Laura Leslie
@lauraleslie.bsky.social
NC politics reporter, cat/dog/fish mom, saltwater reefer, birder, gardener, puzzle nerd. If found, please return to the nearest beach.
By @kingdollar.bsky.social - a panel of 3 GOP
appointed federal
judges rule late Wednesday that even though NC’s new congressional map has a “disparate impact” on Black voters, it’s not racial gerrymandering. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/26/f...
appointed federal
judges rule late Wednesday that even though NC’s new congressional map has a “disparate impact” on Black voters, it’s not racial gerrymandering. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/26/f...
Federal court allows Republican-led North Carolina redistricting plan to proceed • NC Newsline
North Carolina Republicans prevailed on a preliminary injunction that would have blocked a 2026 congressional map redrawn to favor the GOP.
ncnewsline.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:51 AM
By @kingdollar.bsky.social - a panel of 3 GOP
appointed federal
judges rule late Wednesday that even though NC’s new congressional map has a “disparate impact” on Black voters, it’s not racial gerrymandering. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/26/f...
appointed federal
judges rule late Wednesday that even though NC’s new congressional map has a “disparate impact” on Black voters, it’s not racial gerrymandering. #ncpol ncnewsline.com/2025/11/26/f...
We had a lot of great #ncpol and #ncga content today over at NC Newsline. Stop by and check us out - and sign up for the AM newsletter to get our roundup in your inbox every morning!
ncnewsline.com
ncnewsline.com
Home • NC Newsline
ncnewsline.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:02 PM
We had a lot of great #ncpol and #ncga content today over at NC Newsline. Stop by and check us out - and sign up for the AM newsletter to get our roundup in your inbox every morning!
ncnewsline.com
ncnewsline.com
A group of Watauga County voters is suing over voting maps enacted by the General Assembly for local races, arguing they represent an illegal gerrymander.
The county commission currently has five Republican members — it previously had a 3-2 Democratic majority.
The county commission currently has five Republican members — it previously had a 3-2 Democratic majority.
Watauga voters sue over county maps, alleging illegal gerrymandering • NC Newsline
A federal lawsuit accuses the legislature of forcing unconstitutional voting maps on Watauga County to help local Republican candidates win.
ncnewsline.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:08 PM
After a welcome break from #ncpol news, I'm back Monday, y'all. Really looking forward to working with @galenb.bsky.social, @lbonner.bsky.social, @gchildress.bsky.social, @chenkel.bsky.social and the rest of the crew at @ncnewsline.com! #ncga
September 26, 2025 at 3:36 AM
After a welcome break from #ncpol news, I'm back Monday, y'all. Really looking forward to working with @galenb.bsky.social, @lbonner.bsky.social, @gchildress.bsky.social, @chenkel.bsky.social and the rest of the crew at @ncnewsline.com! #ncga
Tonight’s story was fun, but wild turtles do face serious issues in places like NC that are growing quickly. www.wral.com/story/nc-sta...
NC State turtle rescue team lobbies for special license plate
Would you shell out a few extra bucks every year to help rescue wild turtles? A bill in the state legislature would create a special license plate that would provide funding for the Turtle Rescue Team...
www.wral.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Tonight’s story was fun, but wild turtles do face serious issues in places like NC that are growing quickly. www.wral.com/story/nc-sta...
When you say unironically oh hey it's only 94
June 28, 2025 at 1:19 AM
When you say unironically oh hey it's only 94
Tonight's story.
State lawmakers question Helene relief leaders about political donations, alleging cronyism
Has pay-to-play politics found its way into Hurricane Helene relief? That was the question state lawmakers posed to Helene recovery leaders at a combative oversight hearing Thursday.
www.wral.com
May 22, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Tonight's story.
Never thought I'd see SC in need of a mercy rule, but dang, UConn.
April 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Never thought I'd see SC in need of a mercy rule, but dang, UConn.
Meantime, some GOP state lawmakers in NC want to use AI to evaluate state government efficiency. #ncpol www.theverge.com/news/642620/...
Trump’s new tariff math looks a lot like ChatGPT’s
ChatGPT may be the White House’s latest economic advisor.
www.theverge.com
April 3, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Meantime, some GOP state lawmakers in NC want to use AI to evaluate state government efficiency. #ncpol www.theverge.com/news/642620/...
The struggle is real, y'all. Worst pollen season in over 20 years. Drought has made it worse.
March 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The struggle is real, y'all. Worst pollen season in over 20 years. Drought has made it worse.
My dog Lola starred in my story today about an NC bill that would ban dogs from the driver's seat. Check her out - she did great! #ncpol #ncga
www.wral.com/story/drivin...
www.wral.com/story/drivin...
Driving with lapdog? Lawmakers want to fine NC drivers distracted by pets and kids
A pair of state legislators introduced a bill that would create a $100 fine for drivers whose driving is impaired by distractions from pets or kids.
www.wral.com
March 29, 2025 at 1:24 AM
My dog Lola starred in my story today about an NC bill that would ban dogs from the driver's seat. Check her out - she did great! #ncpol #ncga
www.wral.com/story/drivin...
www.wral.com/story/drivin...
I try not to break paywalls because it's how we journalists make a living.. but in this case, I'll make an exception because I think there's a strong public interest in showing people exactly what the Houthi PC texts said. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal
The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.
www.theatlantic.com
March 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
I try not to break paywalls because it's how we journalists make a living.. but in this case, I'll make an exception because I think there's a strong public interest in showing people exactly what the Houthi PC texts said. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
This is insanity.
GULF OF FEAR: This past week, when NASA astronauts returned to Earth, TV news networks avoided calling the body of water they splashed down in as the Gulf of Mexico.
Instead, they performed linguistic gymnastics to stay out of Trump’s crosshairs.
More in Status: www.status.news/p/gulf-of-me...
Instead, they performed linguistic gymnastics to stay out of Trump’s crosshairs.
More in Status: www.status.news/p/gulf-of-me...
Gulf of Fear
When news anchors tiptoe around the name Gulf of Mexico, it’s not just semantics—it’s a glimpse at how the press starts to flinch under political pressure.
www.status.news
March 24, 2025 at 2:13 AM
This is insanity.
I keep hearing this won't become the progressive version of the Tea Party, but I think the jury's still out on that one, tbh. That's a big crowd.
We expected 2,000 people out in GOP-held Greeley, Colorado.
11,000 people showed up.
Something special is happening, folks. Now is the time to organize in every dimension possible and get to work.
11,000 people showed up.
Something special is happening, folks. Now is the time to organize in every dimension possible and get to work.
Overflow crowd for Bernie/AOC rally in Greeley, CO — the small one today, big one is in Denver later
March 22, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I keep hearing this won't become the progressive version of the Tea Party, but I think the jury's still out on that one, tbh. That's a big crowd.
NC's legislative building, destination for hundreds of people and schoolkids every day, undergoes asbestos remediation with no public notice or warning to #ncga lawmakers. #ncpol www.wral.com/video/work-u...
Work underway to remove asbestos at state legislature building
Asbestos removal is underway at the state legislature with no notification to state lawmakers or visitors.
www.wral.com
March 20, 2025 at 11:51 PM
NC's legislative building, destination for hundreds of people and schoolkids every day, undergoes asbestos remediation with no public notice or warning to #ncga lawmakers. #ncpol www.wral.com/video/work-u...
Gift article: WaPo writes about MY FAVORITE THING ON THE ENTIRE INTERNET. And there's even an NC connection! #tellyourdogIsaidhi
@weratedogs.com wapo.st/4ijrs7Y
@weratedogs.com wapo.st/4ijrs7Y
This man rates dogs for a living. He has millions of loyal followers.
“There are just so many dogs to talk about, and I could talk about them forever,” said Matt Nelson, who started WeRateDogs as a comedic experiment.
wapo.st
March 20, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Gift article: WaPo writes about MY FAVORITE THING ON THE ENTIRE INTERNET. And there's even an NC connection! #tellyourdogIsaidhi
@weratedogs.com wapo.st/4ijrs7Y
@weratedogs.com wapo.st/4ijrs7Y
Heard this this AM. Props to Martin for refusing to accept falsehoods and non-answers. That's what we're supposed to be here for.
…this is insane????
March 14, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Heard this this AM. Props to Martin for refusing to accept falsehoods and non-answers. That's what we're supposed to be here for.
Tonight's story: Asbestos removal at #ncga legislature appears to violate state guidelines on public notification. #ncpol
www.wral.com/story/asbest...
www.wral.com/story/asbest...
Asbestos removal at North Carolina legislature worries some state lawmakers
Some state lawmakers are asking questions after discovering asbestos warnings tied to work happening near their offices in the state legislative building. The building director says it's being done sa...
www.wral.com
March 14, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Tonight's story: Asbestos removal at #ncga legislature appears to violate state guidelines on public notification. #ncpol
www.wral.com/story/asbest...
www.wral.com/story/asbest...
Reposted by Laura Leslie
Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the 4 other members of the Five Eyes spy alliance—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—are reportedly examining whether to continue including America in international intelligence.
Trump’s Russia Obsession Just Cost the U.S. a Crucial Intel Tool
Donald Trump’s clear affection for Vladimir Putin has U.S. allies rethinking a few things.
newrepublic.com
March 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the 4 other members of the Five Eyes spy alliance—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—are reportedly examining whether to continue including America in international intelligence.
Tried to contact the White House press office for a comment on a story today. Called twice. No one answered after 20 rings. There's also no media contact info on the web pages for the White House or DOGE. I've never seen that before.
March 8, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Tried to contact the White House press office for a comment on a story today. Called twice. No one answered after 20 rings. There's also no media contact info on the web pages for the White House or DOGE. I've never seen that before.
Welp.
NEWS
The FDA, which operates under the authority of Robert Kennedy Jr., canceled the meeting to discuss next year’s flu vaccines.
This could interfere with or delay production of flu vaccines.
86 children and 19,000 adults have died from flu this season.
About 430,000 people were hospitalized.
The FDA, which operates under the authority of Robert Kennedy Jr., canceled the meeting to discuss next year’s flu vaccines.
This could interfere with or delay production of flu vaccines.
86 children and 19,000 adults have died from flu this season.
About 430,000 people were hospitalized.
F.D.A. Cancels Meeting of Vaccine Experts Scheduled to Advise on Flu Shots (Gift Article)
The cancellation plays into fears among scientists who worry that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will use his position as health secretary to sow doubts about vaccines.
bit.ly
February 27, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Welp.
Tonight's story: NC GOP lawmakers fast-track bill echoing President Trump's focus on undocumented immigrants.
NC Senate leaders advance immigration crackdown bill
A bill to crack down on undocumented immigrants in North Carolina passed its first vote Wednesday in a key state Senate committee.
www.wral.com
February 27, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Tonight's story: NC GOP lawmakers fast-track bill echoing President Trump's focus on undocumented immigrants.
Tonight’s story.
NC State graduate one of many scientists hit by federal workforce cuts
NC State graduate Michelle Kirchner is one of thousands of federal employees to lose jobs under the Trump administration. She was fired from her USDA job on Valentine's Day.
www.wral.com
February 25, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Tonight’s story.