Danielle Battaglia
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Danielle Battaglia
@daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
2.5K followers 700 following 500 posts
Washington correspondent for The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy DC. Mainly covering Congress with an #ncpol twist and sometimes the White House.
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daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Some news: On Oct. 31, my company decided to close our D.C. bureau.

It also offered me the opportunity to stay on and cover Congress if I move back to North Carolina.

I’m wrapping up my final two weeks in Washington before moving back to Raleigh.

See you soon #ncpol!
January 7, 2026 at 3:04 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Sen. Thom Tillis pushes to hang plaque in Capitol honoring Jan. 6 law enforcement #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Sen. Thom Tillis pushes to hang plaque in Capitol honoring Jan. 6 law enforcement
Sen. Thom Tillis announced a plan to ensure a plaque honoring the first responders in the attack on the Capitol are permanently recognized for their heroics.
www.newsobserver.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:20 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
NC’s Sen. Ted Budd wants answers on Venezuela plan, even as he supports attack #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC’s Sen. Ted Budd wants answers on Venezuela plan, even as he supports attack
Sen. Ted Budd agrees with keeping the attack on Venezuela secret from Congress, but seeks oversight in the aftermath.
www.newsobserver.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:31 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
North Carolina’s Senate candidates react to capture of Venezuelan leader #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
North Carolina’s Senate candidates react to capture of Venezuelan leader
Candidates running to replace Sen. Thom Tillis react to the Trump administration’s capture of Nicolás Maduro.
www.newsobserver.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
NC lawmakers top lists for speeches, conservative votes. See their year in review #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC lawmakers top lists for speeches, conservative votes. See their year in review
North Carolina’s members of Congress just completed one year in the current session of Congress. We review how they performed in 2025.
www.newsobserver.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:16 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Jan. 6 deposition, Epstein files, federal funding await Congress’ NC delegation #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Jan. 6 deposition, Epstein files, federal funding await Congress’ NC delegation
North Carolina’s congressional delegation comes back from the holidays this week to news of the Epstein files, the Jack Smith deposition and a potential government shutdown.
www.newsobserver.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:12 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Tillis joins US senators telling Trump that Putin is a ‘ruthless murderer’ #ncpol

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Tillis joins US senators telling Trump that Putin is a ‘ruthless murderer’
As peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are underway, North Carolina’s Thom Tillis joined other senators sending the warning to President Donald Trump after a Christmas attack.
www.newsobserver.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
After joining lawsuit, NC Attorney General recovers $17 million in federal grants #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
After joining lawsuit, NC Attorney General recovers $17 million in federal grants
Attorney General Jeff Jackson sued Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FEMA after changes reduced grants expected to help with Helene costs and more.
www.newsobserver.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Trump makes case for Michael Whatley and addresses economy in Rocky Mount speech #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Trump makes case for Michael Whatley and addresses economy in Rocky Mount speech
President Donald Trump spoke for an hour and a half Friday night in Rocky Mount.
www.newsobserver.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:25 AM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Trump leaves Rocky Mount without endorsing in NC’s crowded 1st district primary #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Trump leaves Rocky Mount without endorsing in NC’s crowded 1st district primary
President Donald Trump stopped in NC’s 1st Congressional District on Friday night, but he focused on Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
www.newsobserver.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:24 AM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Trump signs Lumbee recognition into law, capping tribe’s decades-long effort #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Trump signs Lumbee recognition into law, capping tribe’s decades-long effort
With no fanfare, President Donald Trump signed Lumbee recognition into law, behind closed doors, away from reporters.
www.newsobserver.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:14 AM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
How @SenThomTillis and allies maneuvered past 137 years of obstacles to aid Lumbee #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
How Thom Tillis and allies maneuvered past 137 years of obstacles to aid Lumbee
It took a lot of help from lawmakers for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to get recognition and the prospect of federal benefits.
www.newsobserver.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:52 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
NC's Ted Budd on Mark Walker nomination: “I do have concerns about him. I think he has demonstrated, or repeated, problems with honesty. I have concerns about how he’s treated some female staff members.” #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC’s Sen. Ted Budd voices blunt concerns about Mark Walker nomination
Sen. Ted Budd became unusually blunt in response to allegations that he’s blocking President Donald Trump’s nomination of former Rep. Mark Walker to oversee international religious freedom.
www.newsobserver.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:33 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Senate votes for recognition of Lumbee, as NC tribe nears end of 137-year fight #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Senate votes for recognition of Lumbee, as NC tribe nears end of 137-year fight
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina would receive full federal recognition under a bill passed by Congress. Now it awaits Trump’s signature.
www.newsobserver.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
NC Sen. Thom Tillis says it’s time to move on from Trump-nominated Mark Walker #ncpol

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NC Sen. Thom Tillis says it’s time to move on from Trump-nominated Mark Walker
As former Rep. Mark Walker pressures the Senate to speed up his confirmation, Sen. Thom Tillis says it’s time to find another nominee.
www.newsobserver.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:46 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Ban Congress from trading stocks? NC Senate candidate Roy Cooper says yes #ncpol

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Ban Congress from trading stocks? NC Senate candidate Roy Cooper says yes
Former Gov. Roy Cooper announced his support of a bill that would ban members of Congress and their families from buying and selling stocks.
www.newsobserver.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
President Donald Trump is coming to NC’s redrawn 1st district this week #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
President Donald Trump is coming to NC’s redrawn 1st district this week
President Donald Trump plans to give remarks this week in Rocky Mount, home of one of the most watched congressional races in North Carolina.
www.newsobserver.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:37 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Trump makes endorsement in Berger-Page race. How much does it matter? #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Trump makes endorsement in Berger-Page race. How much does it matter?
President Donald Trump endorsed Senate leader Phil Berger over Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. How valuable is a Trump endorsement?
www.newsobserver.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Sen. Ted Budd makes staff changes to focus on NC’s 2028 election. Yes, 2028. #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Sen. Ted Budd makes staff changes to focus on NC’s 2028 election. Yes, 2028.
Sen. Ted Budd is making changes to his staff in order to focus on his 2028 reelection campaign, even as the 2026 election gets underway.
www.newsobserver.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
NC’s swing-voting Democrat will run in redrawn district, not the one he lives in #ncpol #nc01 #nc03

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NC’s swing-voting Democrat will run in redrawn district, not the one he lives in
The Democratic lawmaker decided where to run after Republicans, at the request of President Donald Trump, redrew the district he represents.
www.newsobserver.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Thom Tillis wants answers from Homeland Security on Operation Charlotte’s Web #ncpol
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
Thom Tillis wants answers from Homeland Security on Operation Charlotte’s Web
Sen. Thom Tillis used a Senate hearing Thursday to demand answers about what’s happening to NC residents apprehended by Border Patrol.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:59 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
What stocks are NC’s members of Congress buying and selling? See their trades #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
What stocks are NC’s members of Congress buying and selling? See their trades
All but one of North Carolina’s members of Congress have stocks or investment funds. This is what’s been traded since the start of 2025.
www.newsobserver.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:28 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
House votes to release Epstein files. Where did North Carolina lawmakers stand? #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
House votes to release Epstein files. Where did North Carolina lawmakers stand?
After months of House Republicans avoiding a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the bill passes a floor vote and heads to the Senate.
www.newsobserver.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Trump’s approval falls in NC, while Roy Cooper widens polling lead over GOP #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Trump’s approval falls in NC, while Roy Cooper widens polling lead over GOP
President Donald Trump’s approval fell in a Carolina Journal poll. Former Gov. Roy Cooper’s lead over Republican candidates grew.
www.newsobserver.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
daniellebattaglia.bsky.social
Congress votes to end shutdown. NC lawmaker breaks with party in vote for bill #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Congress votes to end shutdown. NC lawmaker breaks with party in vote for bill
The government is set to reopen after 43 days following a vote in Congress this week to fund the government through Jan. 30. Here’s how North Carolina’s lawmakers voted.
www.newsobserver.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:57 AM