Brandon Kingdollar

Former Wake Forest trainer sues NC congressman for libel over Charlie Kirk posts • NC Newsline A former Wake Forest University trainer is suing Rep. Pat Harrigan for more than $75,000 after he said she was fired for comments about Charlie Kirk.

A former Wake Forest University athletic trainer is suing Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) for more than $75,000 over his claims that she was fired for comments about the death of Charlie Kirk. ncnewsline.com/briefs/forme... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Former Wake Forest trainer sues NC congressman for libel over Charlie Kirk posts • NC Newsline A former Wake Forest University trainer is suing Rep. Pat Harrigan for more than $75,000 after he said she was fired for comments about Charlie Kirk.

A former Wake Forest athletic trainer is suing Rep. Pat Harrigan for libel after he posted that she was fired over comments on Charlie Kirk’s death.

UNC professor Dwayne Dixon reinstated after suspension over anti-fascist ties • NC Newsline UNC Chapel Hill professor Dwayne Dixon was reinstated Oct. 3, ending his suspension over alleged ties to an anti-fascist group last month.

UNC professor Dwayne Dixon was reinstated Friday after his suspension over alleged ties to an anti-fascist, anti-racist group.
ncnewsline.com/2025/10/03/u...

As redistricting fight looms, North Carolina poll shows voters of all parties oppose gerrymandering • NC Newsline A poll found 84% of North Carolina voters say redrawing maps for partisan advantage is “never acceptable” and they should be drawn neutrally.

A survey of North Carolina voters released Thursday found that 84% of all voters, including strong majorities in both parties, say redrawing voting maps for partisan advantage is “never acceptable” and districts should be drawn neutrally. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

As redistricting fight looms, North Carolina poll shows voters of all parties oppose gerrymandering • NC Newsline A poll found 84% of North Carolina voters say redrawing maps for partisan advantage is “never acceptable” and they should be drawn neutrally.

More than 80% of North Carolina voters oppose partisan gerrymandering, including a clear majority of Democrats and Republicans, as the state becomes the latest target in the nationwide redistricting battles. #ncpol #ncga

Watauga voters sue over county maps, alleging illegal gerrymandering • NC Newsline A federal lawsuit accuses the legislature of forcing unconstitutional voting maps on Watauga County to help local Republican candidates win.

A federal lawsuit brought by voters Wednesday accuses the North Carolina legislature of forcing unconstitutional voting maps on Watauga County to help more Republican candidates win local elections. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #Boone

Watauga voters sue over county maps, alleging illegal gerrymandering • NC Newsline A federal lawsuit accuses the legislature of forcing unconstitutional voting maps on Watauga County to help local Republican candidates win.

A group of Watauga County voters is suing over voting maps enacted by the General Assembly for local races, arguing they represent an illegal gerrymander.

The county commission currently has five Republican members — it previously had a 3-2 Democratic majority.

Argument erupts on the NC elections board over the new role handed a former GOP operative • NC Newsline Democrats on the NC Board of Elections criticize the hiring of GOP operative Dallas Woodhouse as a state elections advisor.

Members of the N.C. State Board of Elections argued Tuesday over state Auditor Dave Boliek’s hiring of a former GOP state director to work with local elections officials. ncnewsline.com/briefs/argum... Story by @lbonner.bsky.social #ncpol

Food costs force more families to rely on school meals, report finds • NC Newsline A new No Kid Hungry report shows how rising food prices are straining NC families, with school meals serving as a vital lifeline this fall.

The 2025 Back to School Report found that 41% of parents said their financial situation is worse than a year ago, while nearly 70% said inflation has made it harder to buy the groceries they need. ncnewsline.com/briefs/food-... #ncpol

Gov. Stein sounds off on ‘ridiculous’ mid-decade redistricting push • NC Newsline Gov. Josh Stein condemned efforts to redraw North Carolina’s congressional map after comments by state Republican leadership.

Speaking to reporters after the Council of State today, Gov. Stein called a redistricting push in NC “ridiculous.”

“We cannot get into this maximalist political power worldview because it will destroy this country,” he said.

Former GOP official Dallas Woodhouse to oversee NC county election boards • NC Newsline Former North Carolina Republican Party executive director Dallas Woodhouse will oversee county boards of elections under Auditor Dave Boliek.

Former North Carolina Republican Party executive director Dallas Woodhouse will oversee county boards of elections in a new role with the State Auditor’s Office. Auditor Dave Boliek says Woodhouse will "serve as my eyes and ears on the ground." @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #nc

New NC AFL-CIO president Braxton Winston II sees opportunities to work with state GOP • NC Newsline Former Charlotte City Council member Braxton Winston II was elected to lead the North Carolina AFL-CIO on Sept. 12

In an interview with NC Newsline, new NC AFL-CIO president Braxton Winston II, a longtime Democratic activist in Charlotte, signaled a willingness to work with the state GOP to create jobs and improve workforce development in North Carolina.

Senators vet four North Carolina federal judge nominees • NC Newsline The Senate Judiciary Committee heard from four nominees for North Carolina’s federal courts on Wednesday as it considers advancing them.

Senators vetted four Trump district judge nominees for North Carolina on Wednesday as the president seeks to replicate his substantial impact on the federal bench during his previous term.

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC): “[What] I hear constantly now is the cry of the federal government is not paying enough ... it’s time actually for states to stop screaming for the federal government to pay, and now states take a little bit more burden."

Labor activists demand Sen. Budd back VA workers in Wilmington protest • NC Newsline Veterans, nurses, and union activists called on Sen. Ted Budd to back federal workers’ rights and to help restore collective bargaining.

Veterans, nurses, and union activists called on Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) to back the rights of federal workers and help restore collective bargaining agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs ncnewsline.com/2025/09/17/l... By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

NC's next generation of scientists fear careers are going 'up in smoke' as NIH grants end • NC Newsline Loss of NIH grants over DEI shuts down science education programs in NC and ends support for research into HIV and health disparities.

As it targets diversity and equity, the Trump administration has ended funding for projects that encourage a diverse STEM workforce, research by early-career scientists, and research about health disparities, HIV, mental health, and nutrition. By @lbonner.bsky.social and @kingdollar.bsky.social #NC

Gov. Josh Stein calls to invest in workers at state AFL-CIO convention • NC Newsline In remarks to the North Carolina AFL-CIO convention, Gov. Josh Stein pushed for affordable housing, education, and access to child care.

In remarks to the North Carolina AFL-CIO’s annual convention, Gov. Josh Stein pushed for more affordable housing, investments in education, and greater access to child care as part of a broader effort to lower the cost of living for workers. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Justice Allison Riggs vows ‘I will not back down’ on labor rights • NC Newsline Closing the North Carolina AFL-CIO convention on Friday, state Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs pledged to fight for labor rights.

Closing out the North Carolina AFL-CIO on Friday, Justice Allison Riggs vowed that she would fight on for workers’ rights.

“I am committed to a North Carolina where workers are protected, freedoms are exercised, and families can thrive.”

Labor activists decry federal layoffs at NC AFL-CIO convention • NC Newsline Labor activists called to fight back against the Trump administration’s federal layoffs and funding cuts on Thursday.

Across panels and speeches on the second day of the North Carolina AFL-CIO convention on Thursday, labor activists called to fight back against the Trump administration’s federal layoffs and funding cuts.

Southern University, other HBCUs order campus lockdowns • Louisiana Illuminator Persons on campus have been advised to shelter in place until further notice.

Southern University, other HBCUs order campus lockdowns lailluminator.com/2025/09/11/s...

Gov. Josh Stein calls to invest in workers at state AFL-CIO convention • NC Newsline In remarks to the North Carolina AFL-CIO convention, Gov. Josh Stein pushed for affordable housing, education, and access to child care.

Gov. Josh Stein pushed for a set of policies that “supports working families struggling with the rising cost of living” at the North Carolina AFL-CIO’s annual convention Wednesday, pushing the legislature to fund education and child care.

Gov. Stein relaunches council to coordinate efforts to prevent homelessness • NC Newsline Gov. Stein relaunched council to prevent and end homelessness by strengthening coordination among government and private partners.

More than 11,500 North Carolinians experienced homelessness in 2024, including more than 3,200 families with children ncnewsline.com/briefs/gov-s...

Charlie Kirk dies after shooting at Utah Valley University • NC Newsline Charlie Kirk was shot at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem during his American Comeback tour, according to reports from the scene.

Charlie Kirk dies after shooting at Utah Valley University ncnewsline.com/2025/09/10/r... Story via @utahnewsdispatch.com #ncpol

At Raleigh town hall, US Sen. Mark Kelly criticizes cuts to VA, firing of veterans in government • NC Newsline US Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) denounced President Donald Trump’s treatment of veterans before a crowd of more than 200 in Raleigh, NC

In Raleigh, Sen. Mark Kelly said Trump cuts have had a “devastating” impact on veterans’ care and employment.

“He doesn’t understand us, he doesn’t understand service.”

Trump names four nominees for North Carolina district court vacancies • NC Newsline President Donald Trump announced four judicial nominees for vacant posts on North Carolina’s district courts in Truth Social posts on Friday.

Trump has the opportunity to confirm twice as many North Carolina judges this year as across his entire first term. ncnewsline.com/2025/08/25/t... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #nc #ncpol

Surry County elections chairman resigns after police say he put drugs in granddaughters' ice cream • NC Newsline Surry County elections board chairman resigns after police charged him for putting drugs into his grandchildren's ice cream.

The head of the Surry County Board of Elections resigned the position days after news of his arrest on a charge of felony child abuse and about an hour before the State Board’s emergency meeting to talk about him. ncnewsline.com/briefs/surry... #ncpol

Did some reporting on the frustrations among WNC business owners at lack of biz interruption insurance payouts in April. At one point, folks were weighing a class-action suit. Now a suit from a local biz against their insurer, Travelers.
ncnewsline.com/2025/04/22/f...

Stein urges coastal residents to prepare for Hurricane Erin • NC Newsline Gov. Josh Stein warned coastal residents of North Carolina to “take action now before it’s too late” to prepare for Hurricane Erin.

Residents of the North Carolina coast need to “take action now before it’s too late” as Hurricane Erin barrels up the Atlantic, Gov. Stein said this morning.

Here’s what you can do to prepare:

Alamance County BLM protester’s arrest cannot be declared unconstitutional, Fourth Circuit says • NC Newsline The Fourth Circuit ruled that the federal courts cannot declare the arrest of Maurice Wells Jr. at a 2020 protest unconstitutional.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled last week that the federal courts lack jurisdiction to declare the arrest of Maurice Wells Jr. at a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Alamance County unconstitutional. ncnewsline.com/briefs/alama... By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #nc

Rep. Donny Lambeth: “We have no plans to increase the allocation for the rebase. We have grave concerns with the lack of information shared with the General Assembly related to their proposed cuts.”