2022 session Coverage

North Carolinians share their priorities ahead of new legislative session

A new state legislative session starts this month, and lawmakers will tackle a long list of issues. WRAL News State Government Reporter Travis Fain went out and about in downtown Raleigh, asking people what they'd like to see this year from their General Assembly.

NC's last redistricting case cost taxpayers $2.9 million

NC Republicans draw voting maps. Left-leaning groups sue. Maps get thrown out. Lawyers get paid. Repeat.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC Senate leader: Hospital proposal on Medicaid expansion "not a serious" one

A Friday pitch from the state's hospital lobby won't be a game changer as North Carolina leaders stand pat on long-simmering Medicaid expansion talks.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Progress on Medicaid expansion? NC hospitals float offer after months of stalemate

The statewide lobbying group for North Carolina hospitals said it's willing to accept at least some regulatory rollbacks to get expansion, a potential sign of progress on multibillion-dollar issue.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Political 'poison pill' must NOT block Medicaid expansion in N.C.

Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 -- The legislature, if its leaders so desired, could today clear the way to expand Medicaid. That's what it should do, no strings attached.

Medicaid expansion would mean $500 million a month for NC, state health department says

Negotiations have slowed on Medicaid expansion, with one key lawmaker blaming hospital intransigence on regulatory reforms that Senate Republicans want to pair with the program.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Wake Democrats name replacements for retiring NC House member

With state Rep. Grier Martin retiring, the Wake County Democratic Party gets to pick a successor.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Gambling legalization bill all but dead in NC

Time is about to run out in this legislative session, leaving a bid to legalize sports gambling across the state on the table.

Brian Murphy, WRAL sports investigative reporter, and Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

House Republicans pass bill requiring local cooperation with federal immigration officers

Bill seeks to force sheriffs, local law enforcement, to cooperate with ICE, but a potential veto looms.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

As session ticks away, dim prospects for Medicaid expansion

Both the NC House, and the NC Senate, have passed Medicaid expansion plans, but neither seems willing to agree to the other's demands. Without that, there is no deal.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers reveal details of proposed budget

Legislative Republicans rolled out a restrained new state budget proposal Tuesday, pairing small new raises for teachers and state employees with preparations for an economic recession.

Bill to bolster communication between NC prison officials and ICE clears House panel

Senate Bill 101 now advances to the House Rules Committee. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper rejected a similar measure in 2019.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

5 North Carolina legislative races to watch after abortion ruling

Abortion laws will be a priority for GOP legislators next year, top Republicans said after the Supreme Court's decision last week to overturn key abortion protections. Here's where increased voter turnout could tip the scales in the closest races.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

NC budget, state-employee raises, sports betting unresolved as legislature nears adjournment

House and Senate Republicans don't agree on the budget, Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana or legalizing sports gambling. They do agree that it's almost time to go home.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

North Carolina online sports gambling bill remains in limbo

The future of online sports gambling in North Carolina is unclear as of Thursday night. The state House rejected a bill to legalize it after a fiery debate. Supporters of the bill said they are trying to figure out their next move.

How sports gambling bills fell apart in NC House and what could come next

Efforts to legalize online sports gambling in North Carolina stalled this week as a divided House failed to advance one of two key bills. A behind-the-scenes look at how it happened and what comes next.

Brian Murphy, WRAL sports investigative reporter

NC House Republicans back their own Medicaid expansion plan, but final deal still elusive

After weeks of rejecting a Senate proposal on Medicaid expansion, the House countered Wednesday with its own plan. Senate leadership immediately rejected it.

Travis Fain

The well of doomed ideas: 1,800 bills sitting as NC General Assembly nears session end

State lawmakers hope to wrap their business by early next month. Meanwhile, hundreds of bills sit in key legislative committees with little chance of passage.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Q&A: Answering questions about bills that would legalize online sports gambling in North Carolina

WRAL Investigative Sports Reporter Brian Murphy answers questions about a North Carolina legislative committee approved two bills to legalize online sports gambling.

NC House committee approves two online sports gambling bills

A North Carolina legislative committee approved two bills to legalize online sports gambling Tuesday afternoon, moving the bills closer to passage in the final days of the current legislative session.

Bill would expand NC's DNA database, try again to keep hospitals from billing sexual assault victims

Lawmakers have been back and forth over whether to fine hospitals that bill victims for rape kit collection, something that's already against state law.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Animal rights advocates push for ban on tethering in North Carolina

Animal rights advocates and rescued dogs hope to convince North Carolina lawmakers to vote on a proposal to ban the tethering or chaining of dogs in harsh weather conditions.

'Not fair': As hemp deadline looms, hemp business owners fear going out of business

The House Agriculture committee is scheduled to hear the Senate's farm bill Wednesday. But sponsors have been told language related to the legalization of hemp will no longer be included in it.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Deadline approaching for North Carolina lawmakers to reach deal on hemp legislation

North Carolina first temporarily legalized hemp in 2015 to allow for an agricultural pilot project on industrial hemp. In the years since, it's become a multimillion-dollar industry in the state. The law that temporarily legalized hemp will expire June 30.

As North Carolina considers legalizing medical marijuana, state farmers fear bill locks them out

North Carolina farmers who got into the cannabis business in recent years hoped they'd be in a prime position to capitalize on the state's eventual legalization of marijuana. But those hopes are fading, even with a bill to legalize medicinal marijuana pending in the state's General Assembly.