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]

A North Carolina congressman is facing calls for censure after being found in violation of the House Code of Conduct. Meanwhile, the state's pension fund has posted a $17 billion gain, but concerns about Social Security's solvency are growing. Additionally, data centers are becoming a contentious issue in North Carolina, with some localities imposing moratoriums on their expansion, citing concerns about energy usage and noise pollution. [... 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]

Governor Josh Stein signs North Carolina's $34.4 billion state budget into law, delivering major investments in education, public safety, and hurricane recovery, while also highlighting flaws in the budget and the need for continued investment in the state's people and infrastructure. [... more]

A below-average hurricane season is predicted in the Atlantic, with El Niño conditions expected to disrupt storm development. In North Carolina, lawmakers are considering a proposal to impose new limits on large data centers and add ratepayer protections. Meanwhile, the state's elections data system is being modernized to improve cybersecurity and efficiency. [... more]

Former FBI Director James Comey's scheduled court appearance in North Carolina has been canceled due to a motion filed by his lawyers. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation to eliminate tax exemptions for data centers, which could save the state millions of dollars. Additionally, a proposal to create a $50 million revolving loan fund to help nonprofit developers cover upfront infrastructure costs for affordable housing projects is gaining traction. The North Carolina Supreme Court is also considering a petition for rehearing in the Leandro case, which has been ongoing for over 30 years and deals with education funding in the state. [... more]

A merger between Wake Med and Atrium Health is being met with opposition from state officials, citing concerns over increased healthcare costs and reduced competition. Meanwhile, the USDA is relocating its research hub to Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of a decentralization plan. Additionally, a bill has been filed in the North Carolina General Assembly to cut funding for the Opportunity Scholarship Program and redirect it to childcare subsidies, while also addressing issues with incomplete voter registration records. [... more]

A federal grand jury in North Carolina has indicted former FBI director James Comey on charges of making threats to harm President Donald Trump. The indictment comes after a 2025 Instagram post involving seashells arranged on a beach with the message 8647. Meanwhile, North Carolina has fewer low-income households than it did 14 years ago and more upper-income ones, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census data. The state's education system is also facing challenges, with roughly 45% of public school students not proficient in reading and math. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education is working to address these issues and improve education funding. [... more]

North Carolina faces a nearly $2.8 billion revenue shortfall over the next two years, according to Governor Josh Stein. Meanwhile, a long-standing election dispute in the small town of Pembroke has finally been resolved, with the challenger, Alan Dial, being certified as the winner after a two-and-a-half-year battle. The state is also dealing with wildfires and a burn ban, with crews making progress in containing the fires. [... more]

A statewide burn ban is in effect in North Carolina due to drought severity and forecast fire weather, with six major wildfires burning across the state. Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, with some areas seeing progress and others still facing significant challenges. North Carolina's Republican congressional delegation is urging the Department of Homeland Security to clear administrative bottlenecks that have delayed FEMA aid for Hurricane Helene. Additionally, a state audit has found delivery gaps in the ABC system, which generates over $1.4 billion in revenue annually, despite meeting cost accuracy and safety performance indicators. The audit recommends improvements to the system, including developing contingency plans and establishing improved fleet maintenance schedules. [... more]

On this episode of Man Up Nikita Koloff is joined in studio by Tonya Skelly and Pastor Julius Koonce for a powerful conversation on the role of prayer in personal life the church and across communities From a God ordained friendship to a statewide movement they share how unity among believers can spark real transformation Discover the heart behind Pray North Carolina and why a kingdom focused mindset is key to seeing God move [... more]

A close election in North Carolina's 26th Senate District has Sheriff Sam Page extending his lead over Senate President Phil Berger, who has been in the North Carolina General Assembly since 2000. Meanwhile, NC State University is facing a lawsuit over alleged PCB contamination in the Poe Hall building, and a state audit has found financial mismanagement in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School District, including a $15 million budget deficit. [... more]

North Carolina's primary election results show a close U.S. Senate race between Roy Cooper and Michael Watley, while Phil Berger and Sam Page are neck and neck in Senate District 26. Lori Buckout will face Don Davis in the first congressional district, setting up a rematch of their 2024 contest. [... more]

Voters in North Carolina head to the polls on primary election day, with a Senate primary and several other key races drawing attention. The state's voting requirements include showing a valid photo ID, and voters must cast their ballots in their assigned precinct. Despite low turnout, the election is expected to be closely watched, with some races potentially going down to the wire. [... more]

E. V. Hill and S. M. Lockeridge were two African-American pastors who lived with devotion, courage, and passion for the gospel of Christ. Despite facing challenges and making enemies on both sides, they remained committed to delivering the truth of God's word and were motivated by the approval of Christ. Their lives are worthy of imitation, not for their oratory skills or large congregations, but for their unwavering focus on the glory of Christ. [... more]

Crime rates in North Carolina's major cities show improvement in 2025, with a 21% decrease in violent crimes in Charlotte and a 25% reduction in homicides in Greensboro. The state's capital, Raleigh, saw a 1% overall reduction in violent crime, while Winston-Salem held steady. Meanwhile, the G20 finance track will host meetings in Asheville, showcasing the city's resilience and economic momentum after Hurricane Helene. Vaccines help train and strengthen the immune response to fight off respiratory illnesses like flu and COVID-19. [... more]

A report from the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force warns of rising energy rates amid a demand boom, recommending policies to ensure affordable, reliable, and clean energy supplies. Meanwhile, the state's Department of Environmental Quality awards $5.7 million in grants for flood resiliency projects in Western North Carolina, aiming to reduce flood risks and protect surrounding communities. [... more]

North Carolina's manufacturing sector reported one of the largest yearly job losses of any major industry, with a 1.5% decrease in jobs over the past year. Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate decreased in 99 out of 100 counties, and statewide employment numbers have continued to move in a positive direction. In other news, early voting for the primary election continues across the state, with 319 sites open for voters. Additionally, Congressman Brad Knott discusses the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, which aims to secure the United States' supply of rare earth minerals and reduce dependence on foreign nations. [... more]

North Carolina is expanding its apprenticeship programs with federal workforce funds, connecting high school students with career opportunities in various industries. Early voting kicks off in the state for the March 3rd primary election, with low expected voter turnout due to the lack of competitive races. The state is also launching a new energy efficiency program to make utility bills more affordable for eligible households. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein is addressing the growing demand for energy in the state, particularly from data centers, and is awaiting recommendations from his Energy Policy Task Force. [... more]

A safety crackdown in North Carolina removed nearly 2,000 unqualified drivers and vehicles from roads and highways. The state is facing concerns over commercial driver's licenses, with a federal audit finding 54% of non-domiciled licenses did not meet federal requirements. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is proposing revised math standards to better align with workforce needs, and the state is investing in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity initiatives. Additionally, a new partnership between federal and state agencies is providing a significant financial and operational boost to Western North Carolina's recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. [... more]