Renewed flooding around Lake Lure is raising questions about downstream safety, dam operations, and emergency monitoring nearly two years after Hurricane Helene destroyed the town’s upstream flood gauges. Heavy rainfall this week prompted additional releases from the Lake Lure Dam and downstream warnings, though no evacuations were required. Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program for a two-part look at North Carolina’s 2026 ballot, which includes races for U.S. Senate, Congress, the General Assembly and statewide courts, along with three proposed constitutional amendments. Plus, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is disputing a Politico report that it plans to shift resources away from the North Carolina and Georgia Senate races, calling the report “fake news.”

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North Carolina’s mail-in ballot rules are facing a new federal lawsuit from voting-rights groups represented in part by the Elias Law Group. The plaintiffs are challenging guidance approved by the State Board of Elections covering ballot envelopes and signature verification, arguing the rules could result in lawful ballots being rejected; the board has previously defended the process as secure and workable. Meanwhile, nearly $23 million in interest-free loans is heading to western North Carolina communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene. Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss backlash over an “attack on US soil” comment from a North Carolina House candidate and a report on the state’s business tax climate. Plus, NC College Connect is providing direct admission offers to more than 105,000 public school seniors, with every senior on track to graduate receiving at least one offer.

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North Carolina’s election season continues to ramp up, with Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation providing his weekly look at absentee voting and voter registration trends across the state. Meanwhile, former Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for COVID relief fraud, while the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board voted 5-4 to terminate Superintendent Crystal Hill. Theresa Opeka of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss Wake County commissioners’ 5-2 vote approving the proposed Atrium-WakeMed combination, which still faces additional regulatory review. State Treasurer Brad Briner is criticizing the deal, raising concerns about healthcare costs and competition.

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Vice President JD Vance campaigned in Greensboro for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, using the rally to contrast Whatley with Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper and to promote the Trump administration’s agenda. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss a judge’s ruling allowing a Chatham County data center project to proceed despite the county’s moratorium on new data centers. Plus, Wake County commissioners have approved changes allowing the proposed combination of WakeMed and Atrium Health to move forward following months of debate over the deal.

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Congressman Chuck Edwards has filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct against the bipartisan leaders of the House Ethics Committee, alleging they failed to follow committee procedures before recommending his censure. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Senate has created a new select committee to examine potential reforms to the state’s property tax system. Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to examine the growing role of prediction markets in North Carolina elections and the questions surrounding their use. Plus, Vice President JD Vance is in Greensboro for a Republican midterm rally following President Trump’s visit to the state last week to campaign for U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley.

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The September Carolina Journal Poll provides a new snapshot of likely North Carolina voters heading into the final weeks before the November election, including views on the direction of the country and job approval for President Donald Trump and Gov. Josh Stein. David Larson of Carolina Journal breaks down the U.S. Senate race between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley, where Cooper leads 49.2% to 34.1%, as well as the North Carolina Supreme Court contest. The poll also finds roughly two-thirds of voters support each of the three proposed constitutional amendments, while measuring views on the Democratic Socialists of America and data center development.

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President Donald Trump returned to North Carolina to campaign for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, using his Gastonia rally to criticize Democrat Roy Cooper’s record on crime and the response to Hurricane Helene. The program also highlights remarks from Whatley and congressional candidates Laurie Buckhout and Jennifer Balkcom as Republicans rally supporters ahead of the November midterms. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss an appeals court ruling upholding the transfer of North Carolina election board appointment authority to State Auditor Dave Boliek. Plus, Butterball has agreed to pay $230,000 to settle a disability discrimination case in North Carolina.

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A U.S. House healthcare hearing in Charlotte examined Medicaid fraud and North Carolina’s certificate-of-need laws as lawmakers heard testimony about healthcare costs, competition, and oversight. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Gastonia, while First Lady Melania Trump highlighted resilience and artificial intelligence education during a visit to a North Carolina school. Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation joins the program with an update on absentee-by-mail voting as North Carolina moves closer to the November election. Plus, the State Board of Education is expected to decide in December on a proposed Catawba County school merger.

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A federal investigation has found discrimination in admissions at Duke University’s medical school, raising new questions about admissions practices and federal civil rights requirements. Meanwhile, a newly released warrant provides additional details about an SBI investigation into possible embezzlement, while a steel company plans to invest $19 million in an expansion in Fayetteville. The State Health Plan is also adding 12 Atrium Health hospitals to its Access provider tier, expanding options for plan members.

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Nearly 60,000 North Carolina voters requested absentee ballots during the first week they were available as voting gets underway ahead of the November election. Meanwhile, the North Carolina DMV is preparing for a statewide rollout of mobile identification, even as questions remain over privacy and data security. Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss backlash facing a North Carolina House candidate over comments describing an incident as an “attack on U.S. soil.” Plus, new polling shows former Gov. Roy Cooper continuing to lead Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race.

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