The Leandro v. State decision has long stood as a constitutional benchmark affirming that every child in North Carolina is entitled to a “sound basic education.” The recent action by the North Carolina Supreme Court declining to compel the legislature to fund the remedies tied to that obligation underscores a persistent institutional tension—one that sits at the intersection of judicial interpretation and legislative authority. Supporters of the Court’s position correctly note that the...

As North Carolina closes out a consequential 2025, the state moves into 2026 navigating a complex convergence of political, social, economic, and institutional pressures. Beneath the surface of a growing economy and vibrant communities lies a deeper story: one of systems under strain, households navigating rising costs, and an electorate confronting trust-shaking challenges. The year’s events reveal a state at a pivotal moment, where policy decisions made now will reverberate through civic...

The U.S. Constitution was crafted to establish three equal branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Drafted...