6/27/25 Weekly Roundup
➡️ Next Friday is the 4th of July. 🎆🎇 I don’t yet know if I’ll be posting anything about that; I’ll be in Washington, DC. Your weekly news roundup might be posted a day late, on Saturday.
➡️ Will I-40 be open at the Tennessee/North Carolina border for Fourth of July travel? Asheville C-T/Knoxville N-S 6/25/25. Likely YES! Target date now by July 3.
➡️ Updates on Jackson County commissioners’ move to leave the FRL library system:
💥 Jackson County votes to leave Fontana Regional Library system Smoky Mountain News 6/24/25. Excellent, detailed coverage of a sad story.
Additional report from that meeting, from a local pro-library activist: “Supporters of the FRL walked out of the meeting at this point [after the vote]. People met up in front of the building for a quick pep talk. Everyone was quiet and respectful. Stickers and bookmarks supporting the library were dispensed, and people signed up to work on reversing this decision. Plans are being made to fight against withdrawal from the Fontana Regional Library System. People are sad and angry but also focused and hopeful. Libraries must remain spaces of inclusion, learning and freedom and we will not give up.”
More excellent, detailed coverage and context of last week’s joint meeting, noted only briefly in last Friday’s Weekly Roundup: Face to face: Jackson County meets Fontana board amid library controversy Smoky Mountain News 6/22/25 "Finally face to face amid a simmering standoff over library governance and subjectively inappropriate material in a regional library system that’s served locals for more than 80 years, Jackson County commissioners spent nearly three hours in a joint meeting with the Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees on June 19 learning just how much they don’t know about running a library." See also BPR 6/20
➡️ And on the Yancey library saga: Last-ditch legal effort tries to halt NC regional library system breakup over LGBTQ+ content Carolina Public Press 6/20/25 "Yancey prepares to exit library system. Grassroots group hires law firm to counter those plans, which they say violate rights, waste money."
➡️ Gotcha! Firings at NC universities after undercover videos raise legal, ethical questions. Carolina Public Press 6/23/25 "Universities in NC have fired employees after undercover videos by conservative group, whose actions appear legal, but ethically dubious." Firings, reported here previously, include staff at UNCA and WCU. See also Western Carolina University closes intercultural affairs office, a year after DEI ban Raleigh N&O 6/24/25
➡️ Census: North Carolina soars past 11M Center Square 6/26/25 "From April 1, 2020, through July 1, 2024, the state’s population increased by 605,000."
Scroll down below NC-Related National… for this week’s North Carolina state governmental and political news. And scroll clear to the bottom for this week’s seasonal photo and note from our WNC homestead. If your email service cuts this post short, you can read it online here.
Top stories are marked 💥
If you see something in any NC News Digest post that’s incorrect … PLEASE let me know (email to ncnewsdigest@substack.com) so I can publish a correction. Truth matters. Thanks for your help.
NC-Related National Politics & Policy
💥 On the One Big bill’s potential effects in NC (and on Thom Tillis’s reelection prospects):
“58% of registered voters in North Carolina said “they would be less likely to vote to re-elect their senator if they voted to cut $700 billion from Medicaid to pay for extending tax cuts,” according to a poll commissioned by Inseparable Action, a mental health advocacy group that’s against the bill.” Link takes you to a poll published 6/12, which I found in this 6/24 NOTUS newsletter.
On the list of rural hospitals Senate Democrats have identified as at risk for closure if the One Big bill’s Medicaid cuts take effect, two are in western NC: Angel Medical Center in Macon County, and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Mitchell County.
Key GOP senator warns Medicaid cuts could spell political disaster for Republicans The Hill 6/25/25 "Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.), one of the most vulnerable Senate Republican incumbents facing re-election in 2026, warned Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) bluntly in a private meeting Tuesday that deep cuts to Medicaid could cost Republicans control of the House and Senate, according to a person familiar with the conversation.... Tillis’s chart [of what various states would lose, which he brought to that meeting], which he also showed to colleagues, showed that North Carolina would lose $38.9 billion in federal funding and that more than 600,000 North Carolinians would be at risk for losing Medicaid coverage.... Tillis warned “it could cost us majorities in both houses” of Congress, the source added."
DNC Chair Ken Martin condemns ‘despicable’ mega-bill, calls Tillis top target in interview NCNewsline 6/26/25 "In an interview with NC Newsline, Martin condemned Sen. Thom Tillis for supporting the bill and decried efforts by North Carolina Republicans to wrest control of elections in the state."
Rural educators call on Tillis to block ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ citing Medicaid and education cuts NCNewsline 6/24/25
Five Ways the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Make It More Difficult to Get Health Insurance in N.C. Assembly 6/24/25 "While much of the debate focuses on cuts to Medicaid, more than 1 million North Carolinians who buy private health insurance through healthcare.gov would pay more…. 1. Increased premiums for insurance purchased through healthcare.gov…. 2. Medicaid expansion ends in North Carolina…. 3. Medicaid coverage and programs are cut…. 4. Medicaid expansion recipients would have to verify eligibility twice a year…. 5. Adult, non-disabled Medicaid recipients must meet work requirements."
NC woman needs Medicaid. That doesn’t make her a ‘parasite,’ her daughter says Raleigh N&O 6/24/25 "More than 260,000 people in North Carolina are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage due to a provision in House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
Governors plead for congressional help on SNAP in reconciliation bill Center Square 6/25/25 "A letter authored by ... Gov. Josh Stein and signed by 22 other governors – all Democrats – says cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the hotly debated reconciliation bill will cause hunger and poverty to increase, “children and adults will get sicker, grocery stores in rural areas will struggle to stay open, people in agriculture and the food industry will lose jobs, and state and local economies will suffer.”"
Yet more Tillis, proposing federal prosecution of protesters who engage in civil disobedience by blocking roads: Tillis reintroduces bill that would make blocking traffic a federal crime Carolina Journal 6/26/25 "US Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, led in reintroducing a bill that would make it a federal crime to purposely obstruct, delay, or affect commerce by blocking a public road or highway."“The emerging tactic of radical protestors blocking roads and stopping commerce is not only obnoxious to innocent commuters, but it’s also dangerous and will eventually get people killed. It needs to be a crime throughout the country,” Tillis said in a press release. “I’m proud to introduce the Safe and Open Streets Act so that radical activists who resort to these reckless and dangerous tactics are held accountable under the full weight of the law for endangering public safety.”
USDA looks to overturn 'Roadless Rule.' How WNC's favorite spots could be impacted BPR 6/25/25 "Western North Carolina roadless areas like Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness could soon be opened to road construction and logging." See also AVLWatchdog 6/26.
Helene Recovery
💥💥 NC lawmakers pass $500 million for Helene relief, in eleventh-hour Republican deal NCNewsline 6/26/25 "The aid package funds road and bridge repairs, matches federal aid, and provides money to local governments and farmers. It does not contain grants for small businesses." See also WRAL 6/26, Carolina Public Press 6/26, WUNC 6/26, Raleigh N&O 6/26, Carolina Journal 6/27.
About 40 downtown Asheville businesses have closed since Helene; business leaders say they aren’t panicking AVLWatchdog 6/20/25
According to the Buncombe County TDA, Tourism down as summer begins Mountain Xpress 6/26/25 "May 2025 hotel occupancy was down 5 percentage points from 2024 and down 10 percentage points from 2019. Vacation rentals are down 4 percentage points from 2024 and 1 percentage point from 2019. Lodging demand for fiscal year to date is down 8% from the same point a year earlier, and supply, including both hotel and vacation rental, is down 7% fiscal year to date."
Helene destroyed a shelter for homeless Asheville veterans. Rebuilding could take years. BPR 6/26/25 "The Veterans Restoration Quarters housed around 160 veterans before Hurricane Helene flooded the property."
Back on Track Assembly 6/20/25 "Hurricane Helene wiped out several major rail lines in Western N.C. Now most are back up and running. Here are scenes from the rebuilding."
Temporary road complete between Bat Cave, Chimney Rock; replacement to be done in 2027 Asheville C-T 6/25/25
NC State Government
💥 NC county elections boards shift from Democratic to GOP control NCNewsline 6/25/25. See also Raleigh N&O 6/24.
UNC System President Unveils Plans for New Accreditor Assembly 6/26/25 "President Peter Hans told The Assembly in an exclusive interview he aims to create a ‘streamlined, non-ideological’ accreditor with five other southern states.... The effort follows high-profile disputes and criticism from conservatives, and it comes after President Donald Trump issued a scathing executive order drawing attention to the process of evaluating schools."
Executive Branch
Governor
💥 Gov. Josh Stein issues his first vetoes on concealed carry, immigration bills NCNewsline 6/20/25 SB50 (permitless concealed carry), SB153 (requiring state agencies to cooperate with ICE), HB318 (requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE) See also WRAL 6/20, AP 6/20, Raleigh N&O 6/22 (about override prospects), Carolina Journal 6/20.
Gov. Josh Stein signs foster care reform bill into law with bipartisan support WRAL 6/26/25. See also Carolina Public Press 6/27, and Stein signs 10 bills into law, including foster care, tuition assistance Carolina Journal 6/26/25
See also In the Courts, below.
State Attorney General
💥 Attorney General Jeff Jackson to NC Hospitals: The Law Requires You to Provide Emergency Reproductive Care press release from NC AG's office 6/25/25 "Jackson and 21 other attorneys general urged hospitals nationwide to renew their commitment to existing federal law and continue providing life-saving emergency abortion care to patients. “Hospitals in North Carolina and across the country are required by law to provide emergency health care to those who need it, including pregnant women facing life-threatening medical emergencies for whom abortion is a life-saving procedure,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “This is not a matter of opinion. North Carolina hospitals must obey the law and work to save their patients.”"
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Takes Legal Action to Defend North Carolinians’ Access to Critical Information During Natural Disasters NC AG's office press release 6/20/25 "Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and 21 other attorneys general joined an amicus brief to protect funding for public radio and TV stations that provide vital emergency communications to North Carolinians during natural disasters, including making sure western North Carolina communities could get information about weather forecasts, road closures, storm damage, and where to find food, water, and medical supplies during Hurricane Helene."
Other State Executive Branch News
💥 Around 98,000 Voters Risk Disenfranchisement Under New North Carolina Plan Democracy Docket 6/24/25 "The [GOP-controlled NC elections] board announced the plan in response to a lawsuit filed last month by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), alleging that North Carolina had failed to collect information from voters required by federal law.... The board’s plan would go into effect if DOJ approves.... Under the board’s plan, the state will mail two notices to each affected voter [as many as 200,000] requesting the missing information [driver license or partial SS number].... For around 98,000 of that group, they will need to respond to the mailings or else be forced to cast a provisional ballot." See also WRAL 6/24, AP 6/24, Carolina Journal 6/24.
A divided NC elections board grants the Green Party official status NCNewsline 6/20/25 "Jill Stein, the party’s presidential candidate, appeared on ballots around the country. The question at the Board of Elections meeting was whether she was on enough state ballots as the Green Party candidate." See also North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds AP 6/20/25, Raleigh N&O 6/24.
DMV needs workforce flexibility to tackle hiring and retention issues, NC state auditor says WRAL 6/23/25 "The North Carolina DMV has struggled with long wait times, difficulty booking appointments due in part to an overwhelmed workforce. North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek released preliminary findings of an audit into the division as lawmakers negotiate a state budget." See also Raleigh N&O 6/23, Carolina Journal 6/24.
State Legislature
💥💥 NC lawmakers head home — with Helene aid, no budget and lingering frustrations NCNewsline 6/27/25 “Six months of session yielded two hurricane aid packages and countless policy battles. But a new budget and veto debates are still to come.” See also AP 6/26, Raleigh N&O 6/26. Legislature not expected to be back in session for at least two weeks.
See Governor, above, for Josh Stein’s recent vetoes.
💥 Trio of bills banning DEI head to Gov. Josh Stein for possible veto WUNC 6/26/25 "One bill would put the prohibition in state government agencies. Another would ban DEI at public universities and community colleges. And the third would impact K-12 public schools. All three passed along party lines without a single vote from Democrats, potentially making it difficult for Republicans to override a likely veto from Gov. Josh Stein." See also Raleigh N&O 6/26, North Carolina House advances bills targeting DEI programs in schools and universities NCNewsline 6/24/25, NC lawmakers clash over bill targeting DEI in public universities Carolina Journal 6/25/25. And In North Carolina, It’s Do or DEI Assembly 6/26 “Federal and state officials have declared war on DEI at North Carolina’s colleges and universities. But what their orders mean is sometimes far from clear.”
NC House sends slate of [seven] bills to governor’s desk Carolina Journal 6/25/25. All but one apparently not controversial; see bill about auditor immediately below.
💥 NC lawmakers pass bill allowing state auditor to probe nonprofits, private businesses WRAL 6/24/25 "The House voted to approve House Bill 549, which allows the auditor to investigate any entity that receives state funds. The bill goes next to Gov. Josh Stein."
NC lawmakers send new school cellphone bill to Stein. Here's what it would do WRAL 6/26/25 "Every North Carolina school board would be required to restrict the use of cellphones and other wireless communication devices in schools, with a few exceptions." See also WUNC 6/25.
NC lawmakers agree private schools can let teachers carry guns Raleigh N&O 6/26/25 "State lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Josh Stein on Thursday that would allow private schools to authorize teachers or school volunteers to carry concealed handguns on campus."
💥 On the revenge-porn bill Senate GOP hijacked to add anti-trans provisions:
Lawmakers send bill targeting gender, public school discussions to NC governor WRAL 6/25/25 "What was once a bipartisan proposal to crack down on online exploitation of women and children is headed to the governor's desk as a culture-war bill that Democrats expect Republicans to use against them on the campaign trail." See also Carolina Journal 6/26 (for partisan spin).
NC Senate votes to approve culture war bill targeting transgender people and public schools NCNewsline 6/24/25.
NC Senate Republicans ruin important bill with destructive social agenda provisions NCNewsline 6/23/25
'I vote present': Democrats object to NC Senate vote on LGBTQ bill WUNC 6/24/25
Support for NC bill against revenge porn loses Dem support once GOP adds unrelated anti-trans items Carolina Public Press 6/25/25
In line with Trump, North Carolina legislature takes aim at transgender rights AP 6/24/25
See also WRAL 6/24, Raleigh N&O 6/24.
💥💥 NC Republicans unveil sweeping elections bill. Could it ‘purge’ nonpartisan staff? Raleigh N&O 6/26/25 "North Carolina House Republicans unveiled a broad elections bill that could convert about a third of the State Board of Elections’ nonpartisan civil service staff into political appointees, alongside a host of other changes to ballot counting, voter ID and more. Lawmakers released the amended bill, House Bill 958, late Wednesday night and pushed it through a 30-minute committee hearing without public comment on Thursday morning over the objections of Democrats, who said it would lead to a “purge” of the agency.... The bill is unlikely to get a full vote anytime soon as the legislature plans for an extended summer recess. But it could emerge as a key piece of legislation — and source of debate — once lawmakers return." See also NC House bill would allow elections board workers to be replaced with political hires NCNewsline 6/26/25. See also WRAL 6/26, WUNC 6/26.
Legislation that puts justice out of reach for the less wealthy and well-connected:
Will NC budget end aid for people seeking justice in civil court? Raleigh N&O 6/23/25 "The House budget bill diverts the money from the North Carolina Interest on Lawyers Trust Account board, which gives grants to agencies that provide legal education and advice on civil issues or helps improve the administration of justice. The House budget bill would send funds raised by interest rates on a pooled bank account to the Office of Indigent Defense Services, which oversees the public defense system across the state. The money would be used to pay private attorneys to represent criminal defendants who can’t afford to pay a lawyer. Historically, money from the state general fund covered the private attorney payments."
NC House, Senate vote to freeze use of legal fund that goes to aid low-income residents NCNewsline 6/27/25
Overturning criminal convictions would get harder under NC bills limiting review Raleigh N&O 6/23/25
John Bell’s High Hopes Assembly 6/20/25 "The House Rules Committee chairman runs a hemp company. He’s also trying to kill a bipartisan Senate bill to regulate the hemp industry. He doesn’t think that’s a problem." See also NC lawmakers want hemp to be regulated. The House is focusing on keeping it away from young people WUNC 6/24/25, Raleigh N&O 6/24.
As legislature adjourns, NC Senators give unanimous support to Stein’s cabinet secretaries NCNewsline 6/26/25 "after months of multiple committee hearings, the state Senate on Thursday gave its blessing to Stein’s final three cabinet secretaries for the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Adult Correction, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs."
In the Courts
💥 Wake Superior Court strikes down restriction on governor’s power to appoint judges NCNewsline 6/25/25 "The decision marks a partial victory for Gov. Josh Stein, who sued over provisions of Senate Bill 382 — a measure approved by the GOP-dominated General Assembly shortly after last fall’s election that sough to limit gubernatorial powers. A panel of the Wake Superior Court ruled in his favor on judicial appointments, but against him on a provision removing his ability to appoint a member and the chair of the North Carolina Utilities Commission. The court also upheld a separate law reducing Stein’s power over the Building Code Council by requiring supermajority votes for any action." See also WRAL 6/24, AP 6/24, Raleigh N&O 6/24, Carolina Journal 6/24.
Myers to oversee US Justice Department lawsuit over NC voter rolls Carolina Journal 6/23/25 "US Chief District Judge Richard Myers will oversee the federal Justice Department's lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections. The suit argues that state election officials failed to maintain accurate voter lists." See also Justice Department, elections board object to intervention in voter list lawsuit Carolina Journal 6/24/25 "The Democratic National Committee, state NAACP, League of Women Voters of North Carolina, and North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans all have requested to intervene in the case as defendants." And Elias clients argue Justice Department lawsuit against NC ‘threatens’ voting rights Carolina Journal 6/26/25 "A group working with Democratic operative Marc Elias' law firm argued in a court filing this week that a federal lawsuit pitting the US Justice Department against North Carolina election officials threatens voting rights."
SCOTUS to review NC State Health Plan case Thursday Carolina Journal 6/23/25 "The US Supreme Court will hold a closed-door review Thursday of a case involving North Carolina State Health Plan coverage of medical treatments typically pursued by transgender patients. Lower courts have ruled that the State Health Plan must cover the treatments. The state treasurer who oversees the plan appealed to the high court last year. Treasurer Brad Briner's office issued a June 18 news release predicting that the Supreme Court would reverse lower court rulings based on its recent decision in a Tennessee case." See also Raleigh N&O 6/24.
Judicial, utilities appointments fight heads to three-judge panel Carolina Journal 6/24/25 "A legal battle between Gov. Josh Stein and North Carolina's legislative leaders over government appointments heads to a three-judge panel Tuesday. Stein challenges a provision of 2024's Senate Bill 382 that would limit his choice in filling statewide judicial vacancies. He also challenges a provision of the same law that would shift one of his state Utilities Commission appointments to the state treasurer."
You can subscribe, upgrade to paid, or manage your subscription here:
It’s been a good week for snoozing in the shade:
