7/4/2025 Weekly Roundup
Happy Fourth of July! I’m in Washington, DC, and will send a holiday post later today. Meanwhile, here’s this week’s roundup of political and governmental news of interest in western North Carolina.
➡️ Madison County residents: Please attend the July 8 hearing (7PM, county ag center, 258 Carolina Lane, Marshall) on the GOP commissioners’ proposal to take over the county Board of Health. Arrive early to sign up if you want to make a comment. For details about this partisan power grab, see my 7/1 post here.
➡️ For Jackson, Macon, and Swain County residents, two upcoming meetings following the Jackson county commissioners' vote to exit the FRL library system:
July 8, 4PM, FRL board meeting at Nantahala Community Libary in Topton. Pro-library organizers are asking folks to show up to support "the Regional Library Director, Tracy Fitzmaurice. The Fontana Regional Library Board has now been stacked with people who are new to library boards and who appear antagonistic toward certain books and themes, and we believe they will move to fire her in the near future, perhaps as soon as the July 8 FRL meeting."
July 10, 6PM, Jackson County community meeting "about next steps in the fight for FRL." Location TBD; I'll post it in a Substack Note when it's known.
➡️ Interstate 40 in the Smoky Mountains reopens faster than expected after rock slide and flooding AP 6/27/25. Hooray!
➡️ Swain County Sheriff arrested for sexual battery, suspended from office Smoky Mountain News 6/27/25. Detailed coverage of outrageous abuse of office. See also Swain County sheriff charged with sexual battery makes District Court appearance Asheville C-T 7/1/25 "[Curtis] Cochran appeared in court on July 1st, where a judge added restrictions to his bond, including staying away from the Sheriff's Office. Cochran's next court appearance is set for August 5th." And Cherokee tribal authority crucial in arrest of Swain County sheriff on sexual assault charges Carolina Public Press 7/3/25
➡️ WNC municipal elections: Who’s up, who’s moving up, who’s staying in and who’s getting out Smoky Mountain News 7/1/25 "Across Western North Carolina this fall, local governments will hold their first municipal elections since Hurricane Helene ravaged the region and saddled many small, rural towns across the mountain west with damages that in most cases approach or exceed millions." Focus on Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
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
💥💥 Sen. Thom Tillis announced last Sunday that he will NOT be running for reelection next year but will serve the remainder of his current term. Some of the better reporting and commentary on what this means:
Tillis is out PoliticsNC 6/29/25 "What happens next in North Carolina." See also, from before Tillis’s announcement, on possible Democratic contenders for his seat: If not Cooper, then Jackson PoliticsNC 6/27/25 "Cooper brings huge political advantages, while Jackson brings huge political talent."
Tillis sends shockwaves across political world; some see opportunity in turmoil AVLWatchdog 7/2/25 "The full impact of Tillis’s retirement will evolve over many months and contain as many competing analyses as those over the B-2 bombing of Iran’s Mount Fordo." Article includes discussion of WNC GOP infighting, as well as coverage of pro-gun provisions Chuck Edwards favored in the House’s One Big bill that the Senate parliamentarian nixed.
North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race is open. Who’s running, who’s not and who could jump in NCNewsline 6/29/25. See also As Lara Trump and Roy Cooper ponder Senate bids, other potential candidates wait and see NCNewsline 7/2/25 "Trump and Cooper would be immediate frontrunners on both sides of the aisle — if they run. But if either opts out of the race, a messy primary could await." And If she runs for Senate, Lara Trump would need to move back to NC by this fall Raleigh N&O 7/2/25
Trump's pick to replace Tillis could boost Republican midterm turnout in North Carolina, analysts say WRAL 7/1/25 "Republicans worried that North Carolina Republicans wouldn't show up to the polls for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who had lost support from the base over the years."
‘Unprecedented’ national cash: North Carolina Dems have tunnel vision for Roy Cooper Politico 7/1/25 "The state’s former governor tops his party’s wish list, following Thom Tillis’ decision not to run for another Senate term."
Democrats eye NC’s Senate seat after Tillis bows out Carolina Journal 6/30/25
Read Sen. Thom Tillis’ statement on why he’s not running for another term in NC Raleigh N&O 6/29/25. The N&O on 6/29 published half a dozen articles on various angles of this story.
N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis Announces His Retirement Assembly/NOTUS 6/29/25 "“It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election,” said Tillis, who had provoked GOP ire for opposing Trump’s budget bill."
💥 On the One Big bill, which Tillis voted against, the Senate passed, and the House passed just yesterday with all NC Republicans voting for it, all Democrats against it:
NC’s gerrymandering won it for the GOP: Bill’s route and 4-vote win runs through North Carolina’s 10-4 advantage Center Square 7/3/25 "Thursday’s vote [in the House] was 218-214. North Carolina congressmen were loyal to party, and a 7-7 [un-gerrymandered] division would not have delivered."
Stein urges opposition to Trump budget, warning of major job losses, sky-high energy bills WRAL 7/2/25 "President Donald Trump's budget bill threatens as many as 45,000 jobs and $67 billion worth of economic activity in North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein said in a letter to members of North Carolina's congressional delegation. Supporters say it accomplishes Trump's America First agenda." See also Carolina Journal 7/3 (includes link to Stein’s letter).
Senate megabill could kill NC's Medicaid expansion, prompting Tillis opposition WUNC 6/30/25. See also Raleigh N&O 6/30
Megabill could force NC legislature to find $700 million for food stamps WUNC 7/1/25
NCDHHS warns of drastic changes to SNAP, Medicaid under ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Carolina Journal 7/2/25
NC governor warns Senate cuts will be costly to state's clean energy economy WRAL 7/1/25 "Senate bill rolls back clean energy tax credits, and NC leaders warn of job losses, higher bills and setbacks to climate goals as House vote looms." See also In a big bill that hurts clean energy, residential solar likely to get hit fast AP 7/2/25
Two on FEMA:
States Fear Critical Funding From FEMA May Be Drying Up ProPublica 6/27/25 "Many states rely on the federal government for the vast majority of their emergency management funding. Now, local leaders are looking for clues about the money — and the future of FEMA itself.... In North Carolina, a state hit hard by a recent natural disaster, federal grants make up 82% of its emergency management agency’s budget."
From TPM’s 6/30 Evening Briefing: ““Alligator Alcatraz” is opening at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Florida Everglades. It will have up to 5,000 beds to hold immigrant detainees and process them for deportation. The facility will cost about $450 million a year in operational costs, according to the Associated Press. The state of Florida will pay to run the facility and the federal government will reimburse Florida with FEMA funds that are typically used to house people displaced by natural disasters.”
New poll shows mixed opinions on Trump, Tillis among North Carolinians Carolina Journal 7/2/25 "A recent Catawba-YouGov poll reveals a mixed political landscape in North Carolina, with President Donald Trump’s approval rating dipping compared to recent months. The survey, conducted from June 10 to 26, asked 1,000 North Carolinians about their views on national and state leaders, as well as opinions on key policy issues. The poll shows that 50% of respondents disapprove of Trump’s performance, compared to 46% who approve."
Trump administration freezes $169 million in federal funds for NC public schools WUNC 7/3/25 "State education officials received a memo that certain federal funds schools receive each July are now frozen. State Superintendent Mo Green says it could affect NC's most vulnerable students."
💥 Not specifically WNC, although the ads have been broadcast here, too: The biggest spender to date on political advertising in this 2025-26 campaign cycle is the Department of Homeland Security—$34 million to broadcast “straight-up Trump propaganda,” according to TPM’s Backchannel 7/3, citing AdImpact. In the same vein, this morning my email in-box included this from the Social Security Admin: “Social Security Applauds Passage of Legislation Providing Historic Tax Relief for Seniors,” referring to the One Big bill. Your tax dollars at work.
Helene Recovery
Gov. Stein signs $575M Helene recovery bill in Chimney Rock BPR 6/27/25. See also Smoky Mountain News 7/1 (detailed coverage of what is and isn’t in the bill).
Stein’s signing ceremony at Chimney Rock spotlights the park’s recent reopening for visitors; see AP 6/27.
Western NC can expect to lose population after Helene. How much remains unclear. Carolina Public Press 7/2/25 "Loss of homes and jobs, limited options and general disruption after Helene make 5% to 35% population loss among the displaced likely. "
Helene, FEMA and the Long Wait for Home Fixes Brevard NewsBeat 7/1/25 "The good news: The total number of flood-damaged homes that need to be rebuilt, elevated or demolished is less than it might have been. The bad news: it's going to take a long time."
Transylvania County pauses debris removal on private property BPR 7/1/25 "The county and Army Corps of engineers offered contradictory information as to why the debris removal has come to a halt."
State auditor criticizes Swannanoa relief spending as needs persist Mountain Xpress 7/1/25 "When North Carolina’s auditor released a report criticizing state spending on a station offering showers and laundry in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, organizers on the ground balked at the implication that it should have been removed sooner. Instead, they say there is still a need in the Swannanoa Valley, where some residents remain in temporary housing without running water or access to a consistent food source."
Hurricane Helene: Black Mountain, Lake Lure face a long road back Carolina Journal 7/2/25
Repairing the Blue Ridge Parkway: 50 more miles to reopen by fall 2025 BPR 6/27/25 "Hurricane Helene caused at least 57 landslides along the Parkway, damaging not only the roadway but also visitor centers, campgrounds, trails and more."
A year after Helene, river guides in Appalachia are navigating a new world BPR 6/27/25 "The first tourist season since the storm reveals how much rivers and livelihoods have changed." See also Fishing is a way of life in Western NC - and it's threatened by climate change BPR 7/1/25 "The angling industry and its conservationists are handling storm damage and looking towards the future."
Solar helped rural NC survive a hurricane, but the future is uncertain Asheville C-T/Southern Alliance for Clean Energy 6/27/25. Focus on solar project in Hot Springs, which speeded up restoration of electricity after Helene.
Agreement being finalized to sustain trails project in Old Fort after Helene devastation Carolina Public Press 6/30/25 "Trails project underway in Western NC since 2019 has been a boost to local economy in Old Fort, but was devastated by Helene."
WNC artists celebrate the release of an album recorded in the muck of Hurricane Helene BPR 7/3/25 "“The Resonance Sessions” is a compilation of 35 songs that were recorded in the then-dusty, flood-damaged Old Marshall Jail along the French Broad River."
NC State Government
NC now subsidizes the tuition cost for the majority of private school students Raleigh N&O 7/3/25 “Out of the 135,738 students who attended a North Carolina private school in the 2024-25 school year, 80,470 students received a state-funded Opportunity Scholarship. But while the number of voucher students more than doubled this year, a new state report shows North Carolina only saw a 4,508-student increase in private school enrollment.”
Buncombe County is part of a new state energy rebate program- here’s how you can apply BPR/Grist 7/3/25 "The Energy Saver North Carolina program offers free and reduced-cost home energy efficiency upgrades to residents of 15 counties,... including Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Halifax, Henderson, Lincoln, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Watauga, and Yancey."
Executive Branch
Governor
💥 Vetoes this past week:
Gov. Stein vetoes bills banning DEI in schools, universities, and state government NCNewsline 7/3/25. See also WRAL 7/3, AP 7/3, Raleigh N&O 7/3.
Gov. Josh Stein vetoes one NC bill on gender identity, but signs another Raleigh N&O 7/3/25 "Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a bill Thursday targeting the transgender community that declared North Carolina would only recognize two sexes.... Stein signed a different bill Thursday that ... includes a provision shielding parents from claims of abuse or neglect for refusing to recognize their child’s gender identity."
Stein vetoes bills on Duke Energy, charter schools, empowering state auditor WRAL 7/2/25 "The vetoes set up yet more political battles between the Republican-led state legislature and the Democratic governor, who has also vetoed other bills to amp up immigration enforcement and repeal the state's concealed carry rules." See also Stein vetoes [Duke Energy] bill seeking to strike NC's carbon dioxide reduction target, points to fuel cost memo WUNC 7/2/25 "The new memo from N.C. State professors says the fuel costs to power new natural gas plants could be a key price driver for Duke Energy customers in the coming decades." Also Raleigh N&O 7/2 (charter schools), AP 7/2 (energy).
Stein vetoes REINS Act, Republican-backed effort to make environmental regulations harder to pass WRAL 6/27/25. See also Carolina Journal 6/27 (partisan spin).
Stein, other NC leaders unveil plan to tackle child care affordability, availability WRAL 7/1/25 "Child care in North Carolina typically costs families about $12,000 per year, and many businesses have months-long waiting lists. NC leaders including Gov. Josh Stein say they have a new plan to fix both the affordability and availability issues…. They seek to not just provide subsidies for low-income families, but also to make jobs in child care work more appealing to people, and to utilize space in state-owned buildings for child care dedicated to teachers and other state employees."
Stein signs bill restricting cellphones, requiring social media literacy lessons in NC schools WRAL 7/1/25 "School boards must have a policy that requires devices to be turned off during instructional time. Schools will also be required to teach social media literacy and implement internet safety and security measures." See also Raleigh N&O 7/1.
'Easier, faster and better': Stein signs law aimed at improving NC government hiring process WRAL 7/1/25 "The effort focuses on simplifying the application and hiring process, as well as adjusting experience required for certain roles across state agencies."
See also NC-Related…, above, for Stein on the One Big bill.
State Attorney General
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Helps Secure North Carolinians’ 23andMe Genetic Data NC AG office press release 7/1/25 "North Carolinians’ genetic data with 23andMe will not transfer to a for-profit third party…. He has also successfully secured additional safeguards for people’s data."
ICYMI: Attorney General Jeff Jackson Opposes 10-year AI Enforcement Moratorium on CNN NC AG office press release 6/27/25
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Statement on SCOTUS Decisions NC AG office press release 6/27/25 On SC decisions about birthright citizenship, Affordable Care Act's preventive care provisions, and FCC's ability to fund phone and broadband services.
Not specifically NC, but relevant context following recent US Supreme Court decision against lower federal courts enacting nationwide injunctions: Democratic State Attorneys General Are Now the Most Powerful People in the Trump Resistance. And they’re running an uphill battle. NOTUS 6/27/25
State Legislature
See Governor, above, for recent signings and vetoes of legislation.
💥 The state legislature has recessed for at least several weeks without passing a budget or any overrides of Gov. Stein’s vetoes:
NC enters new fiscal year without agreement on state budget Carolina Journal 6/30/25. See also Failure to enact a budget does not shutter North Carolina government Center Square 7/1/25
Helene relief? Check. NC budget? No. What lawmakers did and didn’t do this session Raleigh N&O 7/3/25
Q&A: N.C. House Democratic leader assesses the legislative session WUNC 6/27/25 "The top Democrat in the state House, Rep. Robert Reives, says he's frustrated with GOP lawmakers' inability to pass a budget or even a stopgap spending bill this year."
A new fiscal year begins July 1. Here’s what no budget means for NC educator pay EdNC 6/30/25
North Carolina K-12 teachers: DEI ban would alter their classrooms for the worse NCNewsline 7/2/25. Since vetoed by Gov. Stein; see above.
'There's real impact:' Program that saves the state thousands in Medicaid costs up in the air after proposed funding cut WRAL 6/29/25 "Back in March, leaders within the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) Program thought the program had a chance to expand into all 100 counties in North Carolina.... However, they got quite the surprise back in spring, when they learned neither the House nor Senate included funding for it in their proposed budgets.... As it stands, the program is supposed to stop all operations on June 30."
NC Senate’s proposed cut to Medicare counseling program would be ‘devastating’ for older adults, advocates say NC Health News 6/30/25 "The proposed spending plan from the NC Senate would cut the entire funding allotment to the program for the next two fiscal years."
Higher auto insurance bills on the way for many in NC, especially new drivers WRAL 7/2/25 "A new state law [effective 7/1] allows auto insurance companies to charge more to inexperienced drivers, people with minimum coverage and people with driving infractions.... The increases from the new laws, which passed the legislature with bipartisan support, are in addition to rate increases that will also go into effect in October for all drivers in the state."
Homeless camping ban appears to die in NC General Assembly, for now Carolina Public Press 7/1/25 "Legislation would have banned most camping by unhoused people, but allowed local designated areas. Some critics said those were unworkable."
In the Courts
Supreme Court vacates ruling against NC State Health Plan in transgender coverage case Carolina Journal 6/30/25 "The US Supreme Court has vacated a lower court ruling against the North Carolina State Health Plan in a case dealing with coverage of medical treatments typically sought by transgender patients. The high court has ordered the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals to give the case "further consideration" in light of the decision earlier this month in United States v. Skrmetti. That decision upheld Tennessee's law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender teens." See also AP 6/30.
Lawmakers appeal court ruling on judicial vacancy appointments Carolina Journal 7/3/25 "North Carolina legislative leaders are appealing a three-judge panel's June ruling allowing Gov. Josh Stein to fill statewide judicial vacancies without new restrictions."
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Dill flowers + buckwheat cover crop = happy pollinators.
