Brandon Kingdollar
@kingdollar.bsky.social
Politics reporter for NC Newsline. Words in the Tampa Bay Times and The Harvard Crimson. “If you’re gonna hype it, hype it with the facts.”
📫 [email protected]
Fan of hiking, horror, the Chicago Bears (sigh), and my cat.
📫 [email protected]
Fan of hiking, horror, the Chicago Bears (sigh), and my cat.
Gov. Stein’s response to those who say large-scale ICE raids are necessary for safety: “This is causing widespread fear, widespread uncertainty. This is not about public safety, and I wish that it were.”
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Gov. Stein’s response to those who say large-scale ICE raids are necessary for safety: “This is causing widespread fear, widespread uncertainty. This is not about public safety, and I wish that it were.”
“They are operating in the shadows.” Stein condemns ICE operations in North Carolina cities for stopping and detaining individuals based on skin color.
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
“They are operating in the shadows.” Stein condemns ICE operations in North Carolina cities for stopping and detaining individuals based on skin color.
As ICE raids target Charlotte and Raleigh, Gov. Josh Stein says the White House has told the state nothing about the ongoing immigration operations. #ncpol #ice #northcarolina
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
As ICE raids target Charlotte and Raleigh, Gov. Josh Stein says the White House has told the state nothing about the ongoing immigration operations. #ncpol #ice #northcarolina
Gary Lucido, a Texas transplant in North Carolina, said he voted Republican all his life before Trump came along. He said GOP descriptions of No Kings as a “Hate America” protest are a “bunch of crap.”
“We love America. We’re here because we want to preserve America,” Lucido said.
“We love America. We’re here because we want to preserve America,” Lucido said.
October 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Gary Lucido, a Texas transplant in North Carolina, said he voted Republican all his life before Trump came along. He said GOP descriptions of No Kings as a “Hate America” protest are a “bunch of crap.”
“We love America. We’re here because we want to preserve America,” Lucido said.
“We love America. We’re here because we want to preserve America,” Lucido said.
Donna and Larry Shipman came to No Kings in Raleigh to fight for their right to vote, with key Voting Rights Act protections under threat.
“We need to stand up and say, ‘No, you’re not going to take this away from us,’” said Donna Shipman. “The Supreme Court, they say racism is over. No, it’s not.”
“We need to stand up and say, ‘No, you’re not going to take this away from us,’” said Donna Shipman. “The Supreme Court, they say racism is over. No, it’s not.”
October 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Donna and Larry Shipman came to No Kings in Raleigh to fight for their right to vote, with key Voting Rights Act protections under threat.
“We need to stand up and say, ‘No, you’re not going to take this away from us,’” said Donna Shipman. “The Supreme Court, they say racism is over. No, it’s not.”
“We need to stand up and say, ‘No, you’re not going to take this away from us,’” said Donna Shipman. “The Supreme Court, they say racism is over. No, it’s not.”
The scene at No Kings in Raleigh, where protesters have been met with a near-constant stream of supportive honks for the last two hours.
October 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The scene at No Kings in Raleigh, where protesters have been met with a near-constant stream of supportive honks for the last two hours.
Despite a chorus of cheers and honking cars at the No Kings protest in Raleigh, Clayton resident Jeffrey Cohn’s dogs Bindi and Obi are as calm as can be.
“They’re a little iffy with other dogs, so it’s good to put them in a stressful situation with other dogs and reward them for being good.”
“They’re a little iffy with other dogs, so it’s good to put them in a stressful situation with other dogs and reward them for being good.”
October 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Despite a chorus of cheers and honking cars at the No Kings protest in Raleigh, Clayton resident Jeffrey Cohn’s dogs Bindi and Obi are as calm as can be.
“They’re a little iffy with other dogs, so it’s good to put them in a stressful situation with other dogs and reward them for being good.”
“They’re a little iffy with other dogs, so it’s good to put them in a stressful situation with other dogs and reward them for being good.”
The No Kings rally on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh is awash with colorful characters — among them, the Cookie Monster from the children’s show “Sesame Street.”
October 18, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The No Kings rally on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh is awash with colorful characters — among them, the Cookie Monster from the children’s show “Sesame Street.”
No Kings protesters line the sidewalks of Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, as a stream of passing cars honk in solidarity.
October 18, 2025 at 4:37 PM
No Kings protesters line the sidewalks of Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, as a stream of passing cars honk in solidarity.
Just now: Governor @joshsteinnc.bsky.social speaks to residents who have lost their homes as he surveys flood damage in Chapel Hill. Story to come.
July 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Just now: Governor @joshsteinnc.bsky.social speaks to residents who have lost their homes as he surveys flood damage in Chapel Hill. Story to come.
DNC Chair Ken Martin’s take on Zohran Mamdani’s big NYC win:
June 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM
DNC Chair Ken Martin’s take on Zohran Mamdani’s big NYC win:
Submitted for your approval!
June 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Submitted for your approval!
A shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in Raleigh’s Bicentennial Plaza protesting Trump — more than 1,000 in attendance in what appears to be the city’s largest protest against the administration this year.
April 5, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in Raleigh’s Bicentennial Plaza protesting Trump — more than 1,000 in attendance in what appears to be the city’s largest protest against the administration this year.
Post the first video game you remember playing.
(hey, ESRB ratings are just a recommendation!)
(hey, ESRB ratings are just a recommendation!)
March 29, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Post the first video game you remember playing.
(hey, ESRB ratings are just a recommendation!)
(hey, ESRB ratings are just a recommendation!)
More than 100 showed up across from the Carolina Country Club, where Sen. Thom Tillis is holding a fundraiser, calling on him to hold a town hall and hear from his constituents. #ncpol
March 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
More than 100 showed up across from the Carolina Country Club, where Sen. Thom Tillis is holding a fundraiser, calling on him to hold a town hall and hear from his constituents. #ncpol
In Raleigh, hundreds of protesters rally in Halifax Mall in defense of scientific research as part of nationwide “Stand Up for Science” demonstrations.
March 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
In Raleigh, hundreds of protesters rally in Halifax Mall in defense of scientific research as part of nationwide “Stand Up for Science” demonstrations.
Some signs from the 50501 protest today:
March 4, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Some signs from the 50501 protest today:
Hundreds pack the NC State House grounds in Raleigh for the latest 50501 protest. Story TK.
March 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Hundreds pack the NC State House grounds in Raleigh for the latest 50501 protest. Story TK.
Scenes from Raleigh’s 50-state protest against Trump: demonstrators wave American flags and chant “Elon Musk has got to go!”
February 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Scenes from Raleigh’s 50-state protest against Trump: demonstrators wave American flags and chant “Elon Musk has got to go!”
Video from the field: activists march down Blount Street in downtown Raleigh in protest of Trump’s return to office.
Story to come.
Story to come.
January 21, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Video from the field: activists march down Blount Street in downtown Raleigh in protest of Trump’s return to office.
Story to come.
Story to come.
“…are you done with work yet?”
January 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
“…are you done with work yet?”
As we wait to see what action comes out of Cooper’s office at the close of his term, here’s some useful background: he has used his clemency powers more than any governor since progressive Jim Hunt, who left office in 2001.
Since his time, clemency powers had gone almost unused in NC.
Since his time, clemency powers had gone almost unused in NC.
December 23, 2024 at 8:21 PM
As we wait to see what action comes out of Cooper’s office at the close of his term, here’s some useful background: he has used his clemency powers more than any governor since progressive Jim Hunt, who left office in 2001.
Since his time, clemency powers had gone almost unused in NC.
Since his time, clemency powers had gone almost unused in NC.
No sign of Democratic Rep. Cecil Brockman at the General Assembly — his assistant is also not in.
His absence means Republicans need one less vote to override the governor’s veto. #ncpol
His absence means Republicans need one less vote to override the governor’s veto. #ncpol
December 11, 2024 at 5:21 PM
No sign of Democratic Rep. Cecil Brockman at the General Assembly — his assistant is also not in.
His absence means Republicans need one less vote to override the governor’s veto. #ncpol
His absence means Republicans need one less vote to override the governor’s veto. #ncpol
Demonstrators sing “This Little Light of Mine” as North Carolina legislators enter the House to vote on an override of the governor’s veto to SB 382, which shifts power away from elected Democrats. #ncpol
December 11, 2024 at 5:03 PM
Demonstrators sing “This Little Light of Mine” as North Carolina legislators enter the House to vote on an override of the governor’s veto to SB 382, which shifts power away from elected Democrats. #ncpol