North Carolina ranks fourth in the country for small business performance, driven by GDP growth, business formations, and a deep pool of tech talent. The state's welcoming fiscal climate and tax reforms have contributed to its economic gains, with the Raleigh-Durham area experiencing significant growth and innovation. However, challenges such as infrastructure and housing prices may arise with rapid growth, and the state will need to manage these strains in the years to come. [... more]

North Carolina sues Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast for breach of agreement, citing failure to create jobs and invest in the state as promised. Meanwhile, gas prices are expected to be high over the Memorial Day weekend, with many Americans unaware of the true meaning of the holiday, which honors those who died in service to their country. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers are expected to vote on three constitutional amendments, including one that would lower the state's income tax rate and another that would limit how much local governments can raise property taxes. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order aimed at addressing the state's affordable housing crisis, and the agricultural industry is facing a fertilizer shortage due to global disruptions and trade policies. [... more]

Dave and Ashley Willis discuss the importance of teaching boys to respect girls, the challenges of modern culture, and the role of parents in shaping their children's values and behaviors. They share practical advice and personal anecdotes, emphasizing the need for intentional parenting and modeling healthy relationships. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment to lower the state's income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%. Meanwhile, a levy limit proposal aims to cap property tax growth, and the Senate Majority Pact has announced a $31.5 million investment in former Governor Roy Cooper's U.S. Senate campaign against Michael Watley. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers have reached an agreement on a state spending plan, ending a months-long impasse between Republican leaders in the House and Senate. The budget includes record salary increases for teachers and state employees, as well as tax relief for citizens. Meanwhile, a joint legislative committee will investigate the release of inmates under a 2021 pandemic settlement, which has raised concerns about public safety and government accountability. [... more]

A discussion on the importance of Christ-centered preaching, the decline of Protestantism, and the rise of false religions. The host shares his personal experiences and insights on how to deliver effective sermons, and the need for pastors to prioritize teaching the truth over attendance numbers. [... more]

Children are a blessing, but left unshaded by proper protection, they can become a heartbreak. Parents must discipline and instruct their children in the Lord to raise them right, avoiding provocation to anger through over-protection, favoritism, pushing achievement, overindulgence, discouragement, neglect, bitter words, and physical cruelty. By setting an example, living by a standard, and holding children to it, parents can raise godly children who will bring joy and comfort to their lives. [... more]

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]