VOLUME 11 ISSUE 14 | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026
NSJONLINE.COM
MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO
Rowdy remembered NASCAR honored Kyle Busch, who died from complications of pneumonia and sepsis last week, during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. For more, turn to Sports.
Lawmakers override veto, advance amendments
the
BRIEF this week
S.C. Senate rejects Trump’s call to redraw congressional map for midterm elections Columbia, S.C. The South Carolina Senate has rejected President Donald Trump’s push to redraw the state’s congressional districts in hopes Republicans could gain an extra seat. The proposal passed the South Carolina House on May 20 after two days of long debate. But senators rejected the effort Tuesday, as early inperson voting got underway for the state’s June 9 primaries. Some senators said it was simply too late to make a change. Others worried the move could backfire and get an extra Democrat elected to the U.S. House.
Trump administration proposes NDAs for federal employees to stop media leaks Washington, D.C. The Trump administration wants all current and future federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements, part of a continuing crackdown on leaks to the media. A proposed notice announced Tuesday on the Office of Personnel Management website is seeking comment on a draft NDA in which federal employees would acknowledge “legal obligations to safeguard non-public, confidential, or proprietary information.” It would still preserve “the right to make disclosures authorized by law.” The proposed notice seeks comment on several questions, including whether the NDA should cover only unclassified information and what appropriate actions, if any, agencies should consider for employees who choose not to sign the agreement.
State elections board seeks proposals for campaign finance system overhaul Vendor responses are due by June 24 By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina election officials are looking to replace their outdated campaign finance reporting platform.
See NCSBE, page A2
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina lawmakers overrode a veto and advanced multiple constitutional amendments during floor activity last week. The House overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of the Educational Choice for Children Act (House Bill 87), which enters the state into the Trump administration’s school choice tax credit program. The Senate is expected to complete the override this week. House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) called the override a “major win” for families. “Gov. Stein and Democrats tried to stand in the way
FEMA approves combined $97M for Helene recovery “It is vital that these funds continue to flow back to Western North Carolina. Our work will continue.” U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.)
$2.00
The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) and Office of the State Auditor have issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a new system designed to be cloudbased, more secure and easier to navigate for campaign treasurers, election staff and the public.
The General Assembly pushed through the Trump administration’s school choice tax credit
The grants support more than 150 projects across Western North Carolina for repair and recovery efforts By Jessica Taylor For North State Journal RALEIGH — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a combined $97 million in funding to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in a pair of announcements this month. In a May 13 press release, FEMA announced more than $38 million in assistance to the state for the ongoing recovery. The additional reim-
bursement funds will be sent to Western North Carolina communities to assist with 15 damage repair projects. The funds are a part of the Public Assistance (PA) grant program, which works to repair public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings and parks that have been damaged in the wake of a federally declared disaster. This program additionally aids with removing debris and providing emergency protective measures, emergency communications and emergency public transportation. FEMA typically pays 75% of the costs while the remainder is paid by the state or local government. Following the See HELENE, page A3
of giving families more control over their children’s education, but Republicans, yet again, stood firmly on the side of educational freedom,” Hall said in a press release. “This vote was about trusting parents and giving students more choices, because when our kids succeed, North Carolina succeeds.” As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Education Freedom Tax Credit program has zero participation cost to the state due to being a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for individuals contributing to a 501(c)(3) scholarship-granting organization. More than half of states have already opted into the program, and earlier this year, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon made a stop in North Carolina urging Stein to get on board. Mecklenburg County See OVERRIDE, page A3