North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner has nominated former N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Donald van der Vaart to the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Van der Vaart is an engineer and attorney by trade, with a background in the energy and utilities sectors. He has served on the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that Deputy Solicitor General Nick Brod will become North Carolina’s Solicitor General on May 1, succeeding Solicitor General Ryan Park. The Solicitor General handles important, strategic litigation on behalf of the state and manages appeals in the Department of Justice’s civil cases.
(RALEIGH) Today, Governor Josh Stein spoke to the NC Sheriffs’ Association at their annual spring conference to share his appreciation for the work they do to keep North Carolinians safe. The Governor highlighted his proposals to address staffing shortages and create a dedicated Cold Case Unit and a Fentanyl Control Unit.
U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Senate lead on the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act, applauded the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for including provisions from his PELL Act in the budget reconciliation. The PELL Act was the original framework for the workforce Pell Grant expansion that the House included yesterday in its reconciliation bill, the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan.
Today, State Auditor Dave Boliek filed a response in support of a petition from Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall disputing the recent Superior Court ruling blocking transfer of elections board appointments from the governor to the state auditor.
(RALEIGH) Today, Governor Josh Stein announced the following judicial appointment:
In rural communities, like the many we have here in North Carolina, local public schools are often community hubs, serving as places of learning as well as connection and growth. Likewise, local businesses are often important pieces of what makes a rural community what it is, making relationships between the two not just beneficial, but essential.
Raleigh, NC — Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives gave bipartisan approval to House Bill 318—The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act—strengthening public safety by requiring law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Custody Enforcement (ICE) to remove criminal illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes from our communities.
(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein announced today more than $63 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects to connect 18,889 households and businesses in 30 counties to high-speed internet.
A panel of North Carolina judges struck down a new Republican-led law Wednesday that sought to move the state’s elections board under the control of the GOP state auditor — siding with Democratic Gov. Josh Stein and declaring the law unconstitutional.
Governor Josh Stein announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved North Carolina’s Action Plan for a $1.4 billion grant to help western North Carolina rebuild following Hurricane Helene. When compared to other states’ performance over the past decade, North Carolina submitted its Helene Action Plan to HUD in the shortest amount of time following a major hurricane.
(RALEIGH) Governor Stein today appealed to President Trump, asking him to overturn FEMA’s decision not to extend its 100 percent match for eligible Helene costs.
(RALEIGH) Today, Governor Josh Stein inducted eight North Carolinians into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for their lifelong careers in public service. He also presented the Laurel Wreath to two North Carolinians who have made outstanding contributions to sports or athletics.
A federal appeals court ordered the State Board of Elections not to send information to overseas or military absentee voters about providing photo ID, granting a stay that Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs requested. It’s the latest development in the nearly six-month-old dispute over last November’s election for an associate justice seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court.
RALEIGH — As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial — Americans launched their rebellion against British rule 250 years ago this month at Lexington and Concord — I’ve been writing a series of columns chronicling the contributions North Carolinians made to the birth of our great nation.
RALEIGH — Chief Justice Paul Newby announced the following appointment effective June 1, 2025:
Living in rural North Carolina, I've witnessed a remarkable transformation in our schools and communities over the past five years. As a school board member serving Stanly County I've seen how a key decision made by the Federal Communications Commission under President Trump in April 2020 has created tangible benefits for our students, teachers, and families.
(RALEIGH) Today, Governor Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, North Carolina Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai joined advocates and law enforcement officers at the SAFEChild Advocacy Center to raise awareness of the ongoing tragedy of child abuse and neglect. They also highlighted April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and April 28 as Children’s Advocacy Center Day.
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the North Carolina Senate gave final approval to its 2025-27 fiscal biennium budget, which includes additional tax relief for all North Carolinians, pay increases for state employees and teachers, funding for hurricane recovery needs, and targeted reductions to rein in unnecessary government spending.
