NCCapitol
Coverage of North Carolina state government and politics
Latest stories
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NC leaders push Duke Energy to make federal data center pledge legally binding
Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson want Duke Energy to turn its voluntary federal data center pledge into enforceable protections for North Carolina customers.
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Should Congress trade stocks? Where NC's politicians stand, and how much they trade
WRAL’s analysis of congressional ethics forms shows three of the state’s U.S. Representatives made potential six-figure profits in 2025 alone off their stock trades.
NCCapitol stock market Congress Tim Moore Roy Cooper -
National Democrats inject $11 million more into NC Senate race
The D.C. money comes as Democrat Roy Cooper leads in polls and fundraising, but Republican Michael Whatley is gaining ground with the help of his own support from Washington.
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Anti-ICE protesters tell NC lawmakers ‘we will not go back’
Latino advocates and other activists say they oppose plans to build a new immigrant detention camp in North Carolina as Republican leaders at the state and federal level push to ramp up deportations.
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More charges expected in NC political nonprofit spending investigation, according to DA
More charges expected after new search warrants indicate a politically connected nonprofit was spending money at strip clubs, beach vacation rentals and golf outings.
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Can North Carolina lower health care costs? New bipartisan commission gets to work
Health care costs keep rising, and North Carolina leaders say the status quo isn't sustainable. A new bipartisan commission, created by Gov. Josh Stein, met for the first time Tuesday with one mission: find ways to make medical care more affordable for millions of North Carolinians.
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NC political corruption probe: Warrant says group spent big on strip clubs, golf
The new warrant highlights nearly $80,000 in spending from 2022 to 2024 on strip clubs, sports and a beach rental.
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Mail-in ballots could be more easily thrown out, under new NC proposal
The new rules on mail-in voting, as well as voter ID, polling place access, campaign finance and recounts, are among new changes the State Board of Elections wants ahead of the November elections.
voter ID mail-in voting 2026 midterm elections NCCapitol voting -
‘Our last hope’: Federal bill hopes to stabilize college sports — if it can survive opposition
The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act is making its way through the U.S. Senate. The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference are trying to sink the effort.
NC State sports Jim Phillips Duke sports UNC sports politics -
Mass surveillance authorized on NC highways, all other state roads
North Carolina’s new budget allows the State Bureau of Investigation to track drivers on any state-maintained road using AI cameras. It’s a win for law enforcement, but privacy advocates worry about civil liberties.
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Cary residents demand answers after audit details questionable $1M spending
Cary residents questioned why warning signs were not caught sooner and said rebuilding trust will take more than new policies.
State Auditor's Office Cary NCCapitol -
Stanley Cup, World Cup lead to big betting in June, last month before tax, distribution changes
Sports bettors in June wagered more than $156 million than they did in June 2025 and sports betting operators had their lowest revenue total this year.
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Democrats on NC Elections Board call for investigation into recently resigned staffer
Dallas Woodhouse, the former director of the NCGOP, was given responsibility over some elections work last year by Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek but resigned after records showed him pressuring officials on decisions.
NCCapitol State Board of Elections early voting Dallas Woodhouse State Auditor's Office -
'Extravagant spending': State audit questions expenses and alleges lax financial oversight in Cary
State Auditor Dave Boliek says Cary’s former town manager and other town employees made more than a dozen “questionable” expenses, ranging from expensive dinners, unauthorized land purchases and graduate-school tuition for a councilwoman.
State Auditor's Office Cary Town Council Cary NCCapitol -
'We're supporting a lie': NC elections board votes to throw out ballots more easily
Proposals approved Thursday would make it easier for NC elections officials to throw out mail-in ballots by people who claimed an excuse for not having voter ID.
State Board of Elections voter ID mail-in voting voter fraud NCCapitol -
State auditor to release more findings of probe into Cary government spending
State Auditor Dave Boliek is expected to disclose findings of his office’s review of the town of Cary’s policies and spending. The auditor’s office began the inspection after spending by the town’s former manager came under scrutiny.
State Auditor's Office Cary Town Council Cary NCCapitol -
Flying with kids? U.S. House passes bill that could expand TSA family lanes
Strollers, bags and long security lines can make family travel more stressful. A bipartisan House bill could expand TSA family lanes for travelers with children 12 and younger.
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State employees, retirees to be charged extra for using WakeMed
For the 750,000 members of North Carolina’s State Health Plan, using WakeMed could cost thousands of dollars extra starting next year. But using UNC Health could lead to equally large discounts.
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NC attorney general challenges Duke Energy Progress rate hike
Jackson's office estimates its recommendations would save customers $960 million over two years while allowing Duke Energy Progress to make needed grid investments.
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Counties face $52M in food stamp costs after NC budget omits funding request
Counties are absorbing higher administrative costs tied to the food stamp program as federal reimbursements drop. State lawmakers left additional funding out of their newly approved budget.
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Cooper raises $14.8 million in 3 months, new poll shows Whatley gaining ground
Democrat Roy Cooper has long been one of the most prolific fundraisers in North Carolina politics, and in the past three months he raised nearly triple what his Republican challenger Michael Whatley did.
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Dallas Woodhouse, former NCGOP boss, resigns from role in auditor’s office
Dallas Woodhouse, a former executive director of the North Carolina Republican Party, on Monday resigned from his role in State Auditor Dave Boliek’s office.
elections Josh Stein State Auditor's Office Dallas Woodhouse Republican Party -
Explosive diarrhea surge raises worries about foodborne illness response and resources
More than 200 North Carolinians have been sickened by exposure to cyclospora as federal funding for foodborne-illness tracking narrows.
Department of Health and Human Services FDA Destin Hall CDC NCCapitol -
NC elections board chairman accuses Stein of misrepresenting board’s role in early voting plans
Josh Stein said on social media that the State Board of Elections has been directing counties to eliminate Sunday voting and remove early voting from college campuses. The board’s chairman says it’s not true.
State Board of Elections early voting politics NCCapitol voting
