Governor Josh Stein released the following statement on the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade:
Governor Stein Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced appointments to boards and commissions.
GOP State Board of Elections Flouts State Law
State Auditor Dave Boliek’s Republican-led State Board of Elections decided yesterday to disregard state law and override a bipartisan decision made by Wilson County’s Board of Elections.
Governor Stein Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein declared a State of Emergency as North Carolina prepares for the impacts of a major winter storm. On Thursday, January 22, at 11:15 a.m., Governor Stein will hold a media briefing to provide updates on the status of storm preparations. He will be joined by NC Department of Public Safety Secretary Jeff Smythe, NC Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson, NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray, NC State Highway Patrol Colonel Freddy Johnson, and NC National Guard Major General Todd Hunt.
Stein joins bipartisan governors to address PJM electricity costs
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein reaffirmed his commitment to keeping electricity costs down. He joined a bipartisan group of governors, along with the Department of Energy and National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), in signing a Statement of Principles regarding the PJM electricity market, which covers parts of northeastern North Carolina.
Senator Budd Leads Legislation Banning Foreign Violators of Religious Freedom from Obtaining U.S. Visas
Washington, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by restricting the issuance of visas to individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom. The bill would additionally amend the INA to expand visa ineligibility to terrorist or non-state actors responsible for violations of religious freedom, in addition to foreign government officials responsible for the persecution of religious groups.
Tariffs could wipe out nearly a third of NC farm income, new report says
Retaliatory tariffs could have harsh economic consequences for North Carolina’s agricultural sector, according to a new report from the John Locke Foundation.
Amid protests, NC elections board rejects campus voting sites and Sunday voting in several counties
NC A&T State University students packed the North Carolina State Board of Elections meeting in Raleigh to support an early voting site on their campus for the upcoming primaries.
Op-Ed: Post-Helene NC Housing Market Needs Private Support
Months before Hurricane Helene, UNC-Chapel Hill warned that North Carolina faced a shortage of “decent, secure, and affordable housing.” After Helene destroyed 100,000 homes, the crisis deepened. While efforts to strengthen the housing market are underway, recent proposals risk cutting off a critical source of supply.
State Auditor Recommends Cuts, Reinvestment in First DAVE Act Report
RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) today released a comprehensive, data-driven performance audit examining long-term vacancies across state agencies and the significant impact of the lapsed salary generated when these positions remain unfilled.
Budd, Tillis Announce Strong Support for President Trump’s U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of N.C. Nominee, Dan Bishop
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) today announced their support for the nomination of Dan Bishop, former U.S. Congressman and Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to become the Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Budd, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Identity of Special Operations Forces Executing Dangerous U.S. Military Operations
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Special Operator Protection Act today, to protect the identity of Special Operations Forces (SOF), federal law enforcement officers attached to SOF, and other Department of Defense (DOD) personnel who conduct highly sensitive DOD missions, by creating a criminal penalty for doxing their personally identifiable information. U.S. Representatives Richard Hudson (R-N.C.-09) and Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.-10) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Stein Calls on General Assembly to Pass State Budget at NC Strong Update
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein held his latest NC Strong Update to reaffirm his commitment to a healthier North Carolina, including announcing new funding for rural health care and summer meals for kids and calling on the General Assembly to pass a comprehensive state budget that fully funds Medicaid as federal Affordable Care Act tax credits expire. Governor Stein also gave an update on his successful work to keep people safe from malicious drones.
John Hood: Transparency Will Help, Not Harm, Campuses
RALEIGH — I admit that I am not a career academic. But I have taught at the university level for many years, and leadership classes for decades. I can’t imagine any scenario in which sharing my course outlines or syllabi with the general public would impair my freedom, effectiveness, or reputation.
Senator Budd Secures $72 Million in FEMA Public Assistance & $44.6 Million in Hazard Mitigation Grants for Western North Carolina
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem today announced more than $72 million in Public Assistance (PA) grant program reimbursements and $44.6 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds for Hurricane Helene recovery projects across Western North Carolina. These HMGP funds are critical for protecting Western North Carolina from potential flooding and storm damage in the future.
Governor Stein urges investment to address correctional officer staffing shortages
(RALEIGH) Today at a Correctional Leaders Association Southern Region meeting in Charlotte, Governor Josh Stein highlighted North Carolina’s correctional officer staffing challenges and called for the General Assembly to invest in recruitment and retention.
Governor Stein highlights impact of cell phone-free classrooms during Charlotte school visit
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein visited East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte to hear from teachers about the impact of cell phone-free classroom environments. Last summer, Governor Stein signed into law a bill that established cell phone-free classrooms. The law took effect on January 1, 2026, as North Carolina joined 32 other states restricting cell phones in classrooms.
John Hood: Property Tax Merits Reform, Not Repeal
RALEIGH — North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) had created a 23-member select committee to evaluate potential reforms of the state’s property-tax system. That is a fine idea, a sensible reaction to surging property values and changing fiscal conditions. But members ought not be distracted by out-of-state chatter about repealing the property tax entirely. That is a bad idea, destined to fail.
Governor Stein Highlights Helene Housing Recovery, Visits Polk County Worksite of Nonprofit Helping to Rebuild Western North Carolina
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein visited Saluda to tour a home repaired by the Housing Assistance Corporation, a volunteer organization working to rebuild homes across western North Carolina. In October, the nonprofit was awarded a $300,000 grant to repair at least 20 homes in Polk, Henderson, and Transylvania counties as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to support volunteer organizations active in housing repair and replacement activities in western North Carolina.
Op-Ed: Respiratory Therapist Highlights Importance of RSV Protection for Infants
Childhood vaccines continue to be a major point of discussion here in North Carolina and across the country. As a respiratory therapist, I help patients of all ages manage and treat breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders. For babies with breathing issues, this care helps strengthen lung function and overall respiratory health. Given how even minor respiratory issues can be serious for small, vulnerable infants, I encourage parents to have personal conversations with their doctors about vaccines so they can make carefully considered, medically supported decisions.