Today's NC Political News briefs
RALEIGH — North Carolina officials posted several statewide government updates in recent days, including legislative sessions scheduled for Monday, a workers’ compensation fraud warning, a white-collar crime report, an extended Opportunity Zone comment period, a wildfire mitigation program and election guidance for voters.
NCGA sessions scheduled for June 8
The N.C. House is scheduled to convene at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 8, and the N.C. Senate is scheduled to convene at 3 p.m., according to the N.C. General Assembly legislative calendar. House committee meetings are scheduled to continue Tuesday, June 9, including finance, health, and state and local government committees.
Attorney general warns of workers’ compensation scam
Attorney General Jeff Jackson warned North Carolinians who file workers’ compensation claims about a fraud scheme in which scammers impersonate government, judicial or Industrial Commission officials and demand payment before benefits or settlements are released. The N.C. Department of Justice said legitimate agencies will not request payment to release workers’ compensation funds.
DPS report finds rise in white-collar crime
The N.C. Department of Public Safety said reported cases of fraud, embezzlement and extortion increased between 2020 and 2024, while counterfeiting declined. The Criminal Justice Analysis Center also found that extortion incidents more than doubled during the period.
Commerce extends Opportunity Zone comment period
The N.C. Department of Commerce extended the public comment deadline for Opportunity Zone nominations to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 21. North Carolina may nominate up to 202 of 807 eligible low-income census tracts for federal Opportunity Zone designation.
Forest Service launches Helene wildfire mitigation program
The N.C. Forest Service launched a Disaster Mitigation Program to reduce wildfire risk in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. The program will offer wildfire risk reduction treatments at no cost to eligible private and public landowners in 39 federally declared disaster counties.
State Board issues voter guidance
The N.C. State Board of Elections issued guidance for voters as the 2026 midterm election approaches. The board advised voters to check their registration status, verify voter registration drive workers’ identities and be aware that some unsolicited election mailings may come from advocacy groups, political parties or candidates.
