Brandon Kingdollar

North Carolina Democrats want to vote first in the nation in 2028. Will the legislature let them? • NC Newsline North Carolina Democrats hope to host the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in 2028 and usurp the title from South Carolina.

North Carolina Democrats are making a bid to host the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in 2028 and usurp the title from South Carolina. But obstacles remain.

Hundreds take to the streets of Raleigh and Durham to demand ‘ICE out’ • NC Newsline Hundreds marched through Raleigh and downtown Durham on Friday as part of a “national shutdown” opposing the federal immigration crackdown.

Hundreds of protesters marched through Raleigh and downtown Durham on Friday as part of a “national shutdown” movement taking place across the U.S. to oppose the federal immigration crackdown.

North Carolina’s economy has boomed. Why hasn’t its median income? • NC Newsline North Carolina’s economy has seen explosive growth since 1970, rising to eleventh in GDP in the nation. But its income growth has lagged behind the rest of the country.

In 1970, North Carolina led all of its neighbors in median household income. Since then, it’s grown the least of all of them.

Roy Cooper backs conditions on Homeland Security funding after Minnesota shootings • NC Newsline U.S. Senate candidate and former N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper called for “immediate reforms” before any additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol is approved.

U.S. Senate candidate and former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called for “immediate reforms” before any additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol operations following the deaths of two Minneapolis activists during altercations with federal agents.

Trans youth under 19 left with few options for gender-affirming care in NC • NC Newsline After North Carolina’s two largest medical providers halted gender-affirming care for patients below the age of 19, trans youth in the state are left with few options for treatment.

After North Carolina’s two largest medical providers halted gender-affirming care for patients below the age of 19, trans youth in the state are left with few options for treatment.

NC Senate Leader Phil Berger trails Sam Page by 5 points in latest primary poll • NC Newsline The most powerful Republican in the North Carolina Senate is trailing his 2026 primary opponent by 5 points in a poll released Tuesday.

The most powerful Republican in the North Carolina Senate is trailing his 2026 primary opponent by 5 points in a poll released Tuesday, less than two months away from the March 3 contest. ncnewsline.com/2026/01/20/n... By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #nc

As Jeff Jackson battles Trump, NC GOP threatens to leave him with a ‘feckless, empty shell’ of a job • NC Newsline Jackson’s first year in office has been defined by battles with the Trump administration. NC Republicans hope to put a stop to that.

A look back at AG Jeff Jackson’s first year in office: his 2025 was defined by high-profile lawsuits against the Trump administration and efforts to safeguard against the threats of tomorrow.

Hundreds mourn Renee Good at Raleigh candlelight vigil • NC Newsline More than 200 gathered Wednesday evening in Raleigh’s Moore Square to mourn Minneapolis activist Renee Good and condemn ICE for her death.

More than 200 gathered Wednesday evening in Raleigh’s Moore Square to mourn Minneapolis activist Renee Good and to condemn ICE for her death and other violent encounters in recent months.

Rep. Ross demands Kristi Noem resign from Homeland Security • NC Newsline Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “should resign or be removed from office,” Rep. Deborah Ross urged on Tuesday.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “should resign or be removed from office,” Rep. Deborah Ross urged on Tuesday, joining a chorus of Democratic colleagues in the wake of high-profile clashes between ICE and protesters.

NC Board of Elections finds Stevens campaign contributions illegal, but not intentional • NC Newsline Two contributions by lobbyists to Rep. Sarah Stevens’ Supreme Court campaign were found illegal, but not an “intentional violation.”

NC Board of Elections finds Stevens campaign contributions illegal, but not intentional ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-bo... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Best of 2025: Amazon labor organizers challenge union election loss, alleging employer coercion • NC Newsline Challenging a loss in a bid to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Garner, CAUSE alleges the company coerced employees to vote against the union.

Best of 2025: Amazon labor organizers challenge union election loss, alleging employer coercion ncnewsline.com/2026/01/02/n... by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Ukrainian school in Raleigh brings together refugees, longtime immigrants to keep culture alive • NC Newsline Founded in the wake of the Russian invasion, the Ukraine House school and cultural center in Raleigh has been a source of solace and community for refugees.

Really good stuff today from @kingdollar.bsky.social

Trump kicks off NC's 2026 midterms by attacking Roy Cooper in Rocky Mount speech • NC Newsline President Donald Trump kicks off NC's 2026 midterms by attacking ‘radical left’ Roy Cooper in Rocky Mount speech

President Donald Trump launched the opening salvo in North Carolina’s midterm elections Friday night in a speech to several hundred in Rocky Mount ncnewsline.com/2025/12/20/t... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Congress passes Lumbee recognition bill, heads to Trump’s desk • NC Newsline The Senate approved federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina on Wednesday following passage by the House last week.

The Senate passed federal recognition for the Lumbee as part of a sweeping defense appropriations bill on Wednesday. It now heads to Trump’s desk for his signature.

UNC system faculty condemn proposed policy disclosing course materials to public • NC Newsline Backers of the proposal say it’s a necessary move to restore trust, while opponents raised concerns over harassment of faculty and students.

More than 2,000 supporters, including students and faculty, signed onto a petition as of Thursday opposing a University of North Carolina system proposal to require the public release of all class syllabi and materials. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #unc #ncpol

Lumbee recognition heads to congressional vote as Trump seeks to deliver on pledge • NC Newsline After more than 40 bills have failed to secure recognition, Lumbee supporters are hopeful that full tribal status is finally within reach.

After more than 40 bills have failed to win recognition for the Lumbee of North Carolina, supporters hope full tribal status is finally within reach. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/10/l... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Second Charlotte stabbing fuels GOP calls for immigration crackdown in North Carolina • NC Newsline Republican leaders blamed Gov. Josh Stein and Democrats for the attack, noting that the alleged assailant was in the United States illegally.

Republican leaders are blaming Gov. Josh Stein for a second stabbing on Charlotte public transit — this time by an alleged assailant who illegally entered the U.S. — and are demanding he cooperate more with immigration enforcement.

Second Charlotte stabbing fuels GOP calls for immigration crackdown in North Carolina • NC Newsline Republican leaders blamed Gov. Josh Stein and Democrats for the attack, noting that the alleged assailant was in the United States illegally.

A second stabbing on Charlotte’s public transit system, this time by a man who was allegedly in the United States illegally, has drawn national attention as Republican leaders voice support for the immigration crackdown in the state. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #Charlotte

ICE agents once again operating in North Carolina, activists say, including arrests in Durham • NC Newsline Another large-scale ICE operation appears to be underway in North Carolina, focusing on the Triangle and Triad areas, according to Siembra NC.

Another large-scale immigration enforcement operation appears to be underway in North Carolina, focusing on the Research Triangle and Triad area, according to immigrant advocacy group Siembra NC. Here's what we know: ncnewsline.com/2025/12/05/i... by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Four Trump appointees to take the bench in North Carolina’s federal district courts • NC Newsline The Senate confirmed four of President Donald Trump’s nominees to North Carolina federal courts this week, twice as many as in his first term.

The U.S. Senate confirmed four of President Donald Trump’s nominees to North Carolina federal courts this week, twice as many as in his entire first term. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/04/f... by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

Four Trump appointees to take the bench in North Carolina’s federal district courts • NC Newsline The Senate confirmed four of President Donald Trump’s nominees to North Carolina federal courts this week, twice as many as in his first term.

Four of President Donald Trump’s nominees were confirmed to North Carolina’s federal district courts this week. That’s more than twice his number of appointments in the state in his first term.

When we asked readers why they support our work, they said they appreciate our coverage of the state legislature, Medicaid cuts and Helene recovery. We’re in the middle of our end-of-year fundraising drive. Can you step up to help us make NC a stronger, more informed state?👉 ncnewsline.com/donate/

NC AG Jeff Jackson leads inquiry into ‘buy now, pay later’ lending practices • NC Newsline Buy now, pay later services, which 15% of adults used in 2024, can trap consumers in a cycle of debt if not used responsibly, Jackson warned.

“Buy now, pay later” services, which 15% of adults used in 2024, can trap consumers in a cycle of debt if not used responsibly, Attorney General Jeff Jackson warned. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/02/n... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol

NC AG Jeff Jackson leads inquiry into ‘buy now, pay later’ lending practices • NC Newsline Buy now, pay later services, which 15% of adults used in 2024, can trap consumers in a cycle of debt if not used responsibly, Jackson warned.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson warned Monday that using “buy now, pay later” services could place shoppers at risk of incurring massive debt. He has launched an inquiry to determine whether they are abiding by consumer protection laws.

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NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar on the impact of the Border Patrol's immigration crackdown • NC Newsline NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar discusses the impacts of the immigration crackdown and another controversial federal law enforcement action targeting hemp products.

ICYMI: We sat down recently with Newsline's Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social to discuss his coverage of the crackdown on immigrants and his reporting on another controversial federal law enforcement action targeting the hemp industry. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/01/n... (podcast) #ncpol

NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar on the impact of the Border Patrol's immigration crackdown • NC Newsline NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar discusses the impacts of the immigration crackdown and another controversial federal law enforcement action targeting hemp products.

Listen to my interview on the NC Newsline podcast where I talk about immigration raids in North Carolina and the impacts of a federal ban on hemp in the state.

Federal court allows Republican-led North Carolina redistricting plan to proceed • NC Newsline North Carolina Republicans prevailed on a preliminary injunction that would have blocked a 2026 congressional map redrawn to favor the GOP.

A federal panel denied a request to halt the use of North Carolina’s new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms on grounds that the new districts are racially discriminatory. The map will remain in place as the lawsuit continues.

North Carolina AG calls on Shopify to take action against illegal online e-cigarette sales • NC Newsline More than 200 online stores who do business using Shopify allegedly sold electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products illegally.

More than 200 online stores who do business using e-commerce platform Shopify illegally sold electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products, circumventing age and safety requirements, AG Jeff Jackson and the attorneys general of 25 other states allege.

On NC State’s campus, hundreds of students protest as fears of ICE persist • NC Newsline As final exams approach at N.C. State, stress over studies has been overtaken for some by fear of the federal immigration crackdown in Raleigh.

As final exams approach at NC State, stress over studies has been overtaken for some by fear of the federal immigration crackdown in Raleigh. ncnewsline.com/2025/11/21/o... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #NCSU #Raleigh