Jul 31

Jul 31 From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson

Neuse News

From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson July 30, 2026

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,

This week, the North Carolina Senate returned to Raleigh to address several important matters before concluding its work for the time being.

SB 445 Regulatory Reform Act of 2026 – This annual regulatory reform package makes targeted changes affecting business, housing, environmental regulations, education, and local government. The Senate has passed this conference report and it will now head to the House for their approval.

HB 562 and HB 268 2026 Budget Technical Corrections – These bills make technical corrections and targeted adjustments to the state budget, ensuring agencies can effectively implement the provisions of this years budget. The Senate has passed this conference report and it will now head to the House for their approval.

HB 958 Election Law Changes – This legislation updates numerous provisions of North Carolina election law, including election administration, absentee voting, and other election procedures. This bill was passed in the Senate and will now go to the House for their approval.

As the 2026 Short Session starts to come to a close, the Senate has worked to pass a balanced state budget, support agriculture, improve election laws, and advance legislation that benefits communities across North Carolina. The work accomplished this session reflects a continued commitment to strengthening our state and serving the people of North Carolina.

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This week I met Major James Capers Jr, legendary Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient. Thank you for your service Major Capers Jr!

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Eastern NC Honor Flight Accepting Veteran Applications

Eastern North Carolina Honor Flight is now accepting applications for upcoming missions honoring veterans who served during the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War eras.

The program provides veterans with the opportunity to visit the nation's memorials in Washington, D.C., recognizing their service and sacrifice. Applications are also being accepted for volunteer Guardians, who accompany veterans and provide assistance throughout the trip.

Veterans and prospective Guardians can apply online at www.enchf.org. Community members are encouraged to share this opportunity to help ensure eligible veterans receive the recognition they have earned.

West Bladen's Travis Pait Named Head Coach for 2027 East-West All-Star Game

West Bladen High School boys' basketball coach Travis Pait has been named head coach of the East team for the 2027 N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star boys' basketball game, recognizing his outstanding success and leadership on the court.

The game will be played July 20, 2027, at the Novant Health Fieldhouse in Greensboro. Pait will be joined by Bunn High School coach Patrick Reynell as his assistant.

In 15 seasons at West Bladen, Pait has compiled a 224-156 record, including a 90-19 mark over the past four years. His teams have reached six 20-win seasons and advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A state semifinals in 2025.

A member of Bladenboro High School's 1994 state championship team, Pait has also coached at Harrells, South Robeson, and Hoke County before taking over at West Bladen in 2011.

Pait becomes the second coach from West Bladen and the seventh from Bladen County to serve on an East-West All-Star coaching staff, adding another milestone to an already accomplished coaching career.

Wallace Community Garden Brings Together Local Business and FFA Students

A new community garden is taking root in Wallace through a partnership between local business owner Felix Herring and the Wallace-Rose Hill FFA chapter.

The project aims to transform an unused space into a welcoming community gathering place while giving FFA students valuable hands-on experience in agriculture, leadership and service. Students have helped clear the site, prepare the garden, and will manage individual raised beds from planting through harvest.

Organizers also hope to expand the project by adding a beekeeping area to support pollinators and eventually connecting the site with a local farmers market. The effort highlights the value of community partnerships while encouraging agricultural education and supporting Wallace's continued growth.

Jones County Voters to Decide Mixed Beverage Referendum This Fall

Jones County voters will decide this November whether to allow the sale of mixed beverages for on-premises consumption in eligible restaurants, hotels, and private clubs.

The Jones County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution on July 13 placing the referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election ballot. If approved, qualifying establishments could apply to the North Carolina ABC Commission for permits to sell liquor by the drink.

Supporters say the measure could help attract new restaurants and hospitality businesses, expand dining options, and generate additional local tax revenue. A "No" vote would keep current restrictions in place, allowing only the sale of beer and wine where permitted.

The referendum follows a similar measure approved by Maysville voters in 2024, while Pollocksville residents will also vote on a municipal mixed beverage referendum this November.

Burgaw Adopts Budget Focused on Growth and Public Safety

The Town of Burgaw has approved its fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which includes a four-cent increase in the property tax rate to help support the community's continued growth and invest in public services. Town officials say the increase was influenced by a state law delaying Pender County's property revaluation, requiring the town to budget using older property values while maintaining essential services.

The budget funds several key priorities, including the first full year of six federally funded firefighter positions, ensuring four full-time firefighters are on duty around the clock. It also supports long-term infrastructure planning, a future public safety training facility, and equipment purchases to prepare for more than 900 approved or proposed housing units. Water and stormwater rates will remain unchanged, while sewer and solid waste fees will see modest increases.

Hobbton Teacher Brings Global Perspective Back to the Classroom

Hobbton Middle School teacher Raven Vaughn recently returned from a nearly two-week educational fellowship in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, where she visited schools and communities to learn about teaching practices and cultural traditions.

Selected through a competitive fellowship sponsored by Simple Gifts and GoGlobal, Vaughn joined other rural North Carolina educators to exchange ideas with teachers abroad. She said the experience reinforced the importance of mentorship, community involvement, and gratitude—lessons she plans to bring back to her classroom.

Vaughn was inspired by the strong sense of community she observed, where schools, families, churches, and local organizations worked together to support students. She also gained a new appreciation for the challenges faced by multilingual learners after experiencing language barriers herself during the trip.

Now back in Sampson County, Vaughn hopes to incorporate the lessons she learned into her teaching while encouraging students to value community, resilience, and service to others.

Agriculture Spotlight: Meet North Carolina's 2026 Watermelon Queen

Lilah Byrum of Tyner has been crowned the 2026 North Carolina Watermelon Queen, earning the title during the 43rd Annual North Carolina Watermelon Association Convention.

A student at North Carolina State University majoring in Crop and Soil Sciences with a concentration in Agronomy, Byrum is actively involved in agricultural leadership through organizations including the NCSU Agronomy Club and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She also has a strong background in 4-H, FFA, livestock showing, and working on her family's farm.

As Watermelon Queen, Byrum will spend the next year promoting North Carolina's watermelon industry and supporting the state's growers through appearances at festivals, farmers markets, retail events, educational programs, and industry gatherings. She will also represent the North Carolina Watermelon Association at the 2027 National Watermelon Association Convention.

Historical Spotlight: The Biltmore Estate

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, the Biltmore Estate stands as one of North Carolina's most iconic landmarks. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1890 and 1895, the 250-room mansion remains the largest privately owned home in the United States. Designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt and surrounded by landscapes created by Frederick Law Olmsted, the estate showcased the finest architecture, engineering, and craftsmanship of the Gilded Age.

Beyond its grandeur, Biltmore played a significant role in North Carolina's history. The estate became home to America's first school of scientific forestry, where sustainable forest management practices were developed that later influenced forestry across the nation. Much of Vanderbilt's original forestland was eventually sold to the federal government, forming the foundation of today's Pisgah National Forest.

More than 130 years after it was completed, the Biltmore Estate continues to attract visitors from around the world while preserving an important chapter of North Carolina's history and conservation legacy.