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]

Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River is a public display of his faith in a life after death, and it symbolizes his mission to fulfill all righteousness and endure the cross, where he will be baptized in his death, burial, and resurrection. Through his baptism, Jesus prefigures his mission and demonstrates the involvement of the entire Trinity in our salvation, and our own baptism identifies us with his death, burial, and resurrection, making us beloved to the Father and accepted in Christ. [... more]

North Carolina officials marked a major milestone in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, awarding over $1 billion in grants for water, wastewater, and resilience projects across western North Carolina. Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved new permanent absentee ballot rules, sparking concerns about election integrity and voter ID requirements. [... more]

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is implementing new rules for photo ID exemptions, sparking controversy over voter fraud and election integrity. Meanwhile, businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are still navigating insurance claims and government shutdowns, highlighting the complexities of public policy and the importance of transparency in government. [... more]

A new report from the North Carolina State Auditor's Office reveals that 78% of inactive landfills in the state are not being monitored, posing significant risks to public health and the environment. Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenges the state's certificate of need law, which is contributing to high healthcare costs in North Carolina. Additionally, the U.S. House has passed a bill to make daylight savings time permanent across the country, and the North Carolina General Assembly is considering legislation to overhaul the process of municipal de-annexation. [... more]

North Carolina's state health plan undergoes significant changes, including a new preferred provider network and pharmacy benefit manager, aiming to reduce costs and improve healthcare outcomes. Meanwhile, the state budget allocates $48.9 million to farmland preservation efforts, a critical issue as North Carolina faces a high risk of farmland loss. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers have passed a state budget that includes tax cuts, teacher raises, and disaster recovery funding. The budget, which was passed with bipartisan support, now heads to Governor Josh Stein's desk for signature. The budget also includes funding for economic development projects, including a commercial aircraft manufacturing facility in Greensboro. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over $197 million in additional disaster recovery funding for Western North Carolina, which was affected by Hurricane Helene. [... more]

A child welfare reform package, the Dominique Moody Safety Act, has passed the North Carolina House, aiming to strengthen the state's child welfare system by improving coordination, accountability, training, and oversight. Meanwhile, a North Carolina audit reveals delayed first-round unemployment benefit payments and over $47 million in fraudulent benefit overpayments. Additionally, a legal case involving a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly forced to receive a COVID-19 vaccine without parental consent is set to head back to trial courts after a ruling from the North Carolina Court of Appeals. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers are expected to vote on three constitutional amendments, including one that would lower the state's income tax rate and another that would limit how much local governments can raise property taxes. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order aimed at addressing the state's affordable housing crisis, and the agricultural industry is facing a fertilizer shortage due to global disruptions and trade policies. [... more]

Families are struggling with rising healthcare expenses, but there are alternatives to traditional health insurance. Medical cost sharing programs like Christian Healthcare Ministries allow individuals to share medical costs with a community of believers, providing a more affordable option. Meanwhile, listeners ask questions about Social Security, retirement planning, and investing, highlighting the importance of financial stewardship and making informed decisions about one's money. [... more]

Hate is rising across communities, and Jewish communities are getting hit especially hard. Redistricting and gerrymandering are affecting the House, and AI is causing problems with identity theft. Meanwhile, Florida Man is up to his antics, and the state is dealing with unique issues. [... more]

The North Carolina State Board of Elections adopted new non-citizen voter rules despite heated debate. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein is calling for the legalization of recreational marijuana, citing a report that warns of the dangers of the state's unregulated cannabis market. Additionally, Duke Energy is seeking a $800 million rate increase to recoup energy costs from a recent cold snap. The U.S. birth rate has hit a record low, with implications for the economy and public education. North Carolina's demographic shift is expected to have significant impacts on the state's economy and education system. [... more]

A discussion on the rare disease CIDP, the potential replacement for Pam Bondi as Attorney General, the Iran conflict, and the future of quantum computing and AI. Additionally, various news stories are covered, including the funding of DHS, a Florida woman accused of squatting in a home, the approval of an obesity pill, and a Domino's delivery driver's kindness. [... more]

An elderly pastor, nearing 72, is forced into retirement, but instead of traveling to Florida, he takes a step of faith and travels to India, where he discovers a new ministry and preaches to thousands, showing that God's plans are often different from our own, and that surrender and trust are key to a life of faith. [... more]

The US continues military operations in Iran, with President Trump stating that American forces have hit hundreds of targets and that the entire Iranian military command is gone. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a primary election is taking place, with a focus on the US Senate race and concerns about voter fraud, including a case of a Canadian national accused of voting in federal elections. Additionally, the UNC system has approved an overhaul of its academic freedom policy, which includes a new definition of academic freedom and guidelines for faculty conduct. [... more]

The Supreme Court's decision on tariffs has sparked controversy, with President Trump expressing his disappointment and frustration. Meanwhile, a student government president at Iowa State University has been impeached for his association with Turning Point USA, a conservative organization. The incident has raised concerns about the politicization of education and the indoctrination of students with liberal ideologies. [... more]

Faith-based investing is expanding rapidly, with new tools offering more thoughtful stewardship. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have become a popular investment vehicle, providing transparency and lower costs. Christians have a growing opportunity to invest in a way that aligns with their values as Christ followers, using faith-aligned ETFs and other investment options. [... more]

Dale Vermillion shares insights on the current state of the housing market, explaining that it's a buyer's market with improving mortgage rates and increasing inventory. He advises buyers to be encouraged and take advantage of the opportunities, and cautions sellers to be prepared for a potentially slower market. Vermillion also discusses the importance of budgeting and doing a pre-approval for a mortgage, and provides guidance for first-time homebuyers and those looking to move up to a new home. [... more]

A three-judge federal panel has rejected critics' requests for an injunction blocking North Carolina's new congressional map, clearing the way for the map to be used in the 2026 election. Arena's Law, which makes it harder for people to get out of jail on bail set for low-level crimes and attempts to restart the death penalty, officially goes into effect across the state of North Carolina. The law requires stricter scrutiny on judges and magistrates when considering pretrial release and setting bail for individuals, bans cashless bail, and makes it easier for people with a history of mental health issues to be involuntarily committed to a mental hospital after an arrest. [... more]

North Carolina ranks ninth in the US for human trafficking, with over 300 cases identified in 2024. Customs and Border Protection's Operation Charlotte's Web has arrested over 250 illegal aliens, including those with criminal histories. Meanwhile, the state auditor's report reveals that the Department of Health and Human Services generated $386 million in tax dollars for unfilled job positions, raising questions about Medicaid funding and bureaucratic inefficiencies. [... more]