Lovely fall weekend in the mountains around Stuart, VA...we even stumbled upon their Veterans Day parade

A newly formed political action committee plans to spend millions of dollars to attack Senate leader Phil Berger's Republican opponent in next year's primary. www.wunc.org/politics/202...

Interesting item from @raleighreporter.bsky.social's weekly newsletter* about a new PAC, "NC True Conservatives", that supports Senator Berger in his primary campaign against Sam Page. mailchi.mp/06b0806cbb66... #ncpol *if you're not subscribed, there's an easy (& free) fix for that.

A community member proposed a Charlie Kirk mural to honor the slain conservative activist. It also sparked a counter-petition. www.wunc.org/term/news/20...

[email protected] is calling the #ncga back for a special session on Nov. 17 to pass Medicaid funding #ncpol

Did this election have a single voter, who showed up and wrote in their own name, and then won because literally no one else participated? #ncpol

For businesses with fewer than 50 employees, it's hard to afford health insurance and many don't offer it. A new program, set up by the N.C. Chamber with legislation from the #ncga, aims to fix that: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

2025 Wake elections: A rough night for most incumbent mayors. TJ Cawley of Morrisville was the lone incumbent Wake County mayor to win Tuesday. Mayors lost in Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Wake Forest & Zebulon. (Via @annamroman.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ncpol #wakepol

Update: The results are in, and Sandyfield voters have delivered a clear mandate to party! #ncpol

My pick for a random local election to watch tonight...will there be ticket splitters on these alcohol sales questions? #ncpol

If you're starting a news organization with sought-after journalism grant funding, please don't just duplicate the stories that multiple other news outlets are already doing.

For the first time in years, more child care programs in North Carolina closed than opened this August. www.wunc.org/education/20...

Happy Municipal Election Day, #ncpol! Polls in places holding elections are open from now until 7:30 p.m. Details on how to find a sample ballot, and on some Triangle races to watch: www.wunc.org/tags/triangl...

Why you should vote in municipal elections? In 2019, 88 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes--67 in 2021 and 57 in 2023! (1/3)

Other states like Virginia are using state funding to maintain SNAP for the short term at normal payment levels. But as I reported last week, neither the #ncga or @ncgovernor.bsky.social have suggested doing that here: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

With Rep. Cecil Brockman now officially resigned from the #ncga, here's how Democrats will pick his replacement -- and who's already raising their hand for the appointment: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Neighborhood MVP is the house that had full size candy bars for the kids, and Jello shots with gummy fingers in them for the adults.

#ncga House Speaker Destin Hall has formed a bipartisan committee that could begin the process of removing Rep. Cecil Brockman from office: files.constantcontact.com/aefdce84701/... #ncpol

Happy Halloween! Here's a story I did in 2017 on an allegedly haunted bed at the @ncgovernor.bsky.social's mansion: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol

In this week's @wunc.org Politics Newsletter, I wrote about a deficit projection that helps explain why the #ncga can't get a budget or even just pay increases. Plus a closer look at a new dark-money group running attack ads against Phil Berger. #ncpol

Some of the lowest paid school staff rely on food benefits to feed their families — and that includes the workers who serve students their lunch. www.wunc.org/education/20...

Paleontologists in North Carolina say they have made a groundbreaking discovery. They have evidence that a tyrannosaur species coexisted with T. rex, a speedy and agile creature called Nanotyrannus. www.wunc.org/term/news/20...

NC's DMV plans to fast-track four new offices to reduce waits www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga

With Virginia's GOP governor planning to use state money to continue SNAP food benefits next month, I asked @ncgovernor.bsky.social and #ncga leaders if they're considering a similar approach: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

A week after the #ncga redrew maps to add one more Republican seat, the legislature in Virginia moves to redraw theirs to potentially flip multiple GOP seats to Democrats...possibly including one directly across the state line from NC-1 www.vpm.org/generalassem...

By next spring, Wake County's EMS department plans to change how it responds to emergency calls. EMS vehicles will only use sirens and red lights for the most critical calls, since using them can be dangerous for workers. www.wunc.org/term/news/20...

Also related, I had some fun conversations last week about redistricting. Here's 2 of them: with @raleighreporter.bsky.social ⤵️ play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr... & a short one on Here & Now ⤵️ www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2... (3/3)

Podcast: a closer look at #ncpol Congressional redistricting, including the court landscape for legal challenges and which NC district is now the most competitive. Great insights from @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social: Episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr... Highlights: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncga

First time I've seen a Halloween-themed campaign sign. Which given where Election Day falls on the calendar, seems like a missed opportunity

The new map shifts eastern North Carolina counties between the state's 1st and 3rd Districts to give Republicans a clear advantage in both. www.wunc.org/term/news/20...

Filling in today as host of our Due South NC News Roundup on @wunc.org... tune in at noon to catch up, or find it later on the Due South podcast feed... #ncpol #ncga

#ncga likely done for 2025 without budget, Medicaid agreements. There's a lot of finger pointing between Republicans about who is, or isn't, willing to negotiate: www.wunc.org/term/news/20... #ncpol

New NC Congressional maps are now official. House voted 66-48 just now to pass the new districts. Background: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga

The state House is beginning the process of removing N.C. Representative Cecil Brockman from office. The High Point Democrat was arrested earlier this month and charged with sex crimes involving a 15-year-old. www.wunc.org/politics/202...

New #ncga mini-budget includes funding for police protection for legislators...as well as an out-of-state tuition hike, Helene recovery deadline extensions and a mandate to sell state property in Raleigh. What's in the bill, and what's not: www.wunc.org/term/news/20... #ncpol

New #ncga mini-budget is out, should be on the Senate floor for a vote shortly: webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewBillDocu... #ncpol

Rally to protest newly gerrymandered Congressional maps is about to start outside the Capitol Building. Santa Claus is here #ncpol #ncga

Eight NC counties, in the rural northeast of the state, on the list of news deserts. Most had weekly papers not that long ago. I'll note that WUNC's FM signals cover most of these counties, so at least they have easy access to the free, state-level news coverage we produce.

This week at the #ncga: Redistricting, but no action on budget or Medicaid funding. Where things stand on those issues: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Gov. Josh Stein says wait times at the Division of Motor Vehicles are improving thanks to additional staffing and a new state law that moves more DMV transactions online. www.wunc.org/politics/202...

For my fellow Wendell people, I got all but one of this year's candidates to answer a few questions that help differentiate them on key local issues: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #wendellpol

@ncgovernor.bsky.social on #ncga Rep. Brockman and Sen. Sanderson: "(Brockman) should resign, and failing that, he should be removed from the General Assembly." Says Sanderson's drunk-driving "charges are serious and exceptionally concerning. We need to let the legal process play out" #ncpol

It's municipal election season in NC, and if you're having trouble making sense of the candidates and the issues specific to your community, I've got a few tips for making informed votes (even if you're in a news desert!): www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Newly proposed #ncga Congressional redistricting map just dropped. Looks like it swaps a few counties in the east to make NC-1 into a district where Trump got 55% last year, while moving Rep. Don Davis' home county into GOP Rep. Greg Murphy's district #ncpol

A good way to catch up on NC news: The weekly News Roundup on Due South, WUNC

New podcast! After our recent episode with the House Progressive Caucus, I wanted to hear from the House Freedom Caucus too. GOP Rep. Keith Kidwell talked shrimping ban, guns, budget and more. Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr... Highlights: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga

Happy Friday from the WUNC fall fund drive! I'm on air this afternoon asking for contributions to fund our journalism -- help us out if you can ... wunc.org to donate

New #ncga law says cities can't restrict giant American flags (one of several provisions that remove authority from local governments): www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

On Bill Belichick being sacked, Thom Tillis, who helped recruit Belichick to UNC, says "I'll leave that to the alumni." #NCPol

Federal employees impacted by the government shutdown can apply for unemployment benefits from the state while they are furloughed. However, if they receive backpay from their employer, the benefits must be paid back to the state. www.wunc.org/term/news/20...