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]

Golf With Jay Delsing features a visit with Congressman Richard Hudson from North Carolina talking about everything golf Also there's the latest news and notes from throughout the world of golf See Privacy Policy at https art com privacy and California Privacy Notice at https art com privacy do-not-sell-my-info [... more]

The Bible teaches that all humans are made in the image of God and are worthy of respect and dignity, regardless of their sexual proclivities. The gospel is the key to moral purity, and it is not about following rules or techniques, but about understanding and applying the implications of the gospel to our lives. The Corinthian church's failure to live according to the gospel led to sexual immorality and other problems, and Paul's solution was to call them back to the centrality of the gospel and its implications for their lives. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers have passed a state budget that includes tax cuts, teacher raises, and disaster recovery funding. The budget, which was passed with bipartisan support, now heads to Governor Josh Stein's desk for signature. The budget also includes funding for economic development projects, including a commercial aircraft manufacturing facility in Greensboro. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over $197 million in additional disaster recovery funding for Western North Carolina, which was affected by Hurricane Helene. [... more]

The North Carolina General Assembly has passed a budget that includes significant investments in teacher pay raises, public safety, and infrastructure. The budget also allocates funds for farming and water and wastewater infrastructure. Representative Brendan Jones, the Republican majority leader, described the budget as a responsible and conservative budget that prioritizes the needs of working families, teachers, and law enforcement. However, some Democrats have expressed concerns about the budget's impact on public schools and the diversion of taxpayer money to private school vouchers. [... more]

A railroad bridge in Durham, North Carolina, has captured the world's attention due to frequent truck crashes, which have been documented by a local resident who sells crash debris as 'trash art' on YouTube. [... 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]

North Carolina lawmakers are set to unveil a new state budget, which includes raises for state employees and teachers, as well as tax cuts. Meanwhile, Duke Energy has agreed to cancel its offshore wind energy project and reinvest $129 million in other energy sources. A lawsuit filed by bar owners against former Governor Roy Cooper and the state of North Carolina over COVID-19 restrictions is moving forward, with the plaintiffs seeking depositions from Cooper and his former Health and Human Services Secretary, Mandy Cohen. [... 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]

A sweeping election bill in North Carolina's General Assembly has cleared a major hurdle in the House Rules Committee, but faces significant minority opposition and potential signs of running out of time. Meanwhile, the Lumbee Tribe has voted against a proposed casino development off Interstate 95 in Robeson County, and a new statewide poll shows Democrats leading in the state's open U.S. Senate race. [... 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]

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles' resignation has led to a new interim mayor, Robert Harrington, who will serve for 18 months. Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Auditor's office has released a report detailing $61 million in spending on the unbuilt Mid-Currituck Bridge, with no construction underway despite 30 years of planning and spending. The report highlights a major funding gap for the project, with construction not expected to begin until 2028. In other news, Governor Josh Stein has signed six bills into law, including the North Carolina Farm Act of 2026 and a ban on third-party litigation investment. The North Carolina General Assembly is also set to make changes to the state's executive branch, with the state Supreme Court set to weigh in on the matter. [... more]

Chief Justice Paul Newby shares his experiences traveling to Ukraine to meet with judges and discuss the American system of government and justice. He highlights the differences between the Ukrainian and US judicial systems, and how the Ukrainian judges view the US system favorably due to its emphasis on accountability to God and the protection of fundamental rights. [... 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]

North Carolina's election law proposal stalls in the House, with some provisions resurfacing in the Senate. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate Armed Service Committee advances the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes funding for North Carolina's military installations. Fertilizer prices are rising globally due to geopolitical disruptions, affecting North Carolina farmers. Charter schools in North Carolina reach a record high, with 213 schools and over 161,000 students, but academic gaps persist. [... more]

The Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup win has boosted North Carolina's chances of getting a Major League Baseball team, with Raleigh's national profile and credibility of potential ownership groups increasing. The state's love for baseball and strong fan base make it an ideal location for a team. Meanwhile, the Panthers are preparing for training camp, with a deeper and more talented team than in recent years, and the USA soccer team is gearing up for the World Cup, with a matchup against Australia on July 4th. [... more]