Staffing challenges, budget talks and 'Pension Fight Club'

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sammy Cline discuss the latest on the state budget, workforce reforms, and staffing challenges across North Carolina government. Also, we discussed 'Pension Fight Club,' a first-of-its-kind investigative documentary about the threat to public pensions across the country, which features Watkins among dozens of pension leaders, board members, and advocates demanding greater transparency and accountability. We also cover a tragic child welfare case prompting oversight, the state auditor’s planned review of the Opportunity Scholarship program, pension gains and COLA prospects, and a debate over social media and AI protections for minors.