2024 session News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

New leaders, new problems: Top 2025 stories to watch in NC politics

New Gov. Josh Stein, new NC Speaker of the House Destin Hall and others will be among those stepping into the spotlight in 2025 as North Carolina politicians take on Helene relief and other hot-button issues.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Several new NC laws take effect in 2025

New North Carolina laws targeting Ticketmaster fees, home construction regulations, auto insurance rules, toll road fees and the power of the governor are slated to go into effect at the start of the new year.

New NC laws raising costs for drivers, protecting people who buy tickets online, going into effect in 2025

New North Carolina laws targeting Ticketmaster fees, home construction regulations, auto insurance rules, toll road fees and the power of the governor are slated to go into effect at the start of the new year.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Cooper, Stein sue GOP state lawmakers for a second time over new 'power grab' law

North Carolina law gives the governor control over elections. Republican state legislators have been trying unsuccessfully to change that ever since Roy Cooper became governor and are pursing a new strategy following Josh Stein's 2024 victory.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Cooper, Stein sue GOP lawmakers over legislation stripping power from governor

Similar lawsuits are expected in the coming days over a number of provisions in the law, which targets incoming Democrats including Gov.-elect Josh Stein and Attorney General-elect Jeff Jackson.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

With protested override, NC lawmakers sap power from governor, attorney general, other incoming Democrats

The Republican-led House completed the override of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, making Senate Bill 382 law. The measure is expected to be challenged in court.

Paul Specht and Will Doran, WRAL state government reporters

'To the winner go the spoils': NC lawmakers to finalize law stripping power from Democratic officials

The North Carolina House is preparing to put two new constitutional amendments on the ballot and pass a new law shifting the balance of power in state government, a move Democrats call unconstitutional.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

On The Record: Assessing NC Senate's override veto of bill that would weaken Josh Stein's power

The North Carolina Senate voted Monday to override Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a bill that would strip a wide array of powers away from the governor, attorney general and other offices that Democrats won election to this year. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie explains what else the legislation does, how it came to be and why the timing of the bill is pertinent.

What happens when NC Republicans lose supermajority in state House

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty discussed the North Carolina Senate approving several last-minute Constitutional amendments over the weekend.

Amid protests, Senate overrides Cooper's veto of bill stripping power from governor, other Democratic officials

The override effort must still pass the House for the changes to become law. That vote could be tougher; three House Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the bill.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC Senate approves last-minute constitutional amendments, before Republicans lose supermajority

In North Carolina, amending the state constitution is a two-step process. A proposal must first pass the legislature with at least 60% in both chambers, a supermajority, voting in favor. Then it would be put on the ballot for voters to decide.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Durham mayor warns state law proposal would take power away from local leaders

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams expressed his concerns about a provision in a Hurricane Helene relief bill that could limit the city's power in zoning decisions.

Gov. Cooper calls Helene relief bill 'a sham' in veto statement

Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill Tuesday that would enact sweeping changes stripping power away from the governor and other executive branch offices won by Democrats in the 2024 elections.

Cooper vetoes 'sham' legislation to strip power away from Democratic state officials

Republican state lawmakers passed a bill to take away power from incoming Democratic officials including Gov. Josh Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC Helene relief bill would remove power from incoming Democrats

Incoming Democratic Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson will lose key powers, if a Republican-backed proposal goes through. Governor-elect Josh Stein could also lose control over the State Elections Board and the Utilities Commission, which oversees Duke Energy.

NC lawmakers announce new Helene relief package as Cooper hammers legislative priorities

Republican legislative leaders are coming back to Raleigh to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a bill to increase spending on private school tuition vouchers by hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Cooper said lawmakers should spend the money on Helene relief instead; now GOP leaders may plan to argue they can do both.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers could approve more Helene aid next week

Gov. Roy Cooper wants legislative leaders to shift hundreds of millions earmarked for private school vouchers toward Hurricane Helene aid.

Cooper calls for more Helene aid as NC lawmakers prepare to return to Raleigh

Gov. Roy Cooper wants legislative leaders to shift hundreds of millions earmarked for private school vouchers toward Hurricane Helene aid.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Legislature orders new early voting sites in two western NC counties

Early voting has already started, and questions swirled Thursday about whether local officials would be able to pull off the feat on such short notice before early voting ends on Nov. 2.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers unanimously approve $604M Helene relief bill. Measure now goes to Cooper

The bill is the latest legislative step aimed at helping western North Carolina counties ravaged by Hurricane Helene last month. Approval of the GOP-authored bill comes a day after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper released a $3.9 billion relief proposal.

Paul Specht and Laura Leslie, WRAL News

Cooper signs Helene recovery package into law, with $273 million in disaster relief

State lawmakers unanimously approved a $273 million recovery aid bill for western North Carolina Helene storm damage. More funding is expected in the future as the full extent of damage becomes known.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers approve millions in Hurricane Helene disaster aid for western counties

The $273 million disaster relief bill, approved unanimously, is likely the first of several spending plans to rebuild ravaged communities in western North Carolina.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers to return next week as cost of Helene recovery looms large

The state has billions of dollars in savings, which lawmakers could dip into now for Hurricane Helene emergency response. The NC General Assembly is set to come back Oct. 9 and could then start working on a disaster relief funding bill.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC House approves school voucher, immigration enforcement bill, which goes to governor's desk

Hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded grants for private school tuition were tacked onto an immigration bill that will force North Carolina sheriffs to work with ICE on detainer requests, tying two key GOP priorities together.

NC lawmakers approve voucher expansion, target sheriffs who won't work with ICE

Hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded grants for private school tuition were tacked onto an immigration bill that will force North Carolina sheriffs to work with ICE on detainer requests, tying two key GOP priorities together.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter