North Carolina continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated the western part of the state last year. Governor Josh Stein recently signed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part 1, allocating $524 million in aid for western North Carolina. The bill includes $200 million for farmers who experienced crop losses, $120 million for home reconstruction and repair, and $55 million for local government infrastructure grants to help small businesses[12].

The state's economy remains strong, with North Carolina ranking second in CNBC's list of best states for business. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) reported that in 2022, the state secured 151 business recruitment and expansion projects, expected to create 27,144 new jobs and $15.58 billion in announced investment[17][18].

In education news, the Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education have submitted a joint legislative request for the 2025-26 long session. Key priorities include higher teacher pay, additional aid for schools affected by Hurricane Helene, and a moratorium on the expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship program[18].

Environmental concerns are at the forefront as the N.C. Forest Service issued a statewide burn ban due to increased fire risk. The ban, effective March 21, prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties until further notice[11].

On the economic front, North Carolina's economy continues to outpace the national average, with the state's growth rate of aggregate economic production in 2024 almost 50% faster than the nation's. The state's jobless rate has consistently been below the national average[13].

In infrastructure news, Governor Stein has proposed a $4 billion public school bond to address the state's needs for new and renovated school facilities. The most recent Five-Year K-12 Facility Needs Report found a need of over $13 billion for public school construction, repair, and renovation across the state[14].

Looking ahead, the state legislature will be considering several key issues in the coming months, including education funding, disaster recovery efforts, and economic development initiatives. Additionally, North Carolina is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, with various commemorative events and projects in the planning stages[10].