The death penalty is in the news again Is it moral The trailer for the new Narnia movie has been released John and Maria give their thoughts And legislation has been proposed in Congress that will protect parental rights Segment Death Penalty Narnia Trailer Death penalty public execution Details on Execution Crista Pike Trump calls off livestream of execution Narnia trailer released Segment Protecting Parental Rights Foucault and Nietzsche Yaeli Martinez act Foucault and Nietzsche Why You Think the Way You Do by Glenn Sunshine Ten Books that Screwed Up the World and Five More that Didn't Help by Benjamin [... more]

North Carolina Gov Josh Stein has signed legislation temporarily suspending the state's -cent-per-gallon gas tax through November while criticizing Republican lawmakers for not doing more to address the rising cost of living Republican legislative leaders defended the measure as an example of the state's fiscal responsibility and commitment to providing relief for drivers Meanwhile the North Carolina State Health Plan has filed a lawsuit against Atrium Health seeking to block a new pricing program arguing it could threaten the plan's financial stability Atrium maintains its program is designed to lower healthcare costs for state employees and retirees Andrew Pomeranz of [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers have approved a temporary suspension of the state's -cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax through Nov passing the measure - in the House and - in the Senate during Wednesday's special session The program features audio from the General Assembly as lawmakers debate the measure and its impact on drivers and transportation funding Meanwhile the Department of Public Instruction is asking the state for recurring funding to replace aging student laptops with more than half of public school units reporting they lack sufficient replacement funding Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss a th [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers are returning to Raleigh this week to consider relief from rising fuel prices including a possible suspension of the state gas tax Meanwhile the Senate Leadership Fund has paused additional advertising in North Carolina's U S Senate race between Republican Michael Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper Congress has also cleared legislation authorizing the transfer of roughly acres of Fort Bragg property to North Carolina for a new state veterans home Theresa Opeka of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss a group's claim that it identified more than duplicate voter registration records across of North Carolina's largest [... more]

Students from a Wake County public school traveled to China through an exchange program linked to the Chinese Communist Party raising questions about the program and its connections 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 nation compared with key competitor states Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation reacts to Governor Josh Stein's veto of House Bill and the ongoing debate over the election reforms included in the legislation Plus AmeriCorps has awarded million to support volunteer and service programs across North [... more]

Governor Josh Stein has vetoed a North Carolina elections bill that would shorten the state's early voting period setting up another potential showdown with Republican lawmakers over election policy Meanwhile a new audit of the Charlotte Area Transit System found millions of dollars in estimated annual losses from fare evasion while also identifying broader security and enforcement concerns Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss the latest developments in the COVID-era shutdown lawsuit where bar owners argue former Governor Roy Cooper's testimony is crucial to their case Plus Stein has vetoed legislation that would allow [... more]

A discussion on the rising interest in socialism and the need for Republicans to address economic concerns, particularly in regards to college affordability and healthcare. The conversation also touches on the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of government policies that promote individual freedom and responsibility. [... more]

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 major political bombshell unfolds in North Carolina as Congressman Chuck Edwards announces he will not seek re-election, leaving a vacancy in the 11th congressional district. The Republican Party will select a replacement nominee, and the candidate will face Democrat Jamie Ager in the election. Meanwhile, the North Carolina General Assembly is considering a hemp ban and election laws, with the governor planning to veto the legislation. [... more]

Congressman Chuck Edwards announces he's dropping out of his reelection campaign after a House ethics committee found him in violation of House rules related to sexual harassment and creating a hostile workplace. Meanwhile, North Carolina lawmakers are debating hemp regulation, with some advocating for a ban on THC products and others pushing for a more nuanced approach. A bipartisan group of officials has also formed a partnership to combat fraud and protect taxpayer money. [... more]

A new investigation by the North Carolina State Auditor's Office has uncovered widespread failures in financial oversight and questionable taxpayer-funded spending in the town of Kerry, one of the state's largest municipalities. The report highlights a culture that discouraged employees from questioning leadership and a lack of transparency in financial decision-making. Meanwhile, former FBI Director James Comey faces a federal investigation in North Carolina, accused of threatening President Donald Trump with a 2025 social media post. [... more]

Megan McCain discusses her relationship with the late Senator Lindsey Graham, and the impact of his passing on politics. Dana Lash shares her thoughts on Daylight Savings Time, and the investigation into Taco Bell's role in a Cyclospora outbreak. The hosts also talk about identity theft, and the importance of protecting personal data with LifeLock. Additionally, they discuss the benefits of Vital Proteins, and the importance of good sleep with Ghostbed. The conversation also touches on AI, and the use of GlideOS to build software for work. Finally, Dana Lash promotes Penzoil Platinum, and Domino's Pizza's new stuffed crust deal. [... 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 business creation has hit a record high in the first half of 2026, with over 100,000 new businesses created, according to Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. The state's economic relationship with Canada remains strong, with Canada being North Carolina's top trading partner. Meanwhile, Labor Commissioner Luke Farley reflected on an unforgettable experience meeting U.S. Marine Corps Major James Capers Jr., a recent Medal of Honor recipient. The state's healthcare affordability commission aims to lower healthcare costs, and the pension system has seen significant improvements, with a $8 billion earnings in the pension system reducing the pension deficit by almost 75%. Additionally, the state's emissions testing requirement is set to be rolled back in 19 counties, and Governor Josh Stein has signed 12 bills into law, including a virtual currency kiosk consumer protection act and a farmland and military protection act. [... more]

A $34.4 billion state budget has been unveiled in North Carolina, with a 7% increase from the last budget. The plan includes an average 8% pay raise for educators, a 3% raise for all other state employees, and bonuses for certain positions. The budget also includes tax cuts, with the personal income tax rate set to decrease to 3.49% from 2027 to 2029. Additionally, the plan allocates more than $700 million for Hurricane Helene relief and $450 million to the Rainy Day Fund. [... more]

Lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly are expected to make significant decisions on a state budget and a constitutional carry bill, while U.S. Senator Ted Budd expresses opposition to a White House funding request for Hurricane Helene recovery. Meanwhile, experts discuss the importance of controlling spending, setting aside funds for emergencies, and reducing the tax burden on individuals and businesses in the state. [... more]

The North Carolina General Assembly voted to override Governor Josh Stein's vetoes on four bills, including measures related to immigration enforcement, DEI policies, and public education. The legislation aims to improve public safety, restrict state agencies from promoting DEI initiatives, and eliminate DEI in public education. Meanwhile, a major settlement was reached between the US Department of Justice and Comoz, a chemical manufacturer, to address water contamination caused by PFAS chemicals in the southeastern part of the state. [... more]

The Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup victory celebration brought the team to the North Carolina General Assembly, where lawmakers praised the team for unifying the state. Meanwhile, a bill aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in healthcare billing advanced in the North Carolina Senate, but raised concerns about stifling efficiencies in healthcare. North Carolina has the seventh longest emergency room visit time in the country, with patients spending an average of three hours and 15 minutes in emergency departments. Medicaid expansion and certificate of need laws have been cited as contributing factors to lengthy ER visit times. [... 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]

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]