Hosts dive into North Carolina’s budget stalemate, including the controversy over large raises for correctional officers and the resulting wage compression and staffing problems, stalled projects like the zoo’s Asia expansion and major hiring delays, and the ongoing debate over hospital consolidations and pension concerns.

Then, in an interview, SECU outlines changes to payroll deduction and previews a new mobile app with budgeting and money-transfer tools — members are urged to know their login before the upgrade.

The episode also covers GLP-1 drug funding, public pension issues, a light Gen Z segment on influencers, and the popular theme-park ticket program.