Folks, next week will be my last at NC Newsline. It's been such a privilege to report on the NCGA, elections, Helene recovery & more. A million thanks to sources, readers and my Newsline, States Newsroom & Capitol press corps colleagues. Excited for the next adventure in 2026!

Jim Hunt, NC governor who won four terms and shaped legacy on education, dies ncnewsline.com/2025/12/18/j...

NC Association of County Commissioners, in letter that was sent to regional FEMA administrator: “At a minimum, this news is disappointing. At a maximum, this news has been received by some as if FEMA leadership at the regional and Washington, D.C. level is tone deaf.” ncnewsline.com/2025/12/16/f...

FEMA planned changes for disaster aid. NC local leaders say they’re ‘unhelpful’ and ‘tone deaf’ ncnewsline.com/2025/12/16/f...

Trump administration threatens to yank food stamps funding from Democratic-led states. Latest SNAP news for @statesnewsroom.com:

Two GOP candidates filed for NC's 1st U.S. House district thus far: state Sen. Bobby Hanig and now Eric Rouse, a Kinston businessman. Rouse got drawn out of the 1st under the new map but told local media in Oct. he still planned to run. Democrat U.S. Rep. Don Davis will run, hasn't yet filed. #ncpol

North Carolina is sending $500k to two nonprofits - Rebuild Haywood & WNC Conference of United Methodist Churches - to help winterize homes damaged by Helene, Gov. Josh Stein's office says. Will help fund insulation, window wrapping, roof repairs as winter arrives in the mountains. #ncpol

NC's Republican auditor is pushing for his office to have more input in long-term disaster recovery. “I do think the entire Council of State needs to be brought in, along with legislative leadership, to assist in this.” #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/19/n...

NEW - ICE is encountering growing resistance as the agency tries to make arrests in *state* courthouses A growing number of states are restricting arrests, and a federal judge on Monday tossed DOJ’s attempt to overturn New York’s limits My latest for @stateline.org stateline.org/2025/11/19/i...

Federal immigration raids in Raleigh impact one of the city’s largest projects ncnewsline.com/2025/11/18/f...

U.S. Border Patrol coming to Raleigh on Tuesday, mayor says, as NC crackdown continues #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/17/u...

Trump’s FEMA council misses deadline for report on agency overhaul www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

Latest FEMA acting administrator steps down, with no permanent chief tapped by Trump www.newsfromthestates.com/article/late...

Stein had inked today for a special session to pass full funding for Medicaid. GOP leaders in both chambers rejected it. House and Senate both agree it needs $$$, but can't agree on exact bill. Now governor's criticizing Hall & Berger by name. Legislative Dems holding a press event today. #ncpol

We are tracking reports of U.S. Border Patrol presence in Charlotte today. If you have photos or videos, help us confirm what’s happening by emailing us at or sending us a DM. Your submissions help our journalists understand the scope of what’s happening and provide the full story to the community

NC’s Helene recovery avoided shutdown pitfalls, but local governments remain strained #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/14/n...

NC Governor urges citizens to remain peaceful but vigilant as Border Patrol arrives in Charlotte ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-go... #ncpol #Charlotte

U.S. Border Patrol expected to begin operations in Charlotte as early as this weekend. New statement out from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's office, urging North Carolinians to "remain peaceful" and record federal agents/notify local enforcement in cases of "inappropriate behavior." #ncpol

Kevin Leonard, director of NC Association of County Commissioners, elaborated on the local impact of this dynamic for state leaders today. Called it a "recovery gap." "Accountability should not become red tape. ... It's resulting in major cashflow strains across our cities and counties." #ncpol

Positive economic news out of western NC: Asheville's Biltmore Village has seen a 'significant uptick' in activity in recent weeks, per state officials. Summer numbers were down about 30% post-Helene - expecting closer to -10% in Nov/Dec. Steady recovery for a tourist hotspot. #ncpol

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. Congressman backs plan as local leaders brace #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/13/b...

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. Congressman backs plan as local leaders brace #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/13/b...

Federal agents could be in Charlotte as early as this Saturday, Sheriff Garry McFadden said on Thursday.

As health costs spike, a sour and divided Congress escapes one shutdown to face another w/ @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social and Shauneen Miranda www.newsfromthestates.com/article/heal...

NC’s governor making more clear a stance he signaled during remarks Tuesday - opposition to the reopening deal that doesn’t include extending ACA subsidies. Has called it ‘inexcusable.’ #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/11/n...

The NC/Helene impact of gov't reopening, in short: state no longer has to worry about potential further delays to federal $$$ and rule-making due to FEMA/HUD furloughs & understaffing. State kept its home repair & rebuild program running during the shutdown with a pool of state $$$. #ncpol

House passes bill ending shutdown 222-209.

North Carolina’s U.S. Rep. Don Davis among them. #ncpol

Good morning. The end game of the 43-day, record-setting shutdown arrives later today as the US House acts on the Senate-passed bill reopening the government. Our @statesnewsroom.com DC team will be at the Capitol and covering as the House returns for roll call votes for the 1st time since Sept. 19.

Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret. Editor says court cases against city continue #ksleg

NEW tonight from Capitol Hill: Deal to end shutdown gains traction in US Senate as vote nears www.newsfromthestates.com/article/deal...

BREAKING: Full November SNAP benefits to be issued by Trump administration despite shutdown. @statesnewsroom.com story:

We’re live! Tune into our new weekly podcast, Stories From The States. In our first episode, host @fitzsimon.bsky.social talks about federal cuts that are jeopardizing Medicaid coverage. www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stor... #FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism

NC Department of Health & Human Services message to SNAP recipients: "Partial benefits were distributed today, Nov. 7. Beneficiaries should check the balances on their cards by going to ebtEDGE.com." #ncpol

Gov. Stein calls for special session to fund Medicaid as GOP lawmakers’ disagreements persist #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/06/g...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will reduce the largest monthly food assistance payments by about 35% in November, a smaller decrease than the department initially estimated, according to a court filing late Wednesday. ncnewsline.com/2025/11/06/r... #ncpol

From farmers to entrepreneurs, these NC homegrown businesses say tariffs are taking a toll on their bottom line. The Supreme Court is now deciding whether Trump's sweeping tariffs can stay in place. ncnewsline.com/2025/11/05/m... #nc #ncpol #tariff

SNAP food aid will resume next week in North Carolina — with reduced benefits #ncpol ncnewsline.com/briefs/snap-...

For #ncpol newbies: in about an hour people are about to start posting local election results. They do not have a special contact or a secret portal. They're just navigating their browser to er.ncsbe.gov clicking on a county & mashing refresh as fast as they can. That's it.

I was lucky enough work alongside several McClatchy DC reporters over the years. The bureau did great work. Local and regionally-focused coverage of Washington is incredibly important and all too rare — and crucial to holding individual members of Congress accountable bsky.app/profile/just...

Lots of developments in SNAP payments fight today, most notably a defiant Trump vowing no payments until Democrats cave on shutdown. Story for @statesnewsroom.com:

Tomorrow at SCOTUS: The justices will hear one of the first major cases of Trump’s second term Wednesday when the administration defends the president’s emergency tariffs that American small business owners say are upending their livelihoods. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/its-...

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

BREAKING: Trump administration to pay partial November SNAP benefits by Wednesday, @usdagov.bsky.social says in a report to a federal court.

“We used to serve between 80 and 100 people a day. Now we’re seeing at least 200 daily.” ncnewsline.com/2025/10/31/a... #ncpol

Effects of government shutdown spread on day 31, from health costs to food to flights. W/ Shauneen Miranda www.newsfromthestates.com/article/effe...

BREAKING: Trump administration blocked from cutting off SNAP benefits as two judges issue orders. @statesnewsroom.com story w/ @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social: www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

NC food banks will get $18 million in donations ahead of pause in federal food aid ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-fo...

NEW: Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well beyond the borders of his state. By @dougbockclark.bsky.social

Legal Aid of North Carolina is closing offices in Rocky Mount and Pembroke after the General Assembly froze the IOLTA program, a longstanding NC legal assistance fund that has operated without controversy for decades until now.