VOLUME 10 ISSUE 36 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
NSJONLINE.COM
CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO
Demonstrators protest outside the Legislative Building during a rally opposing Republicans’ redistricting efforts last Tuesday in Raleigh.
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New congressional map becomes law
BRIEF this week
Two districts were altered with the GOP’s aim to unseat 1st District Rep. Don Davis
Zebulon man charged with murder in death of 4 kids Zebulon A Zebulon man who told authorities he had killed four of his children and that the bodies were in the trunk of a vehicle at his home has been charged with murder after sheriff’s deputies found human remains in his garage. Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, was charged Tuesday with one count of murder in the death of one of his children and is being held without bond in the Johnston County Jail, according to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and court records. Dickens called 911 on Monday evening and told the operator he had killed the children, the statement said. Johnston County deputies responded and found Dickens’ 3-year-old son unharmed inside the residence. The sheriff’s office said investigators believe Dickens killed three of his biological children, ages 6, 9 and 10, as well as his 18-year-old stepchild.
Hurricane Melissa brings flooding, catastrophic winds to Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica Hurricane Melissa hit southwestern Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, causing heavy flooding and wind damage. Melissa made landfall Tuesday in southwestern Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. Officials warned of devastating damage and urged residents to seek shelter as the hurricane crossed the island. Melissa’s winds tied records for the strongest Atlantic storm on landfall.
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
Community college system begins search for new president Current President Jeff Cox will retire in 2026 By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Community Colleges System announced it has started its search for a new president to replace current President Jeff Cox, who this past August announced his intention to retire in 2026.
See PRESIDENT, page A2
GOP-led NCGA at odds over budget “Such gamesmanship is not a serious effort to solve the issues facing our state and should be viewed as such.” Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick)
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“Serving as president of the North Carolina Community Colleges System has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Cox said in the statement announcing his retirement. “As a first-generation college student from rural Alleghany County, I could never have imagined that one day I would lead the state’s community college system.” Cox has served as president
Gov. Josh Stein signed a minibudget, but the Senate and House remain deadlocked By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly concluded its October session without passing a full budget, but it did send another minibudget to Gov. Josh Stein, who signed the measure Thursday. Continuing Budget Operations Part IV (Senate Bill 449) is 17 pages long and contains funding priorities such as extending bridge loans for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene from 12 to 24 months and directing the state trea-
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s new congressional district map became law last week after final passage by the House in a 66-48 vote down partisan lines. The maps received their final approval by the Senate the previous day. The new maps do not require the signature of Gov. Josh Stein. Two of the state’s 14 districts are altered by the new map: the 1st District, held by Congressman Don Davis (D-Snow Hill), and the 3rd District, held by Greg Murphy (R-Greenville). The proposed map shifts six counties from Murphy’s district to Davis’ district: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde and Pamlico. Additionally, four counties would shift from Davis’ district to Murphy’s: Greene, Lenoir, Wayne and Wilson, as well as a small portion of Swansboro in Onslow County. While introducing the
surer to modify the Cashflow Program so loan repayments can be made after FEMA reimbursement payments are received. The bill contains another $12 million for repairing fiber optic and broadband systems damaged by Hurricane Helene. Under education, tuition for out-of-state students will increase from $2,500 to $3,500 per semester starting in the 2026-27 school year at NC Promise universities, which include Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, UNC Pembroke and Western Carolina. While attendance has increased at those schools in recent years, the NC Promise Program has been running at a deficit and is expected to have a $3.3 million shortfall next year, according to data presented during a UNC System Board of Governors meeting. The bill also allocates $25 million in nonrecurring See BUDGET, page A2
maps, Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) was interrupted by shouts from the gallery until House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) intervened, reminding attendees not to interrupt. “Once again, we’re here today because California, the radical left, launched a full-fledged, coordinated attack not only on North Carolina but the integrity of democracy itself,” Jones said. “And I’ve got bad news for Gavin Newsom and the radical left: North Carolina will not stand by while they try to undermine the will of our voters and stack the decks in Washington.” Newsom and Democrats pledged to redraw California’s congressional map after Texas Republicans shifted lines to benefit the GOP. Missouri also took on redistricting to benefit Republicans, which Trump has encouraged to secure his party’s majority in Congress in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, and Indiana may also redraw its maps. Jones enumerated the steps taken in creating the maps, remarking that the “the See MAP, page A8