Mike Hawkins
@mhcommissioner.bsky.social
Hard to think of an issue more fundamental to rural North Carolina than healthcare access -
When the hospital leaves town
There are two kinds of Americans: those who live 12 minutes from an emergency department and those who live 72. | In large swaths of rural America, the basic expectation that an ambulance will reach a...
www.fiercehealthcare.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Hard to think of an issue more fundamental to rural North Carolina than healthcare access -
RIP to one of the best things on the internet. Thank you, Paul Lukas.
Uni Watch: 1999–2025
After a long run, Uni Watch’s coverage of athletics aesthetics is coming to a close.
uni-watch.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:52 PM
RIP to one of the best things on the internet. Thank you, Paul Lukas.
Proud to have been a tiny part of this initiative at my church, Brevard First United Methodist - thank you Duke Endowment and allies like NC Rural Center!
How church-based literacy camps are filling a gap in summer learning for rural students statewide
Since 2013, The Duke Endowment has piloted a "Summer Literacy Initiative" that now includes 23 camps and has served nearly 2,000 kids.
www.ednc.org
September 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Proud to have been a tiny part of this initiative at my church, Brevard First United Methodist - thank you Duke Endowment and allies like NC Rural Center!
Blue Ridge CC board meeting in Brevard today, BRCC serves our region so well -
September 2, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Blue Ridge CC board meeting in Brevard today, BRCC serves our region so well -
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
Kill me
August 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Kill me
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
UPDATE: A group of 20 states, including North Carolina, sued the Trump administration for abruptly canceling grants that local governments were planning on to help them reduce natural hazard risks.
States Fear Uncertain Future of FEMA Grants Under Trump
Many states rely on the federal government for the vast majority of their emergency management funding. Now, local leaders are looking for clues about the money — and the future of FEMA itself.
www.propublica.org
July 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
UPDATE: A group of 20 states, including North Carolina, sued the Trump administration for abruptly canceling grants that local governments were planning on to help them reduce natural hazard risks.
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
Hard to take seriously the red-white-and-blue rhetoric of freedom on a 4th of July where the US president has cut off aid to a democracy fighting for its independence against ferocious attack by a foreign tyrant.
July 4, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Hard to take seriously the red-white-and-blue rhetoric of freedom on a 4th of July where the US president has cut off aid to a democracy fighting for its independence against ferocious attack by a foreign tyrant.
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
Dear All Journalists,
You don’t have to credit the line “Tariffs will hit American consumers” to “economists say”.
Thanks
You don’t have to credit the line “Tariffs will hit American consumers” to “economists say”.
Thanks
July 4, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Dear All Journalists,
You don’t have to credit the line “Tariffs will hit American consumers” to “economists say”.
Thanks
You don’t have to credit the line “Tariffs will hit American consumers” to “economists say”.
Thanks
Than you @theassemblync.bsky.social for highlighting the continuing post-Helene struggles in Brevard - symptomatic of all of WNC -
For the first four months after Hurricane Helene flooded her Brevard home, Nicole Ramirez lived in a drafty, 100-year-old camp cabin. If Ramirez was in bed and her fiancé got up, she could feel the whole building shake.
www.theassemblync.com/place/after-...
www.theassemblync.com/place/after-...
After the Flood
Residents of Brevard’s Cherry Street neighborhood are still in RVs, carrying two mortgages, or living in construction zones.
www.theassemblync.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Than you @theassemblync.bsky.social for highlighting the continuing post-Helene struggles in Brevard - symptomatic of all of WNC -
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
DEAN: What's the tariff on bananas?
LUTNICK: Generally 10%
DEAN: Walmart has already increased the cost of bananas by 8%
LUTNICK: If you build in America, there is no tariff
DEAN: We cannot build bananas in America
LUTNICK: Generally 10%
DEAN: Walmart has already increased the cost of bananas by 8%
LUTNICK: If you build in America, there is no tariff
DEAN: We cannot build bananas in America
June 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
DEAN: What's the tariff on bananas?
LUTNICK: Generally 10%
DEAN: Walmart has already increased the cost of bananas by 8%
LUTNICK: If you build in America, there is no tariff
DEAN: We cannot build bananas in America
LUTNICK: Generally 10%
DEAN: Walmart has already increased the cost of bananas by 8%
LUTNICK: If you build in America, there is no tariff
DEAN: We cannot build bananas in America
Especially in rural NC, local business owners will have to provide ever-increasing engagement & $$ support, as voucher programs siphon state financial support away from public schools -
MARY ANN WOLF: 'Community Connections - The power of rural schools and local businesses
Monday, April 21,2025 -- In rural North Carolina communities partnerships between local businesses and public schools benefit the entire community. Students gain access to new resources and opportunit...
www.wral.com
May 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Especially in rural NC, local business owners will have to provide ever-increasing engagement & $$ support, as voucher programs siphon state financial support away from public schools -
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
BREAKING: A federal court blocks a months-long Republican effort to disenfranchise thousands of voters in North Carolina, affirming Justice Allison Riggs’ victory over Jefferson Griffin in the state Supreme Court election.
From: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
From: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
WIN: Federal Court Blocks GOP Effort to Overturn North Carolina Supreme Court Election
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
May 5, 2025 at 11:52 PM
BREAKING: A federal court blocks a months-long Republican effort to disenfranchise thousands of voters in North Carolina, affirming Justice Allison Riggs’ victory over Jefferson Griffin in the state Supreme Court election.
From: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
From: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
Access to capital is one of the biggest issues facing small biz in rural North Carolina - banks closing branches across the state only accelerates the damage.
In the shadow of ‘banktown’, a banking desert grows near Charlotte. Why?
“There’s little competition here,” one businessman said. “Any time you have competition you’re gonna have better opportunities for the consumer.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Access to capital is one of the biggest issues facing small biz in rural North Carolina - banks closing branches across the state only accelerates the damage.
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
Opinion | My entire career is based on pretending to be from Appalachia. Here’s why we must end DEI.
March 15, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Opinion | My entire career is based on pretending to be from Appalachia. Here’s why we must end DEI.
Won’t last, but everything about this photo is perfect
March 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Won’t last, but everything about this photo is perfect
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
Released 50 years ago today, Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti is ultimate showcase for the band's full range of capabilities, interests, and ambitions → cons.lv/TnpdLp
February 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Released 50 years ago today, Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti is ultimate showcase for the band's full range of capabilities, interests, and ambitions → cons.lv/TnpdLp
“Gut punch” from Helene & slow response from NC Legislature & US Congress pushing some segments of WNC agriculture into crisis. Thanks to @joshsteinnc.bsky.social for $$ and structural support; hopefully other branches can step up too
Helene’s profound impact on N.C. farms is only now coming into clearer focus
The storm inflicted huge losses on North Carolina farms. As many farmers wait for aid to flow, some wonder whether they can — or should — begin again.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 20, 2025 at 8:18 PM
“Gut punch” from Helene & slow response from NC Legislature & US Congress pushing some segments of WNC agriculture into crisis. Thanks to @joshsteinnc.bsky.social for $$ and structural support; hopefully other branches can step up too
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
Senate leader Phil Berger said Tuesday he’s not concerned by a projected $823 million drop in state revenue in 2026.
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
NC Senate leader dismisses concerns that tax cuts could create 'fiscal cliff'
Senate leader Phil Berger said Tuesday he’s not concerned by a projected $823 million drop in state revenue in 2026.
www.wunc.org
February 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Senate leader Phil Berger said Tuesday he’s not concerned by a projected $823 million drop in state revenue in 2026.
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol #ncga
Amid the controversy, it’s useful to understand what attorneys servicing immigrant populations do: “At heart, we’re an anti-poverty organization”
Immigration attorney takes part in Q&A
Editor’s note: The online edition of this article includes a spanish-language translation.
www.transylvaniatimes.com
February 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Amid the controversy, it’s useful to understand what attorneys servicing immigrant populations do: “At heart, we’re an anti-poverty organization”
WNC taxable spending down nearly $400 million in Sep/Oct - hardest-hit counties percentage-wise: Mitchell, Yancey, Buncombe, Transylvania, and Swain. From @smokymountainnews.bsky.social
By the numbers: Where Helene recovery stands, and where it's going
While the financial impact of Hurricane Helene has been apparent since the morning of Sept. 27, 2024, economic data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and other sources now show Western No...
smokymountainnews.com
February 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
WNC taxable spending down nearly $400 million in Sep/Oct - hardest-hit counties percentage-wise: Mitchell, Yancey, Buncombe, Transylvania, and Swain. From @smokymountainnews.bsky.social
Thanks NCACC, NC League, Land of Sky & others for hosting WNC recovery meeting for region’s leaders. @joshsteinnc.bsky.social Grow NC program highlighted; also work from Dogwood Health, NC Commerce, NC Emergency Management, FEMA, & much more - enormous work being done.
February 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Thanks NCACC, NC League, Land of Sky & others for hosting WNC recovery meeting for region’s leaders. @joshsteinnc.bsky.social Grow NC program highlighted; also work from Dogwood Health, NC Commerce, NC Emergency Management, FEMA, & much more - enormous work being done.
Reposted by Mike Hawkins
NC's maximum unemployment check is $350/week, unchanged for over a decade and among the lowest in the US.
An #ncga House bill that passed committee this morning would increase it: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
An #ncga House bill that passed committee this morning would increase it: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
www.wunc.org
February 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM
NC's maximum unemployment check is $350/week, unchanged for over a decade and among the lowest in the US.
An #ncga House bill that passed committee this morning would increase it: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
An #ncga House bill that passed committee this morning would increase it: www.wunc.org/politics/202... #ncpol
Even with innovative sourcing, available $$ won’t come close to what is needed for WNC rebuild. Emphasizes need of prioritization, which emphasizes need of long-term strategic thought. Governor @joshsteinnc.bsky.social is superb at this, & WNC reps in NCGA understand the dilemma. Must work together.
Rising above the flood: Small towns fight for survival amid funding shortfalls
With billions in damages, limited state aid and considerable uncertainty surrounding federal funding, local officials are still pushing for streamlined disaster response to rebuild their communities m...
smokymountainnews.com
February 5, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Even with innovative sourcing, available $$ won’t come close to what is needed for WNC rebuild. Emphasizes need of prioritization, which emphasizes need of long-term strategic thought. Governor @joshsteinnc.bsky.social is superb at this, & WNC reps in NCGA understand the dilemma. Must work together.