Thousands of educators from across North Carolina are expected to gather at the state capitol to call for increased teacher pay and education funding, while the governor signs a $319 million Medicaid bill into law, but expresses concerns about the ongoing costs of Medicaid and the elimination of health care coverage for nearly 27,000 children and pregnant women. [... more]

The North Carolina General Assembly is considering a proposal to eliminate local sales taxes on groceries, which would provide direct relief to households grappling with rising costs. Meanwhile, a bill imposing new restrictions on the use of social media by minors has cleared a key Senate hurdle, and a study by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality found widespread PFAS contamination in wastewater and biosolids. Additionally, the US Supreme Court has ruled on a case related to redistricting, clarifying the role of the Voting Rights Act and its impact on the drawing of election districts. [... more]

A federal grand jury in North Carolina has indicted former FBI director James Comey on charges of making threats to harm President Donald Trump. The indictment comes after a 2025 Instagram post involving seashells arranged on a beach with the message 8647. Meanwhile, North Carolina has fewer low-income households than it did 14 years ago and more upper-income ones, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census data. The state's education system is also facing challenges, with roughly 45% of public school students not proficient in reading and math. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education is working to address these issues and improve education funding. [... more]

Faithful planning is a delicate balance between preparation and surrender, trusting in God's guidance and wisdom. It's about holding plans loosely enough for God to redirect them, embracing the paradox of planning, and finding peace and trust in the one who holds the future. [... more]

A contentious committee hearing in Raleigh revealed that the Chapel Hill-Carborough City School District is not in compliance with Senate Bill 49, the Parents' Bill of Rights, which aims to increase transparency in curriculum and protect children from inappropriate content. The district's superintendent, Dr. Rodney Trice, was questioned by lawmakers over the district's handling of materials in its libraries, with some lawmakers expressing concerns that the district is intentionally subverting the law. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Supreme Court is considering a rehearing of the Leandro case, a 32-year-old legal challenge to education funding in the state. The case has been a major point of contention in North Carolina politics for decades, with some lawmakers arguing that it is a key factor in the state's education funding woes. [... more]

Hiram Stevens Maxim, a prolific inventor, held over 140 patents, including those for the light bulb and machine gun. However, his story is often overshadowed by Thomas Edison's, who is credited with inventing the light bulb. Maxim's life was marked by eccentricity and controversy, including a feud with Edison and a history of bigamy charges. Despite this, Maxim's invention of the machine gun became his lasting legacy. [... more]

A new committee is formed in the North Carolina General Assembly to investigate the release of 4,200 inmates from prison under a settlement in 2021, sparking public safety concerns. Meanwhile, a state audit reveals $1.25 million in mental health resources were spent on items like stuffed animals and plants instead of supporting students and faculty in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The state auditor's office is working to bring transparency to how hurricane relief funds are spent, and the issue raises questions about waste and abuse in government spending. [... more]

The North Carolina State Board of Elections adopted new non-citizen voter rules despite heated debate. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein is calling for the legalization of recreational marijuana, citing a report that warns of the dangers of the state's unregulated cannabis market. Additionally, Duke Energy is seeking a $800 million rate increase to recoup energy costs from a recent cold snap. The U.S. birth rate has hit a record low, with implications for the economy and public education. North Carolina's demographic shift is expected to have significant impacts on the state's economy and education system. [... more]

A man shares his mother's inspiring story of overcoming adversity and achieving success despite being a poor, biracial woman in a predominantly black community. She worked multiple jobs, raised three children on her own, and eventually became a licensed clinical social worker and earned a master's degree, embodying the American dream of advancing without arbitrary barriers. [... more]

The church plays a vital role in shaping the faith of children, but with the rise of screen addiction, parents and pastors must find new ways to disciple kids in today's digital age. Awana, a global leader in child discipleship, equips churches with training and resources to help parents and leaders shape the faith of children and reach them with the gospel. [... more]

God's power is beyond human comprehension, demonstrated through Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension to heavenly places, where He sits at the right hand of God, giving us authority over all powers and principalities. This power is available to us, and we can experience it by having our spiritual understanding enlightened and knowing our inheritance in Christ. [... more]

Doug and Mary Ketchum's quest to own their own liquor store in Memphis, Tennessee, was a horror story that took them all the way to the Supreme Court. They faced a state law that required a 10-year residency to get a liquor license, but the Constitution says everyone should be able to work and have gainful employment without restrictions. The couple's story highlights the importance of rule of law and property rights, and how the Institute for Justice fights for the rights of property owners who can't afford to litigate against bigger interests. [... more]

Allegations of election mismanagement and misconduct have been made against the election director in Anson County, North Carolina, with claims of failure to execute lawful board duties, interference with statutory duties, and mismanagement affecting election administration. The county board has filed a petition to remove the director, and the state board of elections will decide whether to terminate her. Meanwhile, a lawsuit over election integrity in North Carolina has been settled, with the state board of elections agreeing to comply with a 2023 law requiring the removal of non-citizen voters from the rolls. [... 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]

North Carolina faces a nearly $2.8 billion revenue shortfall over the next two years, according to Governor Josh Stein. Meanwhile, a long-standing election dispute in the small town of Pembroke has finally been resolved, with the challenger, Alan Dial, being certified as the winner after a two-and-a-half-year battle. The state is also dealing with wildfires and a burn ban, with crews making progress in containing the fires. [... more]

A federal judge upholds a North Carolina law changing same-day voter rules, while the state's Board of Elections reviews 15,000 comments on its adoption of a rule for non-citizen list maintenance. Meanwhile, the state's tax policy is compared to that of Vegas casinos, which treat high-net worth individuals well, and the North Carolina Forest Service is working to contain multiple wildfires across the state. [... more]

Rapid spending on autism therapy in North Carolina's Medicaid program is projected to exceed a billion dollars within the next two years, prompting state lawmakers to raise alarms and press health officials to explain these rapidly rising costs. Meanwhile, a legal challenge in North Carolina is testing the limits of body camera footage access, and a ballot selfie ban is being appealed to the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. [... more]

Investing time and effort in children is crucial for raising a godly legacy. Parents must balance discipline and encouragement, guiding their children towards wisdom and righteousness. By following biblical principles and setting a good example, parents can instill a love for God's Word and a desire to walk in truth. [... more]

Raising a godly seed requires a legacy of encouragement, guidance, affirmation, and correction. Parents must balance discipline with love, teaching children to walk with the Lord and trust in His plans. A godly legacy is not about wealth or material possessions, but about passing on wisdom, values, and faith to future generations. [... more]

A Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, VinFast, plans to resume construction on a $4 billion plant in Chatham County, North Carolina, despite significant financial losses and a major scaling down of its hiring goals. The company's original promise of 7,500 jobs has been reduced to 1,400, raising questions about the state's investment in job development investment grants and infrastructure. Meanwhile, lawmakers in North Carolina are questioning the costs of solar energy and its impact on the state's energy policy, with some arguing that it is not the least cost and reliable option. [... more]