Colin Campbell
@raleighreporter.bsky.social
Capitol Bureau Chief at @wunc.org, covering North Carolina politics
Subscribe to our weekly politics newsletter here: https://www.wunc.org/newsletters
Subscribe to our weekly politics newsletter here: https://www.wunc.org/newsletters
New podcast! I talked with both N.C. Supreme Court candidates, @anitaearls.bsky.social and Sarah Stevens, about their records and the key issues in the race.
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
Highlights: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
#ncpol
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
Highlights: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
#ncpol
NC Supreme Court candidates spar over past rulings, racial equity proposals
North Carolina’s Supreme Court currently has a 5-to-2 Republican majority, and just one of those seats will be on the ballot this November. Justice Anita Earls, a Democrat, faces former N.C. Rep. Sara...
www.wunc.org
September 22, 2026 at 9:24 PM
New podcast! I talked with both N.C. Supreme Court candidates, @anitaearls.bsky.social and Sarah Stevens, about their records and the key issues in the race.
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
Highlights: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
#ncpol
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr...
Highlights: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
#ncpol
Bad news for state employees in the four counties to the north of the Triangle: Your local hospitals are in the "non-preferred" tier under the State Health Plan's new system: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
In new State Health Plan program, a cluster of rural NC hospitals could cost patients more
State employees will likely pay more for healthcare if they use hospital systems in four rural counties north of the Triangle.
www.wunc.org
September 16, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Bad news for state employees in the four counties to the north of the Triangle: Your local hospitals are in the "non-preferred" tier under the State Health Plan's new system: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
N.C. Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 today, along party lines, to uphold the shift of the State Board of Elections from the governor to the state auditor. Decision could be appealed to the N.C. Supreme Court: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
NC Court of Appeals rules against Stein in elections board lawsuit
The N.C. Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of transferring election administration to the state auditor's office.
www.wunc.org
September 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
N.C. Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 today, along party lines, to uphold the shift of the State Board of Elections from the governor to the state auditor. Decision could be appealed to the N.C. Supreme Court: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
If the McClatchy layoffs weren't bad enough, the newspaper in Concord, N.C., axed its only reporter, and the papers covering Gastonia and Shelby are down to one reporter for both places, according to Business NC's Dave Mildenberg: businessnc.com/op-ed-race-t...
businessnc.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:27 PM
If the McClatchy layoffs weren't bad enough, the newspaper in Concord, N.C., axed its only reporter, and the papers covering Gastonia and Shelby are down to one reporter for both places, according to Business NC's Dave Mildenberg: businessnc.com/op-ed-race-t...
Reposted by Colin Campbell
In an era where digital campaign advertising is everywhere, mimicking an old-school print newspaper is an interesting way to stand out.
WUNC's Colin Campbell looks into political campaign ads that are posing as local news outlets.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
WUNC's Colin Campbell looks into political campaign ads that are posing as local news outlets.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
Amid Senate race, partisan groups mimic news outlets
A newspaper I’d never heard of landed in my home mailbox recently. Titled “The North Carolina Independent,” it included a crossword puzzle and some other features of a typical print publication.
www.wunc.org
September 15, 2026 at 4:08 PM
In an era where digital campaign advertising is everywhere, mimicking an old-school print newspaper is an interesting way to stand out.
WUNC's Colin Campbell looks into political campaign ads that are posing as local news outlets.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
WUNC's Colin Campbell looks into political campaign ads that are posing as local news outlets.
www.wunc.org/politics/202...
From this week's WUNC Politics Newsletter:
Did the "North Carolina Independent" newspaper show up in your mailbox? Are you seeing ads for the "North Carolinian"? As you might guess, they're not your typical news outlets: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Did the "North Carolina Independent" newspaper show up in your mailbox? Are you seeing ads for the "North Carolinian"? As you might guess, they're not your typical news outlets: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Amid Senate race, partisan groups mimic news outlets
A newspaper I’d never heard of landed in my home mailbox recently. Titled “The North Carolina Independent,” it included a crossword puzzle and some other features of a typical print publication.
www.wunc.org
September 15, 2026 at 4:17 PM
From this week's WUNC Politics Newsletter:
Did the "North Carolina Independent" newspaper show up in your mailbox? Are you seeing ads for the "North Carolinian"? As you might guess, they're not your typical news outlets: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Did the "North Carolina Independent" newspaper show up in your mailbox? Are you seeing ads for the "North Carolinian"? As you might guess, they're not your typical news outlets: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Will there be a debate in NC's U.S. Senate race? I checked in on that, and looked at how the campaigns are handling media interviews and public events: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Will North Carolina's US Senate race feature any debates this year?
If you’re an undecided voter, you might want to compare the candidates side by side on a debate stage, or in sit-down interviews with your local TV station, or perhaps at public events where they make...
www.wunc.org
September 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Will there be a debate in NC's U.S. Senate race? I checked in on that, and looked at how the campaigns are handling media interviews and public events: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Very bad news for journalism today from McClatchy, which in addition to this paper in Kentucky also owns the papers in Raleigh and Charlotte.
New from me: McClatchy laid off 12 journalists at the Lexington Herald-Leader and a majority of its positions, as a part of its deep, nationwide layoffs.
McClatchy guts Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom, among nationwide layoffs
McClatchy laid off 12 journalists at the Lexington Herald-Leader, a majority of its positions, as a part of its deep, nationwide layoffs.
www.lpm.org
September 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Very bad news for journalism today from McClatchy, which in addition to this paper in Kentucky also owns the papers in Raleigh and Charlotte.
If you're not reading local newspapers, you're missing out on insightful tidbits like this...
September 9, 2026 at 2:38 AM
If you're not reading local newspapers, you're missing out on insightful tidbits like this...
New podcast: A look at the political history and future challenges facing Research Triangle Park with attorney Mack Paul, who co-authored a new book about RTP: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr... #ncpol
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr... #ncpol
Q&A: New book chronicles Research Triangle Park's history, future
Research Triangle Park has been a driving force in North Carolina’s growth for decades, but it started with a group of business and political leaders who saw potential to capitalize on the area’s thre...
www.wunc.org
September 8, 2026 at 1:35 PM
New podcast: A look at the political history and future challenges facing Research Triangle Park with attorney Mack Paul, who co-authored a new book about RTP: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr... #ncpol
Full episode: play.prx.org/listen?ge=pr... #ncpol
NC election officials say legal action over Trump's absentee voting order won't impact the start of the mail-in voting period Friday...but wouldn't provide details on action the State Board of Elections might take tomorrow on absentee ballots: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
NC mail-in voting begins Friday amid legal wrangling over Trump order
North Carolina election officials say pending legal action over absentee voting won't impact the start of the mail-in voting period Friday.
www.wunc.org
September 3, 2026 at 8:37 PM
NC election officials say legal action over Trump's absentee voting order won't impact the start of the mail-in voting period Friday...but wouldn't provide details on action the State Board of Elections might take tomorrow on absentee ballots: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
This morning the NC Board of Elections met to discuss "guidance to counties on absentee ballots" (they'll go out on Friday). But the draft memo wasn't posted with the agenda, nor was it provided when I asked. The board delayed the meeting, and any action, to Friday at 9 #ncpol
September 2, 2026 at 10:03 PM
This morning the NC Board of Elections met to discuss "guidance to counties on absentee ballots" (they'll go out on Friday). But the draft memo wasn't posted with the agenda, nor was it provided when I asked. The board delayed the meeting, and any action, to Friday at 9 #ncpol
Absentee ballots in NC start going out at noon Friday, but there's a lot of unknowns between new federal rules and rulemaking at the state level. I went on NPR's Here & Now with an update this afternoon: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2... #ncpol
North Carolina voters face new rules as mail-in ballots go out
North Carolina is preparing to start mailing absentee ballots amid confusion about some election procedures and rules.
www.wbur.org
September 2, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Absentee ballots in NC start going out at noon Friday, but there's a lot of unknowns between new federal rules and rulemaking at the state level. I went on NPR's Here & Now with an update this afternoon: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2... #ncpol
The town of Rowland, N.C., has more than $150,000 in unpaid bills and recently had to cut its police department in half. It's one of more than a dozen small towns facing financial scrutiny from the Local Government Commission: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
State could take over finances in troubled Robeson County town with overdue bills
The town of Rowland's water and sewer system has been operating at a loss for four years, and it has more than $150,000 in unpaid bills. It's one of more than a dozen towns that faced financial scruti...
www.wunc.org
September 1, 2026 at 10:01 PM
The town of Rowland, N.C., has more than $150,000 in unpaid bills and recently had to cut its police department in half. It's one of more than a dozen small towns facing financial scrutiny from the Local Government Commission: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
New from me: A look at million-dollar historic houses in downtown Raleigh that state government owns and uses to store things like fire extinguishers. Should the properties be sold?
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
Should NC's government sell its underused historic Raleigh houses?
North Carolina’s state government owns multiple historic houses near the governor’s mansion in downtown Raleigh. But while some are home to offices, others are used as storage units. That’s prompting ...
www.wunc.org
August 27, 2026 at 1:23 PM
New from me: A look at million-dollar historic houses in downtown Raleigh that state government owns and uses to store things like fire extinguishers. Should the properties be sold?
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
Reposted by Colin Campbell
A 100-year-old house is used to store fire extinguishers. Great and strange story from
@raleighreporter.bsky.social
@raleighreporter.bsky.social
Should NC's government sell its underused historic Raleigh houses?
North Carolina’s state government owns multiple historic houses near the governor’s mansion in downtown Raleigh. But while some are home to offices, others are used as storage units. That’s prompting ...
www.wunc.org
August 26, 2026 at 4:36 PM
A 100-year-old house is used to store fire extinguishers. Great and strange story from
@raleighreporter.bsky.social
@raleighreporter.bsky.social
Your occasional reminder that an individual poll does not really show a race "tightening" (or someone's lead "widening")...there are always outliers, and you're better off looking at shifts in the polling average #ncpol
August 25, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Your occasional reminder that an individual poll does not really show a race "tightening" (or someone's lead "widening")...there are always outliers, and you're better off looking at shifts in the polling average #ncpol
NC state employees are getting more parental leave and a faster hiring process to reduce vacancies. I talked to the state's top human resources official about the new bipartisan law for this week's WUNC Politics Podcast: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
Q&A: State government HR director on expanded parental leave, hiring changes
A new bipartisan state law will overhaul the hiring process and employee benefits across state government, adding more parental leave and reducing the time it takes to get hired.
www.wunc.org
August 24, 2026 at 6:32 PM
NC state employees are getting more parental leave and a faster hiring process to reduce vacancies. I talked to the state's top human resources official about the new bipartisan law for this week's WUNC Politics Podcast: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
The State Board of Elections has been debating early voting schedules since 9 a.m. (and they're still going). Here's how the decisions over Sunday voting and locations are shaking out: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
NC elections board rejects Sunday voting in some counties
The State Board of Elections is meeting Thursday to settle partisan disputes over early voting. Election boards in 20 of North Carolina's 100 counties couldn't reach an agreement over early voting sch...
www.wunc.org
August 20, 2026 at 10:48 PM
The State Board of Elections has been debating early voting schedules since 9 a.m. (and they're still going). Here's how the decisions over Sunday voting and locations are shaking out: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Chatham County people -- come hang out with me for Pints and Politics tomorrow night at BMC Brewing in Pittsboro. Your first pint is on us in a WUNC glass...sign up here: www.wunc.org/events-calen... #ncpol
Pints & Politics with WUNC's Colin Campbell in Pittsboro
To celebrate WUNC's 50th anniversary this year, we're hosting 50 events across North Carolina! Please join us on August 19 at <a href="https://bmcbrewing.com/" target="_blank" link-data="{"cms.si...
www.wunc.org
August 18, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Chatham County people -- come hang out with me for Pints and Politics tomorrow night at BMC Brewing in Pittsboro. Your first pint is on us in a WUNC glass...sign up here: www.wunc.org/events-calen... #ncpol
#ncga House Democratic Leader Robert Reives on what might happen in the November legislative session: "It will be bad if a lot of Democrats win in November."
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
NC legislature adjourns until election, and Democrats fear a 'lame-duck' session
State lawmakers left Raleigh Thursday and don't plan to return until after November's election. That's prompting worries among Democrats about a possible lame-duck session if Republicans lose seats.
www.wunc.org
August 7, 2026 at 7:21 PM
#ncga House Democratic Leader Robert Reives on what might happen in the November legislative session: "It will be bad if a lot of Democrats win in November."
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Should a self-described necromancer and High Priestex have their preferred name on the ballot? The State Board of Elections is considering it: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
Can a Wiccan candidate’s religious name appear on NC’s ballot? Board to decide
A candidate known as High Priestex Mortellus petitioned against a rule requiring surnames on the ballot.
www.newsobserver.com
August 7, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Should a self-described necromancer and High Priestex have their preferred name on the ballot? The State Board of Elections is considering it: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
Gov. Stein says he'll veto elections bill that passed the #ncga House last night. He says it would make it harder to vote and easier for losing candidates to overturn elections:
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Gov. Stein says he'll veto early voting reduction, election changes
Gov. Josh Stein says he'll veto a bill that would shorten the early voting period in primaries. The change to early voting is part of a wide-ranging elections bill that passed the House Tuesday night ...
www.wunc.org
August 5, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Gov. Stein says he'll veto elections bill that passed the #ncga House last night. He says it would make it harder to vote and easier for losing candidates to overturn elections:
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
