Christine Zhu
@christinezhu.bsky.social
Covering North Carolina politics for States Newsroom’s NC Newsline | dmv & maine & atx grown 🌸🦞🤘 | she/her
A week into early voting, more than a million North Carolinians have cast their ballots. While the numbers currently swing toward Democrats, Roy Cooper’s campaign isn’t slowing down. ncnewsline.com/2026/10/22/c...
Cooper rallies support one week into North Carolina’s early voting • NC Newsline
A week into early voting, more than a million North Carolinians have cast their ballots. While the numbers currently swing toward Democrats, Roy Cooper’s campaign isn’t slowing down.
ncnewsline.com
Fun tidbit from tonight's "Make Stuff Cost Less" event in Raleigh: Former Gov. Roy Cooper has "DEM GOV" on the back of his Jordans They are Democratic blue, not Duke blue
Democrats in North Carolina’s most competitive congressional races are significantly ahead of their GOP opponents in fundraising during the third quarter. Cooper: $4.4M Whatley: $1.6M Ager: $2M Balkcom: $307K Davis: $1.3M Buckhout: $628K ncnewsline.com/2026/10/20/d...
Democrats outraise opponents in NC’s most contentious congressional races • NC Newsline
Former Gov. Roy Cooper reported bringing in significantly more funding than his GOP rival, as did Don Davis and Jamie Ager in their U.S. House races.
ncnewsline.com
Two homegrown farmers, Jamie Ager and Jennifer Balkcom, are competing in the race to represent North Carolina's 11th Congressional Disrict. The contest could play a pivotal role in the control of the U.S. House. #ncpol #nc11 ncnewsline.com/2026/10/19/a...
A tale of two farmers: Ager, Balkcom compete for NC-11 seat • NC Newsline
The contest could play a pivotal role in the control of the U.S. House.
ncnewsline.com
Two sitting GOP members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation say they’re bracing for Republicans to lose seats in November. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2026/10/15/n...
NC Republicans Tillis, Moore prepare for GOP losses in upcoming election • NC Newsline
“The election’s in 19 days,” Tillis said. “Twenty days from now, I’ll be reaching out to Republicans who aren’t crazy and try to figure out how we can recover from what I think are almost certain loss...
ncnewsline.com
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis: "The election's in 19 days. Twenty days from now, I’ll be reaching out to Republicans who aren’t crazy and try to figure out how we recover from what I think are almost certain losses in this election cycle.” #ncpol
U.S. Rep. & former NC House Speaker Tim Moore: "Absolutely Republicans will maintain a majority in the state legislature. I'm very familiar with those legislative districts... I do think that the Republicans may lose about 3 seats." says U.S. House & Senate could go either way
National Democrats are rethinking their campaign strategy in North Carolina as Republican groups — and even the GOP candidate — pause spending in the state’s open U.S. Senate race. ncnewsline.com/2026/10/08/d...
Democrats see opening in NC as Whatley campaign pauses ads • NC Newsline
National Democrats are rethinking their campaign strategy in North Carolina as Republican groups — and even the GOP candidate — pause spending in the state’s open U.S. Senate race.
ncnewsline.com
Both chambers will meet on Wednesday, according to legislative calendars released Monday evening. ncnewsline.com/2026/10/05/h...
Here’s what could happen if NC lawmakers pause the gas tax in a special session • NC Newsline
At 41 cents per gallon, North Carolina has one of the highest gas taxes in the country. That revenue goes towards building, repairing, and maintaining roads. Lawmakers could suspend or repeal part or ...
ncnewsline.com
National Democrats say they’re expanding their attack map, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee adding NC-13 to its “Districts in Play” program on Friday. Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican.” ncnewsline.com/2026/10/02/n...
National Dems expand US House battlefield, targeting Knott in NC-13 • NC Newsline
Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican.”
ncnewsline.com
Both major party candidates for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District debuted new ads in the Asheville media market this week. The political commercials couldn’t be much more different, yet they’re competing to appeal to the same rural community. ncnewsline.com/2026/09/30/n...
NC-11 candidates offer competing ‘mountain values’ in unique ads • NC Newsline
The political commercials couldn’t be much more different, yet they’re competing to appeal to the same rural community and are attracting national attention.
ncnewsline.com
An approximately three-mile line of vehicles stretched through Rodanthe on Monday as hundreds of vacationers sought to board the emergency ferry leaving Hatteras Island on the North Carolina coast. ncnewsline.com/2026/09/29/n...
NC 12 detour opens after storm damage leaves hundreds waiting for Outer Banks ferry • NC Newsline
An approximately three-mile line of vehicles stretched through Rodanthe on Monday as hundreds of vacationers sought to board the emergency ferry leaving Hatteras Island on the North Carolina coast.
ncnewsline.com
As President Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to flounder, Vice President JD Vance visited Greensboro on Monday to stump for Republicans in key congressional races in North Carolina. ncnewsline.com/2026/09/21/g...
GOP deploys Vance to NC to rouse support for Whatley • NC Newsline
As President Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to flounder, Vice President JD Vance visited Greensboro on Monday to stump for Republicans in key congressional races in North Carolina.
ncnewsline.com
I'm in Gastonia, where it is (very) sunny and (very) hot. President Trump is visiting tonight to campaign with Michael Whatley, former chair of the Republican National Committee and NCGOP. Whatley trails Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper in recent polls for U.S. Senate.
President Donald Trump is visiting North Carolina on Wednesday to campaign with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley. It’s a sign the party is concerned about its prospects in the purple state. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2026/09/15/t...
Trump aims to shore up support for Whatley in NC with Wednesday visit • NC Newsline
President Donald Trump is visiting North Carolina on Wednesday to campaign with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley. It’s a sign the party is concerned about its prospects in the purple sta...
ncnewsline.com
The state of North Carolina has reached a $590 million settlement with three chemical manufacturing companies to resolve lawsuits over dumping forever chemicals into rivers. ncnewsline.com/2026/09/10/n...
NC AG Jackson, DEQ reach $590M settlement over PFAS • NC Newsline
The deal, announced Thursday, is the largest total environmental damages recovery in state history, according to Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s office.
ncnewsline.com
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican representing western North Carolina, is asking his colleagues to reject his censure in a 22-page letter. The U.S. House Ethics Committee accused him of inappropriate conduct towards two young women in his office. ncnewsline.com/2026/08/27/u...
U.S. Rep. Edwards denies misconduct in plea to colleagues to avoid censure • NC Newsline
The U.S. House could vote on Edwards' censure as early as next week.
ncnewsline.com
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a controversial elections law bill on Monday, saying the veto was necessary to defend voting rights. ncnewsline.com/2026/08/17/s...
Stein vetoes Republican-backed ‘anti-voter’ North Carolina elections bill • NC Newsline
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a controversial elections law bill on Monday, saying the veto was necessary to defend voting rights. In both chambers of the legislature, only Republic...
ncnewsline.com
The North Carolina Republican Party’s 11th Congressional District Executive Committee is meeting Monday night to decide on a replacement candidate after incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards withdrew following a U.S. House Ethics report. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2026/08/10/n...
NCGOP to select new NC-11 candidate after US Rep Edwards’ withdrawal • NC Newsline
The meeting takes place less than a week after Edwards dropped out, but several top Republicans in western North Carolina have already decided not to seek the seat.
ncnewsline.com
Democrats and Republicans alike applauded U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ withdrawal from his reelection campaign Wednesday after the U.S. House Ethics Committee recommended his censure. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2026/08/05/r...
Republicans, Democrats agree Rep. Edwards made right call withdrawing from NC-11 race • NC Newsline
Democrats and Republicans alike applauded U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ withdrawal from his reelection campaign Wednesday after the U.S. House Ethics Committee recommended his censure, followed by pressure...
ncnewsline.com
Following months of backlash, Duke Energy filed an amended settlement agreement earlier this week to decrease its rate increase request from about 18% to about 9.5% over two years for residential users. ncnewsline.com/2026/07/21/n...
NC AG Jackson rejects Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase • NC Newsline
Duke Energy filed an amended proposal this week to reduce its requested rate increase from about 18% to about 9.5% over two years for residential users.
ncnewsline.com
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced Wednesday he has vetoed a bill that would have banned homeless encampments outside of official, city-maintained sites. ncnewsline.com/2026/07/08/s...
Stein vetoes ‘unauthorized camping’ homeless ban in NC • NC Newsline
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced Wednesday he has vetoed a bill that would have banned homeless encampments outside of official, city-maintained sites, saying it's not a "real solution" to hom...
ncnewsline.com
Gov. Josh Stein signed a historic $34 billion state budget Tuesday, enacting North Carolina’s first comprehensive spending plan since 2023. ncnewsline.com/2026/07/07/s...
Stein signs $34B North Carolina budget with pay raises, lower taxes • NC Newsline
Gov. Josh Stein signed a historic $34 billion state budget Tuesday, enacting North Carolina’s first comprehensive spending plan since 2023. Republican legislative leaders sent the long-overdue budget ...
ncnewsline.com
North Carolina lawmakers are proposing another study of PFAS in the new state budget. But the project would sidestep a state regulatory agency in favor of an agency under legislative control, and critics say it’s a stalling tactic. ncnewsline.com/2026/07/01/n...
NC budget sets $22M aside for new PFAS study, but moves to keep its results confidential • NC Newsline
The budget allocates a total of $22 million to the North Carolina Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill for research related to PFAS.
ncnewsline.com
North Carolina legislative leaders unveiled the state’s long-awaited 2026 budget proposal on Tuesday. House Speaker Destin Hall said both chambers anticipate voting on the budget this Wednesday and Thursday. Our first look at the 634-page bill #ncpol: ncnewsline.com/2026/06/30/n...
NC legislature releases $34B budget deal, expects votes this week • NC Newsline
The proposal, the state's first complete budget since 2023, includes raises, tax changes, and funding for Helene relief.
ncnewsline.com
NEW: The 2026 budget has hit the North Carolina General Assembly's home page #ncpol Bill text is 634 pages
A North Carolina House panel voted Tuesday to pass a bill requiring more drivers to install technology to prevent drunk driving or excessive speeding. It also approved a "pole tax" for strip club customers. ncnewsline.com/2026/06/09/n...
NC House committee advances safe driving tech requirements, ‘pole tax’ bills • NC Newsline
A North Carolina House panel voted Tuesday to pass a bill requiring more drivers to install technology to prevent drunk driving or excessive speeding. It also okayed a new surcharge for strip club cus...
ncnewsline.com
The North Carolina House voted 69-44 Wednesday to approve a bill setting regulations for data centers and encouraging the development of more nuclear power. ncnewsline.com/2026/06/03/n...
NC House advances bill to regulate data centers, require more nuclear power • NC Newsline
Republicans pushed a modified version of Senate Bill 730, now titled the “Ratepayer Protection Act,” through the NC House this week, quickly sending it to their colleagues in the upper chamber.
ncnewsline.com
Dems have filed 10 amendments to S730, the "Ratepayer Protection Act"
Christine Zhu@christinezhu.bsky.social · 5mo agoNorth Carolina House lawmakers are moving quickly to pass a bill placing restrictions and regulations on data centers, mandating more nuclear power, and speeding up the permitting process for new plants. ncnewsline.com/2026/06/02/n...
Got a reader email, so here's the info for all interested: Avelo is ending its route between RDU and Rochester, NY on June 15. Its only RDU flight will be to New Haven, CT Breeze serves the RDU-ROC route, and Avelo still flies to ROC from Wilmington, NC and Concord, NC
Christine Zhu@christinezhu.bsky.social · 10mo agoBudget airline Avelo is closing two of its three operating bases in North Carolina, decreasing service for customers in the state. ncnewsline.com/2026/01/12/a...