Josh Stein

The North Carolina budget allocates $97 million in federal funds to increase childcare subsidies for rural providers, establishing a 'rate floor' to ensure higher payments. This aims to address long-standing financial struggles faced by rural childcare centers after pandemic funds expired.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson rejected Duke Energy's proposed 9.5% residential rate increase over two years, arguing it still overcharges consumers. Governor Josh Stein also criticized the settlement, urging data centers to cover their electricity costs. Duke Energy claims the increase is necessary for infrastructure investments, but the deal requires approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is offering a $25,000 reward for information about the April 2023 murder of a 68-year-old man in Windsor. The reward aims to assist in solving the case, which remains under investigation.

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. will invest $41 million in Salisbury, North Carolina, to build a distribution hub, creating over 200 jobs in Rowan County. The state will provide a $150,000 performance-based grant to support the project, which includes an average annual salary of $57,351 for 70 skilled labor roles.

Gov. Josh Stein signed a state budget that grants a 90-day reprieve to Charlotte-area local governments before facing financial penalties for abandoning the Interstate 77 toll lane expansion. The budget includes a provision requiring local governments to repay initial expenses for dropped transportation projects, with critics questioning its legality and enforcement.

Governor Josh Stein visited Cleveland Community College to meet with high school students participating in a summer academy focused on electrical workforce development. The program is part of 12 academies launching this summer.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is set to visit Shelby to promote his Careers Electric Initiative, which includes training programs at Cleveland County Community College funded by a $9.25 million investment from the Siemens Foundation. The initiative aims to train 25,000 North Carolinians for energy and infrastructure jobs over 10 years.

Ohio surpassed North Carolina as the top state for business in CNBC’s 2026 ranking, with North Carolina dropping to second place. North Carolina excelled in economy, workforce, and access to capital but declined in cost of living and quality of life metrics. Governor Josh Stein highlighted economic strengths while urging legislative action on affordability issues.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed 17 laws, including regulations for cryptocurrency ATMs under House Bill 920 and property tax changes via Senate Bill 474. The laws include measures to limit crypto ATM fees, require fraud warnings, and adjust property tax revaluation moratoriums in specific counties.

North Carolina public schools are grappling with the new DEI law, Senate Bill 227, which became state law after the General Assembly overrode Gov. Josh Stein's veto.

North Carolina will eliminate physical vehicle registration cards and license plate stickers, replacing them with electronic registration starting October 1, 2026. The change, part of the state's recently passed 634-page budget, aims to reduce administrative costs and improve efficiency. Vehicle owners can still request printed copies for a fee, while renewal and inspection requirements remain unchanged.

North Carolina faces severe drought conditions, with 43.6% of the state in extreme drought and 6% in exceptional drought. Farmers report low crop yields and water shortages, while Raleigh struggles with high residential water usage despite conservation efforts. Falls Lake, a key water source, is declining weekly.

North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction plans to issue guidance for schools on implementing a new law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The law, Senate Bill 227, prohibits DEI offices and instruction on certain concepts, though it preserves teaching about historical oppression. Educators and advocacy groups have expressed differing views on the law's impact.

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a bill that would ban unauthorized public camping in North Carolina, arguing it does not address homelessness root causes and imposes new local government responsibilities without state funding. Republicans pledged to override the veto.

North Carolina students will have easier access to mental health resources through the Student Lifeline Act, which adds crisis resources to student IDs and school websites. Gov. Josh Stein signed the state budget including this act, effective this school year.

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a North Carolina bill (House Bill 437) that would have banned unauthorized homeless encampments and required municipalities to provide temporary shelter sites with sanitation and safety facilities. Stein criticized the bill as unfunded and ineffective, while supporters argued it would create humane, drug-free conditions. Republican leaders may attempt to override the veto.

North Carolina's new budget proposal slashes funding for Legal Aid of North Carolina, redirects IOLTA program funds to public defender offices, and imposes restrictions on Legal Aid's ability to handle immigration, gender transition cases, and political advocacy. The changes follow a $6 million deficit caused by a previous funding freeze, leading to attorney layoffs and office closures in rural areas.

Governor Josh Stein signed a $34 billion budget that includes teacher pay raises and Medicaid funding. He is unhappy with a dispute over Charlotte's transportation funding, which may require the city to repay funds allocated for a canceled I-77 South widening project.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed a $34 billion budget with increased education funding and teacher pay raises, while imposing a financial penalty on Charlotte for withdrawing support from the I-77 widening project. The budget raises starting teacher pay from $41,000 to $48,000 but offers smaller increases for veteran teachers, sparking concerns about equity. Charlotte city council members have 90 days to reverse their decision to avoid repaying $60 million in state funds.

North Carolina's state budget, signed by Governor Josh Stein, includes salary increases for teachers and state-funded employees. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School board and educators argue the raise does not fully meet expectations.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed a $34 billion budget with a 3% raise for state employees, a personal income tax cut, and significant teacher pay increases. The budget includes Medicaid funding, Hurricane Helene relief, and criticism over cuts to diversity initiatives and state positions.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed the state budget, providing raises and bonuses for state workers and retirees while enabling new projects. The budget received bipartisan support after over a year without a new budget. Stein also signed a modified version of Iryna’s Law, shifting some involuntary commitment evaluations to jails and extending outpatient treatment duration.

North Carolina's $34.4 billion budget was signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on Tuesday morning. The budget is now official state law following the governor's approval.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is set to take action on the state’s $34 billion budget proposal, which has passed the Republican-controlled General Assembly. Approval would make it the largest budget in state history, as North Carolina remains the only U.S. state without a 2025 budget.

Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 162 into law to eliminate mandatory minimum parking requirements, aiming to reduce stormwater runoff and construction costs while enabling local governments to incentivize development. The legislation, supported by developers and environmental groups, targets large parking lots as pollution sources and passed both legislative chambers with near-unanimous support.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is deciding on a budget proposal that includes an average eight percent raise for teachers. The plan has sparked discontent among veteran educators due to mixed reactions to the raise.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed four bills addressing public safety, housing, and state employee benefits on July 6, 2026. The legislation includes Jaleeyah’s Law to modify gang-related crime penalties and changes to involuntary commitment evaluations under Iryna’s Law. Stein plans to act on the state budget Tuesday.

Governor Josh Stein delivered a Fourth of July speech at North Carolina's Freedom Fest, highlighting the state's role in America's progress toward 'a more perfect union' as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein faced criticism for not participating in the Trump-backed America 250 Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. Rep. Chuck Edwards accused Stein of prioritizing partisanship over patriotism, while the state cited budget constraints as the reason. The event, organized by Freedom 250, drew controversy after Confederate flags appeared in North Carolina's booth before being removed.

North Carolina's governor declined to sponsor a booth at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., citing budget constraints, while Rep. Chuck Edwards accused him of prioritizing partisanship over patriotism. Other Democratic-led states also opted out of the Trump-backed event, and the North Carolina booth faced controversy over Confederate flag displays before their removal.

North Carolina lawmakers have unanimously passed the Virtual Currency Kiosk Protection Act to regulate crypto ATMs, imposing daily deposit limits, transaction fees, and fraud protections. The AARP warns these machines are linked to scams costing over $389 million last year, with clerks reporting frequent suspicious transactions. Tennessee has banned similar kiosks, while North Carolina's law awaits Governor Josh Stein's approval.

The Dominique Moody Safety Act, aimed at improving child welfare oversight, passed both chambers of North Carolina's General Assembly as part of a budget vote. The legislation follows the December 2025 death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody, whose case revealed thirteen prior child protective services reports and failures to remove her from harmful home conditions.

North Carolina lawmakers passed a $34 billion state budget after a yearlong delay, including raises for state employees, teachers, and law enforcement, along with income tax reductions. The Republican-controlled General Assembly approved the budget on July 2, sending it to Gov. Josh Stein for final approval.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed two public safety bills into law, House Bill 481 to retain retired law enforcement officers and House Bill 83 to impose stricter penalties for exposing minors to explicit content. The bills aim to strengthen law enforcement ranks and enhance protections for children online.

Governor Josh Stein signed four bills into law, including House Bill 481 to support law enforcement officers returning to work, House Bill 83 to strengthen the state's response to human trafficking, Senate Bill 595 to provide tax relief for Hurricane Helene survivors and protect seniors from financial exploitation, and House Bill 376.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed four bills into law, including incentives for retired law enforcement officers, stronger penalties for distributing harmful materials to minors, updates to tax rounding procedures, and water infrastructure regulations. The measures aim to enhance public safety, child protection, and infrastructure.

North Carolina’s budget is now with Governor Josh Stein after the House and Senate approved it in bipartisan fashion. The budget passed with 8 Democrats in the state Senate voting in favor. Governor Stein has 10 days to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without his signature.

North Carolina's $34 billion budget passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and moves to Gov. Josh Stein for approval. The budget includes a 23% tax on sports betting revenue and a 6% tax on prediction market trading sites, drawing criticism for potential revenue loss to UNC schools. Legislative delays caused a year-long gap in passing a comprehensive budget.

North Carolina lawmakers begin voting on a $34 billion state budget plan that includes pay raises for state employees, teachers, and law enforcement, income tax cuts over the next decade, and funding for Hurricane Helene relief. The budget, negotiated by Republican leaders, also addresses repayment for Charlotte's I-77 expansion project and is expected to be finalized by Friday.

Mt. Olive Pickles withdrew from the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after a Confederate flag was displayed at a North Carolina booth. The booth, run by private sponsors, featured an altered version of the Confederate and state flags. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein stated the flag does not represent the state and emphasized unity.