Public records Coverage

182 violations in one year for troubled Durham apartment building; frustrations mount for tenants

A list of 182 violations, including bedrooms not having smoke detectors, water leak damage in carpet and ceilings, a trash chute full of trash, gnats and flies, and issues with roaches, is linked to JFK Towers apartment complex in north Durham.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Investigates reporter

Editorial: Shining light on N.C. legislature's public records 'black hole'

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 -- "Lawmakers give new meaning to North Carolina's 'First in Flight' slogan. They changed public records laws to avoid having to comply with them. State leaders now soar in the spirit of the Black Hole Award, an egregious recognition earned by trampling on the public right to information."

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.

Editorial: On public records, State Treasurer Folwell tells it like it is. Legislators need to listen

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 -- "There's always an opportunity, at really the snap of a finger, for them to undo this," said State Treasurer Dale Folwell. Snap to legislators. Heed Folwell's advice. Repeal abusive secrecy laws.

Folwell criticizes fellow Republicans on public records rollback

The state budget unveiled and passed within 48 hours last month has a provision in it that exempts General Assembly members from the state's open records act.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Make redistricting public, fair and nonpartisan

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 -- Contrary to the behavior of North Carolina's legislative leaders, elections aren't the private providence of the elected. They are the way the citizens grant their legislators the privilege of representing them and nothing about that process should be secret.

NC lawmakers hear from members of the public on plans to redraw voting districts

North Carolina lawmakers are preparing to redraw their own voting districts ahead of the 2024 elections, as well as the state's 14 U.S. House of Representatives seats. Wednesday's public hearing in Raleigh is the last one before lawmakers begin discussions over voting lines.

NC redistricting gets underway with voter feedback, less transparency

Republican lawmakers are holding a series of public hearings this week on the state's redistricting process. They also changed the state's open records laws last week, shielding information about the General Assembly's map-making process.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government

DRAUGHON DRAWS: No 'treasure' from these two in this scene

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

'Government Gestapo' created in NC budget? Democratic lawmakers raise alarms about investigative committee

A provision in the state budget would give immense new powers to a legislative committee. Republican lawmakers say they need it to hold the executive branch accountable. Democrats say GOP leaders are giving themselves the power to enact political retribution.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers include open records rule changes in state budget bill

A small but significant change was slipped into the state's 625-page state budget bill. It would let state lawmakers decide what records go public and what they can destroy.

Provision in NC budget could shield lawmaker records from public

Language in a budget draft would let lawmakers decide whether to release their records to the public. It is "the deepest cut to the public records act since it was enacted," one lawyer says.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Opaque NC review process delays video release in police shooting

For nearly two years WRAL News and other media outlets have pushed for the full release of police video in Andrew Brown's death. On Tuesday, judges said the coalition filed the wrong paperwork.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Legislature's emails are public records, belong to the people, must be maintained

Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 -- Emails don't belong to Senate leader Phil Berger, House Speaker Tim Moore or Legislative Services Director Paul Coble. The fact that many legislative emails are by law hidden from disclosure, still they are very much PUBLIC records. They are the property of the people.

Election officials confront waves of public records requests from Trump supporters

As they scramble to prepare for November's general election, election officials around the country said they have been inundated in recent weeks by what they view as frivolous public records requests from supporters of former President Donald Trump.

By Fredreka Schouten, CNN

NC journalists discuss diversity, elections during Sunshine Week

Journalists and researchers from across the state came together on Thursday to exchange knowledge on covering elections, climate change and requesting public information.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

How do state leaders spend their time on your dime? We asked for their calendars

Opaque details like the public schedule released by the governor's office underscore the need for the public to have access to calendars for the state's top executives, transparency advocates say. Such documents can provide valuable insight into the daily work of the state's most powerful officials - and the work they do on the public's behalf.

NC Watchdog Reporting Network

UNC-Chapel Hill filled a top job Thursday. Did the vote violate state law?

One lawyer calls the board's vote to hire a new provost a "rather plain" violation of the state's open meetings act.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC House advances police reform, bodycam video access bill

A significant criminal justice reform bill nears completion.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC Supreme Court: NC Railroad, owned by state, can keep records secret

The railroad isn't subject to the state's Open Records Act, high court finds.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Current NC rules for releasing police bodycam video would remain in place under revamped bill

State lawmakers on Wednesday dropped what was once a consensus reform on the release of police body-worn camera footage, putting its future in doubt for this legislative session.

Body camera reforms dropped from NC policing legislation

After a language shift late Tuesday, House members jettison body camera reforms entirely. The next steps remain unclear.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

New email policy: NC lawmakers to delete most records after 3 years

Concerns about public access and discovery in lawsuits are raised over a new email retention plan.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

In divided vote, NC Senate says more info should be public when government employee gets fired

Lawmakers have been back and forth over the government transparency bill, which now moves to the House.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

State personnel records, addiction treatment bills before Senate panel

The Senate Judiciary committe takes up bills on public accessibility to state personnel records and cutting down on fraudulent practices at addiction treatment centers.