From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson July 9, 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.
Stay tuned for more updates on the important work we’re doing, and thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
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Governor Stein took action on several notable pieces of legislation. Below are key highlights:
House Bill 763 – Neighbor State License Recognition Act
Effective October 1, 2025, this law allows individuals who are licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia to apply for professional licensure in North Carolina without repeating the full certification process—so long as they meet a series of eligibility requirements, including having been licensed for at least one year and demonstrating good standing. Exceptions include healthcare practitioners, engineers, attorneys, and certain other regulated professions. This measure is designed to attract skilled professionals relocating to North Carolina by streamlining their entry into the state’s workforce.
Senate Bill 442 – Parents Protection Act
This law clarifies that a parent, guardian, or caretaker who raises or refers to a child according to the child’s biological sex cannot be investigated or charged with abuse or neglect solely on that basis. It also ensures that adoption agencies may not deny or delay an individual’s opportunity to adopt or be considered for adoption placement because they do not support a child’s gender transition.
Senate Bill 655 – Extend Certain Rights to Catawba Nation
This law grants the Catawba Indian Nation the same legal recognition and rights that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians currently hold under North Carolina law. These include court recognition of Catawba tribal court decisions, state authority for their law enforcement agencies, and access to state criminal records for tribal court purposes. The bill also allows for exclusion enforcement on tribal lands and provides tuition waivers for emergency service training. This legislation strengthens the state’s relationship with the Catawba Nation and enhances tribal sovereignty within state frameworks.
There were also several vetoes issued by Governor Stein including:
Senate Bill 266: Power Bill Reduction Act
Senate Bill 257 & 558: Eliminating DEI in Public and Higher Education
Senate Bill 254: Charter School Changes
House Bill 549: Clarify Powers of State Auditor
House Bill 805: Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women & Minors
As we move forward into the summer recess, these laws reflect the General Assembly’s continued efforts to lay the groundwork for ongoing discussion and implementation in the months ahead.
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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! | | BCC Hosts Successful Youth Summer Camp | | Bladen Community College hosted its Career Kaleidoscope Youth Summer Camp in Dublin, with about 50 children participating—30 younger campers (rising grades 1–5) and 20 teens (rising grades 6–10). The four-day camp provided hands-on exploration in fields like nursing, agriculture, emergency services, cosmetology, and culinary arts . Teen campers learned practical culinary skills in chef-led sessions—such as cooking chicken and waffles—while younger participants engaged in creative cosmetology projects, including styling “little people” made from toilet paper rolls. Instructor-led workshops included nursing practice with mannequins, agricultural science, and even experience with a truck simulator. The goal, emphasized by community enrichment facilitator Karen Rideout, was to give students immersive exposure to college-level programs and potential careers, with the hope that campers might return to pursue studies at Bladen Community College or elsewhere. Overall, the camp was praised for being engaging, educational, and fun, with organizers aiming to expand and improve the program in future years . | | Duplin County Schools has launched its summer meals program to combat food insecurity by providing free, healthy meals for children and teens 18 and under through August 22. The program offers lunch and the next day’s breakfast, with extra weekend meals distributed on designated days. Meals can be picked up at eight schools across the county, with scheduling adjusted throughout the summer to best meet families’ needs. From July 1, the program will expand to include churches and community sites. No sign-up, ID, or payment is required, and menus are designed to be nutritious and child-friendly. Full details, including locations and guidelines, are available at www.duplinschools.net. | | Save the Date for Jones County Back to School Bash | | On Saturday, August 9th from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Filling Station will host a community event providing free backpacks for students. Local partners will offer snacks, and vendors will be on-site along with health screenings and free lunches. Jones County Public Schools will also be present to welcome students and families as they prepare for the new school year. | | Trillium Awards $2 Million for Respite Care Facility in Pender County | | A new facility called Henry’s House is being built in Burgaw, North Carolina, to offer short-term respite care for children with disabilities and their families. A collaboration between Easterseals PORT Health and Trillium Health Resources, the project received a $2 million investment from Trillium to help complete renovations. Designed for children ages 8 to 18 with developmental disabilities, autism, or brain injuries, the center will include two buildings—one for administration and another for residential care with six bedrooms, including a larger room for siblings. The facility aims to provide relief for caregivers while offering a safe, engaging space for children. Named in honor of a child whose care helped shape the program, Henry’s House is set to open between mid-September and early October, with the goal of providing lasting support to families in Pender County and beyond. | | Local Coharie Youth Learn About Pride and Growth | | The Coharie Tribe of Sampson County recently held its first-ever Youth Community Camp, culminating in a community day to celebrate a week of cultural education and growth. Throughout the camp, 55 young tribal members participated in activities like fishing, planting, and learning traditional life skills rooted in Coharie heritage. Guest speaker Matt Grove emphasized the importance of agriculture and spirituality in Native traditions, highlighting how food, plants, and the earth are seen as sacred and interconnected. Tribal Administrator Greg Jacobs spoke about the moral values and spiritual foundations instilled in Coharie youth, noting how cultural traditions were once hidden for protection but are now being revived. Camp leaders observed notable growth in the campers’ understanding of their identity, with many showing pride in learning their language and history. Organizers plan to continue the camp next year, citing overwhelming positive feedback and the desire to expand participation with more community support. | | Behind the Scenes of the Whole Hog Barbecue Series | | In North Carolina, barbecue isn’t just a meal—it’s a tradition, a craft, and a competition. The Whole Hog Barbecue Series, sponsored by the N.C. Pork Council, brings pit masters together across the state to compete in over 40 events throughout the year. These events celebrate the heritage of pork barbecue, judging competitors on criteria such as color, crispiness, moisture, taste, and sauce. Travis Stafford, 2024 state champion and one of seven master judges in the state, shared insight into the high level of skill and dedication it takes to win. Judges evaluate everything from the pig’s appearance and internal temperature to the quality of the meat and sauce. Only salt and baking soda are allowed in the cooking process, preserving the natural flavor of the pork. Prize money varies, with top competitions offering thousands in rewards, but most teams compete for the love of barbecue, often investing in custom-built cookers. Stafford, a welder from Greene County, even builds accessible cookers for fellow competitors. Many events welcome the public to sample entries, offering a delicious taste of this uniquely North Carolina tradition. | | July 1937: Krispy Kreme Opens in Winston-Salem | | On July 13, 1937, the first Krispy Kreme store opened in Winston-Salem, NC, launching what would become a beloved doughnut empire. Founded by Vernon Rudolph, who used a secret recipe originally purchased by his uncle from a New Orleans chef, the shop introduced doughnuts to a region where they were once considered Northern novelties. Southern tastes for fried and bready foods helped Krispy Kreme gain early traction. After relocating from Kentucky and several other Southern cities, Rudolph settled in Winston-Salem, drawn by its industrial potential and large population. With just a few dollars left after paying rent, Rudolph convinced a local grocer to front the ingredients for his first batch of doughnuts. Though initially focused on wholesale distribution, the irresistible smell of fresh doughnuts attracted pedestrians, prompting Rudolph to cut a hole in the wall and begin selling directly to the public. This decision not only boosted retail sales but also gave customers a view of the doughnut-making process, adding spectacle to the brand. Over the decades, Krispy Kreme capitalized on this transparency with features like the “Hot Now!” sign and store designs that showcased the production line. The company has since become a cultural icon, with its Original Glazed doughnut remaining the favorite. Today, Krispy Kreme’s history and influence are celebrated in everything from corporate archives at the Smithsonian to NC State’s annual Krispy Kreme Challenge. | | | | |
