“(The “Big Beautiful Bill Act”) from the view of the North Carolina counties is one of the most significant unfunded mandates, and one of the largest shifts of administrative and economic responsibility, that our state and our counties have seen in generations." www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Loving this —

Combating recidivism through proactive leadership - “especially in rural North Carolina”

The stakes have been raised. The Democrats have got to run on putting these people in prison. They have to. Jobs, food, all the rest, but shooting a mother in the head on a public street? None of this Garland stuff. "The full force of the government will be brought to bear" on this and similar.

That's one of the worst goddamn things I ever saw.

So much work has been done for BEAD deployment in North Carolina; this would be hugely harmful for broadband capacity in rural NC

I can think of no one who shaped North Carolina’s recent successes as much as Governor Jim Hunt. Governor for 16 years, he was a visionary who founded Smart Start, raised teacher pay, protected air quality, and created the NC Biotech Center. On a personal level, he was a mentor and dear friend.

BREAKING: Four-term NC Gov. Jim Hunt has died at age 88. Here's my look back at the many legacies Hunt leaves behind in this state: www.wunc.org/2025-12-18/j... #ncpol

Especially harmful for rural areas, including here in North Carolina -

Hard to think of an issue more fundamental to rural North Carolina than healthcare access -

RIP to one of the best things on the internet. Thank you, Paul Lukas.

Proud to have been a tiny part of this initiative at my church, Brevard First United Methodist - thank you Duke Endowment and allies like NC Rural Center!

Blue Ridge CC board meeting in Brevard today, BRCC serves our region so well -

Kill me

UPDATE: A group of 20 states, including North Carolina, sued the Trump administration for abruptly canceling grants that local governments were planning on to help them reduce natural hazard risks.

Hard to take seriously the red-white-and-blue rhetoric of freedom on a 4th of July where the US president has cut off aid to a democracy fighting for its independence against ferocious attack by a foreign tyrant.

Dear All Journalists, You don’t have to credit the line “Tariffs will hit American consumers” to “economists say”. Thanks

Than you @theassemblync.bsky.social for highlighting the continuing post-Helene struggles in Brevard - symptomatic of all of WNC -

DEAN: What's the tariff on bananas? LUTNICK: Generally 10% DEAN: Walmart has already increased the cost of bananas by 8% LUTNICK: If you build in America, there is no tariff DEAN: We cannot build bananas in America

“Sunderland Till I Die”

Especially in rural NC, local business owners will have to provide ever-increasing engagement & $$ support, as voucher programs siphon state financial support away from public schools -

BREAKING: A federal court blocks a months-long Republican effort to disenfranchise thousands of voters in North Carolina, affirming Justice Allison Riggs’ victory over Jefferson Griffin in the state Supreme Court election. From: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social

Access to capital is one of the biggest issues facing small biz in rural North Carolina - banks closing branches across the state only accelerates the damage.

Opinion | My entire career is based on pretending to be from Appalachia. Here’s why we must end DEI.

Won’t last, but everything about this photo is perfect

Released 50 years ago today, Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti is ultimate showcase for the band's full range of capabilities, interests, and ambitions → cons.lv/TnpdLp

“Gut punch” from Helene & slow response from NC Legislature & US Congress pushing some segments of WNC agriculture into crisis. Thanks to @joshsteinnc.bsky.social for $$ and structural support; hopefully other branches can step up too

Senate leader Phil Berger said Tuesday he’s not concerned by a projected $823 million drop in state revenue in 2026. www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga

Amid the controversy, it’s useful to understand what attorneys servicing immigrant populations do: “At heart, we’re an anti-poverty organization”

WNC taxable spending down nearly $400 million in Sep/Oct - hardest-hit counties percentage-wise: Mitchell, Yancey, Buncombe, Transylvania, and Swain. From @smokymountainnews.bsky.social

Thanks NCACC, NC League, Land of Sky & others for hosting WNC recovery meeting for region’s leaders. @joshsteinnc.bsky.social Grow NC program highlighted; also work from Dogwood Health, NC Commerce, NC Emergency Management, FEMA, & much more - enormous work being done.

NC's maximum unemployment check is $350/week, unchanged for over a decade and among the lowest in the US. An #ncga House bill that passed committee this morning would increase it: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Even with innovative sourcing, available $$ won’t come close to what is needed for WNC rebuild. Emphasizes need of prioritization, which emphasizes need of long-term strategic thought. Governor @joshsteinnc.bsky.social is superb at this, & WNC reps in NCGA understand the dilemma. Must work together.

Western NC economy has long been driven by small biz - important question for @joshsteinnc.bsky.social GROW NC initiative: will long-term economic rebuild center around small biz? Or the consolidating mega firms? Answer will shape WNC for the next century -

Can’t overstate how important this is for WNC small biz community - $$ assistance in June is NOT the same thing as $$ assistance in February - Governor Stein and Dogwood Health showing true leadership here @joshsteinnc.bsky.social

Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde to Trump: "I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender people in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives ... and the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals"

Transylvania is 1 of only 4 NC counties with no increase in homeowners insurance rates for 2025 - via Business North Carolina

State-Carolina on a Saturday afternoon with Wes Durham and Dan Bonner on the call. As God intended.

President Jimmy Carter's greeting to the cosmos, launched in 1977, is still heading boldly into interstellar space aboard NASA's Voyager spacecraft, humanity's first emissary to the stars.

As his tenure ends, Roy Cooper will be remembered as one of North Carolina’s best and most effective governors. Here’s hoping he chooses to continue to serve our state -

Mountain BizWorks grant to Buncombe County small biz - demand “was more than 5x the amount available” - small biz “the backbone of our economy” www.wfae.org/2024-12-19/m...

Christmas beginning at Brevard College tonight

NC Rural Center annual meeting in Raleigh today - so impressed with scope of impact that Rural Center has on North Carolina, & very proud to be a part of those efforts

Democrat governor-elect Josh Stein is the first candidate ever for any office to get more than 3 million votes in an election in North Carolina - 3,069,885 #ncpol

Small biz is vital for WNC economy & NC legislative leaders should consider expanding financial assistance www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic....

What a beautiful pass from McKennie met with an equally beautiful touch by Pulisic 🤌🇺🇸