Brandon Kingdollar

Bipartisan education panel unites NC Gov Stein, Republican leaders amid budget rift • NC Newsline Gov. Josh Stein and top Republicans in the General Assembly are seeking consensus on education after feuds over teacher pay and the budget.

Gov. Josh Stein and top Republicans in the General Assembly are seeking consensus on education issues after feuds over teacher pay and other budget issues in recent months. But education advocates are divided on whether the panel is actually needed.

Stein urges NC lawmakers to pass $1.4 billion mini-budget to support state’s ‘critical needs’ • NC Newsline Gov. Josh Stein proposed a $1.4 billion spending measure, arguing last week’s elections show voters want “critical public services” funded.

Gov. Josh Stein asked the NC General Assembly to pass a $1.4 billion spending measure to address the state’s most urgent issues, making the case that last week’s election results show North Carolinians want the legislature to deliver “critical public services.” By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Michael Whatley vows to ‘put dangerous criminals behind bars’ as U.S. Senate race gets underway • NC Newsline Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley kicked off his general election campaign pledging to end “soft-on-crime policies” if elected.

Flanked by law enforcement, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley kicked off his general election campaign pledging to end “soft-on-crime policies” if elected.

Former NC Gov Roy Cooper kicks off US Senate campaign with pledge to ‘make stuff cost less’ • NC Newsline Former Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, kicked off his general election bid Wednesday on a message of affordability.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, kicked off his general election bid Wednesday on a simple affordability message: “Make stuff cost less.”

North Carolina’s pivotal 2026 U.S. Senate matchup is set, the Associated Press has projected, with former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and former state and national GOP Chairman Michael Whatley easily sewing up their parties’ nominations in unofficial results Tuesday. #ncpol #nc

Foushee narrowly leads in NC-04 Democratic primary; recount likely • NC Newsline The Democratic primary for North Carolina's 4th Congressional District is heading to a likely recount, with incumbent Valerie Foushee leading by 1%. In unofficial results, Foushee won 49.22% of the vo...

The Democratic primary for North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District is heading to a likely recount. Here's how close Tuesday's vote really was 👇 ncnewsline.com/2026/03/04/f...

Rockingham Sheriff Page leads longtime NC Senate leader Berger by two votes in unofficial results • NC Newsline One of the most watched legislative primaries in North Carolina could be headed for a recount. With all precincts reporting in unofficial returns, Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page led Senate leader Phil Be...

My colleague @lbonner.bsky.social has the story + why this race could head to a recount.

WOW — with the unofficial tally in for all precincts, Phil Berger, the top Republican in the North Carolina State Senate, is trailing Sam Page by 2 votes.

NC Board of Elections will no longer provide forms to voter registration drives • NC Newsline Groups conducting voter registration drives will have to print their own registration forms, the North Carolina State Board of Elections decided last week, ending its years-long practice of providing ...

With the midterm primary election in North Carolina underway, some other voting news: The State Board of Elections will stop providing forms for voter registration drives, requiring organizations to print their own.

North Carolina early primary voting surges ahead of 2024, driven by Democratic enthusiasm • NC Newsline More voters cast early ballots in North Carolina’s 2026 midterm primaries than in the 2024 primary, a stark display of voter interest.

More voters cast early ballots in North Carolina’s 2026 midterm primaries than in the 2024 presidential primary, a stark display of voter interest — and a result driven by a huge surge in Democratic voter participation even as Republican turnout fell slightly. By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Outsiders spent nearly $4.2M in NC-04 primary, most expensive in state history • NC Newsline NC Newsline identified almost $4.2 million in total outside spending reported as of Friday, breaking the record set by the last primary between the same two contenders in 2022.

Outside groups have spent roughly $4.2 million on a hotly contested congressional primary in North Carolina, making it the most expensive in state history.

w/ @christinezhu.bsky.social:

Walmart settles $100 million lawsuit with delivery drivers over pay deception • NC Newsline Walmart will pay $100 million to drivers who participated in its Spark Delivery program after reaching a settlement Thursday.

Walmart will pay $100 million to drivers who participated in one of its delivery programs after reaching a settlement Thursday with the Federal Trade Commission and 11 states, including North Carolina. ncnewsline.com/briefs/walma... By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Reports of ICE expansion in Cary spark outcry • NC Newsline ICE may be expanding its administrative office space in Cary, and residents are petitioning city leaders to stop the expansion.

Seen reports of a new ICE facility in Cary? Here are the facts on what the office is and is not — and how residents are pushing back.

Reports of ICE expansion in Cary spark outcry • NC Newsline ICE may be expanding its administrative office space in Cary, and residents are petitioning city leaders to stop the expansion.

Despite social media rumors to the contrary, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not appear to be planning a detention center in Cary. But ICE may be expanding its administrative office space there. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Rep. Foushee backs Amazon union campaign in Durham, calls for open forum for workers • NC Newsline The congresswoman became the top elected official to back the union drive as she navigates a contentious primary campaign.

Rep. Valerie Foushee urged Amazon leaders to provide an open town hall, free from retaliation, for workers who wish to unionize at three facilities in the area, becoming the top elected official to back the North Carolina union campaign to date.

In key NC Court of Appeals primary, Democrats compete to reverse six-year losing streak • NC Newsline The Democratic primary in N.C.'s 4th Congressional District isn't the only one that highlights the conflicting priorities of Democratic voters seeking to recover from key state and federal losses in r...

In North Carolina, Democrats have lost every Court of Appeals race since 2020. As they fight to retain their last three seats, a pair of candidates are competing over what the party’s bid for the courts should look like.

NC AG Jeff Jackson joins motion to release FEMA rebuilding funds • NC Newsline Jackson is one of nearly two dozen state leaders asking a federal court Tuesday to compel the release of FEMA funds earmarked to help communities rebuild after disasters.

NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson is one of nearly two dozen state leaders around the country asking a federal court to compel the release of Federal Emergency Management Agency resilience funds, including more than $200 million for North Carolina projects. by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Berger campaign accuses Democrats of interfering in his primary • NC Newsline Berger’s campaign accused “Democrat-aligned dark money groups” of running ads supporting his opponent, Sheriff Sam Page.

As early voting began in the 2026 primary, top N.C. Senate Republican Phil Berger’s campaign bashed “Democrat-aligned dark money groups” for running ads supporting his opponent, Sheriff Sam Page.

Voting in the Republican U.S. Senate primary begins Thursday. Meet the top candidates. • NC Newsline Ahead of early voting in the 2026 North Carolina primary on Feb. 12, NC Newsline interviewed leading Republican candidates for U.S. Senate on their views on the issues.

Early voting in North Carolina’s Republican Senate primary begins tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know about the top candidates.

After North Carolina cyberattacks, IT officials warn General Assembly of poor preparedness • NC Newsline North Carolina IT officials warned lawmakers that the state is underprepared for digital threats — in part because of legislative actions.

After cyberattacks targeted North Carolina government services during the winter storms that buffeted the state, IT officials warned North Carolina lawmakers that the state is underprepared for digital threats — in part because of recent legislative actions. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

North Carolina Democrats want to vote first in the nation in 2028. Will the legislature let them? • NC Newsline North Carolina Democrats hope to host the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in 2028 and usurp the title from South Carolina.

North Carolina Democrats are making a bid to host the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in 2028 and usurp the title from South Carolina. But obstacles remain.

Hundreds take to the streets of Raleigh and Durham to demand ‘ICE out’ • NC Newsline Hundreds marched through Raleigh and downtown Durham on Friday as part of a “national shutdown” opposing the federal immigration crackdown.

Hundreds of protesters marched through Raleigh and downtown Durham on Friday as part of a “national shutdown” movement taking place across the U.S. to oppose the federal immigration crackdown.

North Carolina’s economy has boomed. Why hasn’t its median income? • NC Newsline North Carolina’s economy has seen explosive growth since 1970, rising to eleventh in GDP in the nation. But its income growth has lagged behind the rest of the country.

In 1970, North Carolina led all of its neighbors in median household income. Since then, it’s grown the least of all of them.

Roy Cooper backs conditions on Homeland Security funding after Minnesota shootings • NC Newsline U.S. Senate candidate and former N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper called for “immediate reforms” before any additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol is approved.

U.S. Senate candidate and former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called for “immediate reforms” before any additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol operations following the deaths of two Minneapolis activists during altercations with federal agents.

Trans youth under 19 left with few options for gender-affirming care in NC • NC Newsline After North Carolina’s two largest medical providers halted gender-affirming care for patients below the age of 19, trans youth in the state are left with few options for treatment.

After North Carolina’s two largest medical providers halted gender-affirming care for patients below the age of 19, trans youth in the state are left with few options for treatment.

NC Senate Leader Phil Berger trails Sam Page by 5 points in latest primary poll • NC Newsline The most powerful Republican in the North Carolina Senate is trailing his 2026 primary opponent by 5 points in a poll released Tuesday.

The most powerful Republican in the North Carolina Senate is trailing his 2026 primary opponent by 5 points in a poll released Tuesday, less than two months away from the March 3 contest. ncnewsline.com/2026/01/20/n... By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #nc

As Jeff Jackson battles Trump, NC GOP threatens to leave him with a ‘feckless, empty shell’ of a job • NC Newsline Jackson’s first year in office has been defined by battles with the Trump administration. NC Republicans hope to put a stop to that.

A look back at AG Jeff Jackson’s first year in office: his 2025 was defined by high-profile lawsuits against the Trump administration and efforts to safeguard against the threats of tomorrow.

Hundreds mourn Renee Good at Raleigh candlelight vigil • NC Newsline More than 200 gathered Wednesday evening in Raleigh’s Moore Square to mourn Minneapolis activist Renee Good and condemn ICE for her death.

More than 200 gathered Wednesday evening in Raleigh’s Moore Square to mourn Minneapolis activist Renee Good and to condemn ICE for her death and other violent encounters in recent months.

Rep. Ross demands Kristi Noem resign from Homeland Security • NC Newsline Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “should resign or be removed from office,” Rep. Deborah Ross urged on Tuesday.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “should resign or be removed from office,” Rep. Deborah Ross urged on Tuesday, joining a chorus of Democratic colleagues in the wake of high-profile clashes between ICE and protesters.

NC Board of Elections finds Stevens campaign contributions illegal, but not intentional • NC Newsline Two contributions by lobbyists to Rep. Sarah Stevens’ Supreme Court campaign were found illegal, but not an “intentional violation.”

NC Board of Elections finds Stevens campaign contributions illegal, but not intentional ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-bo... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol