7/11/25 Weekly Roundup
➡️ Next Thursday, July 17, Good Trouble rallies honoring the memory of John Lewis are slated for these western NC counties:
Two in Buncombe: Asheville, 6-9PM, Pack Square Park, and Black Mountain, 5:30-7PM, Town Square
Clay: Hayesville, 5:30-7PM, Mayor’s Park
Haywood: Waynesville, 7-8PM, County Courthouse
Henderson: Hendersonville, 10-12noon, Courthouse at 200 N. Grove
Jackson: Sylva, 7:30-9PM, public library at 310 Keener St.
Macon: Franklin, 5-7PM, gazebo across from courthouse
Polk: Columbus, 4:30-6:30PM, Stearns Park
Rutherford: Spindale, 4:30-6:30PM, Spindale House, 119 Tanner St.
Swain: Bryson City, 5-6PM, Everett & Main
Transylvania: Brevard, 5-7PM, County Courthouse
Yancey: Burnsville, 4-5, Town Square, followed by march to HomePlace for pizza and social time 5:30-7:30.
If you know of any other July 17 rally taking place in WNC, please let me know so I can add it to this post online.
➡️ At their meeting on Tuesday evening this week, after public comments and brief discussion, Madison County commissioners voted unanimously NOT 🥳 to take over the county’s Board of Health. This is a big WIN for supporters of science-based public health services. For more, see my 7/9 post about it, and Asheville C-T 7/10.
➡️ Speaking of public health: Five cases of whooping cough reported in Haywood County BPR 7/9/25 "… in children and teens. Two people have been hospitalized."
➡️ At the Fontana Regional Library board meeting on Tuesday, the board did NOT 🥳 fire Regional Library Director Tracy Fitzmaurice, as library supporters feared they might following appointments of several apparently right-wing partisan new board members. Library supporters met on Zoom yesterday evening to plan next steps; I’ll post an update here next week. See also Jackson residents blast library exit, demand explanation Smoky Mountain News 7/8/25. And Forest Hills fights back: Village cancels planning contract with county over FRL withdrawal Smoky Mountain News 7/8/25
➡️ Who Are North Carolina's 1.5 Million Missing Voters? Southern Coalition for Social Justice 6/25/25 "... a joint report released by … SCSJ and Dēmos, a national nonprofit public policy organization."
➡️ AdventHealth makes its most public case for building region’s second-largest hospital, but has yet to ask the state for permission AVLWatchdog 7/9/25 "Facility in Weaverville was scheduled to open in 2027, but legal complications and expansion plans are extending timeline.... AdventHealth will be proposing a total of 222 acute care beds for the new facility in Weaverville, making it — if approved by state regulators, and if it withstands possible challenges from … HCA Healthcare — the second-largest hospital in western North Carolina and the first major competitor to HCA Mission Health’s near-monopoly on hospital services in Buncombe County."
➡️ NC health care costs overhyped in national ranking. Who pays those costs is another issue. Carolina Public Press 7/9/25 "Forbes used dubious methodology to claim NC health care costs the highest. But individuals do bear more burden for insurance costs in NC."
➡️ Municipal candidates file for elections Smoky Mountain News 7/8/25 "Candidates across Western North Carolina have begun filing for the 2025 municipal elections." Focus on Haywood, Swain, Jackson, Macon counties.
➡️ My grandmothers couldn’t vote freely, but today I’m the mayor Cardinal & Pine 7/9/25. By Preston Blakely, mayor of Fletcher, in Henderson County.
➡️ 1st Pride celebration in Madison County history held in Marshall, Hot Springs Asheville C-T 7/8/25 On July 1. "According to [an organizer], each member of the Laurel Country Pride team [who organized the event] grew up in Madison County." See also 'Better than my wildest dreams.' More WNC small towns host Pride celebrations BPR 7/10/25 "Small and joyous gatherings have cropped up in Hot Springs, Lake Lure, Sylva, Murphy and Waynesville over the last few years."
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 passed last week:
💥 Edwards said ‘no interest’ in Medicare cut, votes to cut anyway Smoky Mountain News 7/8/25. Not just Medicaid, Medicare too: “Medicare is set to absorb an estimated $490 billion in reductions over the next decade, beginning with the upcoming federal fiscal year in October. While Republicans have postponed many of the bill’s other safety-net cuts until after the election cycle, the Medicare reductions will take effect immediately…. A recent Washington Post story shows 26% of Edwards’ district enrolled in Medicare, the fifth-highest total in Congress.”
State’s rural hospitals will lose $3.7 billion in Medicaid and SNAP could end, legislative document states AVLWatchdog 7/10/25
Stein says DC ‘dumping expenses’ on NC, urges ‘exceptionally conservative’ budget Raleigh N&O 7/8/25. See also 💥 Medicaid finances most North Carolina births Center Square 7/7/25 "Governor says Washington has left the state behind." And Asheville C-T 7/8, Carolina Journal 7/8.
NC lawmakers urged to act as federal cuts threaten state services NCNewsline 7/9/25 "Fiscal policy experts join the group Patriotic Millionaires in calling on state leaders to address what they say is an impending funding crisis for North Carolina."
'Tears my heart to pieces': North Carolina braces for Medicaid cuts WRAL 7/6/25
Trump's 'big beautiful bill' could boost NC economy - or hurt GOP prospects in 2026 WRAL 7/4/25 "Economists and political scientists say the massive bill includes tax cuts that could boost the state's economy - but cuts to food assistance, Medicaid and green energy tax credits could offset the gains. The fallout could have a substantial effect on the 2026 midterm elections."
How being uninsured in N.C. can make you sicker WUNC 7/4/25
New polling shows North Carolinians divided on Trump’s stance on tariffs, deportations and more NCNewsline 7/9/25. On the same (Catawba) poll: Poll indicates a good political environment for Democrats in North Carolina PoliticsNC 7/7/25.
North Carolina ranked ‘Top State for Business’ but federal cuts, uncertainty threaten progress NCNewsline 7/10/25
Trump freezes $168.7M meant for North Carolina public schools. Here are the programs that will feel it Cardinal & Pine 7/8/25. Previously reported elsewhere, more detail here.
UNC Asheville takes stricter stance on housing for transgender students Raleigh N&O 7/11/25 "UNC System policy … prohibits universities from assigning “members of the opposite sex” to the same dorm rooms and suites.... [Stricter enforcement of this is] the latest example of UNC System schools scanning their practices and materials to ensure they are complying with system policies, as well as state and federal laws — something … that has undoubtedly ramped up over the past year-plus as the UNC System and President Donald Trump have both cracked down on diversity, equity and inclusion practices."
Thom Tillis watch:
💥 As Roy Cooper ramps up profile, Jeff Jackson makes US Senate decision in North Carolina WRAL 7/8/25. Endorses Cooper for Tillis’s seat.
The ringer and other US Senate candidates PoliticsNC 7/9/25 "Democrats have a stronger field than Republicans."
Democratic US Rep Don Davis exploring run for US Senate seat being vacated by Tillis Carolina Journal 7/7/25
WCU political scientist Chris Cooper on the 2026 U.S. Senate race and Sen. Thom Tillis’ departure NCNewsline 7/7/25
Sen. Thom Tillis leaves Senate whip team amid One Big Beautiful Bill fallout Raleigh N&O 7/10/25
'It could be his Obamacare': NC's Tillis reveals his warnings to Trump before voting against his agenda WRAL 7/9/25 "Tillis called out unnamed White House staffers that he said failed to grasp the real-life consequences of the new policy, particularly the spending cuts to Medicaid, which provides health care to millions of low-income Americans." See also Raleigh N&O 7/9.
Tillis suggests he regrets vote to confirm Hegseth, calling him 'out of his depth' WRAL 7/9/25
See also Helene Recovery, below.
Helene Recovery
Stein: Funds will be available for Chantal cleanup, amid ongoing Helene recovery Carolina Journal 7/8/25
How is a North Carolina town recovering after Helene? Gov. Stein announces a grant to help Asheville C-T 7/9/25 "In a July 8 visit to Western North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein announced that the state awarded the town of Clyde [in Haywood County] $737,000 to repair sidewalks and curbs and restore parking through the state’s $55 million small business infrastructure grant program, set up to help towns rebuild and boost business in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene."
Crop loss program offers $16B in aid from Helene, other natural disasters Center Square 7/9/25 "Applications for $16 billion in federal assistance for North Carolina agricultural producers who suffered crop losses from Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 are opening this week."
Learning loss after Helene. A look at two rural Western NC school districts Carolina Public Press 7/8/25 "A close look at how schools in Transylvania and Ashe counties have fared since Helene."
North Carolina denies firm’s protest of key Helene contract, siding with bid winner NCNewsline 7/8/25 "IEM’s protest of the $81.5M award includes allegations of bias, conflicts of interest. Lawyer for Horne, which won contract, calls it ‘mud slinging.’"
Latest Helene relief package sends $16M to Canton for new wastewater treatment plant BPR 7/8/25 "The town plans to purchase and redevelop part of the former Pactiv Evergreen paper mill site."
Little relief after Helene took their house. FEMA? Insurance? ‘They forgot us.’ Raleigh N&O 7/7/25
NC State Government
Democratic candidates vie for state Court of Appeals in 2026 midterms Raleigh N&O 7/11/25 "Raleigh attorney James Whalen, a Democrat who most recently defended Justice Allison Riggs’ election victory in court, announced his candidacy for Court of Appeals seat three on Wednesday.... His announcement comes months after incumbent Judge Allegra Collins, a Democrat, said she would not seek reelection.... [Democrat] Christine Walczyk, a Wake County District Court judge, has also announced her candidacy for the position."
North Carolina child care task force warns of ‘early education crisis,’ urges increased subsidies NCNewsline 7/8/25 "An early education task force appointed by Governor Josh Stein earlier this year called for raising minimum child care subsidies in its initial report issued last month."
NC has new child care regulations. What does it mean for child care centers? WUNC 7/10/25 "Child care advocates say the changes could help increase the capacity of child care centers, but providers are also cautious about sacrificing quality."
State of Grace RantNC 7/2/25 "On the heels of unprecedented success, and on the cusp of a nearly $100M expansion, Grace Christian School is under fire from parents, faculty for its ‘changing culture’ and for doubling tuition while leading the state in N.C. Opportunity Scholarship funding."
North Carolina sports betting revenue, taxes running years ahead of expectations WRAL 7/8/25 "North Carolina sports gamblers wagered more than $6.6 billion in paid and promotional bets from July 2024 through June 2025."
What new county Board of Election appointments mean for WNC BPR 7/7/25 "The North Carolina State Board of Elections made [GOP-majority] appointments to all 100 county boards of elections at the beginning of July, what does that mean for Western North Carolina."
Governor
Bills vetoed:
Stein vetoes three bills: Guns in private schools, pet stores and nonprofit records NCNewsline 7/9/25. See also WRAL 7/9, AP 7/9, Cardinal & Pine 7/10 (mainly guns), WUNC 7/9 (puppy mills), Raleigh N&O 7/9 (guns).
Bills signed:
Sweeping changes to NC rules on drugs, labor strikes, drunk driving signed into law WRAL 7/8/25 "North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed into law three bills with sweeping changes for pharmacy regulations as well as dozens of criminal laws, including the creation of new crimes." See also Raleigh N&O 7/9.
New NC law says it's not abuse for parents to refuse their kid's gender transition WUNC 7/8/25 "Governor Josh Stein signed the legislation, despite rejecting other transgender health bills as "mean-spirited.""
See also NC-Related… and Helene Recovery, above.
State Attorney General
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Secures $720 Million from Eight Opioid Drug Makers press release from NC AG’s office 7/10/25 "North Carolina is set to receive up to $23 million.... The funds from these settlements will be allocated within North Carolina just like the prior opioid settlements, with 85% going to local governments to address the effects of the opioid crisis. North Carolina counties and large municipalities will need to sign onto these settlements in the next three months in order to maximize the money coming into the state."
Other State Executive Branch News
💥 NC drivers will now get an extra 2 years to renew their licenses due to DMV delays Raleigh N&O 7/5/25 "The “temporary moratorium,” initially proposed by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on Tuesday, seeks to relieve the Division of Motor Vehicles from backlogs of appointments."
Long lines persist at NCDMV license branches despite recent changes WRAL 7/9/25 "… and they're not likely to get much better until state lawmakers approve more staff for the agency."
State Board of Ed formalizes transgender athlete ban, reviews charter school growth NCNewsline 7/11/25
Democrat-controlled state education board blasts new charter school bill Carolina Journal 7/7/25. Bill was vetoed by Gov. Stein; override vote not yet scheduled.
Forrest Parker selected to North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis One Feather 7/7/25. The council, established by executive order from Gov. Stein in June, "will begin meeting soon, and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will be at the table."
State Legislature
The legislature was not in session this week.
Chantal wreaks havoc in NC as state lawmakers try to repeal an ambitious climate change goal NCNewsline 7/9/25 "The tropical system caused massive flooding just days after Gov. Stein vetoed a bill canceling an interim carbon reduction goal of 70 percent by 2030. GOP lawmakers will likely attempt an override."
New NC law mandates school cellphone restrictions and social media instruction Carolina Public Press 7/10/25 "Bipartisan support boosted NC legislation requiring public school districts to restrict cellphone use, provide social media instruction." Signed into law last week.
See also Governor, above (for bills signed and vetoed), and NC Related…, above.
In the Courts
NC is one of the most gerrymandered states in America. This trial hopes to change that. Cardinal & Pine 7/9/25. See also Redistricting trial has big implications for next year's midterms in North Carolina WUNC 7/7/25 "In next year's midterm elections, the political slant of North Carolina's Congressional delegation and state legislature could hinge on a federal district court trial likely to wrap up this week in Winton Salem. Two consolidated lawsuits claim that GOP legislators drew district maps to purposely dilute the voting power of Black communities in certain parts of" central and eastern NC. And North Carolina’s racial gerrymandering trial ends with dueling expert testimony NCNewsline 7/11/25, No ruling before August in NC redistricting trial Carolina Journal 7/10/25.
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Pole beans coming up. This fall, they should yield enough red, white, and black beans to last us until next fall.
I am going to the rally in Columbus NC.
Thanks for reminding me to check my beans in my garden as there may be some ready to pick.