Senators vetted four Trump district judge nominees for North Carolina on Wednesday as the president seeks to replicate his substantial impact on the federal bench during his previous term.

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC): “[What] I hear constantly now is the cry of the federal government is not paying enough ... it’s time actually for states to stop screaming for the federal government to pay, and now states take a little bit more burden."

Veterans, nurses, and union activists called on Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) to back the rights of federal workers and help restore collective bargaining agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs ncnewsline.com/2025/09/17/l... By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

As it targets diversity and equity, the Trump administration has ended funding for projects that encourage a diverse STEM workforce, research by early-career scientists, and research about health disparities, HIV, mental health, and nutrition. By @lbonner.bsky.social and @kingdollar.bsky.social #NC

In remarks to the North Carolina AFL-CIO’s annual convention, Gov. Josh Stein pushed for more affordable housing, investments in education, and greater access to child care as part of a broader effort to lower the cost of living for workers. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Closing out the North Carolina AFL-CIO on Friday, Justice Allison Riggs vowed that she would fight on for workers’ rights. “I am committed to a North Carolina where workers are protected, freedoms are exercised, and families can thrive.”

Across panels and speeches on the second day of the North Carolina AFL-CIO convention on Thursday, labor activists called to fight back against the Trump administration’s federal layoffs and funding cuts.

Southern University, other HBCUs order campus lockdowns lailluminator.com/2025/09/11/s...

Gov. Josh Stein pushed for a set of policies that “supports working families struggling with the rising cost of living” at the North Carolina AFL-CIO’s annual convention Wednesday, pushing the legislature to fund education and child care.

More than 11,500 North Carolinians experienced homelessness in 2024, including more than 3,200 families with children ncnewsline.com/briefs/gov-s...

Charlie Kirk dies after shooting at Utah Valley University ncnewsline.com/2025/09/10/r... Story via @utahnewsdispatch.com #ncpol

In Raleigh, Sen. Mark Kelly said Trump cuts have had a “devastating” impact on veterans’ care and employment. “He doesn’t understand us, he doesn’t understand service.”

Trump has the opportunity to confirm twice as many North Carolina judges this year as across his entire first term. ncnewsline.com/2025/08/25/t... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #nc #ncpol

The head of the Surry County Board of Elections resigned the position days after news of his arrest on a charge of felony child abuse and about an hour before the State Board’s emergency meeting to talk about him. ncnewsline.com/briefs/surry... #ncpol

Did some reporting on the frustrations among WNC business owners at lack of biz interruption insurance payouts in April. At one point, folks were weighing a class-action suit. Now a suit from a local biz against their insurer, Travelers. ncnewsline.com/2025/04/22/f...

Residents of the North Carolina coast need to “take action now before it’s too late” as Hurricane Erin barrels up the Atlantic, Gov. Stein said this morning. Here’s what you can do to prepare:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled last week that the federal courts lack jurisdiction to declare the arrest of Maurice Wells Jr. at a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Alamance County unconstitutional. ncnewsline.com/briefs/alama... By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #nc

A deeper look at upcoming Medicaid cuts in NC: the state health department projects cuts to deprive providers of $1.1 billion in state and federal dollars. Read the full breakdown and responses from lawmakers:

SCOOP: North Carolina will cut Medicaid rates by 3% for all providers effective Oct. 1 in response to a shortfall in the state budget. Some, like behavioral therapy for patients with autism, will see cuts of 10%. Read the letter from the NCDHHS Secretary:

In a press conference today, Democrats condemned Senate candidate Michael Whatley for supporting former Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. He “consistently elevated the most extreme forces in this party and in North Carolina,” said state Sen. Phil Rubin.

NCDOT has spent roughly $909 million on repairs to infrastructure damaged by Helene as of July 18. They’re still waiting on more than $100 million in federal reimbursements.

Governor Josh Stein does not support a proposal by the State Auditor to make the DMV a standalone agency, his office said Tuesday.

“We’ve seen, for example, the response that our legislature and our citizens have given to western North Carolina when we have a disaster,” Boliek said. “Folks, the DMV is at that level of emergency.”

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek called for the separation of the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles from the Department of Transportation in an audit report released Monday. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social ncnewsline.com/2025/08/04/a... #ncpol #nc #DMV

Durham council member warns ICE will ‘kidnap’ and ‘disappear’ residents at city forum ncnewsline.com/2025/08/03/d... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #ncga #Durham

“When I say we’re going to have to put our bodies on the line, it’s not hyperbole,” said council member Javiera Caballero. “They will disappear folks, they will kidnap folks, and it’s not just going to be folks who, quote, shouldn’t be here.”

Speaking to Democratic senators Wednesday, Justice Allison Riggs — fresh off a six-month challenge to her 2024 victory — warned that free and fair elections could “crumble before our eyes.”

As Republicans in the General Assembly geared up to override several of his vetoes Tuesday, Governor Josh Stein made a plea: stay in town and pass a budget.

SB 266 (repeals emissions goal for Duke Energy and makes changes to rates): override succeeds. Reps. Cunningham, Majeed, Willingham (D) vote YES with Republicans. Reps. Cohn, Colvin, F. Jackson, Jeffers, G. Pierce, Pittman, Roberson, Ch. Smith (D) vote NO (previously YES).

HB 805 (Recognizes male and female sexes under state law; restricts changing sex designation on birth certificates; etc.): override succeeds. Rep. Nasif Majeed (D-Mecklenburg) votes YES with Republicans (previously an excused absence). Rep. Dante Pittman (D-Wilson), who voted YES prior, votes NO.

HB 318 (updates 2024 immigration law requiring local sheriffs to comply with ICE 'detainer' requests): override succeeds. Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenberg) votes YES with Rs. Gives remarks on floor: "We have been exploited and abused by the different tactics to gain citizenship in America."

NC House now debating overrides of Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes. Republicans are short one vote of veto-proof majority, meaning one Democratic vote (or absence) is needed to override. Votes in this thread.

It's official: Former Gov. Roy Cooper formally launched his campaign for U.S. Senate on Monday morning, making a long-rumored candidacy official and cementing himself as the all-but-certain Democratic nominee in 2026. ncnewsline.com/briefs/roy-c... via @galenb.bsky.social #ncpol #nc

In remarks to North Carolina Democrats Saturday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker spoke like a presidential candidate in waiting. “Our Democratic agenda must be bold and our ideas fearless. We will have no time to waste: America needs us.”

On Saturday night, former Governor Roy Cooper asked everyone in the audience planning to run for office in 2026 to please stand for a round of applause. Glancing at his feet with a grin, he quipped, “Hey — I’m not sitting down, am I?”

Attorney General Jeff Jackson visited a pumping facility in Hillsborough on Thursday that flooded during Tropical Storm Chantal. He took aim at FEMA for withholding promised funding for a replacement outside the floodplain.

A Chapel Hill native, Stein returned to his hometown Friday to console residents who lost their homes to flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal and pledged to seek relief for the region as well as work toward resilience against future disasters. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #nc #ncgov

A coalition of voting rights activists denounced efforts to disenfranchise North Carolina voters in state elections, rallying at the Capitol grounds on Wednesday in the shadow of the state Supreme Court. ncnewsline.com/briefs/north... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Governor Josh Stein returned home to Chapel Hill Friday to survey the damage brought by Tropical Storm Chantal flooding. Here’s what he had to say about helping the region recover:

Just now: Governor @joshsteinnc.bsky.social speaks to residents who have lost their homes as he surveys flood damage in Chapel Hill. Story to come.

The North Carolina elections board will not remove voters over missing information challenged under the Jefferson Griffin lawsuit earlier this year, its executive director said. Here’s how they plan to reach the 103,000 voters still missing info:

Sen. Thom Tillis is set to be the deciding vote tomorrow on Trump lawyer Emil Bove’s judicial nomination. Bove, a high-ranking DOJ official, is accused by a whistleblower of ordering illegal conduct. Tillis told reporters last week he is leaning yes.

A new database launced by the DNC shows that North Carolina has lost $1.5 billion due to tariffs. And the state is poised to lose 125,000 jobs under the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Read my story about what Democrats are calling the “Trump Tax” today:

North Carolina Republicans have prioritized several pieces of anti-trans legislation in 2025. Some Democrats are helping to pass them. Read my new analysis of attacks on trans rights in NC:

ICYMI: We're joined by Western Carolina University political science professor @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social to discuss the 2026 U.S. Senate race as Sen. Thom Tillis announces his departure ncnewsline.com/2025/07/07/w... (podcast) #ncpol #ncsen

2025 candidate filing is underway in North Carolina It's easy to ignore these municipal elections (and, they're more than a bit confusing to follow), but they're critical. Here's a 🧵about the characteristics of these elections & these electorates, and why you should care. #ncpol (1/10)

An early education task force appointed by Governor Josh Stein earlier this year called for raising minimum child care subsidies in its initial report issued last month. Take a look at their top recommendations for fixing child care in the state:

Governor Josh Stein issued three vetoes on Wednesday, including a bill that would remove a key emissions target for Duke Energy and one that would allow the Charter School Review Board to overrule the state Board of Education.

In light of Thom Tillis’s retirement, check out my interview with DNC Chair Ken Martin from a few days ago, where he called the seat “one of our best pickup opportunities in the Senate” in 2026.

BREAKING: North Carolina US Sen. Thom Tillis announces retirement ncnewsline.com/2025/06/29/r... Story by @jennifershutt.bsky.social #ncpol #nc #ncga