From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson August 6, 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,
| | Now that the General Assembly is in the interim, the newsletter will be on a bi-weekly schedule. | | |
Although the Senate did not meet this week, the House continued advancing legislation and wrapping up several measures before the General Assembly's extended break.
HB 268 & HB 562 Budget Technical Corrections โ
The House adopted conference reports for these two bills, making technical corrections and targeted adjustments to the 2026 state budget to ensure agencies can effectively implement this year's appropriations. Both measures have now been ratified and sent to the Governor for his approval.
HB 834 SBOE Administrative Changes & HB 958 Election Law Changes โ
The House concurred with Senate changes to both election bills, sending them through the final steps of the legislative process. The legislation updates election administration, absentee voting procedures, and other aspects of North Carolina's election laws. Both measures have now been ratified and sent to the Governor for his approval.
HB 377 2026 Court Changes โ
The House adopted the conference report for this legislation, which makes a variety of updates to North Carolina's court system and judicial operations. This bill has now been ratified and sent to the Governor for his approval.
With the General Assembly now entering an extended recess, lawmakers will spend the coming months working in their districts and assisting constituents. The legislature is expected to reconvene later this year to address any unfinished business and consider additional legislative matters as needed until next year's long session.
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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.
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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.
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Bladen County's Longleaf Pines Helped Build a Nation
When Americans think of the Revolutionary War, they often picture famous battles and military leaders. Yet some of the nation's most important contributions came from the longleaf pine forests of Bladen County.
During the colonial era, Bladen County became a major producer of naval storesโtar, pitch, rosin and turpentineโessential materials used to build and maintain wooden sailing ships. Workers harvested pine resin, processed it into naval stores and floated barrels down the Cape Fear River to Wilmington for shipment throughout the colonies and beyond.
By the late 1760s, North Carolina produced an estimated 60 percent of all naval stores made in the American colonies. While the industry originally supplied British ships, these same resources later supported American commerce and shipping during the Revolutionary War and the nation's early years.
As America marks its 250th anniversary, Bladen County's longleaf pine forests remind us that the nation's founding depended not only on soldiers and statesmen, but also on the hardworking men and women whose labor helped keep a young nation movingโone barrel at a time.
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Wallace Officers Participate in Active Threat Training
Wallace Police officers and Duplin County Sheriff's Office school resource officers recently completed realistic active threat training at Wallace Elementary School ahead of the new school year.
The annual exercise simulated an active shooter response using blank shotgun rounds, realistic victim injuries, sound effects and volunteer role players to better prepare officers for high-stress situations. This year's training also included hands-on instruction in treating traumatic injuries, with officers learning how to apply tourniquets and provide lifesaving care until emergency medical personnel arrive.
Wallace Police Chief James Crayton said the department continues to expand and improve the training each year, emphasizing both tactical response and emergency medical skills. Instructors from the Youngsville Police Department helped lead the program, while community volunteers added realism by serving as victims during the exercise.
Town Councilman Glenn Price, who volunteered in the training, noted that preparing for these situations is essential, saying communities must be ready because emergencies can happen anywhere.
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Jones County Reassures Residents on Water Quality
Jones County officials are reassuring residents that the county's drinking water continues to meet or exceed all state and federal safety standards following recent public concerns.
County officials said the water system is tested daily for chlorine, monthly for bacteriological contaminants, and regularly for more than 300 additional constituents as required by the state. Water samples are collected throughout the distribution system at homes, churches and businesses across the countyโnot just at well sitesโto ensure water quality remains consistent.
Officials noted that because the county's water comes from natural groundwater, minerals such as iron, manganese and hardness can occasionally cause yellow or orange staining on plumbing fixtures. They emphasized that these naturally occurring minerals do not make the water unsafe to drink and that the stains can typically be removed with common household cleaners.
County leaders also stressed that they personally drink the county's water and that residents would be notified immediately if any issue affecting water safety were to arise.
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Pender County Considers Refunds for Unused Water Tap Fees
Pender County commissioners are exploring options for more than 1,500 property owners who paid advance tap fees for county water service but have yet to receive access.
County officials said 1,552 property owners are still waiting for water service, with some having paid the fees decades ago. The advance tap fee program allowed residents to reserve future access to county water if lines were extended to their properties, though the agreements did not guarantee when service would become available.
Commissioners discussed several options, including automatically refunding all affected property owners, continuing to issue refunds only upon request, or notifying residents that refunds are available. The board appeared to favor either maintaining the current refund-on-request process or proactively informing eligible property owners of their options.
At the same time, Commissioner Jimmy Tate is traveling to Raleigh to meet with state officials about potential funding opportunities to expand water infrastructure into rural areas of Pender County. County leaders hope additional funding could help bring water service to more residents who currently rely on private wells.
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Lakewood Community Schools Hosts Back-to-School Cookout
Families from across the Lakewood District gathered at Roseboro Park for a community-wide back-to-school cookout hosted by the Community Schools initiative.
The event featured free school supplies, food, games, foam activities, community resources and family-friendly entertainment, all designed to bring the community together ahead of the new school year. Local organizations, including the Clinton-Sampson Library, were on hand to provide information, books and resources for families.
Organizers said the event was planned to strengthen connections between schools, families and the community while helping students prepare for the upcoming school year. Community members praised the event for providing a fun, safe environment for children and valuable resources for parents, with many expressing hope it becomes an annual tradition.
The cookout marked the first community event hosted by the Community Schools program in Sampson County Schools and drew strong participation from families throughout the Lakewood District.
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Agriculture Spotlight: New Seed Center Strengthens North Carolina's Christmas Tree Industry
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The Tobacco Trust Fund Christmas Tree Seed Center of Excellence officially opened at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Upper Mountain Research Station, marking a major milestone for North Carolina's Christmas tree industry.
The new facility will process and store the world's only certified Fraser fir seed, the result of more than 30 years of research by NCDA&CS and NC State University. Officials said the improved seed stock will help growers produce healthier, more resilient Christmas trees for years to come.
Funded through more than $1 million in grants from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the center has already processed approximately 140 pounds of Fraser fir seedโequivalent to an estimated 3 to 4 million viable seeds for future planting.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler praised the partnership between NCDA&CS, NC State and the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, noting that investments in agricultural research generate long-term benefits for farmers and the state's economy. The facility represents a significant investment in the future of one of Western North Carolina's most important agricultural industries.
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| |  | Historical Spotlight: The North Carolina Gazette | |
Long before the internet, radio or even the American Revolution, North Carolinians relied on a single newspaper for news from around the colony and beyond. The North-Carolina Gazette, established by printer James Davis in New Bern, published its first issue on Aug. 9, 1751, becoming the first newspaper in North Carolina.
Davis came to North Carolina at the request of the Colonial Assembly, which needed a printer to publish the colony's laws and official notices. Before the Gazette was established, many North Carolinians depended on newspapers printed in Virginia for news and legal announcements.
The North-Carolina Gazette featured international news, shipping reports, legal notices and advertisements from local merchants. During the Revolutionary War, paper shortages and military service forced publication to stop at times, but Davis revived the newspaper several times. It continued to play an important role in informing North Carolinians during the colony's transition to statehood.
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Today, the North-Carolina Gazette stands as a reminder of the important role a free press has played in North Carolina's history for more than 275 years.
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