North Carolina officials are recruiting aerospace and defense manufacturers to the state, while Governor Josh Stein has announced a new statewide advisory council to bolster the state as a premier location for defense research and innovation. Meanwhile, the state is also dealing with the potential opening of a federal immigration processing center in North Carolina, and the collapse of a major economic development project with VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer. [... more]

Many faith-based ministries are missing out on billions of dollars in charitable gift matching programs due to restrictive policies. A Christian investment firm is working to change this by engaging with companies to create more inclusive programs. Meanwhile, a couple is seeking advice on how to manage their retirement accounts, including a TSP with a large balance, and a listener asks about the factors that determine when to start taking Social Security payments. [... more]

North Carolina is well-positioned for strong future economic growth, with a record year in job announcements and nearly $23 billion in overall project investment. The state has made significant progress in sectors like aerospace, biotech, and electric vehicles, with major companies like Jet Zero, Scout Motors, and Toyota investing heavily in the state. Meanwhile, the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was relatively quiet, with no hurricanes making landfall in the United States, but still causing significant damage and beach erosion in eastern North Carolina. [... more]

A Portland pastry chef was mauled by an off-leash dog, while the dog's owner overdosed on fentanyl. Meanwhile, SpaceX's Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its maiden launch. The incident sparked a debate about the importance of risk-taking and accountability in pursuit of innovation and progress. [... more]