5/1/2026 Weekly Roundup
WNC-relevant political and governmental news
💥 Today is May Day. On May 1 this year, pro-democracy organizers nationwide are calling for a one-day “Workers over Billionaires” general strike—no work, no school, no shopping. Across WNC, events large and small on May 1 and May 2 will honor workers, perform service projects, serve up community meals, and gather folks together at rallies. See here for time-and-place info for events near you. And check your email inbox Saturday evening for a report on how they go.
Scroll down for this week’s NC-related national and NC state governmental and political news. And scroll clear to the bottom for this week’s seasonal photo from our WNC homestead. If your email service cuts this post short, you can read it online here.
If you see something in any NC News Digest post that’s incorrect … PLEASE let me know so I can publish a correction. Truth matters. Thanks for your help.
Don’t-miss stories are marked 💥
Around WNC
Western North Carolina is deep in drought, and the clock is ticking BPR 4/24/26. See also WLOS 4/30. Recent rain hasn’t made up for the long lack of it.
Opinion: These days, you’re on camera, whether you like it or not. But Asheville needs to be more transparent about video surveillance proposal AVLWatchdog 4/27/26. There’s also been recent public push-back against government use of surveillance cameras in several other WNC counties, including at least Madison and Yancey.
On HCA/Mission Hospital:
Hospitals challenge state regulator’s decision to award more beds to Mission AVLWatchdog 4/29/26 “AdventHealth, UNC Health file appeals, potentially delaying Buncombe County expansion plans.” See also BPR 4/29, Asheville C-T 4/29.
Sen. Mayfield’s proposal to HCA shareholders fails, but forces CEO to address Mission woes Carolina Public Press 4/24/26 “NC Sen. Julie Mayfield didn’t expect her call for HCA report on problems at Mission Hospital to pass. But it did draw attention to concerns.”
HCA’s NC hospitals are “a little behind” profit expectations because of higher labor costs at Mission, HCA boss tells Wall Street AVLWatchdog 4/24/26
On data centers:
Weaverville council votes to block data centers in town, citing limited resources WLOS 4/28/26
Eastern Cherokee Organization hosts town hall on Data Centers One Feather 4/26/26 “Currently, there is pending legislation in the EBCI Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) …. to place a ban on data centers establishing a Data Center Development Moratorium within the lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”
See also Data center opposition is growing in North Carolina Axios 4/28/26, and State Legislature, below.
Childcare shortage in western NC forces parents to cut hours, quit jobs WLOS 4/29/26
Sackler-linked firm succeeds in bid for Ingles board seat Asheville C-T 4/30/26 “In March filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission, Summer Road indicated it would pursue a seat on the board, citing Ingles' perceived underperformance, a lack of communication with shareholders and Ingles' network of real estate holdings, which Summer Road described as underutilized.”
Canton joins pushback on tax authority limits Smoky Mountain News 4/29/26 “The move places the town squarely in a broader debate unfolding in Raleigh, where lawmakers are considering proposals to cap property tax growth or require voter approval before local governments can exceed those limits.” See also State Legislature, below; proposed cap has been beaten back, at least for now.
Followup to the SC measles outbreak that spread into WNC: SC measles outbreak, worst in US in 25 years, ends. Here are the stats Asheville C-T/Greenville News 4/27/26 “Battling the outbreak over seven months [and nearly 1000 cases] cost South Carolina taxpayers $2.1 million.”
See also In the Courts (WNC national forest litigation), below.
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NC-Related National Politics & Policy
SNAP cuts and ICE raids leave North Carolina children hungry Cardinal & Pine 4/28/26. See also State Legislature, below.
Is Having FEMA Help ICE Illegal? One Democrat Asks Congress’ Watchdog for Answers NOTUS 4/29/26 “Rep. Greg Stanton requested Congress’ watchdog agency help to probe how Trump used FEMA for immigration enforcement.”
Trump Cuts Threaten to Halt Two Decades of HIV Vaccine Research Assembly 4/29/26 “Duke University has won federal funding to lead a national HIV research consortium since 2005, with several promising vaccines ready for trials. Now the National Institutes of Health is ending its major grant.”
Rural-Focused $42 Billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program Becomes Operational Daily Yonder 4/30/26 “After four years of planning, a change in presidential administration that revised program rules, and months of delays, most states have unlocked a portion of funding under a $42.45 billion rural broadband expansion program. While the lead-up to implementing the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has been long, state officials and industry analysts say it pales in comparison to the work required to turn plans into functioning networks.” NC implementation of BEAD covered in past NC News Digests; this is an up-to-date overview of the program.
See also Helene Recovery (FEMA), Governor, and State Legislature (cannabis), all below.
2026 Elections
Voting rights watch:
NC could remove voter registrations of 34K deceased former residents WRAL 4/27/26 “A new program to cross reference data with the federal government found active registrations of deceased individuals — often the result of voters moving to and then dying in other states. Officials said there’s no evidence of wrongful voting using the registrations.”
The US Supreme Court’s Callais decision this week, which effectively annulled the federal Voting Rights Act, is unlikely to affect 2026 North Carolina elections, since our primary is already past. Gerrymandering of congressional and state legislative districts for 2028 will be up to the NC state legislators elected this November.
NC elections director hired private GOP-linked law firm without board approval Raleigh N&O 4/30/26 “Earlier this year, the North Carolina State Board of Elections hired an outside law firm closely tied to Republican politicians to defend it in a court case regarding early voting sites on college campuses [including WCU]. The hiring, which runs counter to the traditional practice of using lawyers from the attorney general’s office, was not disclosed to board members even though the executive director signed a waiver on the board’s behalf. This waiver was required due to the fact that the firm was suing the board in a variety of other cases.”
Not NC-specific: Trump Put the FEC on Ice, Its Return Remains an Open Question NOTUS 4/30/26 “Without enough commissioners [for a quorum, so they’ve been legally unable to hold meetings for a full year] or resources, the bipartisan election watchdog has been out of commission for a year and a revival doesn’t appear to be on the horizon.”
See also In the Courts (voter ID litigation), below.
US Senate campaign:
Cooper leads Whatley in new polls as NC voters sour on economy WRAL 4/29/26 “A new Opinion Diagnostics poll shows Democrat Roy Cooper with a 9-point lead over Republican Michael Whatley in the race for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat as other polls indicate increased restlessness over the economy among the state’s voters.”
Law-and-order Senate nominee Michael Whatley faced arrest for skipping court in 2015 NC traffic case NCNewsline 4/25/26 “… part of a pattern of avoiding court for traffic offenses.”
Does Michael Whatley have a path? New Branchhead 4/30/26 “Good luck Mike.”
‘Going to Carolina’: Cardinal & Pine talks with Roy Cooper, Anita Earls Cardinal & Pine 4/29/26. Video of moderated conversation with both candidates.
NC-11 House campaign:
💥 Chuck Edwards investigated by House Ethics for sexual harrassment Asheville C-T 4/30/26 “North Carolina's Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, Axios reported April 30. Later in the afternoon, CNN reported the investigation stemmed from allegations of sexual harassment…. CNN, citing two unnamed sources, said it "could not immediately learn the precise nature of the improper behavior, nor was it clear whether the committee had yet corroborated any of the allegations."” See also WLOS 4/30.
Make [NC] House Majority Leader Brendan Jones the Poster Boy PoliticsNC 4/24/26 “Democrats should wrap the GOP around Jones and educate voters about Republican values.... [This] might not threaten Jones and his Neanderthals, but Michael Whatley will almost certainly pay a price and the broader GOP will, too, if history is any indication.”
Helene Recovery
💥 FEMA Tells Congress It Has Hit Critically Low Funding Levels Under the DHS Shutdown NOTUS 4/29/26 “The nation’s disaster response agency is now restricting its spending to save remaining disaster dollars in the event of a serious emergency.... The new restrictions on funds will further increase the wait times for communities that need disaster relief dollars to rebuild.” DHS funding was restored in a bill signed by Pres. Trump yesterday.
Mountain Bizworks report details progress, challenges for WNC businesses post-Helene BPR 4/30/26
19 months later, Hot Springs Public Library reopens downtown after Helene repairs WLOS 4/28/26. See also Asheville C-T 4/30.
Around NC
North Carolina educators plan May Day march on Raleigh for public school funding NCNewsline 4/24/26. See also Assembly 4/28.
North Carolina teacher pay projected to decline, ranking 46th nationwide NCNewsline 4/27/26
NC’s infant mortality rate and drug overdose deaths declined in 2024 NCNewsline 4/27/26 “North Carolina’s drop in fatal overdoses outpaced the national decline.... DHHS attributed 2024’s improved infant death rate to Medicaid expansion.”
NC State Government
Executive Branch
Governor
Stein: As power demand rises, North Carolina must confront ‘policy hostility’ toward clean energy NCNewsline 4/28/26 “Stein pointed to the recent decision by the Trump administration to spend nearly $1 billion of taxpayer money to pay off a French company to stop it from creating wind power off the North Carolina coast.”
See also State Legislature (Medicaid), below.
State Attorney General
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Urges North Carolina Businesses to Apply for Tariff Refunds NC DOJ press release 4/24/26
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Pushes for Changes to Lower Prescription Drug Costs NC DOR press release 4/29/26 “Jackson and a bipartisan group of attorneys general are pushing the U.S. Department of Labor to help lower prescription drug costs by requiring more transparency from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).”
Jackson Reaches $11 Million EpiPen Settlement; Medicaid and State Health Plan to Receive Millions in Refunds NC DOJ press release 4/30/26 ““They used their control of the market to keep competitors out and drive the price up,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “That’s not legal. We made them pay it back.”” See also NCNewsline 4/30, WRAL 4/30.
Other State Executive Branch News
Clean energy advocates reel as NC regulators hit pause on solar WUNC/WFAE 4/24/26 “State regulators ordered Duke Energy to pump the brakes on new solar — a move that some clean energy advocates are calling unprecedented and a blow to the state’s clean energy transition.”
State Legislature
💥 On Medicaid:
Stein signs $319M Medicaid funding plan, extending healthcare coverage in NC NCNewsline 4/30/26. See also WRAL 4/30.
‘Unintended Consequences’ of Republicans’ Medicaid Deal Assembly 4/28/26 “A Department of Health and Human Services official emailed several Republicans about several provisions in the bill to fund Medicaid.... The first eliminates traditional Medicaid coverage for about 27,000 children and pregnant women.... The second and third provisions increase burdens on Medicaid recipients.... The final provision she highlighted tightens screening for food stamps.”
North Carolina General Assembly gives final approval to $319M in Medicaid funding NCNewsline 4/28/26 “Democratic lawmakers denounced provisions targeting undocumented immigrants but ultimately joined Republicans to pass the funding.” See also WRAL 4/28, Raleigh N&O 4/28 (gift link).
More changes in the pipeline: NC Senate aims to curb Medicaid costs and allow more insight into hospital charges NCNewsline 4/30/26
Lawmakers voted to fund Medicaid for now NC Local 4/29/26 “But big changes are on the way that could affect your coverage.”
NC county social service agencies brace for deluge of work as Medicaid work requirements go into effect NC Health News 4/29/26 “About 10 percent of county social services positions dedicated to Medicaid are currently vacant, even as recertification work will double. Adding to the scramble: they still don’t have a roadmap.”
Looming Medicaid work rules bring big challenges to NC counties NC Health News 4/30/26 “From Outer Banks resort towns to tobacco-belt farming communities, county offices say the people most likely to lose coverage are the ones working hardest to get by.”
💥 Proposals and priorities from Democratic legislators:
Democratic state lawmakers push proposals to lower cost of living in NC NCNewsline 4/27/26
NC House Democrats seek bipartisan support to strengthen food security, ban dynamic pricing NCNewsline 4/30/26
Minimum wage, housing affordability, data center crackdown among NC Democrats’ 2026 priorities WRAL 4/27/26
Data center bill targets rates, water, incentives Smoky Mountain News 4/30/26 “As North Carolina braces against a surge in large-scale data center development, a new bill filed by Rep. Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe) aims to redraw the rules governing how those facilities use electricity, consume water and tap into public subsidies.” See also WUNC/NC Newsroom 4/27.
NC Democratic lawmakers unveil bill to protect students from ICE and Border Patrol NCNewsline 4/28/26 “The bill’s backers say students afraid to come to school due to immigration raids are being deprived of their right to an equal education.” See also WRAL 4/28.
💥 Berger proposes pause on North Carolina property tax reappraisals WRAL 4/29/26 “State lawmakers on Wednesday are scheduled to consider a proposal to stop North Carolina counties from implementing new real estate appraisals — a process that often leads to higher property tax bills.” See also NCNewsline 4/29, which notes that in WNC, Buncombe and Clay would have property reevaluations put on hold. Also WUNC/NC Newsroom 4/29.
In effort to spur affordable housing, bipartisan NC House bill proposes $50 million fund WUNC/NCNewsroom 4/29/26
NC Senate looks to ban young kids from social media WUNC 4/29/26 “A state Senate committee voted Wednesday to ban kids under age 14 from using social media. The bill would also require social media users who are age 14 or 15 to get a parent’s consent to create an account.”
Gun control advocates in NC work to preserve the permit law for concealed weapons NCNewsline 4/28/26 “They gathered in Raleigh as part of their efforts to convince House members to uphold Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill that would make it easier to carry concealed handguns in public.”
NC lawmakers revisit marijuana policy as Trump reclassifies drug WRAL 4/24/26. See also North Carolina Could Legalize Medical Marijuana Now That It’s Been Federally Rescheduled, Senate Leader Says Marijuana Moment 4/28/26. However: Trump administration move to reclassify cannabis sparks confusion Guardian 4/30/26 “Order last week is only partial rescheduling, making ‘an already complex process more confusing,’ expert says.”
NC House Democrats blast cross-county eminent domain provision in controversial bill NCNewsline 4/28/26 “Senate Bill 214 contains a provision that allows Franklin County to seize property in Halifax, Vance or Warren counties.” See also Carolina Public Press 4/28. 💥Update: Protesters flood legislature, succeed in defeating land-grab bill over water access WRAL 4/28/26. See also NCNewsline 4/29.
Honoring Clampitt: Namesake bill could boost rural fire departments Smoky Mountain News 4/29/26
💥 NC Rep Carla Cunningham switches party affiliation after primary loss NCNewsline 4/24/26. From Dem to Unaffiliated. “Cunningham, a seven-term incumbent, lost [this year’s primary] to Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, who earned the endorsement of Gov. Josh Stein.... Cunningham angered a lot of Democrats when she voted to override Stein’s veto of a bill outlining how sheriffs must cooperate with ICE.” And: NC Rep. Nasif Majeed leaves Democratic Party, becoming second to do so after primary loss NCNewsline 4/27/26 “Majeed and his colleague Rep. Carla Cunningham, both of whom are now unaffiliated, could help Republicans overturn Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes.” Both Cunningham and Majeed retain their seats until the end of this year. See also WRAL 4/27, WUNC 4/24, Carolina Journal 4/24, Anatomy of a Purple State 4/29. A third lame-duck Democrat who similarly lost his primary says he will not change his party affiliation; see NCNewsline 4/28.
In the Courts
Voter ID critics appeal recent ruling upholding NC law Carolina Journal 4/29/26 “The North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP and six local NAACP branches will take their case to the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals.” Detailed history of this complicated litigation. See also NC voter ID lawsuit: NAACP appeals loss in voting rights case WRAL 4/29/26 “In recent elections with voter photo identification rules in place, the vast majority of North Carolina voters have had their ballots counted. But some ballots are thrown out every year for voters lacking acceptable ID.”
Environmental groups seek court order blocking feds’ WNC forest plan Carolina Journal 4/30/26 “Chief US District Judge Martin Reidinger’s March 31 order vacated a document federal agencies used to support a 2023 management plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service filed an April 16 motion asking Reidinger to clarify that his decision did not void the forest management plan. Now Defenders of Wildlife, MountainTrue, the Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity seek the exact opposite outcome from Reidinger.”
NC lawmakers cite WVa case to bolster NC abortion drug restrictions Carolina Journal 4/27/26 “Legislative leaders, UNC Health Dr. Amy Bryant, and state Attorney General Jeff Jackson submitted new briefs Monday in the case Bryant v. Moore.... Lawmakers are defending the restrictions on mifepristone. Bryant and Jackson oppose the state’s limits.”
DNC echoes elections board, seeks 3 judges for ‘never residents’ case Carolina Journal 4/24/26 “The Republican National Committee and North Carolina Republican Party are seeking a court ruling invalidating a state law that allows a nonresident to cast ballots in state elections under certain circumstances.”
Lawmakers object to stay in Leandro education funding case Carolina Journal 4/26/26 “A court filing Friday from Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, objected to the request from five local school boards. The school boards asked the judge to stay execution of the mandate of the state Supreme Court’s April 2 decision to end the Leandro case. The school boards indicated they would file a petition for the Supreme Court to rehear the case.” See also Is the Leandro Case Dead Yet? Assembly 4/27/26 “The five school districts that filed the initial claims asked the state Supreme Court to put a hold on its April ruling.”
With leaves on the trees now mostly grown, we can’t see as far into the woods as we could a few weeks ago. But look at all that green:
