Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is bringing the Trump administration's economic pressure campaign against Iran to Asheville as global finance leaders gather in western North Carolina Meanwhile FEMA has approved an additional million for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts as rebuilding continues across the region Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss Kalshi's decision to suspend NC- congressional candidate Laurie Buckhout after she traded on the outcome of her own race Plus lawmakers are returning to Raleigh for a skeleton session of the General Assembly with no business expected See omnystudio com listener for privacy information [... more]

Asheville is preparing to host global finance leaders for a G meeting putting western North Carolina in the international spotlight Meanwhile Fort Bragg has been selected to host an Army nuclear microreactor as the military explores new ways to strengthen energy resilience Attorney General Jeff Jackson is claiming a legal victory after a judge blocked a USPS ballot rule that had drawn concerns over its impact on mail-in voting Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss a new report finding North Carolina's business tax climate remains among the strongest in the country Plus a new survey shows [... more]

n this episode of It's Time to Man Up Nikita Koloff sits down with National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach Mark Harris for a powerful conversation about wrestling coaching family faith and making a lasting impact Mark shares his journey from discovering wrestling in eighth grade to competing at NC State and building a remarkable -year coaching career With seven team state championships state champions state place winners and more than state tournament qualifiers his accomplishments on the mat are impressive but Mark explains why the greatest victories are the lives changed beyond wrestling The conversation also highlights Mark's work [... more]

The North Carolina Supreme Court has signaled it will hear oral arguments in a case involving appointments and judicial vacancies in November, with no resolution expected before the 2027 election. Meanwhile, the governor of Asheville is criticizing North Carolina's firearm laws, arguing they have made the community less safe, despite the legislation not being in effect. A private gated community in North Carolina received $300,000 in public funding for emergency services and shelter repairs, sparking questions about transparency and accountability in the earmarks process. Additionally, a new federal school choice tax credit program could benefit nearly 1.7 million North Carolina children, with 93% of the state's K-12 population qualifying for scholarships. [... more]

North Carolina's latest statewide audit of federal spending identifies questionable costs and reporting failures across multiple agencies. The audit resulted in 19 findings, including 18 related to federal awards and one tied to financial statement reporting. The state auditor's office will provide oversight for the $650 million stadium renovation project in Charlotte, the largest expense of public dollars in the history of the state. [... more]

Nikita Koloff sits down with accomplished executive Patrick Taylor to talk about faith leadership and making a difference From growing up in Asheville North Carolina to serving as a global CEO and helping launch impactful nonprofits like Eblen Charities and Beyond All Borders Patrick shares how his Christian faith has shaped his career leadership style and passion for serving others [... 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]

The U.S. Department of Energy invests $175 million in upgrading coal-fired power plants across the nation, including a major facility in North Carolina. The funding aims to strengthen the power grid, keep electricity affordable and reliable, and preserve energy jobs. Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Board of Elections investigates reports of voter registration fraud, including individuals impersonating election officials and providing misinformation to voters. [... more]

The Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast continues to struggle with a timeline on getting its factory in Chatham County completed, despite initial plans to open in 2023. The company's focus has shifted to Asia, with a groundbreaking on an EV assembly plant in Indonesia and expansion in India and the Philippines. Meanwhile, the Asheville City Council has agreed to eliminate race-based commission criteria for the Human Relations Commission, a move that has been met with both praise and criticism. In other news, the North Carolina State Board of Elections has rejected Sunday voting in two counties ahead of municipal elections, and the state is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure for a VinFast factory that may not be built. [... more]

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declares a state of emergency in response to Tropical Storm Chantal, while the State Board of Elections launches an initiative to collect missing identification numbers from registered voters. Meanwhile, the recovery process from Hurricane Helene continues in Western North Carolina, with the city of Asheville still rebuilding its park system and recreational facilities. [... more]

The Supreme Court is hearing a big case involving climate change and the EPA, while President Biden's historic nomination of Judge Kintaji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court has been overshadowed by the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, a North Carolina resident has been issued a vanity plate with the word 'fart' on it, which has sparked a controversy with the DMV. [... more]

A healthcare policy analyst discusses the economic analysis of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, revealing a funding gap of $119 to $171 million in the first year. The analyst argues that the governor's plan is misguided and costly, and that the state should instead apply for a state innovation waiver to restructure healthcare subsidies and lower insurance premiums. Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenges the city of Wilmington's vacation rental rules, which the city claims are constitutional but the Institute for Justice argues are unconstitutional. The case has significant implications for property rights in North Carolina. [... more]