The final days of the North Carolina state legislature's session before a long summer break saw shrimpers kill a proposal that would've set back many of their businesses, as state lawmakers also failed to deliver on other high-profile debates including a new state budget. But they approved $500 million in Hurricane Helene relief and, looking ahead to the 2026 primary elections in March, plenty of bills focused on culture-war topics ranging from DEI to guns, immigration, transgender issues and public school library lists. Next on their agenda? The wide-ranging elections overhaul GOP leaders just unveiled.

JetZero's massive job announcement was the only political kumbaya moment of the week. NC lawmakers spent hours wrangling over immigration bills and gun rights. In the meantime, state House and Senate leaders don't seem to be getting any closer to a budget deal, potentially leaving Hurricane Helene relief hanging during an upcoming break.

North Carolina Republican Party chairman Jason Simmons faces a challenge for his job at this weekend's GOP convention, where U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis could also be targeted by party activists. Democrats are canvassing rural North Carolina ahead of the 2026 Senate race against Tillis, but they're also dealing with silence from Roy Cooper on his intentions. Meanwhile in the state legislature, lawmakers are rushing to pass bills on energy policy, immigration, foster care, guns, towing, power grabs targeting Gov. Josh Stein and other hot-button issues ahead of a likely break in July, as tensions simmer over budget disagreements.