Josh Stein News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: What's the sound of a complete state budget?... Crickets.

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Medicaid's Carolina cornucopia

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Report: NC relief program for hurricanes Matthew, Florence was 'logistical nightmare'

The North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency prioritized "process management" over repairing and rebuilding homes destroyed by hurricanes Matthew and Florence, according to a report by State Auditor Dave Boliek.

NC Medicaid fight: Cuts could affect millions, with no end in sight

North Carolina state lawmakers haven't fully funded Medicaid, and the state has begun cutting what it pays doctors and hospitals to treat Medicaid patients. Now the political finger-pointing has begun.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: North Carolina's state budget at a snail's pace

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

NC Republicans reject Stein's order on 'special session' to fund Medicaid

Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, called lawmakers back to Raleigh for a special session to address the state's lack of Medicaid funding, after GOP leaders failed to pass a new budget. Republicans say they plan to disobey the order and wait until next year to address the funding shortfall.

NC elections board addresses staffing changes as officials count ballots

Eight staffers have left the North Carolina State Board of Elections since May, when a new state law shifted control of the board from Democrats to Republicans.

Toyota celebrates opening of giant battery facility in Randoph County

A new Toyota battery plant opened on Wednesday in North Carolina. The factory will produce batteries for hybrid electric, fully electric, and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Governor Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt volunteer at local food bank

More than one million people in North Carolina felt the shutdown's impact personally when SNAP benefits were not paid, and food banks nationwide have seen an increase in demand. Stein and Hunt volunteered on Tuesday at the food bank, and his office, alongside private partners, provided nearly $22 million to North Carolina Food Banks to support families struggling to put food on the table during the shutdown.

Gov. Josh Stein calls NC lawmakers back to address Medicaid shortfall

North Carolina lawmakers must return to Raleigh later this month, Gov. Josh Stein said Thursday, using his constitutional authority to call for a special legislative session.

Stein orders NC lawmakers back into session to address Medicaid funding shortfalls

Nearly one in three North Carolinians is insured through Medicaid. But the program is hundreds of millions of dollars short heading into the final months of 2025, as state lawmakers have failed to pass a new state budget.

Kids ask questions about new dino discovery at NC Museum of Natural Sciences 🦖

Scientists at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences have found that what was believed to be a juvenile T.rex skeleton is instead a distant relative, the first of its kind to be found in a full skeleton.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: New discovery- fossilized state budget

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Top NC leaders travel to Taiwan, Japan to bolster business ties

Japan is already North Carolina's top international business partner. State leaders believe there's still more to be done to convince Asian companies to build factories in the Tar Heel state.

In NC, don't expect state lawmakers to provide much emergency SNAP funding

More than 1.4 million North Carolinians are poised to enter November without federal subsidies they rely on for food -- and without any assurances that relief is on the way.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

What's next for Cecil Brockman, the NC lawmaker who faces sex charges

State Rep. Cecil Brockman of High Point remains jailed on child sex charges. There's no sign the city will have a voice in the chamber anytime soon.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Stein signs stopgap funding bill aiding law enforcement and businesses impacted by disasters

Senate Bill 449 expands and modifies programs for businesses and governments impacted by Hurricane Helene. It also appropriates money for several law-enforcement initiatives.

WRAL News staff

GOP plan to redraw NC congressional districts brings opposition from Democrats

President Donald Trump called North Carolina Republicans' proposed congressional map as "new, fair and improved." Democratic critics have blasted the plan as a power grab.

Flynn Snyder, WRAL reporter

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein slams Republican redistricting plan

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is again slamming a proposal by Republicans to redraw North Carolina's Congressional map.

NC Medicaid cuts under scrutiny amid funding stalemate

A Republican-led Medicaid oversight committee questioned top health officials about the future of the program and a decision to cut reimbursement rates.

More than $6.5B in medical debt relieved through NC program. Stein calls it 'life changing news'

The state's Medical Debt Relief Program has relieved debts for more than 2.5 million North Carolinians, totaling billions of dollars. Officials say it's only the start.

Will Doran, WRAL News

Gov. Stein continues push for mental health aid focused on public safety

Gov. Josh Stein traveled to eastern North Carolina to praise local community leaders doing work on mental health, as he pushes state lawmakers to put more money into mental health focused on public safety.

North Carolina child fatality group links social media algorithms, AI chat bots to suicide risks

A subgroup of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force is scheduled to discuss lawmakers' attempts to regulate social media and artificial intelligence use among young people in the state.

WRAL staff

Gov. Stein signs 'Iryna's Law' despite mixed feelings over bill

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein waited until the last possible day to take action on the bill known as Iryna's Law. In a video statement, Stein explained that he has mixed feelings over the bill.

Stein signs crime bill, potentially restarting death penalty in NC after Charlotte stabbing

"Iryna's Law" enacts numerous changes to North Carolina's criminal laws and pretrial procedures. It also requires the governor to try to restart executions, which have been held up in North Carolina by legal challenges since 2006.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter