Trump & Stein Approval, Whatley-Cooper Race, More

A new Carolina Journal poll shows mixed public sentiment on the country’s direction, as well as approval ratings for President Trump and Governor Stein. The poll also highlights early numbers in the 2026 U.S. Senate race between Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper. Governor Stein’s trip to Washington, D.C., to request $13.5 billion in Helene recovery aid remains in the spotlight. At UNC Wilmington, classes are canceled Friday after a reported gunman on campus was determined to be a false alarm. The poll also found that political violence and public transit safety are growing concerns, with one-third of college students saying violence is an acceptable way to silence campus speech.