Nation Hahn

Tried Wedgewood today. Utterly charming. If you find yourself in Carrboro or Chapel Hill, give it a go. Or travel over just to enjoy this lovely place.

Searching for the Real Thing on the North Carolina Barbecue Trail

I loved this read.

“You can’t mention North Carolina without mentioning barbecue, period,” declared Sam Jones.

Sam is a friend of mine & he is 100% accurate.

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/t...

Montreal was lovely.

A Legendary Craft Cocktail Bar Starts a Modern New Chapter in Raleigh Years after bringing the cocktail renaissance to Chapel Hill, The Crunkleton has expanded to Raleigh's sleek Smoky Hollow development.

Only Gary Crunkleton would begin our conversation with a reference to The Deer Hunter. It was a delight to honor the newly opened Crunkleton in Raleigh, as well as to reconnect with Gary.

indyweek.com/food-and-dri...

A Legendary Craft Cocktail Bar Starts a Modern New Chapter in Raleigh Years after bringing the cocktail renaissance to Chapel Hill, The Crunkleton has expanded to Raleigh's sleek Smoky Hollow development.

What does a classic bar look like in 2025? At The Crunkleton’s new Raleigh location, I discovered how wood fire, timeless drinks, and genuine connection can turn a bar into a community. Dive into the story behind the opening.

indyweek.com/food-and-dri...

‘You’re really not a town without a post office’: Community’s post-Helene fight for survival A small North Carolina town that was devastated by Hurricane Helene calls on leaders to help them rebuild their community.

Swannanoa needs our support as well.

"The first post office in America opened in a tavern in 1639. Now we’re back in a tavern, delivering the mail to our public officials: We need our post office, and we need it now.”

www.ednc.org/youre-really...

Back to Beautiful - Chimney Rock Village & Lake Lure, North Carolina This is "Back to Beautiful - Chimney Rock Village & Lake Lure, North Carolina" by Destination by Design on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos…

I was inspired to visit Lake Lure and Chimney Rock this week. As they work to rebuild, I hope everyone will consider supporting them.

vimeo.com/1042027813

Remember Western NC.

Steak & feta salad pre-feta dressing going on. This might be my new favorite dish of the summer.

EducationNC Podcast · Education NC · EducationNC provides an independent source of news, data, and analysis about education for the people of North Carolina. Here we dive deep into the stories of teachers, studen...

I have been laid out sick today. This unfortunate bout of sickness allowed me to catch up on @educationnc.bsky.social's "Running towards Disaster" podcast. Listen to this interview with the AB Tech president today. open.spotify.com/show/6YjPXbZ...

And chosen family too.

Major events.

Family time.

And commencement speeches!

Life lately. Plenty of selfies, smiles, deep conversations, and time across North Carolina.

Chasing ghosts with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Approaching the age his dad was when he died at Daytona, a second-generation legend went looking for answers. I went looking, too.

“I don’t know how to love my kid like you love your kid."

This profile on Dale Jr. — and Dale — is a must read for all who wrestle with grief, ghosts, and those of us left behind.

wapo.st/4jF3Jz3

Lutra Bakery is opening in a new permanent location in downtown Durham Lutra Bakery has become a favorite around town for its sweet-and-savory buns.

Lutra Bakery is opening a physical storefront in Durham & this is the best news I’ve heard all week. www.axios.com/local/raleig...

Life lately: Several commencement speeches. Full of gratitude.

North Carolina helps kids earn college degrees in high school. It’s a lifeline for immigrant families A community college program has been instrumental in helping Latinx students in the state access higher education, while educators fear they’ll become Trump’s next target

According to North Carolina educators... dual enrollment is one of the state’s best kept secrets."

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

My mom and I went back to school at the same time. Durham Tech offered us a fresh start. 🫶🏾

How the N.C. Community Colleges Foundation mobilized after Hurricane Helene and what's next The N.C. Community College Foundation created a relief fund after Hurricane Helene to give funds to impacted community colleges.

What role did the @nccommcolleges.bsky.social Foundation play in the response for Hurricane Helene? Find out more in this piece from @educationnc.bsky.social. www.ednc.org/how-the-n-c-...

We asked North Carolina why community college is the 'best decision ever.' Here is what people said April is Community College Month, according to the Association of Community College Trustees. Hear how our great 58 changed the lives of these North Carolinians.

“For me, our local community college provided me hope and opportunity after failure."

I love this feature from @educationnc.bsky.social.

www.ednc.org/we-asked-nor...

lol. Okay bud.

But does it? The Athletic reporting on Hard Knocks was thinly sourced and had leaps. Otherwise we are left with bad jokes about Jordon calling the plays when BB has assembled a great staff. But I guess it generates clicks to imply otherwise.

The program and the perception of the coach’s dating life are not inextricably linked. A hot take & not a particularly good one. The whole conversation this spring was focused on how the team is more disciplined, in better shape, etc.

Remind me how the team itself is dysfunctional, Luke? A top 10 portal class, a staff loaded with experience, and he salvaged a bad high school class as well. The spring is also full of official visits from highly ranked recruits, etc.

Trump Budget to Take Ax to ‘Radical’ Safety Net Programs A draft document outlines steep cuts or the elimination of funding for programs that provide child care, housing assistance, foreign aid and health research.

We're also expecting the president's budget today. As we reported some days ago, the cuts are expected to be staggering, falling hardest on child care, health, housing and programs that serve the poor.

Live coverage of the budget begins later, but for now:

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/u...

Will the Humanities Survive Artificial Intelligence? Maybe not as we’ve known them. But, in the ruins of the old curriculum, something vital is stirring.

Essential reading for anyone who cares about education, for parents, and all citizens. I began using deep research AI over the past several months. It is challenging and reshaping my vision of what literacy and literate culture will be in our lifetimes. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...

At TaTaco, Oscar Diaz Draws On Vibrant Flavors From His Childhood TaTaco, Oscar Diaz's third Durham outpost, is accessible, delicious, and and stands out as an expression of the chef's continued evolution.

"Standout items during my visits include enchilada stacks in guajillo sauce, a massive bowl of ceviche, and a whole roasted chicken served with fries and tortillas," writes @nationhahn.bsky.social. "Diaz described the latter as inspired by the family-style meals at his mother’s and aunt’s homes."

MCC Presidential finalists announced; forums scheduled SPRUCE PINE — Mayland Community College Board of Trustees announced this week that it has selected three finalists for the presidency of the school, according to a release from the

Mayland Community College has narrowed its search for its next president to three finalists. This leader will play a crucial role in guiding Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties through ongoing recovery efforts.

www.reflector.com/apgstate/mcc...