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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North Carolina marks 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, remembering the lives lost and the lasting impact of that day on the state and nation. Meanwhile, Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva have agreed to a $455 million settlement resolving North Carolina claims tied to PFAS, or “forever chemical,” contamination. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss a case before the North Carolina Supreme Court that will determine whether Attorney General Jeff Jackson can move forward with the state’s lawsuit against TikTok.

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North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek is raising new questions about how the North Carolina Education Lottery is taking in far more money than it did two years ago; however, the share of that money reaching public schools is not keeping pace, arguing the system is “probably not what you think it is.” Boliek joins the program to break down his office’s audit of the lottery and its findings. Meanwhile, former Gov. Pat McCrory toured a Wake County election facility and encouraged voters to have confidence in the state’s election process. Plus, North Carolina is moving toward an overhaul of its school performance grading system just as schools are posting improvements under the current model.

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The National Republican Congressional Committee has added Jennifer Balkcom in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District to its MAGA Majority program as Republicans look to hold the western North Carolina seat. Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s visit to rally North Carolina Democrats, where he urged the party to focus on the 2026 midterms rather than the 2028 presidential race. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation breaks down the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision blocking a lower court ruling that favored Roy Cooper and Democrats in a dispute over broadcast advertising rates. Plus, North Carolina schools are showing academic gains, although roughly four in 10 students remain below grade-level proficiency.

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The North Carolina State Board of Elections has approved new absentee ballot guidance in a 3-2 vote as election officials prepare for voting ahead of the November election. Meanwhile, North Carolina Medicaid and the State Health Plan are taking different approaches to coverage of GLP-1 medications, highlighting the growing debate over costs and access to the popular drugs. Andrew Pomeranz of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss state Sen. Bobby Hanig’s retirement from the General Assembly and what his departure means for the legislature.

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North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr. will not seek reelection to his current seat, fueling speculation that he could instead pursue a run for chief justice. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss Berger’s announcement and what it could mean for upcoming statewide judicial races. Meanwhile, NOAA is planning a $64 million rebuild of its historic Beaufort laboratory. Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation also breaks down the start of absentee voting in North Carolina as ballots begin going out to voters across the state.

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