VOLUME 10 ISSUE 35 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
NSJONLINE.COM
REDISTRICTING ON TAP Alleghany Ashe
Mitchell
Caldwell
Jackson Macon
Cherokee
Rutherford Henderson Polk
Guilford
Alamance
6
10
Transylvania
Hertford
Randolph
Franklin
4
9
Bertie
Edgecombe
Wilson
13
Johnston Harnett
3
Union
Anson
Dare
1
Pitt Beaufort
Greene
Hyde
Wayne
Montgomery
Lenoir
Craven Pamlico
8 PROPOSED DISTRICTS
Tyrrell
Washington
Martin
2
Chatham
Moore
Chowan
Nash
Lee Stanly
12
Halifax
Mecklenburg
Clay
Currituck
Gates
Northampton
Warren
Durham
Wake
Cabarrus Gaston
Orange
Davidson
Lincoln
14 Cleveland
Vance
Perquimans
Forsyth
Rowan
11 1
Graham
Person
Davie Iredell
Catawba
Buncombe
Caswell
Rockingham
Granville Yadkin
Alexander
Burke
McDowell Haywood
5 Wilkes
Avery
Yancey
Madison
Stokes
n de m Ca nk ta uo sq Pa
Watauga
Surry
Hoke
Richmond
3
Cumberland
Sampson
Jones
Duplin Carteret
Scotland
1
Onslow Robeson
Bladen Pender
Columbus
7
New Hanover
Brunswick
SOURCES: SL 2023-145; CCM-2
The North Carolina Senate passed new maps Monday in the first step toward the Republican-led General Assembly positioning the GOP to gain a seat in Congress. The new maps alter two of the state’s 14 congressional districts, both in the eastern part of the state. The map above shows the proposed changes: The current District 1 (shown in purple) and District 3 (shown in yellow) would be redrawn. The new District 1 would shift east toward the coast into areas marked with dots, while the new District 3 would consolidate inland into areas shown with horizontal lines. These changes would make District 1, currently held by Rep. Don Davis (D-Snow Hill), more favorable to Republicans. Davis won a close race in the current configuration last election. District 3 would remain a safe Republican seat for Rep. Greg Murphy (R-Greenville). The move comes as President Donald Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to redraw maps to maximize GOP control of Congress.
the
Congressional maps pass state Senate
BRIEF this week
GOP, Dems remain defiant as shutdown enters fourth week Washington, D.C. As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Senate Republicans went to the White House on Tuesday in a display of unity with President Donald Trump as they refuse to negotiate on any Democratic demands. Senate Democrats are confident in their strategy to keep voting against a House-passed bill that would reopen the government until Republicans, including Trump, engage them on extending health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year. With both sides showing no signs of movement, it’s unclear how long the stalemate will last — even as hundreds of thousands of federal workers will miss another paycheck in the coming days and states are sounding warnings that key federal programs will soon lapse completely.
U.S., Australia sign critical-minerals agreement Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical-minerals deal at the White House on Monday as the U.S. eyes the continent’s rich rare-earth resources at a time when China is imposing tougher rules on exporting its own critical minerals abroad. The two leaders described the agreement as an $8.5 billion deal between the allies. Trump said it had been negotiated over several months. Albanese said the agreement takes the U.S.-Australia relationship “to the next level.” Earlier this month, Beijing announced that it will require foreign companies to get approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even trace amounts of rare-earth materials that originated from China or were produced with Chinese technology. The Trump administration says this gives China broad power over the global economy by controlling the tech supply chain.
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Two of the state’s 14 congressional districts, the 1st and 3rd, are impacted
Audit shows $83M in late SNAP benefits The report says NCDHHS leadership did not issue formal corrective actions for the late payments between 2021 and 2024 By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A performance audit by the Office of the State Auditor says $83 million
in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits between 2021 and 2024 were delivered late to recipients. See SNAP, page A8
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Redistricting of North Carolina’s congressional map moved ahead Monday, with the Senate Elections Committee and full Senate approving the map after a third reading. Debate on the Senate floor lasted almost three hours, included procedural delay tactics by Democrats, and ended in a second reading vote passing the map 25-20 down partisan lines. Democrats protested the passage, with each member sub-
mitting a “Constitutional protest” to be put in the record for the reason the legislation is “injurious to the public.” Before NSJ’s publication deadline, the House Select Committee on Redistricting and the full House were scheduled to address the maps. A similar approval outcome by the House is likely given both chambers have a Republican majority. Since the governor cannot veto redistricted maps in North Carolina, if both chambers pass the maps, they would be enacted. The maps would also likely face lawsuits. Lawmakers first announced the intent to alter the maps Oct. 13. The 1st and 3rd Districts — See MAPS, page A2
Sanderson arrested for DWI The senator’s breath test was twice the legal limit By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina state Sen. Norman Sanderson (R-Pamlico) was arrested on DWI charges Saturday evening
after being pulled over on Edwards Mill Road in Raleigh by the State Highway Patrol. Sanderson has been charged with three misdemeanors: driving while impaired, an open container after consumption vi-
olation and failure to obey a traffic officer. “Last night I made a regrettable mistake, and I take responsibility for my actions,” Sanderson said in a statement. “I want to apologize to my constituents, my colleagues, and my family for See SANDERSON, page A8
NC teachers association becomes AFT union affiliate The Professional Educators of North Carolina is now AFTPENC By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The American Federation of Teachers added a North Carolina teacher professional association to its ranks this month. The Professional Educators of North Carolina joined the ranks of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) on Oct. 14 and is now known as AFPENC, according to the group’s website. “With the strength of the AFT behind us, we are embracing a larger movement that champions fairness, democracy, opportunity and high-quality public education for all,” AFPENC President Joanna Loftis said in a press release. “Together, we will work with
every stakeholder who shares our belief that public education is the foundation of a strong and thriving North Carolina. We are proud to establish this AFT affiliate in our state and look forward to building a stronger voice for educators across North Carolina.” PENC had 2,082 members as of the 2022-23 school year, according to the 2024 annual state audit of state employee association memberships, a decline of nearly 4% over the previous year’s audit report. For 2022-23, there were 92,681 public school teachers in North Carolina, not including the more than 8,700 public charter school teachers. AFT boasts representation of 1.8 million pre-K through 12th grade teachers and other education professionals. “These North Carolina teachers have been organizing for years to See UNION, page A2
COURTESY SHP
Sen. Norman Sanderson