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Below, you will find several pieces I have written, separated by category. You will find these categories in the following order:

1. North Carolina Politics

2. Breaking News

3. 2024 Presidential Election in NC

4. Higher Education

5. Newsletters

Click here for an archive of all of my articles.

NC Politics

Raleigh News & Observer •

House bill about sexuality, religion in schools now law after veto override

The NC General Assembly voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto on a controversial bill tackling sexuality, religion in schools and school libraries — a win for Senate and House Republicans.

The House voted 72-48 to override the veto, with Rep. Naisf Majeed being the only Democrat to vote with Republicans. The bill then moved to the Senate, receiving a 30-19 final vote.

Majeed, a Mecklenburg County Democrat who rarely votes with Republicans, proved to be the decisive vote in overriding Stein’...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Rural Robeson County hospital says Medicaid cuts are ‘deeply concerning’

The only hospital in one of North Carolina’s poorest counties faces a tough challenge after the passage of the Trump administration’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Act.

With 58% of Robeson County residents enrolled in Medicaid — and over 15% without any health insurance — UNC Health Southeastern and its patients will be hit hard by federal cuts.

Robeson County has one of the highest rates of Medicaid enrollment in North Carolina, with more than 20% of enrollees enrolled through the state’s recent...
Raleigh News & Observer •

You can now drive with an expired NC license. But can you vote with it?

Drivers in North Carolina can now legally drive up to two years past the expiration of their license due to a new law in place until 2027. But will voters be able to use an expired license to vote?

The News & Observer received that question from a reader after reporting on Senate Bill 391, which gives drivers an extension on renewing their licenses in an attempt to reduce long waits at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Patrick Gannon, North Carolina State Board of Elections public information di...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC drivers will now get an extra 2 years to renew their licenses due to DMV delays

North Carolinians can now wait two additional years to renew their driver’s license after its expiration date.

The “temporary moratorium,” initially proposed by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on Tuesday, seeks to relieve the Division of Motor Vehicles from backlogs of appointments.

Arranging an appointment or walking into a DMV office has become increasingly difficult across the state. There’s widespread and growing agreement that the long wait times are tied to insufficient...
Raleigh News & Observer •

With Tillis out, NC Senate race projected as a ‘toss-up.’ What experts anticipate.

With Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announcing Sunday that he won’t run for reelection, many experts are considering how the political landscape in North Carolina may change — including possibly making way for a Democratic Senate win for the first time since 2008.

According to The Cook Political Report, a politics analysis organization that predicts congressional and gubernatorial races nationwide, the upcoming Senate race is now a “toss-up.”

North Carolina is now the top opportunity for Democrat...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Do parents need more say over library books? NC bill focuses on schools, gender

The state Senate has approved a bill that expands the rights of parents to object to school library books and assignments that clash with their beliefs.

House Bill 805, which has gone through substantial changes since its inception, also bans the use of state funding to pay for health care for transgender prison inmates, among other changes aimed at LGBTQ+ people. And the measure sparked heated debate on the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon.

The Republican-backed bill amassed opposition from Dem...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC Democrat apologizes for post of protest sign appearing to show beheaded Trump

Rep. Julie von Haefen apologized Tuesday evening on the floor of the state House of Representatives after her controversial social media post following Saturday’s No Kings protest.

The Face book post by the Apex Democrat contained a video with an image of a protester holding a sign with a guillotine and a mask appearing to be a beheaded President Donald Trump.

The post sparked criticism, including from a committee of the state chapter of Moms for Liberty, a socially conservative education advo...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC House Democrat deletes X account after post with ‘inappropriate’ protest image

State Rep. Julie von Haefen is under fire after posting a video on social media including a protester holding a sign with an image of a guillotine and a mask of what appears to be a beheaded Donald Trump.

The sign reads, “In these difficult times, some cuts may be necessary.”

The picture was taken during Raleigh’s downtown No Kings protest Saturday.

Von Haefen deleted her account on X, formerly known as Twitter, after criticism of the post.

A press release late Monday morning from the state...

Breaking News

Raleigh News & Observer •

House bill about sexuality, religion in schools now law after veto override

The NC General Assembly voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto on a controversial bill tackling sexuality, religion in schools and school libraries — a win for Senate and House Republicans.

The House voted 72-48 to override the veto, with Rep. Naisf Majeed being the only Democrat to vote with Republicans. The bill then moved to the Senate, receiving a 30-19 final vote.

Majeed, a Mecklenburg County Democrat who rarely votes with Republicans, proved to be the decisive vote in overriding Stein’...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Raleigh protesters declare there are ‘no kings,’ part of demonstrations across US

A few thousand people lined both sides of Capital Boulevard in North Raleigh Saturday, holding signs and American flags to protest the policies and tactics of President Donald Trump.

Rather than gather in a park or march through downtown, “No Kings” protesters chose the busy seven-lane road near Triangle Town Center mall to spread their message. The crowd frequently erupted in cheers as passing cars honked their horns.

Camille Schiele said she came to the protest because she wants “to live in...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Activist groups gather in Raleigh in solidarity with Los Angeles ICE protests

Protesters in Raleigh gathered in Moore Square on Monday afternoon to display solidarity with ongoing protests in Los Angeles and in response to the arrest of labor union leader David Huerta.

The Raleigh protest, which was organized by the Union of Southern Service Workers and Service Employees International Union, amassed a crowd of over 100. Members of North Carolina’s state chapter of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the North Carolina Asso...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

NCCU announces plans to improve housing - Campus Echo Online

NCCU announced plans Monday afternoon to improve on-campus housing following last week’s protest.
In an emailed statement to the student body from the Division of Student Affairs, NCCU plans to implement six short and long-term action steps.
Residential Life will conduct room-by-room inspections to address maintenance issues and pest control, according to the statement. These inspections are expected to continue indefinitely and will be conducted twice a semester.
The statement also said that ad...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Karrie Dixon installed as 13th chancellor at NCCU - Campus Echo Online

In front of a roaring crowd of family, alumni, James E. Shepard descendants, Delta Sigma Theta members, board of trustees, elected officials, students, faculty and staff, Karrie Dixon took her place as the 13th chancellor of N.C. Central University during her installation on Friday in the McDougald-McLendon arena.
The event’s speakers gave warm regards, praise and words of encouragement for Chancellor Dixon. They boasted about the accomplishments she’s already achieved in her first nine months a...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

New presidential term begins - Campus Echo Online

President Donald Trump was officially sworn into office as the 47th president of the United States at 12:02 p.m. on Monday, making him only the second president to serve in two non-consecutive terms. His inauguration also historically fell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, happening only on President Bill Clinton’s Inauguration Day.
“Today is Martin Luther King Day and his honor—this will be a great honor—but in his honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make this dream...

2024 Presidential Election in NC

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

When students faced voting barrier, one pushed for change - Campus Echo Online

When senior political science student Alexis Staten realized that her faded student ID photo was unrecognizable, she feared that she wouldn’t be able to vote in the 2024 presidential election. So, she sparked an initiative to replace students’ Eagle Cards for free, saving students from voting provisionally at the polls.
As an out-of-state student, Staten would not have been able to use her New Jersey driver’s license to vote unless she registered to vote in Durham County 90 days before Election...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

NCCU students anxiously awaited election results at watch party - Campus Echo Online

Hundreds of N.C. Central University students waited in anticipation for the presidential election results in the New Student Center lobby Tuesday night.
“I just wanted to come out and watch history unfold in real life,” said sophomore sports medicine major Gabrielle Beale.
The lobby overflowed with students, leading students to bring in outdoor seating and pushing students to watch and socialize in the game room, on the stairs, in the upstairs lobby, and down nearby hallways.
Cheering erupted up...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Students don't seem intimidated by incidents of voting interference

Leading up to Election Day, some N.C. Central University students said that they intended to vote, despite recent incidents of voter interference around the country.
There appears to be no cases of interference or intimidation in North Carolina. However, several states across the country have each faced incidents since early voting began.
Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State, has been outspoken in her efforts to assure voters that this election will be secure.
“There’s no upside to disrup...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Poll: Nearly 85% of NCCU students plan to vote - Campus Echo Online

In a swing state like North Carolina, students could cast the deciding vote to determine the results of the presidential election. But, some N.C. Central University students have no plans to vote.
According to an anonymous poll conducted by the Campus Echo in September and October, 93.4% of students are registered to vote, yet only 84.8% plan on voting.
“No matter who we vote for, the economy is still going to decline. I don’t feel like any real change has occurred,” said one student anonymously...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

VP Harris’ husband and sister campaign in the Research Triangle - Campus Echo Online

Doug Emhoff, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, and sister, Maya Harris, rallied voters in the Research Triangle just days after vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz’s visit on Thursday.
Emhoff and Harris made their first stop at the Raleigh home of Senah Andrews, who ran for the N.C. House in 2018, to speak at a canvass launch. The two were introduced by several speakers, including Andrews, N.C. Rep. Allison Dahle, and U.S. Rep. Wylie Nickel.
“The path to...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Democrats show Durham more attention in final weeks of campaign - Campus Echo Online

This late in a presidential race, candidates have had ample time to explain their goals for the nation.
So when Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz visited Durham on Thursday, his speech didn’t offer any new proposals.
Walz joined former President Bill Clinton and N.C. Central University senior Devin Freeman for a rally at the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park, just minutes west of NCCU.
Their remarks were received with cheers and laughter by the hundreds who fille...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Leading House Democrat visits Harris-Walz volunteers in Raleigh - Campus Echo Online

The second highest ranking U.S. House Democrat joined a colleague from Wake County on Monday in downtown Raleigh to thank phone bank volunteers for the Harris-Walz campaign.
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), the House minority whip, and Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), who represents most of Wake County, were passionate in encouraging the volunteers.
“We are most grateful to all of you. The volunteers are here because this is how we win the future of this country. This is how we keep democracy,” Clark...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

N.C. politicians, Gov. Wes Moore promote Democratic ticket, encourage Durham’s Black men to vote - Campus Echo Online

North Carolina politicians and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore visited Durham Sunday to promote Vice President Harris’ plan to help Black Americans and small businesses.
“She’s the only candidate that’s fighting for us,” N.C. Rep. Zack Hawkins told a crowd of about 70 at Jada’s Men’s Accessories, a family-owned clothing store just blocks from NCCU. Hawkins represents NCCU in the N.C. House.
The campaign event echoed the Harris-Walz campaign’s plan to support small businesses and increase Americans’ weal...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Durham County Board of Elections Chair encourages youth voting, faith in elections - Campus Echo Online

While Dawn Baxton, Durham County Board of Elections Chair, expects fair and safe elections in Durham County this presidential election, she hopes that the youth vote will increase over its 2020 election rate.
“Every time you have an opportunity to vote on issues that affect your life, you need to do it. It’s just that simple,” said Baxton, who has served as a board member since 2011 and as the chair since 2021.
According to the Durham County Board of Elections website, youth voting was only 13.0...

Higher Education

Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

NCCU establishes new Homecoming policies. Here’s what you need to know. - Campus Echo Online

N.C. Central University is adding new guidelines to this year’s Ultimate Homecoming Experience. 
Homecoming draws thousands of students, alumni and members of the community onto NCCU’s campus annually. But as safety concerns have grown at NCCU and other HBCUs in the state, Chancellor Karrie Dixon said that the university is implementing “thoughtful and necessary changes.”  
Dixon, joined by other university officials, shared information regarding the new policies in a virtual town hall on Tuesda...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC Central’s public radio station WNCU to face federal funding losses

N.C. Central University’s radio station, WNCU, 90.7 FM, has lost its Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

On July 18, Congress passed a rescission bill that eliminated over $1 billion in CPB funding already allocated for PBS and NPR affiliate stations, including WNCU.

WNCU gets about 15% of its revenue from CPB grants, according to station general manager Lackisha Freeman.

Freeman, who has worked at WNCU in various roles since 2006, said losing that...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Free tuition, housing and meals: How a summer program helped change this NC HBCU

In 2021, Fayetteville State University trailed behind all UNC System schools in graduation and retention rates. When Chancellor Darrell Allison stepped into his role, he knew he needed to do “something radical.”

After implementing a summer-school scholarship offering tuition-free classes and free room and board, more students are staying and graduating on time.

After five years, the program has helped push the university’s 2025 retention rate to a projected 80% from 63% in 2020. The class of 2...
Raleigh News & Observer •

UNC-Chapel Hill announces site for first new dorm in almost 20 years

UNC-Chapel Hill plans to open a new residence hall in 2028, its first new dorm since 2006.

The UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees announced the site for what it’s calling New Residence Hall 1 in a meeting on Wednesday.

It will be located between Stacy Residence Hall and Cobb Residence Hall on the north end of the campus, on the current site of Jackson Hall. In order to begin the project, the 83-year-old Jackson Hall, which houses the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, will be demolished.

The...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Mister Freshman claims backlash after vocal attendance at housing protest - Campus Echo Online

Zyarre Prince said that he knew he was taking a “big risk” when he attended N.C. Central University’s housing protest while wearing his Mister Freshman sash on April 16.
But he went anyway.
And now, he said he’s faced backlash from some Student Government Association and Royal Court members.
Prince said that he wanted to protest with students because he too struggles with the conditions of his dorm. Prince, who lives in the Eagleson Residence Hall, said that he has experienced a leaking AC unit,...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Student led project seeks to improve housing conditions - Campus Echo Online

Alena Dockery has grown frustrated with the conditions in her residence hall. After hearing frequent complaints about subpar housing conditions from her peers, Dockery decided to act towards improvements.
In February, Dockery created “The NCCU Quality of Life Project,” a project seeking to improve housing conditions by presenting documented issues to N.C. Central University’s administration.
“I want to make sure that we can document the issues that we’re having and then also create a clear path...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

Chancellor Dixon reflects on first semester, looks ahead - Campus Echo Online

Chancellor Karrie Dixon didn’t wake up one day and decide to become a chancellor. But once she made the decision to pursue the role, she made sure that she would become “the best chancellor [she] could be.”
Dixon, former chancellor at Elizabeth City State University, started at N.C. Central University in July following Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye’s retirement after his 7-year tenure. That makes Dixon the second permanent female chancellor of NCCU after Debra Saunders-White, who died from canc...
Campus Echo Online - N.C. Central University's Stu •

TikTok ban up in the air - Campus Echo Online

TikTok, the popular social media app, made a less than 24 hour return after being banned in the United States late on the night of Jan. 18.
The app has been up and running for several days despite legislation banning the app. The bill, which required that the Chinese parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, be sold to a company in the United States, passed in the House with a 352-65 vote and the Senate with a 79-18 vote. It was then signed by President Joe Biden. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld...

Newsletters

Raleigh News & Observer •

Is former NC Gov. Cooper ready to make a Senate election decision?

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts. Happy Thursday!

And now for an update on the North Carolina Senate race: We’re getting closer to learning former Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision about whether he will run in 2026.

And Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, has an announcement of her own, but it’s not what you think.

Cooper, a Democrat, is expected to announce a campaign for Senate next week, according to Axios. Cooper’s adviser told McClatchy DC’s Danielle Battagli...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Is former NC Gov. Cooper ready to make a Senate election decision?

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts. Happy Thursday!

And now for an update on the North Carolina Senate race: We’re getting closer to learning former Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision about whether he will run in 2026.

And Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, has an announcement of her own, but it’s not what you think.

Cooper, a Democrat, is expected to announce a campaign for Senate next week, according to Axios. Cooper’s adviser told McClatchy DC’s Danielle Battagli...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC public broadcast stations await their fate from Congress

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts. Happy Friday!

The Senate held another vote on a budget-cutting bill on Thursday. Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency for 13 counties affected by Tropical Storm Chantal. And secured voter registration could be limbo for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians.

Here’s what you missed Thursday in North Carolina politics.

The Senate approved President Donald Trump’s request early Thursday to claw back $9 billion for foreign...
Raleigh News & Observer •

How NC’s Virginia Foxx played a role in Epstein files debate

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts — welcome to Wednesday.

Here’s a look at the latest in North Carolina politics, starting with what’s happening in Washington, DC.

The possible existence of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged “client list” has been a hot topic among Republicans and Democrats alike in D.C. Epstein was the famous financier who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

The Trump administration hasn’t released any new information from...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Wide-ranging NC crime bill signed into law limits public access to autopsy records

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts with your update on North Carolina politics.

First up, Gov. Josh Stein took action on the dozen bills that remained on his desk on Wednesday, signing nine into law and vetoing three. Avi Bajpai reports that one of them would restrict access to public records.

Stein signed Senate Bill 429, the 2025 Public Safety Act, Wednesday morning at an event at the Executive Mansion. He was flanked by lawmakers, a group of sheriffs and other law e...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC legislators end session with no budget and no veto overrides

Good morning and happy Friday. I’m Ronni Butts bringing you Under the Dome and a look at the end of North Carolina’s 2025 legislative session.

The General Assembly concluded the main portion of its session Thursday and passed some final pieces of legislation before taking an extended break. But legislators did not finish their primary task: writing a budget for the two-year period that starts next week.

At the conclusion of their work, senators and representatives also couldn’t agree on when t...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC House passes bill about parents, gender-transition care

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts. Here’s what’s been happening in North Carolina politics.

First up, a dispatch from Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi.

House lawmakers moved quickly this week to pass a Republican-led Senate bill that limits how gender identity can factor into adoption and abuse decisions.

However, because the House amended the bill, the Senate must approve the changes before it can go to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 442, titled the “Parents Protecti...
Raleigh News & Observer •

If Stein vetoes gun bill, NC House doesn’t have the votes to pass it — for now

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts. Here’s your update on North Carolina politics.

First up, a dispatch from Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan, who covered the controversial vote in the House on Senate Bill 50.

The Senate easily approved a bill that would eliminate the law requiring a permit for concealed carrying of handguns. But the bill stumbled in the House, even as it moved forward.

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is likely to veto the bill sent to his desk on Wednesd...