Dave Boliek News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The fruit of State Auditor Boliek's labors

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026-- 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 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.

Timeliness of NC food-stamp payments dipped below federal standards, state audit says

About $83 million in North Carolina food-stamp benefits were distributed late between 2021 and 2024 -- less than 1% of the total payout during that period. Wake, Cumberland and Edgecombe counties were among the worst performers.

WRAL News staff

Former NCGOP director to lead 'election integrity' efforts, serve as election board liaison, says NC Auditor

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek hired Dallas Woodhouse, former executive director of the state Republican Party, to oversee elections boards across the state.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

'Thanks for the donuts': NCDOT responds to NC State coach's long day at DMV

NC State men's basketball assistant coach Brandon Chambers chronicled his long day at the DMV on social media, just one day after an audit highlighted multiple problems at the division.

Solutions to long NCDMV lines: Findings of state audit released

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek shares the findings of an audit compiled by his office of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

NC lawmakers send 'mini budget' and DOGE-style plan to Stein

Public schools, universities and the State Health Plan would get funding for continuing operations under a mini budget, while lawmakers remain at an impasse over a full state budget plan. The bill also contained a provision to create a government efficiency program to be run by the state auditor.

WRAL News staff reports

NC Republicans expand powers of state auditor with help from Democrat

Republican legislators, along with Democratic state Rep. Shelley Willingham, voted to override Gov. Josh Stein's veto of a bill that expands the powers of State Auditor Dave Boliek, a Republican. A related bill is poised for a vote Wednesday.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Some fixes underway at NCDMV, but leaders say more staff needed

Despite many changes at the NCDMV aimed at cutting down long lines. But at many offices, those lines are still as long as ever, and they're not likely to get much better until state lawmakers approve more staff for the agency.

Long lines persist at NCDMV license branches despite recent changes

Despite many changes at the NCDMV aimed at cutting down long lines. But at many offices, those lines are still as long as ever, and they're not likely to get much better until state lawmakers approve more staff for the agency.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Stein vetoes bills on Duke Energy, charter schools, empowering state auditor

The vetoes set up yet more political battles between the Republican-led state legislature and the Democratic governor, who has also vetoed other bills to amp up immigration enforcement and repeal the state's concealed carry rules.

WIll Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC lawmakers pass bill expanding, clarifying state auditor's ability to probe groups receiving public funds

The House voted to approve House Bill 549, which expands and clarifies the auditor's role in investigating state agencies or entities that receive state or federal money. The bill goes next to Gov. Josh Stein.

WRAL News staff

DMV needs workforce flexibility to tackle hiring and retention issues, NC state auditor says

The North Carolina DMV has struggled with long wait times, difficulty booking appointments due in part to an overwhelmed workforce. North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek released preliminary findings of an audit into the division as lawmakers negotiate a state budget.

Pritchard Strong and Will Doran, WRAL News

NC House passes bills targeting teen access to social media and doctors, expanding auditor's investigative powers

The measures, along with dozens more, including one giving more control to school boards over school calendars, were part of a larger last-minute rush for lawmakers, who are facing the so-called cross over deadline.

Will Doran, Paul Specht and Brian Murphy, WRAL News

Political power shift on NC Elections Board takes effect

Republican lawmakers have been trying for a decade to give their party control over North Carolina's elections administration. All of those efforts have been ruled unconstitutional until now.

NC elections board switches to GOP control after court ruling. Here's who's in charge now

Republican lawmakers have been trying for a decade to give their party control over North Carolina's elections administration. All of those efforts have been ruled unconstitutional until now.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

North Carolinians welcome school cellphone bans, balk at bills to loosen gun laws, poll shows

A new Meredith College poll shows some areas of bipartisan agreement as the GOP-controlled legislature decides which proposals to prioritize.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

State auditor could probe nonprofits, private businesses under bill advancing in NC legislature

Senate lawmakers also approved a measure that would instruct State Auditor Dave Boliek to recommend cuts to state government agencies, taking a page from the federal DOGE effort.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Republican state auditor would get more say over NC government cuts in bill moving in Senate

The Senate Regulatory Reform Committee on Wednesday advanced the DAVE Act, which would allow North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek to determine whether an agency or division should be eliminated entirely.

WRAL News staff

$500M investment group under political scrutiny is following protocol, NC auditor says

Republican Party megadonor Art Pope, who sits on the board of NCInnovation, told WRAL last year he had concerns about the group's internal accounting and requested an audit.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC auditor launches 'floor-to-ceiling' review of DMV, honoring campaign pledge

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek says he's looking into the Division of Motor Vehicles' functions, spending and technology in an effort to improve financial and operational efficiency.

Jack Hagel, WRAL News

Gov. Josh Stein signs five Helene recovery executive orders

Josh Stein's first action as governor was to create a new state agency focused on Helene relief in western North Carolina.

NC Gov. Josh Stein signs 5 new Helene relief orders. New state auditor says he has questions.

Josh Stein's first action as governor was to create a new state agency focused on Helene relief in western North Carolina.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

On the Record: Next auditor promises conservative principles not partisan politics

Dave Boliek rose to the political spotlight with his push to end DEI initiatives at the University of North Carolina. He's never held elected office before, but said his work on the board inspired him to.