Mitch Kokai, senior political analyst at the John Locke Foundation, on the state budget

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, on a mid-year look at the economy

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, joins Lisa Price to review the first half of 2026, with the S&P 500 up nearly 10% for the year despite a recent pullback in technology and semiconductor stocks. Kates explains why inflation may have peaked in May but is still weighing on consumer confidence, how home prices in fast-growing Sunbelt markets like Raleigh are now declining year over year, and why the job market is improving in terms of raw numbers but workers still lack confidence.

Robyn Fehrman, executive director of Teach For America North Carolina, on new teachers entering classrooms this fall

Robyn Fehrman, executive director of Teach For America North Carolina, joins Lisa Price to discuss the wave of recent college graduates heading into North Carolina classrooms for the first time this fall, how new teachers are building relationships and setting strong expectations from day one, and why purpose-driven careers like teaching are drawing a growing share of Gen Z workers.

Brian Walsh, head of advice and planning at SoFi, on student loan reforms that took effect July 1

Brian Walsh, certified financial planner and head of advice and planning at SoFi, joins Lisa Price to break down the student loan reforms that took effect July 1 and what they mean for the more than 42 million Americans who collectively owe $1.87 trillion in federal student loan debt, including who will pay more under the new rules governing how students borrow and repay loans for higher education.

Dr. Larry Charleston IV, professor of neurology and founder of Charleston Health Neurology & Head Pain Consultants, on migraines, cluster headaches and the need for better treatment options

Dr. Larry Charleston IV, professor of neurology, founder of Charleston Health Neurology & Head Pain Consultants and adjunct faculty at the Jefferson Headache Center, joins Lisa Price to discuss the approximately 43 million Americans living with migraine and the roughly 1 in 1,000 people living with cluster headache, and why a lack of effective treatment options continues to drive emergency department visits for both conditions.

Josh McLeod, director of federal government relations at the National Federation of Independent Business, on a campaign to repeal the BOI reporting mandate

Josh McLeod, director of federal government relations at the National Federation of Independent Business, joins Lisa Price to discuss NFIB's new campaign urging Congress to permanently repeal the federal Beneficial Ownership Information reporting mandate, which the organization says could require more than 32 million small businesses to submit sensitive personal data and expose owners to criminal penalties if they fail to comply.