2023 session Coverage

Not just president, governor: NC's 2024 elections to bring high stakes, broad political turnover

Up and down the ballot, Republicans plan to hammer Democrats on immigration and inflation. Democrats will hammer Republicans on abortion and the GOP's embrace of conspiracy theories and extremism. At stake is legislative leverage, the governor's mansion and more.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC Board of Elections will let State Sen. Linda Grafstein run in 2024

A Republican candidate claimed Democratic Sen. Lisa Grafstein isn't eligible to represent the current District 13 and also run for the newly redrawn district. Elections officials disagreed.

Wake elections officials approve Grafstein's reelection bid

A Republican candidate claimed Democratic Sen. Lisa Grafstein isn't eligible to represent the current District 13 and also run for the newly redrawn district. Elections officials disagreed.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief, and Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Court hearing on controversial new NC elections law ends with more questions than answers

Senate Bill 747 made a number of changes that will go into effect for the 2024 elections including stricter rules for mail-in voting, less strict rules for partisan poll observers and a change to how the state handles people who use same-day voter registration. It faces at least three lawsuits.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Long line of holiday returns at N.C. legislature

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Full interview: NC Gov. Roy Cooper talks legacy, future plans

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper sat down with WRAL anchor/reporter Debra Morgan to discuss his two terms in office.

One year left as governor: Roy Cooper talks legacy, future plans

Roy Cooper's two terms as governor have been largely defined by the antagonistic relationship between him and the Republican-led General Assembly. He won the battle over Medicaid expansion but has lost on abortion, taxes and more.

One year left as governor: Roy Cooper talks legacy, future plans with WRAL

Roy Cooper's two terms as governor have been largely defined by the antagonistic relationship between him and the Republican-led General Assembly. He won the battle over Medicaid expansion but has lost on abortion, taxes and more.

Debra Morgan and Will Doran, WRAL News

Editorial: N.C. justices must see legislators as peoples' representatives, not their dictators

Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 -- "All political power is vested in and derived from the people." The State Constitution does not say a legislature with frequent elections is omnipotent, unanswerable to the other equal branches of the government - including the executive and judicial.

In win for Cooper and Democrats, NC judges block GOP-backed elections law ahead of 2024

The new law, which would strip North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's power over the State Board of Elections and instead give that power to the legislature, is similar to one that was struck down as unconstitutional as recently as 2018.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Legislative intimidation and veil of secrecy

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 -- Keeping public business secret, unfettered search and seizures and making consulting co-workers and lawyers a crime only raises suspicions of the government that is supposed to serve citizens.

Chief NC fire marshal, 2 others reinstated after being fired in power struggle

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey reinstated three high-ranking state officials after firing them as part of a power struggle with the General Assembly. State law required him to.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

State agencies' plan for legislature's new investigation powers: Ask a lawyer

The new state budget expanded the legislature's oversight powers, allowing investigators to demand documents, enter buildings and demand silence. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's administration, and Republicans who run some state agencies, are grappling with implementation.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Long waits, improper payments: NC lawmakers examine problems in COVID-era unemployment benefits

Years after more than 1 million North Carolinians struggled with long delays in receiving their unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, state legislators are seeking answers on what went wrong and how to fix the problems in the future.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC judges give Cooper partial victory over legislative Republicans in separation of powers court case

Republican lawmakers passed bills this year reworking key state boards and stripping the governor's office of some of his appointment powers. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper sued over that legislation.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Changes NC voters can expect to see in newly approved maps

District 13 now hooks around the edges of Wake County, all the way up to the Virginia line. It now leans Republican by an 18-point margin.

Using cheese and pepperoni pizza to explain the changes to NC's voting maps

District 13 now hooks around the edges of Wake County, all the way up to the Virginia line. It now leans Republican by an 18-point margin.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

New NC political districts now officially law

Over protests from anti-gerrymandering activists, Republican legislators approved new political districts that could strengthen GOP power in the state and in Congress. Opponents' claims foreshadowed likely arguments in expected lawsuits challenging the maps.

Wide-ranging appointments bill would put reprimanded lawyer on state bar's disciplinary committee

A Robeson County attorney -- who nearly lost his law license this year for not paying taxes and mishandling client money -- was appointed to the committee that hears complaints against attorneys.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

New NC political districts -- now law, despite protests -- could cement GOP power for years

Over protests from anti-gerrymandering activists, Republican legislators approved new political districts that could strengthen GOP power in the state and in Congress. Opponents' claims foreshadowed likely arguments in expected lawsuits challenging the maps.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Election fix may be in, voters won't be shut out

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 -- No one likes a fixed game. North Carolina voters should not allow their voice to be silenced. They all need to march to the polls and throw the cheaters out.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: N.C. gerrymandering's doormat

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

NC Republicans, flexing new powers, roll out major appointments bill

Legislative Republicans named seven new superior court judges, 13 Board of Transportation members and other key appointees in bill that could pass as soon as Wednesday.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers try to 'doublebunk' 2 Democrats as redistricting counties

The new maps would be used in every election from 2024 through 2030, unless struck down in court. The maps would give Republicans sizeable advantages in future elections, and gerrymandering lawsuits will likely be filed once the maps become law.

NC House Speaker Tim Moore considering 2024 congressional run under new maps

It's believed to be the first time Moore has publicly confirmed he's considering a 2024 congressional run. He already said he wouldn't run for reelection to the legislature, but he has remained coy about his future plans.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter