Josh Stein
North Carolina Attorney General
Latest stories
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NC plans to start mailing 2026 ballots Friday. Could the rules still change before then?
The North Carolina State Board of Elections plan to consider new mail-in ballot rules hours before the start of mail-in voting. Meanwhile, federal lawsuits still loom.
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Federal hemp crackdown could be delayed by one month. What it means for NC's $1 billion industry
Congress voted to delay sweeping federal hemp restrictions by one month. For North Carolina's $1 billion industry, that could mean more time to prepare — and more uncertainty over what happens next.
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Hunger a growing problem in NC, as Stein and food bank leaders call for help
In central North Carolina alone, more than 630,000 people don’t know where their next meal is coming from — a number that has ballooned recently due to inflation, plus federal cuts to food stamps and similar aid programs.
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Popular Netflix show leaves North Carolina after change to film incentive program
State officials said changes to the state’s incentives program led to the departure of the Netflix series “The Hunting Wives,” which was filmed in North Carolina.
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Proposed NC election rules head to legislative review. Will they be in place before the election?
A legal fight is delaying implementation of new mail-in ballot and voter ID rules, threatening GOP hopes that they’ll be in place for the 2026 midterms.
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Too high to drive? NC examines marijuana DWI tests
There’s no marijuana equivalent to the blood-alcohol benchmark police use to prosecute drunk drivers. North Carolina officials are examining how toxicology can help them determine if motorists are driving high.
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Stein wants commission to delay proposed ballot rules as NC absentee voting nears
Rules proposed by the GOP-majority state elections board could make absentee voting more burdensome and increase the chances of ballots being rejected, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein says. The Democrat wants a state commission to delay final approval so that the legislature can review the rules.
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Henderson man gets nearly 27 years for fentanyl trafficking as NC laws give prosecutors new options
A Henderson man who prosecutors say led a major fentanyl and heroin operation was sentenced to nearly 27 years in federal prison. Prosecutors say North Carolina’s tougher fentanyl penalties are giving them more options to pursue serious cases in state court.
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WakeMed-Atrium deal ‘deserves close scrutiny,’ governor’s office says ahead of possible merger vote
Gov. Josh Stein’s office this week sent a letter to WakeMed Chief Executive Donald Gintzig, asking about a dozen questions about particulars of the proposal including financials and oversight.
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Who would control the cannabis market in NC? ABC joins debate
North Carolina lawmakers haven’t legalized marijuana, but officials are already considering who would control the future market, Friday, and whether the state’s powerful ABC system could play a role.
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'We have made a lot of progress': Governor Stein says DMV wait times dropped by 90%
On Thursday, Governor Josh Stein provided updates on the wait times at the NCDMV after the summer rush.
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Stein vetoes election bill that would cut early voting, ramp up voter purges
Republican lawmakers recently passed a bill that they say would improve election integrity. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed it, saying GOP leaders are scared of voters and want to make it easier to throw out ballots or stop people from voting entirely.
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‘Stop politicizing our courts’: Stein vetoes bill letting NC chief justice suspend judges
House Bill 377 would essentially let North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby suspend any trial court judge without pay. Gov. Josh Stein vetoed the bill, saying it "would have a chilling effect on judicial independence."
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From the virtual cockpit of an F-35, North Carolina’s efforts to lure defense jobs come into view
North Carolina is working to boost a workforce capable of supporting aerospace and defense companies. A fighter-jet simulator in Kinston is only part of the equation.
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Stein approves budget additions, expands access to ‘granny flats’ in NC cities
Stein signed what’s known as a regulatory reform bill, as well as technical corrections and additions to the recently approved state budget Tuesday.
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NC public safety boss is out as Stein, GOP lawmakers spar
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety oversees a number of state law enforcement and emergency response agencies, such as state Homeland Security, Alcohol Law Enforcement and the National Guard.
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NC concealed-gun rights battle isn’t over but the clock is ticking
GOP lawmakers left Raleigh without a final vote on a bill that could allow most adults to carry concealed guns without a permit. Its future could depend on whether Republicans can secure enough votes when they return to session after the 2026 elections.
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Democrats rally against NC election bill after passage; Stein pledges veto
Democratic lawmakers and voting advocates rallied at the General Assembly after passage of a sweeping elections bill, arguing it would restrict voting access.
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Should NC’s top judge be allowed to suspend other judges? State lawmakers say yes
NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby would be allowed to suspend other judges without pay, even without any finding of wrongdoing, under a new bill that’s now up to Gov. Josh Stein to act on.
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NC lawmakers advance changes to new state budget, election rules
Changes to the new state budget include the addition of tens of millions of dollars in earmarks to host sporting events in the state. Critics say the money could be spent better elsewhere.
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Should felons be allowed to own guns? Yes, advocates tell NC Supreme Court
The state’s Republican-majority Supreme Court is interested in exploring an argument that North Carolina’s ban on felons owning guns is unconstitutional. Politicians, law enforcement and different advocacy groups are now jumping in.
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NC Senate finalizes bill with new power grabs, millions in taxpayer dollars for sporting events
Bills making changes to the new state budget, including spending tens of millions on golf and military games and stripping power from Democratic politicians including Gov. Josh Stein, passed the state Senate Wednesday.
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NC lawmakers target more of governor’s powers, shift charity support
The wide-ranging bill would spend tens of millions of dollars on sporting events, in addition to dealing out millions in taxpayer dollars to charities and targeting Democratic Gov. Josh Stein with what critics call new power grabs.
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Anti-ICE protesters tell NC lawmakers ‘we will not go back’
Latino advocates and other activists say they oppose plans to build a new immigrant detention camp in North Carolina as Republican leaders at the state and federal level push to ramp up deportations.
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Can North Carolina lower health care costs? New bipartisan commission gets to work
Health care costs keep rising, and North Carolina leaders say the status quo isn't sustainable. A new bipartisan commission, created by Gov. Josh Stein, met for the first time Tuesday with one mission: find ways to make medical care more affordable for millions of North Carolinians.
