North Carolina Politics -

Legislators may be able to replace regulatory leaders

By Gabriella Kostrzewa | February 11

Legislative leaders in Raleigh are pushing a sweeping overhaul of state boards that would enable them to exert even more conservative influence on North ...

Bill could criminalize toplessness in NC

By James Thorpe | February 6

A bill at the N.C. General Assembly criminalizing toplessness could spark a fight between women’s rights activists and lawmakers.

Accessibility to group homes may be limited due to money

By Claire Smith | February 5

More than 2,000 people with developmental and intellectual disabilities could soon face homelessness if the N.C. Senate doesn’t act fast. In December, ...

Several North Carolina gun bills on table

By Gabriella Kostrzewa | February 5

Republican state legislators have signaled that gun-related measures might not be a top priority this year — but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from ...

Medical marijuana advocates renew the push for legalization

By Andrew Edwards | February 4

Advocates of medical marijuana in the state will renew their push for legalization today — but critics of the proposal pledge to oppose it as a slippery ...

Administration of NC Education Lottery questioned by state officials

By Hayley Fowler | February 4

The North Carolina Education Lottery has generated more than $2.5 billion for education in the last six years — but some state officials say that’s ...

State may opt out of health care exchange

By Eric Garcia | February 3

North Carolina could soon join more than 20 states in opting out of creating a health care exchange — a potential move that has generated vigorous debate ...

The North Carolina General Assembly building is pictured in Raleigh, N.C. on Jan. 13, 2013.

NC GOP takes control of legislative agenda

By Jacob Rosenberg | January 30

Republicans begin their single-party control of the legislature and the governor’s mansion today, with the year’s first meeting of the N.C. General ...

UNC-system funds could drop after tax reforms

By Eric Garcia | January 28

When the N.C. General Assembly convenes on Wednesday, state tax reform will be a top priority for the Republican leadership.

New proposals could reduce drug abuse

By Claire Bennett | January 28

With prescription drug use increasing nationwide and across North Carolina, state advocates and legislators are redoubling efforts to curb abuse among ...

Bev Perdue, former N.C. governor, will be one of six fellows this spring at Harvard’s Institute of Politics.

Bev Perdue heads to Harvard for fellowship

By Madeline Will | January 24

Former Gov. Bev Perdue will be heading back to school this semester. Perdue will be a resident fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics ...

Art Pope: Don't expect the state economy to grow soon

By Daniel Wiser | January 23

Gov. Pat McCrory’s deputy budget director, Art Pope, has one message for stakeholders in the state’s budget, including universities: Don’t expect ...

Debate rages on 40 years after Roe

By Meredith Burns | January 22

Forty years after the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade — which established a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion — the debate ...

State legislature to discuss voter ID laws

January 15

A controversial voter ID law that could affect as many as one in 10 registered voters in North Carolina will be one of the issues discussed in the upcoming ...

The new appointees should not have partisan influence

By Editorial Board | January 15

With two members of the UNC system’s Board of Governors resigning to take positions in Gov. Pat McCrory’s cabinet, the legislature must fill those ...

McCrory waves to the crowd after he take the oath.

Republican Gov. Pat McCrory celebrates inauguration Saturday

By Claire Williams | January 13

Marking a new GOP-dominated era in North Carolina politics, Gov. Pat McCrory kicked off his term Saturday in Raleigh with an inauguration ceremony and ...

Lee County Commissioner and Mining and Energy Commission Chairman Jim Womack examines a gas well near Chatham County.

Fracking regulator: Rules must balance industry needs with resident protections

By Sarah Glen | January 10

“We’re languishing in Lee County in the trough that follows an economic recession and precedes recovery because of an over reliance on industrial ...

Open Board of Governors seats could affect future of state education

By Eric Garcia | January 10

When the N.C. General Assembly reconvenes later this month, legislators will review candidates for two unexpectedly vacated positions that help shape ...

State Medicaid expansion not certain

By Eric Garcia | January 8

As Gov. Pat McCrory begins his first term, one of his first challenges will be the implementation of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and its mandates on ...

Bar owners protest state smoking ban

By Lucinda Shen | December 2

State bar owners have been raising opposition to the statewide smoking ban in bars and restaurants, claiming to legislators and courts that the ban is ...