Tried Wedgewood today. Utterly charming. If you find yourself in Carrboro or Chapel Hill, give it a go. Or travel over just to enjoy this lovely place.

I loved this read. “You can’t mention North Carolina without mentioning barbecue, period,” declared Sam Jones. Sam is a friend of mine & he is 100% accurate. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/t...

Montreal was lovely.

Only Gary Crunkleton would begin our conversation with a reference to The Deer Hunter. It was a delight to honor the newly opened Crunkleton in Raleigh, as well as to reconnect with Gary. indyweek.com/food-and-dri...

What does a classic bar look like in 2025? At The Crunkleton’s new Raleigh location, I discovered how wood fire, timeless drinks, and genuine connection can turn a bar into a community. Dive into the story behind the opening. indyweek.com/food-and-dri...

Swannanoa needs our support as well. "The first post office in America opened in a tavern in 1639. Now we’re back in a tavern, delivering the mail to our public officials: We need our post office, and we need it now.” www.ednc.org/youre-really...

I was inspired to visit Lake Lure and Chimney Rock this week. As they work to rebuild, I hope everyone will consider supporting them. vimeo.com/1042027813

Remember Western NC.

Steak & feta salad pre-feta dressing going on. This might be my new favorite dish of the summer.

I have been laid out sick today. This unfortunate bout of sickness allowed me to catch up on @educationnc.bsky.social's "Running towards Disaster" podcast. Listen to this interview with the AB Tech president today. open.spotify.com/show/6YjPXbZ...

Life lately. Plenty of selfies, smiles, deep conversations, and time across North Carolina.

“I don’t know how to love my kid like you love your kid." This profile on Dale Jr. — and Dale — is a must read for all who wrestle with grief, ghosts, and those of us left behind. wapo.st/4jF3Jz3

Lutra Bakery is opening a physical storefront in Durham & this is the best news I’ve heard all week. www.axios.com/local/raleig...

Life lately: Several commencement speeches. Full of gratitude.

According to North Carolina educators... dual enrollment is one of the state’s best kept secrets." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

My mom and I went back to school at the same time. Durham Tech offered us a fresh start. 🫶🏾

What role did the @nccommcolleges.bsky.social Foundation play in the response for Hurricane Helene? Find out more in this piece from @educationnc.bsky.social. www.ednc.org/how-the-n-c-...

“For me, our local community college provided me hope and opportunity after failure." I love this feature from @educationnc.bsky.social. www.ednc.org/we-asked-nor...

We're also expecting the president's budget today. As we reported some days ago, the cuts are expected to be staggering, falling hardest on child care, health, housing and programs that serve the poor. Live coverage of the budget begins later, but for now: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/u...

Essential reading for anyone who cares about education, for parents, and all citizens. I began using deep research AI over the past several months. It is challenging and reshaping my vision of what literacy and literate culture will be in our lifetimes. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...

"Standout items during my visits include enchilada stacks in guajillo sauce, a massive bowl of ceviche, and a whole roasted chicken served with fries and tortillas," writes @nationhahn.bsky.social. "Diaz described the latter as inspired by the family-style meals at his mother’s and aunt’s homes."

Mayland Community College has narrowed its search for its next president to three finalists. This leader will play a crucial role in guiding Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties through ongoing recovery efforts. www.reflector.com/apgstate/mcc...

Review from @nationhahn.bsky.social : At TaTaco, Oscar Diaz Draws On Vibrant Flavors From His Childhood indyweek.com/food-and-dri...

"I am a part of all that I have met.... Tho much is taken, much abides.... That which we are, we are-- One equal temper of heroic hearts,               ...strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." 4.24 ♡

Spring CSA box turned into a quick dinner this evening. I have fully embraced getting old, I suppose.

Mandatory FAFSA completion was implemented statewide in Louisiana, and the concept has been part of the higher education policy conversation since that date. Check out this report from The Century Foundation on the impacts. tcf.org/content/repo...

"The road to recovery for Western North Carolina runs directly through the campuses of our community colleges, and their success will help determine the strength and sustainability of our rebuilding efforts." - MC Belk Pilon www.ednc.org/perspective-...

“When somebody pulls into my shop with a flat tire, we fix it right away,” said Rogers. “I don’t tell them to come back six months later. We fix it right away.” smokymountainnews.com/news/item/39...

This is a must-read on how AI could impact the "value of expertise." hbr.org/2025/03/how-...

@educationnc.bsky.social recently published an overview of the philanthropic work underway in Western NC. It is worth a read as our state ponders the work ahead post-Hurricane Helene. www.ednc.org/the-ongoing-...

Here is how Durham is allocating the first round of its opioid settlement money. indyweek.com/news/durham/...

USDA cancels $11 million in federal funding for North Carolina food banks www.wunc.org/news/2025-03...

Life lately. A charity golf tournament to raise money for mental health, oyster shucking with friends, and a damn fine meal at St. Roch.

It's here. It's finally here, y'all! 🥹 What a ride. The winding journey to publishing this story started almost as soon as I got to @indyweek.bsky.social. indyweek.com/news/northca...

Concerns are growing around the fiscal cliff North Carolina could face. www.wunc.org/politics/202...

A good reminder from @abtechprez: "So if you talk to your policymakers, feel free to tell them that the community colleges are going to rebuild western North Carolina." www.ednc.org/on-the-leade...

Proximo is a gem. I highly encourage a visit next time you find yourself in Chapel Hill.

Ray's Weather is an iconic local #wx service for the High Country in NC. I have had the good fortune of getting to know Ray through his service to our community colleges. www.theassemblync.com/media/rays-w...

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is securing real beneifits as he helps Trump disrupt the federal government. Just how? The NYT takes a deep look today at these benefits: federal investigations targeting Musk companies that have been disrupted or now may die. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/u...

Snow day walks.

A good listen as we consider the impacts and trickle down to consumers as the tariff policy continues to unfold.

In my homemade pasta era.

“The secret I’ve found is to embrace where you are and try to relish the moment. Our favorites will inevitably close or change, but the ingredients that make a great bar or restaurant will allow for something new that meets us where we are.” indyweek.com/food-and-dri...

New Bern is one of my favorite small towns in NC. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/u...

My latest piece of food writing focuses on one of my favorite new hangouts in the Triangle. Its simplicity helps define it as a true third space in my view. indyweek.com/food-and-dri...

RTI International at Research Triangle Park announced that it will temporarily lay off 61 employees in North Carolina as a result of the pause in U.S. foreign assistance. www.wunc.org/news/2025-02...

This should be us, @cityofdurhamnc.bsky.social. Time to make some calls. www.wunc.org/sports/2025-...

Now I need a bowl…

An important read on RebuildNC and the recovery efforts in Eastern NC. Important lessons for those of us who care about WNC building back better. www.wunc.org/2025-02-11/r...

I missed sharing this earlier in the year, but I wanted to mention how pleased I am to coach public media organizations through digital transformation with @poynterinstitute.bsky.social. www.poynter.org/courses/dtpf...