Galen Bacharier

Housing Package With Bipartisan Backing Heads to the Senate The House approved a slate of changes to federal housing policy Monday, taking a step toward building more homes and driving down the cost of living.

The House approved a slate of changes to federal housing policy Monday, taking a step toward building more homes and driving down the cost of living.

The BGOV analysis team's breakdown of the housing package hitting the House floor today. Bipartisan support, expected to sail through, but still some key issues to iron out with the Senate to reach a final package.

Wrapping up my first couple weeks at @bgov.com as a legislative analyst - following everything finance, housing, small biz & veterans in Congress. Pumped to be in Washington and work with an awesome team & newsroom.

Get in touch: gbacharier@bloombergindustry.com

Thank you Dawn! Ditto to you 😄

Folks, next week will be my last at NC Newsline. It's been such a privilege to report on the NCGA, elections, Helene recovery & more. A million thanks to sources, readers and my Newsline, States Newsroom & Capitol press corps colleagues.

Excited for the next adventure in 2026!

Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt dies • NC Newsline “It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of my beloved daddy and hero, former Gov. Jim Hunt,” Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt said.

Jim Hunt, NC governor who won four terms and shaped legacy on education, dies
ncnewsline.com/2025/12/18/j...

NC leaders urged FEMA to ditch planned changes to aid process • NC Newsline “At a maximum, this news has been received by some as if FEMA leadership at the regional and Washington, D.C. level is tone deaf.”

NC Association of County Commissioners, in letter that was sent to regional FEMA administrator: “At a minimum, this news is disappointing. At a maximum, this news has been received by some as if FEMA leadership at the regional and Washington, D.C. level is tone deaf.”
ncnewsline.com/2025/12/16/f...

NC leaders urged FEMA to ditch planned changes to aid process • NC Newsline “At a maximum, this news has been received by some as if FEMA leadership at the regional and Washington, D.C. level is tone deaf.”

FEMA planned changes for disaster aid. NC local leaders say they’re ‘unhelpful’ and ‘tone deaf’
ncnewsline.com/2025/12/16/f...

Trump administration threatens to yank food stamps funding from Democratic-led states The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin next week to block nutrition assistance funding for states led by Democrats that have not provided data on fraud in the program, Secretary Brooke Rollins ...

Trump administration threatens to yank food stamps funding from Democratic-led states. Latest SNAP news for @statesnewsroom.com:

Two GOP candidates filed for NC's 1st U.S. House district thus far: state Sen. Bobby Hanig and now Eric Rouse, a Kinston businessman. Rouse got drawn out of the 1st under the new map but told local media in Oct. he still planned to run. Democrat U.S. Rep. Don Davis will run, hasn't yet filed. #ncpol

North Carolina is sending $500k to two nonprofits - Rebuild Haywood & WNC Conference of United Methodist Churches - to help winterize homes damaged by Helene, Gov. Josh Stein's office says. Will help fund insulation, window wrapping, roof repairs as winter arrives in the mountains. #ncpol

NC auditor wants Council of State input on disaster recovery efforts • NC Newsline “I do think the entire Council of State needs to be brought in, along with legislative leadership, to assist in this," Dave Boliek said.

NC's Republican auditor is pushing for his office to have more input in long-term disaster recovery. “I do think the entire Council of State needs to be brought in, along with legislative leadership, to assist in this.” #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/19/n...

ICE courthouse arrests meet resistance from Democratic states • Stateline A growing number of Democratic states, and some judges, are pushing back against Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in and around state courthouses.

NEW - ICE is encountering growing resistance as the agency tries to make arrests in *state* courthouses

A growing number of states are restricting arrests, and a federal judge on Monday tossed DOJ’s attempt to overturn New York’s limits

My latest for @stateline.org

stateline.org/2025/11/19/i...

Federal immigration raids in Raleigh impact one of the city's largest projects • NC Newsline Construction on Raleigh's new City Hall was at a standstill Tuesday morning, hours after word of the immigration raids spread.

Federal immigration raids in Raleigh impact one of the city’s largest projects ncnewsline.com/2025/11/18/f...

U.S. Border Patrol coming to Raleigh, mayor says • NC Newsline Cowell said city leaders "don't have a lot of information" about the scale of the operation or how long the agency plans to be in Raleigh.

U.S. Border Patrol coming to Raleigh on Tuesday, mayor says, as NC crackdown continues #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/17/u...

Trump’s FEMA council misses deadline for report on agency overhaul WASHINGTON — The review council that President Donald Trump tasked with overhauling the Federal Emergency Management Agency was supposed to release its recommendations before Monday but missed the dea...

Trump’s FEMA council misses deadline for report on agency overhaul

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

Latest FEMA acting administrator steps down, with no permanent chief tapped by Trump WASHINGTON — David Richardson, the senior official performing the duties of the administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has resigned and moved to the “private sector,” a spokesperson...

Latest FEMA acting administrator steps down, with no permanent chief tapped by Trump

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/late...

Stein had inked today for a special session to pass full funding for Medicaid. GOP leaders in both chambers rejected it. House and Senate both agree it needs $$$, but can't agree on exact bill. Now governor's criticizing Hall & Berger by name. Legislative Dems holding a press event today. #ncpol

We are tracking reports of U.S. Border Patrol presence in Charlotte today.

If you have photos or videos, help us confirm what’s happening by emailing us at or sending us a DM. Your submissions help our journalists understand the scope of what’s happening and provide the full story to the community

How NC’s Hurricane Helene recovery dodged shutdown pitfalls • NC Newsline Over 43 days, state leaders rushed to prevent key federal programs from lapsing and ensure that rebuilding in the mountains could continue.

NC’s Helene recovery avoided shutdown pitfalls, but local governments remain strained #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/14/n...

NC Governor urges citizens to remain peaceful but vigilant as Border Patrol arrives in Charlotte • NC Newsline The veteran Democratic congresswoman said she has heard from numerous constituents worried about how immigration enforcement will unfold in the Queen City.

NC Governor urges citizens to remain peaceful but vigilant as Border Patrol arrives in Charlotte ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-go... #ncpol #Charlotte

Statement from Governor Josh Stein on Border Patrol in North Carolina (RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein issued the following statement: “Public safety is the top priority for all of us in government – that means fighting crime, not stoking fear or causing division. We should all focus on and arrest violent criminals and drug traffickers. Unfortunately, that’s not always what we have seen with ICE and Border Patrol Agents in Chicago and elsewhere around the country. The vast majority of people they have detained have no criminal convictions, and some are American citizens. “I want to encourage North Carolinians to remember our values. We follow the law. We remain peaceful. We do not allow ourselves to be provoked. We stand with our neighbors. And when we see injustice, we bear witness. If you see any inappropriate behavior, use your phones to record and notify local law enforcement, who will continue to keep our communities safe long after these federal agents leave. That’s the North Carolina way. “As this situation develops, I will continue to stay in touch with local and state officials to keep people safe, respect the rule of law, and support our people.”

U.S. Border Patrol expected to begin operations in Charlotte as early as this weekend. New statement out from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's office, urging North Carolinians to "remain peaceful" and record federal agents/notify local enforcement in cases of "inappropriate behavior." #ncpol

Kevin Leonard, director of NC Association of County Commissioners, elaborated on the local impact of this dynamic for state leaders today. Called it a "recovery gap."

"Accountability should not become red tape. ... It's resulting in major cashflow strains across our cities and counties." #ncpol

Positive economic news out of western NC: Asheville's Biltmore Village has seen a 'significant uptick' in activity in recent weeks, per state officials. Summer numbers were down about 30% post-Helene - expecting closer to -10% in Nov/Dec. Steady recovery for a tourist hotspot. #ncpol

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. What local, state leaders say • NC Newsline Charlotte has emerged as the epicenter of already intense debates on how North Carolina should address immigration and crime.

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. Congressman backs plan as local leaders brace #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/13/b...

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. What local, state leaders say • NC Newsline Charlotte has emerged as the epicenter of already intense debates on how North Carolina should address immigration and crime.

NC Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) on reported Border Patrol operations in Charlotte: “that hasn’t been verified … “I’m going to be keeping my eyes on my own safety for right now.” #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/13/b...

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. What local, state leaders say • NC Newsline Charlotte has emerged as the epicenter of already intense debates on how North Carolina should address immigration and crime.

More news here: U.S. Rep. Tim Moore was asked to sign onto a letter from 3 of his NC Republican colleagues asking governor to deploy the National Guard to Charlotte earlier this month. He declined. #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/13/b...

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. What local, state leaders say • NC Newsline Charlotte has emerged as the epicenter of already intense debates on how North Carolina should address immigration and crime.

U.S. Rep. Tim Moore (R-NC), who represents parts of Charlotte & Meck County, on whether he expects protests similar to Chicago during CBP
operation: “You may have some of that, but Charlotte is not Chicago. I don’t think there will be an appetite for that.” #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/13/b...

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. What local, state leaders say • NC Newsline Charlotte has emerged as the epicenter of already intense debates on how North Carolina should address immigration and crime.

Border Patrol coming to Charlotte. Congressman backs plan as local leaders brace #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/11/13/b...

U.S. Border Patrol headed to Charlotte, Mecklenburg sheriff confirms Federal agents could be in Charlotte as early as this Saturday, Sheriff Garry McFadden said on Thursday.

Federal agents could be in Charlotte as early as this Saturday, Sheriff Garry McFadden said on Thursday.