Mark Rodin
@markrodin.bsky.social
Reporter who was fortunate to cover campaign visits by three Presidents, precinct election official in North Carolina serving 15 years, devoted University of NC alum, scholarship benefactor & Viking Ocean Cruise lover. Married 33 years.
The data is in: Trump's boat blasting hasn't made a dent in cocaine flow into the U.S. thefrankfigliuzzi.substack.com/p/the-data-i... Another strategy that's ineffective according to this 25 year FBI agent
The data is in: Trump's boat blasting hasn't made a dent in cocaine flow into the U.S.
The numbers and the experts say there may be more cocaine flowing now
thefrankfigliuzzi.substack.com
www.axios.com/newsletters/... Sen Ted Budd (R-NC) causing concerns at the White House
Axios Hill Leaders - 🔥 GOP hemp wars
axios.com
Chuck Edwards' abrupt exit leaves Republicans scrambling www.axios.com/2026/08/05/h... Now the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee must spend to keep NC 11 red
Chuck Edwards' abrupt exit leaves Republicans scrambling
One North Carolina Republican told Axios that Edwards had already "soured" the party's chances of holding the seat.
axios.com
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/u... Next project
C.I.A. Sets Up Secret Cuba Task Force as Trump Pressures Havana (Gift Article)
The task force will allow the spy agency to quickly direct more financial, human and technical resources at the island, with the goal of creating fissures among the Cuban political elite.
nytimes.com
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/u... $275 billion increase.
Cost of Trump’s Namesake Warships Likely to Rise by 50 Percent or More (Gift Article)
President Trump’s goal of building a “golden fleet” of 15 battleships could cost $275 billion, according to a government estimate.
nytimes.com
Is There Something About Western North Carolina Congressional Politics? substack.com/@ncpoliticsc... Western NC residents will see television ads mentioning Bernie Sanders, Mandami, Abdul El-Sayed and after Tuesday Francesca Hong who is expected to win the nomination for Governor in Wisconsin.
Is There Something About Western North Carolina Congressional Politics?
The congressional candidate that took out the previously scandal-ridden congressional incumbent now bows out due to his own scandals. What's next?
substack.com
Rep. Chuck Edwards Abandoned His Reelection Bid. What Happens Now? thecaucus.substack.com/p/rep-chuck-... I would not be surprised if Edwards was asked to abandon his bid by President Trump and Speaker Johnson who are concerned about possible impeachment attempts.
Rep. Chuck Edwards Abandoned His Reelection Bid. What Happens Now?
Next week, Republicans will choose a replacement for the Western North Carolina lawmaker on the November ballot. Here’s who might advance.
thecaucus.substack.com
www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/202... Difficult road ahead for Democrats.
Post-Primary Recap: The Electability Argument Falls Flat
Kingmaking isn’t what it used to be in Democratic politics.In Democratic primaries for governor of Kansas, Michigan’s 7th district, and Michigan’s open Senate seat, battle-tested and popular Democrati...
cookpolitical.com
Deadly Missile Attack on Kyiv Exploits Ukraine’s Depleted Air Defenses www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/w... What Trump has done
Russia’s Deadly Missile Attack on Kyiv Exploits Ukraine’s Depleted Air Defenses (Gift Article)
At least 17 people were killed, officials said, as the country runs desperately low on interceptor missiles that could fend off Russian bombardments.
nytimes.com
North Carolina Republican Drops Re-election Bid After Ethics Rebuke www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/u... Hooray Grest news
Rep. Chuck Edwards Drops Re-election Bid in North Carolina After Ethics Rebuke (Gift Article)
Chuck Edwards made the announcement after the House Ethics Committee recommended he be censured for “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct” toward two female staff members.
nytimes.com
Ground Control to Major Don www.thebulwark.com/p/ground-con... William Kristol's commentary on Blanche (Epstein) and Rep Miller are important here.
Ground Control to Major Don
The president’s planet is getting farther and farther from our own.
thebulwark.com
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u... Won't matter apparently.
Park Service Finds Trump’s Arch Could Detract From Dozens of Historic Places (Gift Article)
The 250-foot-tall edifice would alter views across Washington and Arlington Cemetery.
nytimes.com
The Unraveling of RFK Jr. open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz... Too much blind loyalty and a Kennedy who spouses unproven theories
The Unraveling of RFK Jr.
The HHS Secretary’s disastrous CNN interview spotlights the risks of a presidency that refuses to admit mistakes.
open.substack.com
Trump Administration Live Updates: Senate Committee Votes to Advance Blanche Nomination www.nytimes.com/live/2026/08... Public input needed
Trump Live Updates: Senate Committee Advances Blanche Nomination as Attorney General
nytimes.com
ncnewsline.com/2026/08/03/n... Very highly partisan
NC auditor’s liaison advised county elections board members on how to fire directors • NC Newsline
Former NC auditor's office liaison Dallas Woodhouse sent GOP elections board members in at least two counties a guide to firing directors.
ncnewsline.com
Prosecutor in D.C. Moves to Dismiss More Reflecting Pool Cases www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u... More bad news for our President’s claims
Prosecutor in D.C. Moves to Dismiss More Reflecting Pool Cases (Gift Article)
After revelations that a botched renovation, not vandalism, had caused the pool’s recent problems, the U.S. attorney’s office has dropped several prosecutions.
nytimes.com
www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n... Federal District Judge Louise Flanagan has a difficult decision to make
Behind the scenes of the Comey ‘86 47’ case: How the feds built investigation in NC
The James Comey case unfolded quickly in North Carolina, starting with an Instagram post of seashells on the beach. How the investigation drew in a coastal police chief and a Gambino crime boss.
newsobserver.com
The Politics of a Prison-Release Settlement www.theassemblync.com/news/politic... There's more to the early release of prisoners than the Whatley campaign commercials tell you. Here's a good analysis
The Politics of a Prison-Release Settlement
As Roy Cooper runs for Senate, Republicans have seized on a 2021 settlement that compelled officials to reduce the prison population.
theassemblync.com
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u... He should be censured too
Max Miller, Accused of Abuse, Is Not Stepping Aside. Here’s What We Know. (Gift Article)
The Ohio Republican who is seeking a third term defiantly denied domestic abuse allegations ahead of a deadline to replace him on the ballot.
nytimes.com
Stein Urges Democrats to Turn Out so Republicans Can’t ‘Steal an Election’ open.substack.com/pub/thecaucu... I credit Phil Berger with asking the GOP NC General Assembly majority to give control to Auditor Dave Bolick. 3 GOP governors appointed NCSBE and county board members before Bolick.
Stein Urges Democrats to Turn Out so Republicans Can’t ‘Steal an Election’
A top leader is claiming the opposing party is trying to steal an election in North Carolina.
open.substack.com
Don’t Fence Me Out open.substack.com/pub/steady/p... How unfortunate for visitors to Washington DC.
Don’t Fence Me Out
Trump is refashioning Washington for an audience of one
open.substack.com