North Carolina

Gerrymandered off the Hill, Kathy Manning eyes what’s next – Roll Call

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

Gerrymandered off the Hill, Kathy Manning eyes what’s next – Roll Call

Rep. Kathy Manning has no interest in retiring, which is precisely what she’s doing at the end of this term.

“I have no idea what I’m going to do when this job is over,” the North Carolina Democrat told Roll Call during a sit-down interview a few weeks ago.

Manning, of course, isn’t really choosing to leave Congress so much as being forced out. Following state judicial elections in 2022, the new GOP majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court reversed a recent decision that barred partisan gerrymandering, paving the way for Republicans in the state legislature to draw up new congressional maps that heavily disfavor Manning and her fellow Democrats.

Under court-drawn maps used in 2022, the swing state elected an even set of seven Democrats and seven Republicans to the House; in 2024, Republicans can safely expect to capture 10 or 11 seats.

While some of her colleagues quickly pivoted to pursue other offices, Manning took a wait-and-see approach, hoping to remain in the House before eventually accepting the reality that no Democrat has much of a shot in the newly formed district. Manning may be done with running for office for now, but “I’m not ready to give up trying to help my community,” she said.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Q: You came to Congress in 2021. Are you going to miss it?

A: I started in the middle of COVID, and I was caught in the House gallery during the insurrection. That was my third day in Congress, so that’s a pretty tough way to start a new job.

We didn’t have our committee meetings in person [during the pandemic]. Literally everything was done by Zoom. The only advantage was I got to learn a lot of names because I could look at all the different boxes on the screens and figure out who was who.

Like any new job, it takes a while to figure out who I could work with and how to work best, but I absolutely will miss it. It’s a privilege to get to represent your community.

Q: You’re leaving because of gerrymandering in North Carolina. The state legislature drew a pretty partisan new map.

A: Let’s be clear. They passed the most egregiously partisan map they could possibly pass to get rid of as many Democrats as they could in Congress.

In the past when there used to be gerrymandering, it used to be a best guess. Today, they can gerrymander with surgical precision because of computer programs. So this is a different kind.

The district I represented the first time is a Triad district, and if you know anything about North Carolina, [you know] Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem are in the Triad. It is the absolute definition of a community of interest. And now I represent all of Guilford County, which is Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville and a little bit of Winston, but still communities of interest. And I also represent Rockingham County and Caswell County, two more rural areas.

What makes me the most angry is that the communities I love are not going to have a representative who represents their interests and their values.

Q: That answer makes me think you’re not ready to give up being a politician. What’s next for you?

A: I’m not ready to give up trying to help my community. But I have no idea what I’m going to do when this job is over. I spent much of last year hoping that the Republican-led legislature would do the right thing in redrawing the maps, which obviously they didn’t.

And then I spent a couple months really examining the maps to see if I ran on my record in any of the three pieces that the district had been divided into, and if I really worked hard to get out and talk to people, was there any way to win? And, you know, there’s not. You can’t win in a map where your opponent, whoever he or she might be, has a 16-point advantage.

Q: What about other elected offices? Jeff Jackson was in a similar boat with redistricting, and he decided to run for state attorney general.

A: Honestly, I really haven’t thought about it. I was trying to figure out if there was any way to stay in this job. It was a tough decision, but it was the right decision. And now I’m focused on figuring out what I can get done in the time I have left.

Q: What can you get done?

A: We’ve worked on health care issues, bringing down the cost of health care. And I have another round of community project grants that I get to submit. We’ve been very successful in bringing money back to the district: for child care, for food banks, for innovation districts to help renovate some rundown areas, for a homeless shelter.

We’ve got one more chance to get federal dollars. I know that whoever takes over any of the three pieces of my district probably won’t submit for community funding because a lot of the Republicans don’t believe in bringing our own tax dollars back to help us.

Q: What has surprised you about working in Congress?

A: I think it’s amazing that anything gets done.

Q: Why?

A: Because the partisan divide is so disruptive. Last Congress, thanks to really extraordinary leadership on our side of the aisle, we were able to get more significant legislation passed than probably any administration in 50 years, like the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

But now that I see us operating with a divided Congress, I see how challenging it is. I have good friends on the other side of the aisle — people I have traveled with, people I’ve been on committees with — and they’re well-meaning people, but a lot of them are just afraid to step out of line from what Donald Trump wants.

Q: What do you think needs to happen to reduce the partisan divide?

A: Well, I think partisan gerrymandering is a real problem. Some members who are in gerrymandered districts have to get through the primary but never have to worry about the general. They don’t have to focus on what people with different political leanings want and how you move forward.

I’ll be honest, another thing that’s a problem is running every two years, because once you’re into the second year and people are looking at running again, it’s really hard to get things done.

Q: What are you most proud of from your time here?

A: Number one, how much I’ve been out listening to my community and bringing back funding.

And I have to say, one of my proudest moments was in my first term, when I was able to pass my Right to Contraception Act in the House. That was a bill we thought of when the Roe decision was leaked, and we realized they weren’t going to stop at the stripping away of abortion rights. We got support from all the relevant outside groups and got it on the House floor within two weeks. This term, I’ve been trying to get a Republican co-lead, but we haven’t been successful. Even though they know contraception is an issue, they’re afraid to do anything that might give a benefit to Democrats.

I’m very proud of the work I’ve done in leading the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. We’ve had an explosion of antisemitism in this country, and not just since Oct. 7 — it predates that. We pushed the Biden administration to put together an interagency task force, which they did, and they introduced the first-ever U.S. national strategy to counter antisemitism.

Q: What about your biggest regret?

A: That I have to leave.

Quick hits

What are you reading? “The Two-Parent Privilege,” which talks about the advantage kids have when they’re lucky enough to grow up in a two-parent household.

In politics, can the ends justify the means? It depends on the ends. If the desired end is to be a dictator, and you do it by disrupting the peaceful transfer of power, then no.

Your least popular opinion? Apparently my least popular opinion is that gerrymandering should be outlawed by the Supreme Court.

One thing you’ll miss about Congress? I will miss working with my staff. I have this great team both in D.C. and in my district.

One thing you won’t miss? I won’t miss having to leave my husband home by himself all the time. Being a member of Congress is really hard on your spouse.

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North Carolina

NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for April 16, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Thursday, April 16, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 16 drawing

Day: 1-1-2, Fireball: 8

Evening: 3-3-4, Fireball: 9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 16 drawing

Day: 6-2-3-1, Fireball: 9

Evening: 9-7-5-6, Fireball: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 16 drawing

06-07-28-29-32

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from April 16 drawing

06-08-15-19-42

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 16 drawing

01-02-31-47-57, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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North Carolina

Hundreds gather in Asheville, many voicing opposition to proposed ‘Roadless Rule’ rollback

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Hundreds gather in Asheville, many voicing opposition to proposed ‘Roadless Rule’ rollback

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Hundreds of people gathered in Asheville to share their thoughts on the U.S. Forest Service’s proposed rollback of the “Roadless Rule.”

This rule established prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction and timber harvests on nearly 60 million acres of national forests and grasslands, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

MountainTrue, the Sierra Club and other nonprofits organized the public hearing. The organizers will send the audio recording from the meeting and the written comments to the federal government.

“When the rule was created, the federal government held 600 public meetings. Now that the government is rescinding the rule, they’re holding no public meetings and it’s being done in a rush,” said MountainTrue’s resilient forests director Josh Kelly.

Kelly said anyone was welcome to the event, even people who want to see the rule rescinded. However, everyone News 13 spoke with before the event said they’re against rescinding the “Roadless Rule.”

PROPOSED ROLLBACK OF USFS ‘ROADLESS RULE’ PROMPTS ASHEVILLE ROUNDTABLE

“We should not be subjected to cutting up the forest, mining up the forest,” said Pat Davis, a Hickory resident.

“When they run these roads in, they start logging … We’re going to have all this runoff. It’s going to destroy basically the last strongholds of these trout. They are in those national forest areas,” said Roy DuVerger, a Whittier Resident.

SEPT. 21, 2025 – Nantahala National Forest in Topton, N.C. (Photo credit: Suzanne Thomas)

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture press release, rescinding the roadless rule would allow for fire prevention and responsible timber production.

But Kelly said rescinding this rule would have negative impacts.

“The impact would mean much more taxpayer dollars spent on and wasted on building roads into the most inaccessible and rugged parts of our national forest,” said Kelly.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE RESTRUCTURING RAISES QUESTIONS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FORESTS

It would also result in erosion and damage to fish and wildlife habitat, according to Kelly.

He said affected areas in western North Carolina include the South Mills River, the Black Mountains and Tusquitee Bald.

This public hearing is the first of a series of community events across WNC this month aiming to provide citizens with the opportunity to learn about the U.S. Forest Service’s proposed rollback of the “Roadless Rule.”

Click here for more information about the upcoming events on MountainTrue’s website.

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North Carolina

Is North Carolina at risk of ‘water bankruptcy’?

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Is North Carolina at risk of ‘water bankruptcy’?

North Carolina’s drought is pushing water levels lower and putting a sharper focus on whether the state’s water supply can keep pace with growth and a changing climate.

At Falls Lake, Raleigh’s primary source, levels are hovering just 2% above the threshold that could trigger restrictions.

“It is incredibly unusual for Falls Lake to be two and a half feet down in the middle of April,” Raleigh Water Assistant Director Ed Buchan said.

Reservoirs typically refill through the winter and spring. This year’s dry stretch has disrupted that pattern, leaving systems with less cushion heading into warmer months.

But drought is just one piece of a larger strain on the state’s water supplies.

A system under pressure

A recent United Nations report warns that many water systems worldwide are moving beyond short-term shortages and into a more persistent imbalance. Researchers describe it as “water bankruptcy,” when long-term use and damage outpace what natural systems can replenish.

In those cases, recovery to past conditions is no longer realistic.

The report points to a combination of factors, including population growth, overuse, pollution and climate change. Drought plays a role, but increasingly as part of a broader pattern driven by human activity.

Some of the same global pressures are beginning to surface in North Carolina.

Growth, transfers and demand

Across the state, communities are growing and looking for new water sources.

In Fuquay-Varina, officials are seeking to withdraw millions of gallons per day from the Cape Fear River Basin to support future demand, while returning treated water to a different basin. The proposal has drawn opposition from downstream communities concerned about long-term impacts.

Moving water between river basins can reduce the supply where it is taken from, especially during dry periods.

“The more we transfer water out of river basins, the greater that’s going to impact rural communities,” Western Piedmont Council of Governments Executive Director Anthony Starr said.

Those decisions are becoming more common as utilities try to keep pace with growth, but they also raise questions about how much water can be moved — and from where — before systems begin to feel the strain.

Local decisions, limited visibility

At the local level, officials say they are often weighing those questions without a complete picture of long-term impacts.

In Chatham County, commissioners recently approved a moratorium on data centers, driven in part by concerns about water use.

“I think that is probably the single greatest concern, and that is that probably what was weighed by the minds of our commissioners in deciding to pass the moratorium more than anything else,” Chatham Commissioner Karen Howard said. “We know that our climate future is at risk. We are in the process of creating a climate plan and the use of water is a significant concern for us.”

Howard said the pace of development can outstrip the ability to fully study its effects.

That uncertainty extends to smaller systems across the state.

“These rural systems don’t have the resources to do engineering studies so they don’t fully understand the impact before approving these projects,” said Heather Somers, director of the North Carolina Rural Water Association.

“If we don’t get some reins in place to reel that in and have some oversight on what these industrial users are going to pull from our resources, we’re going to be in trouble for sure,” Somers said.

Climate and compounding drought

Climate change is expected to make those challenges more complex.

Higher temperatures increase evaporation, while rainfall is becoming less predictable. That can mean longer dry periods followed by more intense storms, which do not always replenish water supplies in the same way.

Even when conditions improve, recovery may be incomplete.

“It takes a long time to get into a drought, and a long time to get out,” Buchan said.

Some water managers are increasingly looking at drought not as a single event, but as part of a longer cycle. Systems may not fully recover between dry periods, leaving less margin for the next one.

A changing balance

North Carolina’s water system has long depended on balance. Much of the water withdrawn by utilities is treated and returned to rivers, where it becomes part of the supply again.

But that balance can shift as demand changes.

Some large industrial users, including certain types of data centers, rely on cooling systems that remove water from the local system through evaporation.

“That’s water not going back to the Neuse River,” Buchan said. “It’s just gone.”

At the same time, long-term planning is built on projections that can be difficult to predict.

Regional utilities are working together through the Triangle Water Supply Partnership to map out demand decades into the future, but new types of growth and changing climate conditions add uncertainty to those forecasts.

“You’re really making a lot of assumptions,” Buchan said.

For now, utilities say North Carolina has the capacity to manage through the current drought.

But the combination of growth, shifting demand, climate variability and decisions about how water is shared across regions is raising a broader question.

Not just how to respond to this drought — but whether the system, as it exists today, can sustain what is coming next.

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