Duncan McFadyen

Heading into the new year, Republican lawmakers were in prime position with veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, and a Republican in the governor’s office.  So far, they haven’t been shy about flexing their political muscle. They’ve introduced bills to require voter ID, repeal the Racial Justice Act, eliminate teacher tenure, and even double the amount of time a married couple has to be separated before they can be granted a divorce. And then there’s the resolution that would've said the U.S. Constitution’s ban on establishing a religion doesn’t apply to North Carolina. House Speaker Thom Tillis announced there wouldn't be a vote on it.

Michael Bitzer, professor of Political Science at Catawba College and WFAE's political blogger, speaks to Duncan McFadyen about the GOP initiatives.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced changes Thursday to the design of drivers licenses for certain illegal immigrants who qualify for temporary residency status under the federal Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. 

Governor McCrory has released his budget for the next two years. He’s now got to work with state legislators to try to get his initiatives passed. And after the budget becomes law, it’s State Auditor Beth Wood’s job to make sure that more than $20 billion a year of state money is used as lawmakers intend it to be. Her office also audits $23 billion in federal grants. Duncan McFadyen spoke to Auditor Wood to find out more about what she does.

The Charlotte Knights are gearing up for their last season of baseball in Fort Mill, South Carolina---their home since 1990. Construction is underway Uptown on the new BB&T Field. That will leave York County with an empty stadium that could become a liability to taxpayers. So the county is looking at what to do with it, come 2014. Duncan McFadyen spoke to Mark Farris, Director of Economic Development for York county. He says a Charlotte company is interested in buying the stadium property, but the county is considering all of its options.

Charter schools are supposed to offer a free, independent alternative to traditional public schools. North Carolina has just over 100 of them, and the state board of education is expected to approve 25 more at its February meeting.

Have you ever stopped to notice the different sounds an elevator makes? What the buttons look and feel like? Or where the emergency phone is?

Big companies, government offices, and media outlets like NPR often have ombudsmen – they’re trained to handle complaints and to try to resolve disputes. And universities are no exception: NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke all have them. The latest UNC system school to create an ombudsman position is Appalachian State University in Boone. The school has appointed a long-time professor to set up the office, Jim Barnes. He’s been on the job since January 1. He says complaints last year about a professor factored into creating his position, but the idea had been discussed for a while.  Barnes talks to Morning Editon host Duncan McFadyen about getting the office off the ground.