NC dentists begin public push for increased Medicaid payments • NC Newsline Some NC residents who use Medicaid cannot find dentists who accept their insurance. Dentists say Medicaid payments need to go up.

"State Medicaid payment rates for dentists haven’t changed since 2008. Dentists and some state senators say it’s long past time for increases." #ncpol #Medicaid #oralhealth

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/21/n...

NC lawmakers will fill Medicaid funding gap, but larger state budget issues remain unresolved • NC Newsline Republicans in the N.C. legislature have agreed to fund the state Medicaid program through June, but there's no overall state budget agreement.

"Some Republicans doubted that the $319 million the state Department of Health and Human Services said it needed was accurate. But House and Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday they have agreed on the figure." #ncpol #Medicaid

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/21/n...

NC legislative session kicks off with focus on budget, Medicaid, property taxes Lawmakers could also take up veto-override votes on guns, diversity and immigration, as they return to Raleigh for votes.

"The House wants to pay for heftier raises than the Senate, which would rather focus on cutting taxes — two disagreements that are at the heart of the budget stalemate." #ncpol #ncga #ncbudget

www.wral.com/news/nccapit...

Property tax, data center bills likely to move through NC legislature this session • NC Newsline Lawmakers return to Raleigh this week for the 2026 legislative session. Despite partisan divisions on other issues, both parties seem to agree on the need for action on property taxes and data center ...

"Democrats and Republicans are in agreement that rising local property taxes are making it difficult for some low-income and senior homeowners to stay in their homes. But they don’t agree on how to address the problem." #ncga #ncpol #ncbudget #shortsession

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/21/p...

Happy Medical Laboratory Professionals Week!

Thank you to the dedicated lab professionals who work behind the scenes to keep our communities healthy and safe. #MedicalLabProfessionalsWeek #PublicHealth

This week, we recognize those who serve as the first first responders — our public safety telecommunicators. During National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, we thank you for your calm under pressure, compassion in crisis, and unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe. #NPSTW

Enjoyed the fellowship and food at the 61st Annual Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe Blooming of the Dogwood Pow-Wow. #haliwasaponi #halifaxcountync #warrencountync #HD27

Black Maternal Health Week is a time to raise awareness, uplift mothers, and confront the disparities that put Black women at higher risk during pregnancy and childbirth. Every mother deserves safe, respectful, and quality care. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek

On National Librarian Day, we thank the dedicated librarians who keep knowledge accessible, communities connected, and a love of reading alive. Your work makes a difference every day! #NationalLibrarianDay

Forest Service shake-up will boost states’ role — but even supporters have concerns • NC Newsline A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service signals that the agency is planning to lean heavily on states to help manage millions of acres of federal land, foresters across the West say.

We continue to see this administration place the burden for matters previously handled by the federal government onto states, some of which aren't prepared, and some of which aren't willing, to handle them. #forestry #timber #forestservice

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/14/r...

NC House committee advances constitutional amendment limiting property tax increases • NC Newsline The NC House gets a recommended constitutional amendment giving the legislature the power to limit property tax increases.

The NC Association of County Commissioners & NC League of Municipalities are both opposed to this.

"The amendment would require a three-fifths vote in both chambers. If it passes, voters will be asked to approve it on the Nov. 3 ballot." #ncpol #propertytaxes

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/15/n...

Property tax limits could strain already tight school district budgets N.C. legislators are considering limits to property taxes. What effect will that have on already struggling public schools?

"North Carolina public schools receive more than $4 billion in local funds, the majority of which come from property taxes." #nced #ncpol #propertytaxes

www.ednc.org/property-tax...

HARC celebrates inaugural graduate Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County News from RRSpin

“HARC is where accountability meets hope,” said Freeman during opening remarks. “Our goal is to return healthy, productive, and law-abiding citizens to the community while closing the revolving door of the criminal justice system.” #halifaxcountync

www.rrspin.com/news/11674-h...

SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds • NC Newsline As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance.

"The researchers conducted a review of studies on work requirements and concluded that “the best evidence shows they do not increase employment. Moreover, this research finds work requirements cause a large decrease in participation in SNAP.”

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/13/r...

NC House panel recommends changes to involuntary commitment system • NC Newsline The House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety is recommending that county jails consider using telehealth as a way for medical staff to evaluate the mental health of arrestees...

As always, the age-old question is, how are we going to fund this (the committee recommendations)? #ncpol #mentalhealth #criminaljustice

ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-ho...

North Carolina data center developers are moving hyperscale projects forward at hyperspeed There are about 100 data centers in the state that account for up to 3% of the state’s energy demand. That demand is expected to more than double by 2030, as the market for larger facilities grows to ...

"There are about 100 in the state that account for up to 3% of the state's energy demand. That demand is expected to more than double by 2030, as the market for larger facilities grows to accommodate these rapidly evolving technologies. #datacenters #ncpol

www.wunc.org/environment/...

Central NC farmer preparing for worst drought in decades As central North Carolina faces record-breaking dry conditions and temperatures in the 90s, about 94% of the state is now grappling with severe or extreme drought.

“We’re toying with a situation we haven’t seen since about 1977,” Thompson said.

“It's a really concerning time right now,” Thompson said. “[If] a farmer doesn't pray, he doesn’t need to be farming.” #farming #centralnc #easternnc #HD27

www.wral.com/weather/nort...

Rep. Pierce Honors Rev. Dr. Charles E. McCollum Sr. YouTube video by Rodney D. Pierce

I took to the House floor last week to honor the life and legacy of late Halifax Couty pastor and activist Rev. Dr Charles E McCollum, Sr. #halifaxcountync #HD27

youtu.be/I9DsG3OYj3A

Congratulations to the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe on being awarded more than $1.5 million in grant funding towards affordable housing in tribal communities!

www.hud.gov/news/hud-no-...

Linde plans land purchase in Northampton’s Commerce Park County has not yet approved any local incentives for the industrial gas company

"Construction is expected to take a year and begin in the second half of 2027. They expect to create 20 jobs at the facility with an average salary of around $90,000." #ncpol #northamptoncountync

www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/news/linde-p...

Greensboro students use mock trial as a platform for advocacy Through the mock trial, students used storytelling and legal arguments to think more deeply about school discipline and student voice.

"Garvin emphasized the importance of continuing to create spaces where youth can participate in conversations about education and justice, especially when those conversations directly impact them." #ncpol #mocktrial

www.ednc.org/greensboro-s...

Will your Duke Energy bill go up? Newly GOP-majority Utilities Commission will decide The state's Utilities Commission will soon decide whether Duke Energy can increase residential electric rates by up to 18% over two years. It's the first big decision for the commission since it shift...

"We don't like having car payments for cars we're driving, and so that's what Duke gets to do. They get to charge you for the car before you get to drive it, and that's penny-wise and pound-foolish when they're making $5 billion in profits." #ncpol

www.wunc.org/politics/202...

EPA launches a 'back-to-basics' blueprint to help rural drinking water systems The new program rescinds a Biden-era policy which prioritized projects that are less relevant to rural areas.

“A lot of [rural] communities don’t need big, expensive projects; they need help making what they already have work better, or help getting into compliance with [federal] regulations,” Stephens said. #ruralwater

www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/04/11/e... via @nchealthnews.bsky.social

Medicaid expansion boosted access to opioid addiction treatment medication, study says • NC Newsline In the eight states that expanded Medicaid after 2018, the number of people receiving prescriptions for the opioid addiction treatment medication buprenorphine increased dramatically, according to a p...

"Longer-term tracking shows that expansion, whether early or later, provides essential financial access and supports the growth of a provider network that improves population-level treatment rates,” Crystal told Stateline." #Medicaid #opioid #ncpol

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/10/r...

Gas prices soar by 21% as government inflation figures reflect Trump’s war on Iran • NC Newsline Prices for all items together, including food, energy, shelter and other commodities like vehicles, rose by 3.3% from a year ago. That’s the highest annual jump since May 2024, according to Bureau of ...

“Trump promised to ‘lower prices on Day One,’ and instead he waged an unhinged trade war and started an unpopular war with Iran — and what have Americans gotten in return? Nothing except even higher prices." #affordability #ncpol

ncnewsline.com/2026/04/10/r...

Rep. Pierce Honors Life of Deborah "Debbie" Formyduval YouTube video by Rodney D. Pierce

I took to the House floor last week to honor the life of late Warren County's Deborah "Debbie" Formyduval, who passed last month.

Formyduval served as the county's Board of Elections director for just over 20 years. #warrencountync #HD27

youtu.be/4ym-6kpwD-A?...

April 6–12, 2026 is a week to celebrate those who make a difference every day!

We recognize National Public Health Week & National Assistant Principals Week to celebrate two groups working in different spaces but united by a common mission of building stronger, healthier communities!

Rep. Pierce Congratulates Victory Christian Academy Students YouTube video by Rodney D. Pierce

I took to the House floor earlier this week to congratulate students from Victory Christian Academy on their performances in March's North Carolina Christian School Association Fine Arts Competition. #victorychristianacademy #victorybaptistchurch #halifaxcountync #HD27

youtu.be/6SAeml3Lojw?...

“The Planning Board is formally requesting that a moratorium process be started on data centers. That way we can create an ordinance that will best suit the county and our comprehensive plan.” #datacenters #northamptoncountync #moratorium

www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/news/public-...

Thank you to the NC Black Alliance for the invitation to be a part of Wednesday's panel discussion during Divine 9 Legislative Day in Raleigh. Fifteen members of the NC General Assembly, including five state senators and 10 state representatives, belong to Divine 9 organizations. #Divine9 #ncpol