News
Boliek reassigns election liaison, citing county chair effort winding down
38+ min ago (476+ words) State Auditor Dave Boliek has eliminated the elections liaison position, currently held by Dallas Woodhouse. The change comes after the Office of the State Auditor completed its transition efforts, including the appointment of new chairs for all 100 county boards of…...
Stein asks top NC court to extend briefing deadline through October
1+ hour, 17+ min ago (1663+ words) Listen to this story (22 minutes) Gov. Josh Stein is asking the North Carolina Supreme Court to extend its deadline for written briefs in two cases pitting the Democratic governor against top Republican legislative leaders. Stein's request would lead to final…...
NC budget eliminates vehicle emissions inspections
1+ hour, 30+ min ago (380+ words) The newly signed state budget effectively eliminates the vehicle emissions inspection requirement in North Carolina, pending EPA approval. These changes, however, cannot take effect until the EPA approves North Carolina's revised Air Quality plan submitted by NCDEQ in Oct 2024, according…...
Budget delivers child care subsidies without defunding school vouchers
4+ hour, 52+ min ago (663+ words) North Carolina's new state budget grants the biggest request from a bipartisan task force on child care: more money for the state's child care subsidy program, including a first-ever statewide floor on what providers get paid. The spending plan "passedby…...
1 week of unaffiliated registrations top 6 months from major parties
4+ hour, 50+ min ago (407+ words) Saturday's update from the State Board of Elections showed 7, 797, 297 total registered voters in the state, with 39. 8% unaffiliated (3, 104, 288); 29. 8% Republicans (2, 326, 262); and 29. 7% Democrats (2, 315, 598). The total volume rose 4, 415 in the most recent seven-day reporting period, with 3, 867 unaffiliated, 363 Republicans and 158 Democrats. Voter roll maintenance, standard…...
Mass production can ease housing woes
13+ hour, 51+ min ago (496+ words) I agree with homebuilders, would-be homebuyers, business executives, trade associations, legislative leaders, and Gov. Josh Stein that one of North Carolina's biggest challenges is the lack of affordable housing across broad swaths of our state. "In high growth regions, rising…...
Stein signs 4 bipartisan bills into law
1+ day, 3+ hour ago (772+ words) Gov. Josh Stein signed four bipartisan bills into law Monday afternoon at the Executive Mansion." The bills address gang violence, involuntary commitment, housing affordability, and state employee benefits " issues supported by lawmakers in both parties this session." Stein welcomed legislators…...
Case from "80s offers clues for voters in NC Supreme Court race
1+ day, 10+ hour ago (606+ words) You might not expect a 1988 court case to affect this year's North Carolina Supreme Court election. Yet one former Republican legislative leader hopes voters will take time to learn about State v. Carter. Paul "Skip" Stam argues that the case highlights…...
2 GOP senators vote against NC budget over ferry tolls
1+ day, 23+ hour ago (724+ words) For the first time since 2013, a Republican senator has voted against a full North Carolina state budget." Sens. Bobby Hanig, R-Currituck; and Norman Sanderson, R-Pamlico, voted against Senate Bill 257, the 2026 Appropriations Act, on second reading Wednesday over a provision requiring…...
NC budget repeals CON for inpatient rehabilitation care
2+ day, 2+ hour ago (801+ words) North Carolinians could soon have more options for inpatient rehabilitation care." Senate Bill 257, the 2026 Appropriations Act, includes a provision repealing CON review for inpatient rehabilitation services, facilities, and beds starting Oct. 1, 2026." North Carolina's Certificate of Need law, which dates back…...