State officials and lawmakers in North Carolina are at odds over the pace of recovery efforts in western North Carolina, 17 months after Hurricane Helene. The state has allocated over a billion dollars for relief, but lawmakers say bureaucratic delays and complex designs are slowing repairs and increasing costs. [... more]

Crime in North Carolina public schools has decreased for a third consecutive year, with fewer than 1% of students committing a reportable offense. The state auditor's office is promoting transparency and accountability with internal audits and budget dashboards. Meanwhile, a lawsuit against UNC Chapel Hill over a 2024 protest has resulted in a judge blocking the campus ban for three plaintiffs, citing First Amendment rights. [... more]

A federal safety audit has found widespread non-compliance within the Charlotte area transportation system, citing serious deficiencies in how the agency manages safety risks, protects transit workers, and oversees rising violence across its system. Meanwhile, a state audit has revealed over $1 billion in lapsed salaries across North Carolina, with some agencies collecting funds for vacant positions for years. The state auditor recommends improving tracking and reporting of lapsed salaries, reducing administrative delays in the hiring process, and making state salaries more competitive with surrounding states. [... more]

North Carolina received a C-minus grade for infrastructure in a report from the American Society of Civil Engineers, citing strain on key portions of infrastructure due to population growth. The state board of elections is working to correct voter registration issues, with over 100,000 voters needing to provide required information. Meanwhile, lawmakers are set to hold a hearing on crime and public safety issues in Charlotte, with a federal judge indicating that the hearing can proceed without additional limits. [... more]

Cotton production plays a significant role in North Carolina's economy, with the state ranking sixth in the nation for cotton production. Meanwhile, immunization is crucial as the immune system weakens with age, and vaccines help train and strengthen the immune response to fight off respiratory illnesses. In North Carolina, the General Assembly has made changes to appointment authority, which has led to legal challenges. Additionally, the state is experiencing winter weather, and scammers are taking advantage of individuals affected by the storms, making it essential to be cautious when dealing with insurance claims. [... more]

A major winter storm is approaching North Carolina, prompting Governor Josh Stein to declare a state of emergency. The state's emergency response team has been activated, and crews are pre-treating roads with brine and restocking salt supplies. Meanwhile, a lawsuit over the state health plan has been ongoing for 14 years, with the state health plan seeking to have the state Supreme Court revisit its ruling. Additionally, a company called ComScope has canceled a major manufacturing expansion in Catawba County, and UNC Chapel Hill is poised to break ground on a major campus expansion in 2027. [... more]

The Bible speaks about a kind of faith that is superficial, not saving at all, and how it immunizes people from understanding their need for the real gospel. Genuine saving faith turns on one phrase: 'you must be born again.' [... more]

The Bible speaks about a superficial faith that doesn't go deep and doesn't save, a faith that immunizes people from understanding their need for the real gospel. Genuine saving faith turns on one phrase: 'you must be born again.' This phrase is central to the Gospel of John, which emphasizes that people need to be reborn to enter the kingdom of God. [... more]