Brandon Kingdollar
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kingdollar.bsky.social
Brandon Kingdollar
@kingdollar.bsky.social
Politics reporter for NC Newsline. Words in the Tampa Bay Times and The Harvard Crimson. “If you’re gonna hype it, hype it with the facts.”

📫 bkingdollar@ncnewsline.com

Fan of hiking, horror, the Chicago Bears (sigh), and my cat.
Pinned
Hey folks! My name is Brandon Kingdollar and I’m a politics reporter for NC Newsline covering politics and government in the Tar Heel state.

Questions? Tips? You can email me at bkingdollar@ncnewsline.com.
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
President Donald Trump launched the opening salvo in North Carolina’s midterm elections Friday night in a speech to several hundred in Rocky Mount ncnewsline.com/2025/12/20/t... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol
Trump kicks off NC's 2026 midterms by attacking Roy Cooper in Rocky Mount speech • NC Newsline
President Donald Trump kicks off NC's 2026 midterms by attacking ‘radical left’ Roy Cooper in Rocky Mount speech
ncnewsline.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The Senate passed federal recognition for the Lumbee as part of a sweeping defense appropriations bill on Wednesday. It now heads to Trump’s desk for his signature.
Congress passes Lumbee recognition bill, heads to Trump’s desk • NC Newsline
The Senate approved federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina on Wednesday following passage by the House last week.
ncnewsline.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
More than 2,000 supporters, including students and faculty, signed onto a petition as of Thursday opposing a University of North Carolina system proposal to require the public release of all class syllabi and materials. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #unc #ncpol
UNC system faculty condemn proposed policy disclosing course materials to public • NC Newsline
Backers of the proposal say it’s a necessary move to restore trust, while opponents raised concerns over harassment of faculty and students.
ncnewsline.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
After more than 40 bills have failed to win recognition for the Lumbee of North Carolina, supporters hope full tribal status is finally within reach. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/10/l... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol
Lumbee recognition heads to congressional vote as Trump seeks to deliver on pledge • NC Newsline
After more than 40 bills have failed to secure recognition, Lumbee supporters are hopeful that full tribal status is finally within reach.
ncnewsline.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Republican leaders are blaming Gov. Josh Stein for a second stabbing on Charlotte public transit — this time by an alleged assailant who illegally entered the U.S. — and are demanding he cooperate more with immigration enforcement.
Second Charlotte stabbing fuels GOP calls for immigration crackdown in North Carolina • NC Newsline
Republican leaders blamed Gov. Josh Stein and Democrats for the attack, noting that the alleged assailant was in the United States illegally.
ncnewsline.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
A second stabbing on Charlotte’s public transit system, this time by a man who was allegedly in the United States illegally, has drawn national attention as Republican leaders voice support for the immigration crackdown in the state. Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #Charlotte
Second Charlotte stabbing fuels GOP calls for immigration crackdown in North Carolina • NC Newsline
Republican leaders blamed Gov. Josh Stein and Democrats for the attack, noting that the alleged assailant was in the United States illegally.
ncnewsline.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
Another large-scale immigration enforcement operation appears to be underway in North Carolina, focusing on the Research Triangle and Triad area, according to immigrant advocacy group Siembra NC. Here's what we know: ncnewsline.com/2025/12/05/i... by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol
ICE agents once again operating in North Carolina, activists say, including arrests in Durham • NC Newsline
Another large-scale ICE operation appears to be underway in North Carolina, focusing on the Triangle and Triad areas, according to Siembra NC.
ncnewsline.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
The U.S. Senate confirmed four of President Donald Trump’s nominees to North Carolina federal courts this week, twice as many as in his entire first term. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/04/f... by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol
Four Trump appointees to take the bench in North Carolina’s federal district courts • NC Newsline
The Senate confirmed four of President Donald Trump’s nominees to North Carolina federal courts this week, twice as many as in his first term.
ncnewsline.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Four of President Donald Trump’s nominees were confirmed to North Carolina’s federal district courts this week. That’s more than twice his number of appointments in the state in his first term.
Four Trump appointees to take the bench in North Carolina’s federal district courts • NC Newsline
The Senate confirmed four of President Donald Trump’s nominees to North Carolina federal courts this week, twice as many as in his first term.
ncnewsline.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
When we asked readers why they support our work, they said they appreciate our coverage of the state legislature, Medicaid cuts and Helene recovery. We’re in the middle of our end-of-year fundraising drive. Can you step up to help us make NC a stronger, more informed state?👉 ncnewsline.com/donate/
December 4, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
“Buy now, pay later” services, which 15% of adults used in 2024, can trap consumers in a cycle of debt if not used responsibly, Attorney General Jeff Jackson warned. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/02/n... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol
NC AG Jeff Jackson leads inquiry into ‘buy now, pay later’ lending practices • NC Newsline
Buy now, pay later services, which 15% of adults used in 2024, can trap consumers in a cycle of debt if not used responsibly, Jackson warned.
ncnewsline.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson warned Monday that using “buy now, pay later” services could place shoppers at risk of incurring massive debt. He has launched an inquiry to determine whether they are abiding by consumer protection laws.
NC AG Jeff Jackson leads inquiry into ‘buy now, pay later’ lending practices • NC Newsline
Buy now, pay later services, which 15% of adults used in 2024, can trap consumers in a cycle of debt if not used responsibly, Jackson warned.
ncnewsline.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
CALLOUT: I am looking to interview individuals who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. The center can be located anywhere. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or send me a DM.
December 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
ICYMI: We sat down recently with Newsline's Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social to discuss his coverage of the crackdown on immigrants and his reporting on another controversial federal law enforcement action targeting the hemp industry. ncnewsline.com/2025/12/01/n... (podcast) #ncpol
NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar on the impact of the Border Patrol's immigration crackdown • NC Newsline
NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar discusses the impacts of the immigration crackdown and another controversial federal law enforcement action targeting hemp products.
ncnewsline.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Listen to my interview on the NC Newsline podcast where I talk about immigration raids in North Carolina and the impacts of a federal ban on hemp in the state.
NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar on the impact of the Border Patrol's immigration crackdown • NC Newsline
NC Newsline reporter Brandon Kingdollar discusses the impacts of the immigration crackdown and another controversial federal law enforcement action targeting hemp products.
ncnewsline.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:28 PM
A federal panel denied a request to halt the use of North Carolina’s new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms on grounds that the new districts are racially discriminatory. The map will remain in place as the lawsuit continues.
Federal court allows Republican-led North Carolina redistricting plan to proceed • NC Newsline
North Carolina Republicans prevailed on a preliminary injunction that would have blocked a 2026 congressional map redrawn to favor the GOP.
ncnewsline.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:05 AM
More than 200 online stores who do business using e-commerce platform Shopify illegally sold electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products, circumventing age and safety requirements, AG Jeff Jackson and the attorneys general of 25 other states allege.
North Carolina AG calls on Shopify to take action against illegal online e-cigarette sales • NC Newsline
More than 200 online stores who do business using Shopify allegedly sold electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products illegally.
ncnewsline.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
As final exams approach at NC State, stress over studies has been overtaken for some by fear of the federal immigration crackdown in Raleigh. ncnewsline.com/2025/11/21/o... Story by @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol #NCSU #Raleigh
On NC State’s campus, hundreds of students protest as fears of ICE persist • NC Newsline
As final exams approach at N.C. State, stress over studies has been overtaken for some by fear of the federal immigration crackdown in Raleigh.
ncnewsline.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The first thing Border Patrol agents asked 18-year-old Fernando Vazquez was “Where are you from?”

Read how a U.S. citizen in Cary was handcuffed and detained amid the immigration crackdown in North Carolina:
‘They basically just kidnapped me’: US citizen taken by Border Patrol in Cary • NC Newsline
As Border Patrol agents swept the Triangle area, a construction worker born in the U.S. was among those detained.
ncnewsline.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
Hundreds turned out in Durham and Raleigh Tuesday night to protest federal immigration actions critics say are indiscriminately targeting communities of color. Story by @lbonner.bsky.social and @galenb.bsky.social #nc #Raleigh #Durham
Protests, warnings across the Triangle as federal Border Patrol agents begin immigration crackdown • NC Newsline
NC residents protested as Border Patrol agents, spotted at businesses throughout the Triangle, began detaining people.
ncnewsline.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
A small town of 4,000 in Johnston County will soon be home to the largest magnet factory in the world outside of China.

Read more about the new Vulcan Elements plant coming to Benson, NC:
Stein announces $1B rare earth magnet plant in Johnston County • NC Newsline
The small town of Benson, North Carolina is about to become home to the largest magnet factory in the world outside of China. Gov. Josh Stein announced Tuesday that North Carolina-based defense contra...
ncnewsline.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:32 AM
As ICE raids target Charlotte and Raleigh, Gov. Josh Stein says the White House has told the state nothing about the ongoing immigration operations. #ncpol #ice #northcarolina
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Reposted by Brandon Kingdollar
NC politicians have flocked to the hemp industry. This former governor is one of them. ncnewsline.com/2025/11/17/n... #ncpol #hemp @kingdollar.bsky.social
NC politicians have flocked to the hemp industry. This former governor is one of them. • NC Newsline
Set to be banned next year, recreational hemp products have attracted interest and investments from influential figures in both parties.
ncnewsline.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM