Destin Hall News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

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

NC Republicans reject Stein's order on 'special session' to fund Medicaid

Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, called lawmakers back to Raleigh for a special session to address the state's lack of Medicaid funding, after GOP leaders failed to pass a new budget. Republicans say they plan to disobey the order and wait until next year to address the funding shortfall.

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

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

Pressure mounts on NC Democrat Brockman to resign following sex charges

The Guilford County Democratic Party is preparing its members to potentially fill the seat currently occupied by state Rep. Cecil Brockman, who faces calls to resign after being charged with child sex offenses. State lawmakers are also considering removing him.

Paul Specht, 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

NC lawmakers plan steps to potentially remove Democratic legislator following charges of sex offense with minor

House lawmakers announced plans to create a committee that is expected to examine ways to remove Brockman from his seat.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

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

NC Democratic leader calls on GOP leaders to remove Democrat Brockman from House

State Democratic Party leader Anderson Clayton says state lawmakers should start the process of removing state Rep. Cecil Brockman, a Guilford County Democrat who faces two counts of a statutory sex offense and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

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

Why Duke QB Darian Mensah was part of the conversation about new NC children's hospital

North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall referenced Duke quarterback Darian Mensah in comments about why the state shouldn't be paying for a new, standalone state children's hospital.

Republican NC lawmakers spar over Medicaid, children's hospital funding as budget impasse drags on

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.

Paul Specht and Jack Hagel, WRAL News

Democratic NC lawmakers reiterate plea to GOP for more law enforcement, mental health funding

House minority leader Robert Reives called on GOP legislative leaders to issue a bipartisan bill that provides funding for local police, district attorneys, magistrates and judges.

WRAL News staff

DRAUGHON DRAWS: What the General Assembly didn't do over the summer

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

Ankle monitors off? NC officials scramble to keep defendant tracking system running

A system that North Carolina counties use to track defendants in domestic abuse cases faces an uncertain future as the cash-strapped organization seeks long-term funding.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Federal tax program targeting private schools at center of NC power struggle

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's latest veto sets up a power struggle with Republican lawmakers over control of a new federal school voucher tax credit program.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

New NC laws on guns, immigration, donor privacy now in place despite Stein's vetoes

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed 14 bills while in office. On Tuesday Republicans found enough Democratic support in the state legislature to override some but not all of those vetoes.

WRAL News staff