Robocall Crackdown: North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson joined a 50-state push urging the FCC to shut down a robocall “loophole” that lets scammers buy real phone numbers and rapidly cycle them, after nearly $2 billion in losses last year. State Budget & Tax Policy: Gov. Josh Stein signed a $34B budget that includes pay raises and lower taxes, while lawmakers also moved to tax prediction markets at 6% (sports betting at 23%), a shift that keeps NC in the national spotlight on election-year cost-of-living politics. Defense Innovation: Stein launched the NC ALIGN advisory council to connect defense research and advanced manufacturing with federal funding and commercialization. Homelessness & Housing: Stein vetoed an encampment/camping bill, setting up potential legislative fights over how the state handles homelessness and public order. Courts & Public Safety: A Rutherford County courthouse expansion project reopened after a brief bedbug scare, while NC’s Supreme Court race continues to draw attention from older legal disputes. Local Governance: Craven County promoted new budget and water leadership, and Asheville’s shelter director called the encampment veto a partial win but urged more action. Environment & Disaster Response: Multiple eastern NC wildfires continued to threaten homes before shrinking with containment efforts.