Property owners have every right to be upset with the rapidly escalating taxes imposed on real property. And our legislature, always looking for ways to play to their constituents (especially in an …

In the wake of Cole Tomas Allen's alleged attempt to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump and/or other political officials, journalists, and general-purpose celebrities come the usual calls for …

Over the past year, North Carolina has posted one of the largest employment gains in the country. Alas, that’s not saying much. During the most recent 12 months for which we have full data, …

State lawmakers are back in Raleigh for the 2026 legislative session and in at least one important way, it will be a gathering of historic note. Thanks to his stunning defeat in the March primary, …

For all the satisfied smiles among school-choice supporters, and the gnashing of teeth among its opponents, North Carolina is  not  one of the top-ranked states for educational freedom. …

Are "The Terminator," "The Matrix" and other such films entertainment, or are they prophecy? With the fast progress of artificial intelligence over the last few years, that's become a real question …

 Is there an immediate prospect of resolving the budget standoff between the North Carolina Senate and House? I hear conflicting signals. When fiscal analysts for the governor and …

$1.5 trillion. With a "t." That's how much U.S. President Donald Trump wants Congress to appropriate for military (falsely called "defense") spending in 2027. And that number — there's no other way …

At airports across the U.S., Transportation Security Administration agents have been "working" — that is, impeding, harassing, ogling, and groping air travelers — without pay since Valentine's …

The brilliant (and controversial) French artist Edgar Degas drew, painted, and sculpted. Although he relished a wide range of subjects, his best-known works depict ballet dancers. “Art is not …

On March 30, frustrated North Carolinians can make their voices heard at a public hearing of the state Utilities Commission in Raleigh. The hearing follows a  petition  calling for an …

It's "mow the yard" time again in north central Florida, which means it's "Tom complains about lawn culture" time again for this column. This year, though, my case against the whole idea of the …

When Congress passed its budget-reconciliation bill last summer, it created a bunch of problems for North Carolina policymakers — thank goodness! No, really. Federal law now imposes work …

Ever since COVID-19, buying a home has been a challenge, especially for first-time buyers. Buyers have been hit by a triple-whammy. Home prices surged, homes for sale were limited and interest rates …

Vice President J.D. Vance was in North Carolina last week, doing his best to put a happy face on the economic situation in our state. It was and is not an easy sell. Though the vice president …

Let me bury the lede just a bit: In December of 1862, Union troops under the command of Ambrose Burnside crossed the Rappahannock River by pontoon bridge and occupied the town of Fredericksburg, …

I have a large and loving family, many cherished friends and colleagues, daily opportunities for meaningful work and enjoyable play, and countless other blessings. Still, on occasion, I feel lonely …

When a child cannot safely remain at home, the next best place is usually with someone they already know. A grandmother. An aunt. A trusted family friend. We say family comes first in North …

Generally speaking, I've always considered myself a "techno-optimist," sometimes perhaps to the point of  Panglossianism. As a teen, I embraced those new-fangled "microcomputers," and as a …

Tariffs continue to be an ongoing issue in the country, receiving much attention. Recently, there was a Supreme Court decision that some of the tariffs imposed by President Trump had to be removed. …