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My Work

This page has three sections: Featured Articles, Multimedia and Newsletters. Press here to access an archive of all of my work.

Featured Articles

Raleigh News & Observer •

Understaffing, DOGE cuts at NC’s federal wildlife lands stretch workers thin

Monitoring thousands of tundra swans, snow geese and other waterfowl that flock to Eastern North Carolina is among Wendy Stanton’s fondest memories of working at the state’s wildlife refuges. Conserving federal lands and maintaining endangered and at-risk animal populations was more than work, she said. It was a way of living.

In the two years since Stanton retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wildlife and habitat conservation efforts across more than 400,000 acres in the state have...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC sues Trump administration over Medicaid eligibility changes

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the Trump administration over changes to work requirement exemptions for medically frail individuals, which he contends could jeopardize the coverage of tens of thousands of North Carolinians with severe illnesses.

Jackson, a Democrat, and the other officials bringing the lawsuit allege that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, and the federal Department of Health and Human Services violated congressionally passed protecti...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC GOP bans sex offenders from holding party office in new committee report

The North Carolina Republican Party recently added an eligibility requirement that bars those convicted of sexual abuse, violent felonies or child abuse from holding party office. Advocates for the new clause say adding the clause took years of convincing, despite calls on leadership to make changes.

The decision, which was finalized at the party’s state convention in mid-June, comes just months after long-time GOP leader and donor Harvey West, who was convicted of several sex offenses in 2000,...
Raleigh News & Observer •

More than 250,000 in NC may lose Medicaid coverage under new work requirements

North Carolina has just six months to implement new Medicaid eligibility requirements after receiving final guidance this month. Implementing new federal work requirements and strict state mandates will be costly for the state and could lead to thousands losing health coverage.

More than 3 million North Carolinians rely on Medicaid. But according to Melanie Bush, deputy secretary for North Carolina Medicaid, an upwards of 255,000 of them who access Medicaid through expansion could lose health c...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC Democrats divided over resolution that accuses Israel of genocide

A draft resolution that calls Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide” has sown division in the North Carolina Democratic Party, especially among some of its Jewish members, proving that disagreements over Israel continue to be a point of contention for the party.

The resolution, obtained by The News & Observer from the party’s Jewish Caucus, also calls for the prosecution in the United States of individuals and entities involved in genocide, regardless of citizenship status, in alignment with a 200...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Haitian community in NC anxious and uncertain as immigration status is threatened

Ricardo Richardson returned to Durham from his annual visit to Haiti this month. Visiting family and friends in his village in Jean-Rabel gives him hope of retiring in Haiti after living abroad for 49 years, more than 20 of them in North Carolina.

But escalating gang violence, limited healthcare and government instability makes returning seem doubtful.

Haiti’s unstable conditions have their origins in devastating natural disasters that have displaced millions. Since a 2010 earthquake, hundreds...
Raleigh News & Observer •

NC Democrat Don Davis launches campaign in newly gerrymandered congressional district

Rep. Don Davis, a candidate in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, officially launched his campaign in the state’s most competitive district Saturday in Rocky Mount. Davis said he’s fighting to ensure that Eastern North Carolina does not get left behind.

The Snow Hill Democrat said he’s advocating for the often-overlooked needs of Eastern North Carolinians, including more money for education, protections for farmers, improved healthcare and support for seniors.

“… Within [North Caroli...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Eliminate the federal Department of Education, these Republican NC lawmakers say

State lawmakers are advancing a symbolic measure calling for Congress to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. House Republicans say doing away with the agency would cut back on wasteful spending and give the state more control over education.

The resolution, House Joint Resolution 1030, aligns with President Donald Trump’s focus on cutting back on federal spending, especially in education, in his second term. Eliminating the department, according to the resolution, would allow local comm...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Top Republican wants NC Democrats ‘disciplined’ after explicit language in video

A top leader in the Republican-controlled state House is calling for two Democratic lawmakers to be punished for appearing in a video with profanity that describes frustration with Republicans and the state’s delayed budget.

House Majority Leader Brenden Jones shared a statement on Thursday morning that asks House Democratic Leader Robert Reives to “discipline” any member of the House Democratic Caucus involved in creating the video. He also asks Reives to investigate any Democratic staff membe...
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 •

Corporate landlords get tax break meant for nonprofits. NC delays closing loophole

Lawmakers in North Carolina agree that a state property tax loophole is costing local governments millions in tax revenue loss, but the legislature has yet to close it. Two state House members say that lobbying of the state Senate has contributed to the holdup.

The tax break is called the “Blue Ridge Housing” loophole, which allows for-profit businesses to avoid paying property taxes by sharing ownership of a property with a nonprofit. In North Carolina, nonprofit organizations are exempt from...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Hamilton the pig is back. Could he bring the Canes good luck in the playoffs?

The Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest animal fan — and perhaps the only pig — has made a return. Hamilton is back.

The 8-year-old pig, a Juliana breed, is famed among hockey fans for his iconic appearances at Canes games and the good luck he seems to bring. Hamilton attended his first Canes game in 2019 and quickly reached unofficial mascot status, although the team already has a porcine mascot named Stormy the Ice Hog.

To his fans’ surprise, Hamilton made his first appearance since 2023 at Saturda...

Newsletters

Raleigh News & Observer •

NC Democrats demand lower utility costs + budget talks drag on as deadline nears

Welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts, here to give you the latest in North Carolina politics.

As cost of living skyrockets across the state, utility costs are becoming an increasing burden on North Carolinians. Democratic senators in the state legislature say some of their constituents are making a choice they shouldn’t have to make: deciding between prescriptions, food and utilities.

At a press conference Thursday, Sen. DeAndrea Salvador, from Mecklenburg County, said more than 350,000...
Raleigh News & Observer •

Controversial elections bill draws protesters + vehicle safety changes

Welcome to Under the Dome. My name is Ronni Butts, and I’m bringing you the latest in North Carolina state politics with an assist from legislative and lobbying reporter Esther Frances.

A bill that would make various changes to elections law moved through the House election law committee on Tuesday. Most Democratic members of the committee voted in the bill’s opposition, except for Rep. Shelly Willngham of Rocky Mount, according to reports from Kyle Ingram, Ronni Butts and Ava Menkes.

Proteste...
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 •

Some GOP Congress members from NC wary about megabill, but it’s moving forward

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts with the latest in North Carolina politics.

Sen. Thom Tillis continues to make headlines for his decision to retire and his opposition to President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” I went to Tillis’ Raleigh office Tuesday to check out what was billed as a rally to thank him for withholding an affirmative vote, though Tillis won’t exactly be able to use it as evidence of a groundswell of support — there were only four people there....

Multimedia

Under the Dome podcast: NC House is back, with a to-do list from the Senate

On this Aug. 4, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with legislative/lobbying reporter Esther Frances and politics intern Ronni Butts about the House's return. What the Senate sent them to vote on, including elections, reg reform and budget corrections bills, before the General Assembly wraps for the summer. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.
Raleigh News & Observer •

Video: Should NC pass a law to protect outdoor pets from extreme weather?

A proposal to regulate how owners care for their pets that live outside, aimed at protecting them from harsh weather conditions, has bipartisan support but has languished in the state legislature.

Duke’s Rescue Act, or House Bill 657, would create regulations on how pet owners provide for their dogs or cats that live outside and bars them from staying outdoors in extreme heat and cold. Supporters say it’s especially important in places with no local regulations.

The bill is inspired by Duke, a...