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Gov. Stein: Trump ‘flat out wrong’ about NC crime 

Governor Josh Stein said President Trump’s portral of a crime-ridden North Carolina is political nonsense. Stein said his administration has been working on a bipartisan basis with the legislature to improve public safety. (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)

By Clayton Henkel

A day after President Donald Trump delivered a grim campaign speech in Gastonia, Gov. Josh Stein described Trump’s categorization of North Carolina as “political nonsense.”

In his stump speech for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, Trump portrayed the state as one of the most violent in the nation. He referred to North Carolina as “criminally dangerous,” and described its cities as “blood-soaked killing fields.”

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Common Cause launches nationwide election protection effort for 2026

Voters fill out their ballots at a Sioux Falls polling place during the South Dakota primary election on June 2, 2026. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

By Ahmed Jallow

National voting rights group Common Cause is training thousands of volunteers to assist voters during the 2026 midterm elections.

The nonpartisan advocacy group announced the effort Thursday during a virtual news conference. It said it has recruited thousands of volunteers so far and is seeking more than 10,000 nationwide.

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(Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)

New NC poll shows voters strongly favor constitutional amendments on taxes, voting

By Greg Childress

With less than seven weeks to go until the midterm elections, a new Elon University poll has found that likely voters in both parties strongly favor three constitutional amendments on the ballot this fall in North Carolina.

Voters will be asked to consider amendments requiring photo IDs for all forms of voting, lowering the cap on the  state’s personal income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%, and requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.

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North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes speaks to members of the media on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

NC elections director disputes judge’s claim that GOP-led agency is politically biased

By Lynn Bonner

N.C. Board of Elections Director Sam Hayes said the board will serve all voters regardless of party.

His statement came after a state appellate judge wrote a blistering assessment of election administration after it shifted to Republican control. 

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NEWS

  • Postal Service chief says work stopped on computer system key to Trump effort to limit mail voting |APnews.com

  • Trump refers to Black man from racially offensive 1988 campaign ad while stumping in North Carolina|
    APnews.com

  • Warren Buffett stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway: ‘Father Time always wins’| CNBC.com

  • Wake commissioners schedule vote that could pave way for WakeMed-Atrium merger | WRAL.com

  • Wake commissioners schedule vote on WakeMed-Atrium merger. Here’s when and where | Raleigh News & Observer

  • A private company makes an offer for Rocky Mount's water utility|WUNC.org

  • UNC's Steve Belichick to resign; investigation finds 'a disregard for Carolina’s values'|WRAL.com

  • ‘Crisis of accountability’: Former UNC leader says football program needs to look in the mirror|WRAL.com

  • NC lobbyists agree to civil fine in deal to drop charge over bourbon tour |
    Raleigh News & Observer

  • Trump administration investigating Duke’s relationship with Wuhan University|WRAL.com

  • Wake, other NC schools will no longer take challenges to library books. Here’s why |Raleigh News & Observer

COMMENTARY

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