A Durham-based energy company, American Efficient, files for bankruptcy after being accused of collecting hundreds of millions of dollars in electricity savings it did not produce. The company's CEO, Adam Abrams, has ties to former Governor Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Democratic Party. Meanwhile, VinFast, a Vietnamese EV manufacturer, is facing a lawsuit from the North Carolina Attorney General's office over its failure to meet job creation targets. The company received a $300 million grant from the state's JDIG program. In other news, former Governor Roy Cooper is leading in fundraising for the US Senate race, with $14.8 million raised in the second quarter compared to Michael Watley's $5 million. [... more]

The USS Pueblo, a US Navy ship, was captured by North Korean forces in international waters during the Vietnam War. The crew faced torture, starvation, and propaganda, but ultimately, the US negotiated their release after 11 months. The ship remains in North Korea, a symbol of the country's military power. [... 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]

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]

Medicaid spending in North Carolina has nearly doubled over the last four years, with the state budget fully funding the state's projected Medicaid obligations for the coming fiscal year. Meanwhile, the state is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, with thousands of applicants remaining in various stages of the recovery process. Additionally, cities across North Carolina are grappling with large youth-led gatherings organized or amplified through social media, known as teen takeovers, which have led to violence, property damage, and innocent people getting hurt. [... 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]

A new analysis from Carolina Journal shows that elite private schools across North Carolina take little opportunity scholarship dollars, while predominantly lower-cost religious schools receive the largest share of funds. The state budget also expands sports betting and prediction markets, with a 5% increase on gross wagering revenue taxes and a 6% tax on net trading in prediction markets. A federal lawsuit is filed against the Gaston County School Board over a teacher's social media post after Charlie Kirk's assassination, raising questions about First Amendment rights and public vs. private conduct. [... 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]

George Valdez, a former cocaine drug lord, recounts his life of crime and transformation, from his childhood in Cuba to his rise as a powerful figure in the cocaine trade, and ultimately, his journey towards redemption and faith. [... more]

A revival is happening in Caswell County, where people are coming together to worship Jesus without agenda, and experiencing an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The cost of revival is a life laid down, with prayer, worship, fasting, and obedience. It's about living a life of godly character, intimacy with God, and being led by the Holy Spirit, rather than being controlled by a religious spirit. [... more]

North Carolina's state budget has been approved, with a focus on hurricane recovery efforts, transportation infrastructure, and education spending. The budget also raises taxes on sports betting operators and redirects wagering revenues to public university athletics. Additionally, the state is opening the door to taxing prediction markets, which allow users to buy and sell contracts tied to future events. [... 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]

A disturbing moment in history still haunts one American city more than a century later. In downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, a memorial stands to remember the families that were slain and taken away during a successful coup in 1898. Meanwhile, Gracie Abrams has gone from a shy girl to opening for music's biggest names and her own version of pop stardom. In Washington D.C., the Trump administration's plans to remake the nation's capital are sparking controversy, and a medical drama series, The Pit, shines a spotlight on the dedication of doctors and nurses. In Tuscany, a centuries-old tradition of wine barrel racing brings the community together. [... more]

A state audit in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, reveals improper utility billing and unpaid bills from city officials, highlighting financial concerns and mismanagement. Meanwhile, the North Carolina General Assembly passes a law limiting the city's ability to transfer electric utility revenues into its general fund, and the state budget repeals a key sales tax exemption for electricity used by data centers, generating additional revenue for the state. [... more]

Christian leaders discuss the relevance of Christianity in America, addressing topics such as persecution, revival, and the role of Christian values in shaping the nation's policies and culture. [... 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]

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]

The North Carolina legislature has reached a deal on a budget, but it still awaits Governor Josh Stein's signature or veto. The budget includes a provision to repeal certificate of need laws for inpatient rehabilitation care, which could increase access to affordable healthcare. Meanwhile, two Republican senators have voted against the budget due to a provision requiring tolls on all state ferry routes. Additionally, a lawsuit has been filed against Rockingham County and a county commissioner, Kevin Berger, alleging retaliation against former Sheriff Sam Page for running against Phil Berger's son in a primary election. [... more]

North Carolina's Lake Lure is recovering from Hurricane Helene's devastating impact, with officials transitioning from emergency response to long-term infrastructure reconstruction and economic development. Meanwhile, the state is considering an MLB expansion team in Raleigh, which could bring in significant economic benefits and create jobs. [... more]