The state’s seasonally adjusted November 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from October’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.
Three of the biggest NC government and politics storylines of 2024 — and what they mean for 2025
The Republican Party enjoyed impressive electoral successes in 2024. Its candidates won the presidency, the U.S. Senate, and (narrowly) the U.S. House, while retaining control of most state governments around the country. For the first time in many decades, more Americans identified as Republicans than as Democrats in preelection polls.
John Hood: Our Electoral Future Remains Unwritten
The Republican Party enjoyed impressive electoral successes in 2024. Its candidates won the presidency, the U.S. Senate, and (narrowly) the U.S. House, while retaining control of most state governments around the country. For the first time in many decades, more Americans identified as Republicans than as Democrats in preelection polls.
Governor Cooper and Governor-Elect Stein File Lawsuit to Overturn Unconstitutional Republican Power Grab on State Board of Elections Appointments
Governor Roy Cooper and Governor-elect Josh Stein sued Republican legislative leaders, arguing their recent changes to the State Board of Elections and county boards of elections clearly violate the separation of powers established in the North Carolina Constitution.
Governor Issues Six Commutations and Nine Pardons of Forgiveness
Governor Roy Cooper commuted the sentences of six people in North Carolina prisons and granted pardons to nine others. All of the clemency actions followed thorough review by the Office of Executive Clemency, the Office of General Counsel and the Governor. The Governor plans more clemency announcements before the end of the year.
John Hood: More freedom means more progress
RALEIGH — North Carolina has one of the freest economies on the continent — a fact that augers well for the future of our state and its (now) 11 million residents.
Budd Votes to Support WNC Disaster Aid
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) released a statement after voting to support government funding legislation that provides tens of billions of dollars in disaster relief for the people of Western North Carolina.
Pass the Credit Card Competition Act and Stop Card Companies from Swiping Our Donations
State and federal resources are often quick to help minimize the damage and rebuild after devastating natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. Many Americans also know that charities and nonprofit organizations like mine work tirelessly to help those impacted get back on their feet and fill the gaps both during and long after the event occurs.
Republican Appeals Court Judge Griffin asks the NC Supreme Court to throw out votes
Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin asked the state Supreme Court on Wednesday to do what the state Board of Elections would not — throw out tens of thousands of votes on the belief that canceling them will elevate him to a seat on the same tribunal.
John Hood: Carolinian Paired Calypso and Christmas
Even the most curmudgeonly of Scrooges can’t help but tap their toes when they hear the first few notes of the modern masterpiece “Mary’s Little Boy Child.” For that, we can all thank the North Carolinian who so memorably paired calypso and Christmas — though that was not his original intention.
A North Carolina Where People Are Better Educated, Healthier, With More Money In Their Pockets
Governor Roy Cooper delivered his farewell address and celebrated the progress made building a North Carolina where people are better educated, healthier and have more money in their pockets to live lives of purpose and abundance.
Over 600,000 North Carolinians Enrolled in Medicaid Expansion
Governor Roy Cooper announced more than 600,000 people have enrolled in Medicaid Expansion in the first year of implementation, in half the time that was first projected.
NC Division of Broadband Launches Tech Resource Finder to Help North Carolinians Access and Use the Internet
Governor Roy Cooper announced the launch of the state’s Tech Resource Finder, a new website that provides more than 1,100 resources that help North Carolinians use the internet, find public computers and Wi-Fi and access technical support and digital skills classes across the state.
Governor-elect Josh Stein Announces Cabinet Members
Governor-elect Josh Stein today announced seven members of his cabinet. Information about each new member is below and headshots are attached.
John Hood: Why Medicaid Expansion Isn’t Over
Of course Congress and the White House are going to reduce federal funding for Medicaid expansion. Of course North Carolina and other states will be forced either to reduce Medicaid coverage or to shoulder billions of dollars in additional medical expenses. That was always the inevitable endgame for Medicaid expansion.
Governor Cooper Celebrates Over 20,000 New Clean Energy Jobs and More Than $24 Billion in Industry Investments
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders celebrated the progress made under the Governor’s leadership to grow the state’s clean energy economy. The Governor and Secretary spoke at Kempower, an electric vehicle charging station manufacturing company in Durham and were joined by Kempower officials and Dr. Scott Ralls, Wake Technical Community College president.
With NC's hurricane response under a microscope, new audit examines recent Florence spending
A new audit of North Carolina’s Hurricane Florence relief fund found additional money that was spent without proper verification in the years after the 2018 storm.
NC Republicans pass law shifting government power, overriding Cooper's veto
North Carolina lawmakers approved a wide-ranging bill to shift executive power in state government on Wednesday, cementing a Republican override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto a month before new elected officials are sworn in.
NC Board of Elections rejects GOP Supreme Court candidate's efforts to throw out thousands of votes
The state Board of Elections on Wednesday rejected Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin’s efforts to toss out more than 60,000 ballots cast in last month’s election.
Cooper Celebrates North Carolina’s Strong Workforce and 640,000 New Jobs During His Administration
Governor Roy Cooper spoke at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) Board of Directors meeting where he highlighted the state’s strong economy during his Administration. These remarks were part of a series of events highlighting the Governor's major accomplishments and progress made for North Carolina during his time in office.