From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson October 29, 2025 | | |
Dear Friend of Senate District 9,
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
My team and I are committed to serving our community and our state, working hard each day to bring about positive change. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue addressing the important issues impacting our district! Your voices and concerns continue to guide our efforts in the General Assembly, and we remain focused on bringing your priorities to the forefront.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
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Last week the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 249 "Realign Congressional Districts" in both the Senate and the House. The bill which is now law, re-drew the 1st and 3rd congressional districts. This realignment will be used in the 2026 elections.
The General Assembly also passed Senate Bill 449 in both the Senate and the House, signed by the Governor and became law. It modifies disaster recovery efforts and budgetary adjustments following Hurricane Helene, including loan programs and local government grant criteria. For example, "an eligible community that receives a loan under the cashflow loan program shall not be required to repay any portion of such loan until the occurrence of the latest of (i) June 30, 2030, (ii) the final declination of FEMA coverage or reimbursement, or (iii) receipt of FEMA reimbursement funds."
Senate Bill 777 which makes appointments to various boards and committees was also passed by both the Senate and the House and is now law.
Now that the General Assembly is in the interim, the newsletter will be on a bi-weekly schedule.
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| | GO Grants are a great way to get our students outdoors! Apply for a GO Grant today! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no deadline to apply! | | Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA)! | | |
The North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA) is currently accepting applications for the 2025–2026 session.
The Youth Legislative Assembly is a mock legislative session where high school students voice their opinions and vote on issues concerning local, state, and national government.
This conference provides students with a deeper understanding of the legislative process while also developing their confidence, public speaking, and debate skills.
Any high school student in good standing at a public, private, charter, or home school in North Carolina is eligible to participate.
Students simply need to complete the application—no sponsorship from a member of the General Assembly is required.
Students can apply here
| | The Haunting of Bladenboro Continues | | |
Bladenboro’s 2025 Beast Fest on Oct. 24–25 was one of the biggest yet, drawing an estimated 10–15,000 visitors. The weekend kicked off Friday evening with music from The Thomas Road Band and plenty of food—including the newly famous Beast Burgers and Beast Breath Wings.
Saturday featured a parade of local talent, including dance teams, musicians, a car show, carnival rides, contests, and family activities. The legendary “Beast of Bladenboro” even made an appearance, delighting crowds young and old. The Catalinas closed out the festival Saturday night with high-energy beach music that packed the dance floor.
Bladenboro Mayor David Hales and County Commission Chair Charles Ray Peterson praised the event for bringing the community together, with over 150 vendors and activities for all ages. Beast Fest, hosted by Boost the Boro since 2008, continues to grow each year—remaining a free, family-friendly celebration of small-town pride and community spirit.
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Warsaw gears up for 105th Veterans Day Celebration; one of the oldest Veterans Day Celebrations in the nation!
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As the town of Warsaw prepares to mark its 105th consecutive Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 1, organizers promise a full day of music, family fun, and heartfelt tributes to those who have served.
This year’s festivities will blend beloved traditions with a few new additions designed to engage the entire community. Among them are gospel music acts including The George Sisters, Evan Garris and Paula Water, all part of an expanded lineup of live music that will keep Front Street lively throughout the day. Local favorites 581 South, a band from the Goldsboro-Pikeville area, will headline the morning concert with a mix of country, beach music, and classic hits.
| | Jones County Veterans Services Hosting Luncheon | | |
Join Jones County Veterans Services for a special Veterans Day Luncheon.
Enjoy a free lunch provided for Veterans and one guest as we come together to honor and celebrate those who have served our nation.
Location: Jones County Civic Center
Date: Saturday, November 8
Time: Noon – 2 p.m.
Join us for good food, fellowship, and a time of gratitude as we recognize and thank our Veterans for their service.
| | Community Invited to Celebrate Life of Burgaw Craftsman | | |
The public is invited to attend a special event honoring the life, creativity, and service of Donald Fred Tornow, Jr. — a beloved craftsman and community member.
Location: Pender Arts Council Building, Wright Street, Burgaw
Date & Time: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
This free event will showcase a collection of Tornow’s handcrafted works, including woodworking, leatherwork, stained glass, and paintings. Guests are invited to walk through the gallery, share stories, and celebrate his enduring legacy.
Tornow was a dedicated member of the Burgaw Lions Club, where he served as Treasurer and Past President.
Family and friends may contribute photos, stories, written memories, or items crafted by Tornow for display by emailing camtornow@gmail.com.
| | SCC Makes Efforts to Increase Recruitment | | |
Sampson Community College is helping students start their education close to home while saving money. With affordable tuition, small classes, and strong transfer agreements, SCC gives students the chance to earn credits that easily move to universities like NC State, UNC Wilmington, and Chapel Hill.
Director of Marketing Brett Feight said the college offers “a safe place to land” for students unsure about their next step. “You can take your classes here, pay less, and still get the same quality education,” she said.
SCC’s Career and College Promise (CCP) program lets high school students take free or low-cost college classes, giving them a head start on degrees or job training.
Recruiter Jose Garcia has helped grow enrollment through community outreach. “People are realizing they can stay home, save money, and still get ahead,” he said.
President Dr. Bill Starling said SCC’s mission is to connect education with opportunity. “Our motto says it all—begin here, go anywhere,” he said. “That’s what our students do every day.”
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When the National Agricultural Hall of Fame welcomed its newest members on Oct. 23, it wasn’t just honoring individual achievement — it was recognizing the power of innovation to reshape an industry. Among the honorees was Wendell Murphy, the Rose Hill entrepreneur whose forward-thinking approach to pork production transformed American agriculture.
Murphy was honored with induction into the prestigious National Agricultural Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of historic icons such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and John Deere. Murphy was inducted alongside former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and antique tractor preservationist Michael Hinton, each recognized for their unique contributions to the agricultural landscape.
| | Wrights Experiment with Gliders, 1911 | | |
On October 24, 1911, Orville Wright set a world soaring record of nine minutes and 45 seconds of unpowered flight on the Outer Banks. Famous for the first powered flight in a heavier-than-air craft with his brother Wilbur in 1903, Orville Wright returned to Kitty Hawk after nearly eight years to conduct more experiments with flight. This time he was accompanied by one of his other brothers, Lorin; his nephew, Horace; and a friend who also served as the pilot during the experiments.
The 1911 attempts were different from the more famous 1903 ones in that they were with a non-powered glider. Since the Wrights had already shown that powered flight was possible, the tests were more focused on safety and were designed to try out new equipment; the new equipment ultimately had to stay under wraps because newspaper reporters came out to watch the experiments every day they were conducted.
Between October 16 and 26, Wright made nearly 100 glides. Most of them were made into winds 35 miles per hour or faster. The record-breaking, nearly 10-minute glide was into 50 mile-per-hour winds and did not reach the 120-foot distance that the powered flight had made earlier. The record would stand internationally until 1921.
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