Phil Berger News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The Rocking-Horse Winner: Berger or Page?

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Phil Berger casts a shadow on the state budget

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Polls show Senator Berger on the ropes

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Hats off to Senator Berger!

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The General Assembly and the State Treasurer raise some eyebrows

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

NC Medicaid fight: Cuts could affect millions, with no end in sight

North Carolina state lawmakers haven't fully funded Medicaid, and the state has begun cutting what it pays doctors and hospitals to treat Medicaid patients. Now the political finger-pointing has begun.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: North Carolina's state budget at a snail's pace

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

'Grassroots slugfest': A sheriff in a cowboy hat is trying to topple one of NC's most powerful Republicans

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger faces Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in the GOP primary to represent Senate District 26. It's Berger's first Republican challenger in years.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

In NC, don't expect state lawmakers to provide much emergency SNAP funding

More than 1.4 million North Carolinians are poised to enter November without federal subsidies they rely on for food -- and without any assurances that relief is on the way.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The Nothing-Berger -- Where's the beef?

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Legal challenges against new NC congressional map in the works as Davis considers next move

Social justice groups have vowed legal challenges against the new Republican-drawn map, making allegations of racial gerrymandering in northeastern North Carolina. U.S. Rep. Don Davis indicates he plans to run 'on my third new map.'

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Stein signs stopgap funding bill aiding law enforcement and businesses impacted by disasters

Senate Bill 449 expands and modifies programs for businesses and governments impacted by Hurricane Helene. It also appropriates money for several law-enforcement initiatives.

WRAL News staff

No new NC budget likely until at least 2026, as GOP leaders adjourn with no deal

Republicans state lawmakers were able to reach a deal on a new congressional map but remain deeply divided over how to run North Carolina, with a new budget deal still far out of reach.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC Republicans pass new congressional districts into law to boost GOP edge in U.S. House races

The North Carolina House gave final approval to new congressional districts designed to help protect Republicans' slim majority in Congress by eliminating the state's only competitive district. The new districts favor GOP candidates in 11 of 14 districts.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Gerrymandering is piracy

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Protesters march on NC legislature as House lawmakers advance new congressional districts

The new districts aim to increase the number of Republicans who represent North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 10 to 11. It could become law as soon Wednesday.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC redistricting: Map to protect GOP power in US House advances as protesters allege racism

North Carolina legislative leaders' plan to redraw the state's only swing seat -- a diverse northeastern district -- advanced in the Senate Monday. The Republican-led effort seeks to help the GOP protect its narrow majority in Congress.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

What to know about NC Republicans' effort to flip a U.S. House seat through redistricting

North Carolina Republicans are preparing to redraw the state's congressional districts in an effort to help the GOP protect its control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Here's a breakdown of what to expect.

Will Doran and Paul Specht, WRAL News

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The General Assembly's monstrous redistricting plan

Thursday, )ct. 16, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein slams Republican redistricting plan

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is again slamming a proposal by Republicans to redraw North Carolina's Congressional map.

North Carolina lawmakers will attempt to redraw congressional districts

North Carolina is represented by 10 Republicans and four Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republican leaders in the state legislature plan to draw new lines in the coming weeks.

Paul Specht and Will Doran, WRAL News

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Senator Berger's mash note to the President

Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Berger threatens to redraw congressional districts, but denies talking to Trump about it

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger says he hasn't spoken with President Donald Trump about redrawing the state's congressional districts to help Republicans keep control of the U.S. House. He also denied asking Trump for an endorsement.

Brian Murphy, Paul Specht and Jack Hagel, WRAL News

Medicaid cuts loom as North Carolina lawmakers fail to reach funding deal

North Carolina health officials say they'll need to start cutting Medicaid reimbursement rates on Oct. 1 if state lawmakers don't approve additional funding for the program.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

GOP NC lawmakers spar over Medicaid, children's hospital funding

Leaders of the North Carolina House and Senate, who remain far apart on the state's overall spending priorities, are working on a mini-budget to enable continued funding for health care initiatives, people familiar with the negotiations said.