratorium, and there is ongoing discussion about bringing an MLB expansion team to the state. Additionally, the North Carolina legislature is facing scrutiny over its handling of transgender students' bathroom policies. [... more]

Bob Heft, a 17-year-old high school student, designed the 50-star American flag in 1958, which was later adopted by the US government. Heft's story is a testament to the power of innovation and patriotism, and his legacy continues to inspire Americans today. [... more]

God's design for fathers is being undermined in society, leading to a lack of preparation for boys to become godly husbands and fathers. The Peter Pan mentality, where boys refuse to grow up and take responsibility, is a major issue. Biblical counseling and discipleship are essential in teaching boys the importance of work ethic, biblical wisdom, and sexual self-control. [... more]

North Carolina's election law proposal stalls in the House, with some provisions resurfacing in the Senate. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate Armed Service Committee advances the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes funding for North Carolina's military installations. Fertilizer prices are rising globally due to geopolitical disruptions, affecting North Carolina farmers. Charter schools in North Carolina reach a record high, with 213 schools and over 161,000 students, but academic gaps persist. [... more]

The intersection of technology and human exceptionalism is explored through the lens of a Christian worldview, discussing the implications of artificial intelligence, the decline of same-sex marriage support, and the challenges of shaping cultural norms in higher education. [... more]

Steve McQueen, a Hollywood actor, struggled with a difficult childhood and a tumultuous career, but found solace in Christianity and a new sense of purpose, leading to a remarkable transformation in his life and faith. [... more]

A state auditor in North Carolina is examining a surge in Medicaid-funded autism therapy costs, which have increased from $1.4 million to over $660 million in five years. Meanwhile, a new study suggests that stricter cell phone bans in schools may not have an immediate impact on academic achievement or behavior, but could lead to positive results in the long term. Additionally, multiple blue states, including North Carolina, are suing the Trump administration over tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the 1974 Federal Trade Act. [... more]

Thousands of educators from across North Carolina are expected to gather at the state capitol to call for increased teacher pay and education funding, while the governor signs a $319 million Medicaid bill into law, but expresses concerns about the ongoing costs of Medicaid and the elimination of health care coverage for nearly 27,000 children and pregnant women. [... more]