Mecklenburg County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Tanya McKnight, accused of subjecting six-year-old Dominique Moody to prolonged abuse before the child's death. The case has led to scrutiny of child welfare agencies and legislative action to create a state backstop for high-risk cases. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein is challenging the North Carolina General Assembly's changes to judicial appointments, arguing that they limit his authority to appoint judges. [... more]

Brendan Hunt, co-creator and actor of Ted Lasso, discusses the show's origins, his favorite episodes, and the fantasy league he's a part of. Rich Eisen shares his thoughts on LeBron James joining the Sixers and the potential for a celebration of New York basketball. [... more]

Representative Jennifer Balcombe, a two-term member of the North Carolina House, has been selected by Republicans in western North Carolina to replace Congressman Chuck Edwards as the GOP nominee for North Carolina's 11th congressional district. Balcombe plans to bring her focus on making life more affordable for working families, improving community safety, and supporting farmers to Washington, D.C. as she faces off against Democrat Jamie Ager in the November general election. [... more]

Ed Curry, the founder of the Pucker Butt Pepper Company, shares his story of how he went from being an addict to becoming a successful entrepreneur by breeding the hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper. He talks about his journey, from his childhood to his struggles with addiction and how he found solace in peppers. He also discusses the science behind peppers and how they can be used for medicinal purposes. [... more]

The 11th Congressional District GOP Executive Committee is set to meet in Buncombe County to choose the GOP's replacement candidate for United States House after Congressman Chuck Edwards' resignation. Meanwhile, Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Bolton House was stripped of her title due to alleged violations of the Miss USA organization's standards, which she believes may be related to her conservative views and Mormon faith. [... more]

Rich Eisen Show discusses the Pro Football Hall of Fame, NFL legends, and the upcoming season, including the Detroit Lions' chances with Jameer Gibbs as the bell cow and the impact of Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator. [... more]

The Republican Party is facing a demoralized base, and President Trump is warning that if Democrats take over, it will be the end of the Trump presidency. Meanwhile, the Democrat Party is struggling with the rise of radical candidates, and some are calling for a return to moderation. In Tennessee, Democrats won historic victories, including control of the Knox County Board of Education and the Hamilton County Commission. The Patriot Games, a national athletic competition, is underway, and Jackson Cressman, a 17-year-old from Mississippi, is representing the Mid-South. Congressman Ralph Norman is running for the Senate in South Carolina, promising to be a conservative leader and a strong advocate for the Second Amendment. [... more]

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is celebrating its 64th enshrinement class, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport. The enshrinement ceremony is a weekend-long event that includes a jacket dinner, where incoming Hall of Famers receive their gold jacket, and a luncheon where returning Hall of Famers share their experiences and advice with the incoming class. The event is a celebration of football, family, and the legacy of the sport. [... more]

North Carolina's 11th congressional district is set to choose a new Republican candidate after Congressman Chuck Edwards dropped out of the race due to a House Ethics Committee report. The district's executive committee will meet Monday to select a replacement nominee. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction marked the first anniversary of Superintendent Mo Green's five-year strategic plan, launching a public dashboard and pointing to four record results as evidence of progress. The plan aims to make North Carolina's public education system the best in the nation by 2030. In other news, the North Carolina General Assembly has taken action on two pieces of legislation, House Bill 958 and House Bill 834, dealing with elections across the state. The bills have undergone significant changes, with some provisions being moved from one bill to the other. Dr. Andy Jackson from the John Locke Foundation joins the Carolina Journal News Hour to discuss the latest developments. Additionally, new data from the 2025 North Carolina High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that North Carolina has returned to and exceeded pre-pandemic levels across nearly all reported measures, with encouraging percentage drops in student safety, risk behaviors, and mental health. [... more]

A major political bombshell unfolds in North Carolina as Congressman Chuck Edwards announces he will not seek re-election, leaving a vacancy in the 11th congressional district. The Republican Party will select a replacement nominee, and the candidate will face Democrat Jamie Ager in the election. Meanwhile, the North Carolina General Assembly is considering a hemp ban and election laws, with the governor planning to veto the legislation. [... more]

Congressman Chuck Edwards announces he's dropping out of his reelection campaign after a House ethics committee found him in violation of House rules related to sexual harassment and creating a hostile workplace. Meanwhile, North Carolina lawmakers are debating hemp regulation, with some advocating for a ban on THC products and others pushing for a more nuanced approach. A bipartisan group of officials has also formed a partnership to combat fraud and protect taxpayer money. [... more]

A North Carolina congressman is facing calls for censure after being found in violation of the House Code of Conduct. Meanwhile, the state's pension fund has posted a $17 billion gain, but concerns about Social Security's solvency are growing. Additionally, data centers are becoming a contentious issue in North Carolina, with some localities imposing moratoriums on their expansion, citing concerns about energy usage and noise pollution. [... more]

The North Carolina Supreme Court has signaled it will hear oral arguments in a case involving appointments and judicial vacancies in November, with no resolution expected before the 2027 election. Meanwhile, the governor of Asheville is criticizing North Carolina's firearm laws, arguing they have made the community less safe, despite the legislation not being in effect. A private gated community in North Carolina received $300,000 in public funding for emergency services and shelter repairs, sparking questions about transparency and accountability in the earmarks process. Additionally, a new federal school choice tax credit program could benefit nearly 1.7 million North Carolina children, with 93% of the state's K-12 population qualifying for scholarships. [... more]

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]

Western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, with federal grants aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening the workforce. Meanwhile, Duke Energy has joined the Trump administration's ratepayer protection pledge, promising to support measures preventing households and small businesses from paying for power plants and grid infrastructure changes. The North Carolina General Assembly is also debating election laws, with a pair of rewritten bills passed by the Senate that would shorten early voting for primary elections and add performance audits for election systems. Additionally, a state representative is raising concerns about professional standards in public schools, specifically regarding a transgender music teacher at an elementary school. [... more]

A new rapid response report from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor raises questions about how more than $111 million was spent to operate 55 Hurricane Helene base camps and comfort stations. Meanwhile, former FBI director James Comey is facing charges related to a social media post he made in 2025, and lawmakers in North Carolina are working on election reform bills that include changes to early voting periods and voter challenges. [... more]

A potential ICE detention center in North Carolina's northeastern part of the state has sparked debate over immigration enforcement and local cooperation. Meanwhile, a major elections overhaul bill is set to see significant movement in the North Carolina General Assembly. Electricity rates across the state are also under scrutiny, with Duke Energy proposing a 9.5% rate increase over the next two years. As North Carolina aims for a carbon-neutral future, the cost of achieving this goal is being felt by consumers. [... more]

A new performance audit of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found concerns with the way compliance visits were conducted at child care centers across the state. The audit also highlighted issues with the division's scheduling practices and the handling of judicial vacancies, with the governor and the General Assembly disagreeing on the interpretation of state law. [... more]

A Durham-based energy company, American Efficient, files for bankruptcy after being accused of collecting hundreds of millions of dollars in electricity savings it did not produce. The company's CEO, Adam Abrams, has ties to former Governor Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Democratic Party. Meanwhile, VinFast, a Vietnamese EV manufacturer, is facing a lawsuit from the North Carolina Attorney General's office over its failure to meet job creation targets. The company received a $300 million grant from the state's JDIG program. In other news, former Governor Roy Cooper is leading in fundraising for the US Senate race, with $14.8 million raised in the second quarter compared to Michael Watley's $5 million. [... more]

A state audit flags financial control failures in the town of Zebulon, North Carolina, with issues including excessive travel expenses and unsupported payments to consultants. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Ted Budd testifies in favor of additional disaster relief funding for Western North Carolina, citing delays and inefficiencies in the federal recovery process. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction issues guidance on managing screen time on school-issued devices, recommending a focus on purpose and structure rather than strict time limits. [... more]

North Carolina officials marked a major milestone in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, awarding over $1 billion in grants for water, wastewater, and resilience projects across western North Carolina. Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved new permanent absentee ballot rules, sparking concerns about election integrity and voter ID requirements. [... more]

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is implementing new rules for photo ID exemptions, sparking controversy over voter fraud and election integrity. Meanwhile, businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are still navigating insurance claims and government shutdowns, highlighting the complexities of public policy and the importance of transparency in government. [... more]

Medicaid spending in North Carolina has nearly doubled over the last four years, with the state budget fully funding the state's projected Medicaid obligations for the coming fiscal year. Meanwhile, the state is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, with thousands of applicants remaining in various stages of the recovery process. Additionally, cities across North Carolina are grappling with large youth-led gatherings organized or amplified through social media, known as teen takeovers, which have led to violence, property damage, and innocent people getting hurt. [... more]

A new investigation by the North Carolina State Auditor's Office has uncovered widespread failures in financial oversight and questionable taxpayer-funded spending in the town of Kerry, one of the state's largest municipalities. The report highlights a culture that discouraged employees from questioning leadership and a lack of transparency in financial decision-making. Meanwhile, former FBI Director James Comey faces a federal investigation in North Carolina, accused of threatening President Donald Trump with a 2025 social media post. [... more]

A new analysis from Carolina Journal shows that elite private schools across North Carolina take little opportunity scholarship dollars, while predominantly lower-cost religious schools receive the largest share of funds. The state budget also expands sports betting and prediction markets, with a 5% increase on gross wagering revenue taxes and a 6% tax on net trading in prediction markets. A federal lawsuit is filed against the Gaston County School Board over a teacher's social media post after Charlie Kirk's assassination, raising questions about First Amendment rights and public vs. private conduct. [... more]

A new report from the North Carolina State Auditor's Office reveals that 78% of inactive landfills in the state are not being monitored, posing significant risks to public health and the environment. Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenges the state's certificate of need law, which is contributing to high healthcare costs in North Carolina. Additionally, the U.S. House has passed a bill to make daylight savings time permanent across the country, and the North Carolina General Assembly is considering legislation to overhaul the process of municipal de-annexation. [... more]

A revival is happening in Caswell County, where people are coming together to worship Jesus without agenda, and experiencing an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The cost of revival is a life laid down, with prayer, worship, fasting, and obedience. It's about living a life of godly character, intimacy with God, and being led by the Holy Spirit, rather than being controlled by a religious spirit. [... more]

North Carolina's state budget has been approved, with a focus on hurricane recovery efforts, transportation infrastructure, and education spending. The budget also raises taxes on sports betting operators and redirects wagering revenues to public university athletics. Additionally, the state is opening the door to taxing prediction markets, which allow users to buy and sell contracts tied to future events. [... more]

Dicey Langston, a heroine of the American Revolution, risked her life to warn her brothers of a Tory attack, using her bravery and cunning to outwit the enemy and protect her family and the Patriot cause. [... more]

The sudden passing of Lindsey Graham has sparked a chain of events in South Carolina, with his sister being considered as an interim placeholder in the Senate. Meanwhile, the situation in Iran and Yemen continues to escalate, with Yemeni forces striking a Houthi-controlled airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. In the US, there have been incidents involving ICE agents and illegal aliens, leading to a heated debate about immigration and border control. The World Cup has also been a topic of discussion, with Norway being eliminated and England advancing to the next round. [... more]

The Todd Stern Show discusses the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, the reaction in South Carolina, and the potential candidates to replace him. The show also touches on the assassination attempt on President Trump, the riot in Maine, and the controversy surrounding a man being fired from Chili's for not using the correct pronoun to refer to a coworker. [... more]

North Carolina's state health plan undergoes significant changes, including a new preferred provider network and pharmacy benefit manager, aiming to reduce costs and improve healthcare outcomes. Meanwhile, the state budget allocates $48.9 million to farmland preservation efforts, a critical issue as North Carolina faces a high risk of farmland loss. [... more]

A disturbing moment in history still haunts one American city more than a century later. In downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, a memorial stands to remember the families that were slain and taken away during a successful coup in 1898. Meanwhile, Gracie Abrams has gone from a shy girl to opening for music's biggest names and her own version of pop stardom. In Washington D.C., the Trump administration's plans to remake the nation's capital are sparking controversy, and a medical drama series, The Pit, shines a spotlight on the dedication of doctors and nurses. In Tuscany, a centuries-old tradition of wine barrel racing brings the community together. [... more]

A story about a man's upbringing on a farm during the Great Depression, where he learned the value of frugal living and self-sufficiency through his father's 'Make and Do' philosophy, which emphasized saving money, reusing materials, and being resourceful. [... more]

A state audit in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, reveals improper utility billing and unpaid bills from city officials, highlighting financial concerns and mismanagement. Meanwhile, the North Carolina General Assembly passes a law limiting the city's ability to transfer electric utility revenues into its general fund, and the state budget repeals a key sales tax exemption for electricity used by data centers, generating additional revenue for the state. [... more]

Christian leaders discuss the relevance of Christianity in America, addressing topics such as persecution, revival, and the role of Christian values in shaping the nation's policies and culture. [... more]

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]