Colin Campbell

Raleigh considers raising parking rates in downtown, but some businesses push back The city's relatively new 2-hour free parking program in decks could be changed

Between this and their uniquely aggressive parking ticketing, Raleigh seems to want to pretend its downtown is Manhattan...and then most people will just go hang out somewhere else
www.axios.com/local/raleig...

NC lawmakers talk doula coverage, childcare shortage State lawmakers are considering expanding access to birth doulas for Medicaid patients. A legislative committee reviewed the topic on Tuesday, part of a healthcare oversight hearing that also included...

State lawmakers are considering expanding access to birth doulas for Medicaid patients. A legislative committee reviewed the topic on Tuesday, part of a healthcare oversight hearing that also included an update on the state's shortage of childcare facilities.

www.wunc.org/politics/202...

As deadline looms, DHHS includes 'every single thing and the kitchen sink' in Medicaid funding ask N.C. Department of Health and Human Services officials reiterated their request for $319 million in state funds for Medicaid during a legislative oversight committee meeting on Tuesday.

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services officials reiterated their request for $319 million in state funds for Medicaid during a legislative oversight committee meeting on Tuesday.

www.wunc.org/health/2026-...

NC lawmakers talk doula coverage, childcare shortage State lawmakers are considering expanding access to birth doulas for Medicaid patients. A legislative committee reviewed the topic on Tuesday, part of a healthcare oversight hearing that also included...

Some troubling stats from today's committee hearing at the #ncga:

-We're ranked 11th in the country for infant mortality, and 28 counties have no facilities to deliver a baby

-The number of childcare facilities in NC has dropped 13% since 2019

www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

A federal agency just released a report on cancer rates at N.C. State's Poe Hall N.C. State closed Poe Hall in 2023, after building inspectors found high levels of chemicals known as PCBs.

N.C. State closed Poe Hall in 2023, after building inspectors found high levels of chemicals known as PCBs.

www.wunc.org/term/news/20...

If they're not in your backyard now, they may be soon: Armadillos have moved into the Triangle The official state small mammal of Texas is rapidly spreading across North Carolina. Scientists say armadillos likely will be in all 100 counties within the next 10 to 15 years.

Armadillos! The Steve Buscemi of the animal kingdom has finally toddled into North Carolina. Great story from @wunc.org's Jay Price with fun illustrations from @elichen.bsky.social.

Gov. Stein calls for raises, Medicaid funding in new $1.4 billion budget request North Carolina lawmakers haven't passed a full budget bill since 2023, and Gov. Josh Stein says tight funding and stagnant salaries are pushing state government to the breaking point. He proposed a $1...

The #ncga hasn't passed a full budget bill since 2023, and @ncgovernor.bsky.social says tight funding and stagnant salaries are pushing state government to the breaking point. He proposed a $1.4 billion stopgap budget plan to address some of those issues.

www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Federal judge backs North Carolina ban on ballot selfies The judge found that limiting pictures of ballots is reasonable, does not discriminate and is intended to prevent vote buying.

A federal judge found against a North Carolina woman challenging ballot photography Monday. Limiting pictures of ballots is reasonable, does not discriminate and is intended to prevent vote buying, the judge said. #nccourts

@courthousenews.bsky.social

www.courthousenews.com/federal-judg...

Longtime Democratic NC senator to step down for new job State Sen. Graig Meyer, D-Orange, announced Monday that he'll resign from the Senate later this month. The Democrat is leaving the legislature to take a new job as executive director of the North Caro...

N.C. Sen. @graigmeyer.bsky.social is resigning from the #ncga for "the opportunity that I have long hoped would be the next stage of my service to North Carolina."

www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Rockingham County Sheriff Page extends lead in bid to win primary against Senate leader Phil Berger Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page led the Senate's Republican leader by two votes heading into Friday's tally of provisional ballots. It is now 23 votes.

Rockingham County Sheriff Page extends lead in bid to win primary against Senate leader Phil Berger
www.wunc.org/elections/20... #ncpol

Proposed data center in Wake County is withdrawing its application New Hill Digital Campus was a proposed 300 MW facility in Apex. The project faced intense community backlash.

Apex Town Council Member Terry Mahaffey said in a Substack post that he plans to propose "a one-year moratorium on any further applications, permits, or construction of data centers in Apex."

www.wunc.org/environment/...

Mostly Rockingham

Big variation in the Berger-Page primary across the distrct:

-Berger performed best in the Climax/Julian area of Guilford (82% of that precinct)
-Page performed best in southern Rockingham (70+% in several precincts, including where the casino had been proposed) #ncpol #ncga

WUNC Politics North Carolina's primary brought rebukes to incumbent legislators in both parties, including a razor-thin margin in the closely watched GOP primary challenge to Senate leader Phil Berger. Why did vote...

Want more analysis of Berger-Page, #ncga primary upsets and even the Wake DA race? New @wunc.org Politics Podcast is up now...listen to me and @byadamwagner.bsky.social nerd out over the results, and the next steps in counting votes: play.prx.org/listen?uf=ht... #ncpol

NC increasingly votes early, and other primary election data points North Carolina saw a record high total voters for a midterm primary election, but it wasn't the highest turnout by percentage terms.

North Carolina saw a record high total voters for a midterm primary election, but it wasn't the highest turnout by percentage terms.

www.wunc.org/politics/202...

Q&A: Sole BOG member to vote against university tuition hike speaks on fight to keep costs flat Art Pope talks to WUNC’s Higher Education reporter on the UNC BOG’s decision to raise tuition for the first time in nine years.

Last week, for the first time since 2017, the UNC Board of Governors voted to allow individual campuses to raise tuition.

WUNC spoke to Art Pope, the lone vote against raising tuition, a position he has held consistently since joining the Board of Governors in 2020.

www.wunc.org/education/20...

Allam concedes to Foushee in Congressional primary, won't seek recount Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam said Wednesday evening that she won't ask for a recount in her close race against incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. Allam's decision to concede ...

Allam concedes to Foushee in Congressional primary, won't seek recount
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Came across my ideal street address the other day

A Global Chemical Giant Racks Up Violations in Durham, N.C., Where Drinking Water for a Million Is Threatened - Inside Climate News Acetone, ethanol, 1,4-dioxane and methylene chloride were among contaminants found in a stream near Brenntag Mid-South’s chemical repackaging facility.

More leaking barrels of chemicals, more toxics entering a stream behind Burton Elementary School. My latest on the Brenntag saga: insideclimatenews.org/news/0403202...

NC Congresswoman Valerie Foushee holds off primary challenger Nida Allam, but recount is possible Congresswoman Valerie Foushee appeared to narrowly fend off a strong challenge from Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam in Tuesday’s primary, but the race could be eligible for a recount.

NC Congresswoman Valerie Foushee holds off primary challenger Nida Allam, but recount is possible:
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Sheriff Sam Page defeats Senate Leader Berger in GOP primary by two votes Page held a significant lead in the two politicians' home of Rockingham County, and Berger could not catch up in rural Guilford County. The race is almost certainly headed to a recount.

Reaction from Berger in this story from @byadamwagner.bsky.social
www.wunc.org/elections/20... #ncpol #ncga

At least eight incumbent NC legislators lose their primaries While the fate of Senate leader Phil Berger’s race will hinge on a possible recount and legal challenges, eight other incumbent state legislators lost their primary Tuesday — a sign that voters weren’...

Eight incumbents (possibly nine if Berger loses) in the #ncga were defeated in their primary, an unusually large number that indicates voters weren't happy with their performance: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

Laurie Buckhout wins GOP Congressional primary to set up rematch against U.S. Rep. Don Davis Retired U.S. Army Colonel Laurie Buckhout won the Republican primary in the 1st Congressional District, and she'll face a rematch of her 2024 race against incumbent Democratic Congressman Don Davis.

Not as exciting as some tight races, but Laurie Buckhout has won the NC-1 primary and will face Democrat Don Davis for a second consecutive election. Why money may have helped: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol

This will get recounted and challenged for sure, and the lead could change, but as of right now two voters just decided the direction of the #ncga Senate. #ncpol

Sam Page up by just 172 votes over Phil Berger with two Guilford County precincts still remaining. Regardless, there's a good chance this ends up close enough for a recount and possible legal challenges -- might not have a declared winner for some time. #ncpol #ncga

For all the hype around Michele Morrow's entry into the U.S. Senate primary, it looks like she may finish fourth behind Thomas Johnson (whoever he is) #ncpol

Now: Democratic US Senate ballots = 671K

Republican US Senate ballots = 556K

#ncpol

Republicans: Sens. Phil Berger (Rockingham), Chris Measmer (Cabarrus), Reps. Mark Pless (Haywood), Kelly Hastings (Gaston), Keith Kidwell (Beaufort), Reece Pyrtle (Rockingham), Ed Goodwin #ncpol

#ncga incumbents could look like they could lose:

Democrats: Reps. Carla Cunningham (Mecklenburg), Nasif Majeed (Mecklenburg), Shelly Willingham (Edgecombe) – all voted with GOP on veto overrides
(1/2) #ncpol

Wow, Rockingham County is really not happy with its #ncga representation. With all precincts reporting, Berger got 33% of his home county (but could still win with Guilford), and Rep. Reece Pyrtle appears to have lost to Seth Woodall. #ncpol